When organisms die, decomposers such as bacteria digest on the dead organism. As bacteria also requires respiration for energy, they release carbon dioxide as well, just like other animals.
Therefore, the decomposition of dead organisms also produces carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is an important process in the carbon cycle.
Explanation: the reaction is: C6H12O6 + 6 H2O + 6 O2 -> 6 CO2 + 12 H2O + 38 ATP + heat Because of the 2 glucose molecules you multiply the stoichiometry with a factor 2 so: 2 x 6 O2 = 12 O2