Correct Answer: It is slower.

Solution : The correct answer is it is slower .

When detritus is rich in lignin and chitin, the decomposition rate typically slows down. The presence of lignin and chitin in detritus acts as a barrier to decomposition. It slows down the breakdown of organic matter, as these materials require specialised enzymes and longer processing times to degrade. The decomposition of organic matter is primarily carried out by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. However, these microorganisms struggle to break down lignin and chitin efficiently because their enzymatic machinery is not well-equipped to handle these complex compounds.