Premium
Measurement of Microbial Thermogenesis in Soil
Author(s) -
Clark Francis E.,
Jackson Ray D.,
Gardner Herbert R.
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1962.03615995002600020018x
Subject(s) - loam , environmental science , thermistor , zoology , soil test , soil water , chemistry , agronomy , soil science , biology , electrical engineering , engineering
Microbially induced temperature changes were measured in laboratory soil lots without vacuum insulation or adiabatic control. The instrumentation consisted of thermistors, a 52‐point stepping switch, and a bridge‐type strip‐chart recorder. The thermistors were variously positioned in soil quantities of 25 g., 3.3 kg., and 39.6 kg. The temperature changes were measured on an alluvial sandy loam, unamended or amended with either alfalfa meal or sucrose, at rates ranging from 0.1 to 1.0%. Temperature elevations of the order of 1.5°C. were observed in the 39.6 kg. uninsulated soil lots containing 1.0% alfalfa meal and 5.3°C. in 3.3‐kg. soil lots similarly amended and incubated in insulated containers. Addition of 1.0% alfalfa meal to 25 g. soil in uninsulated glass containers led to a maximum rise of 0.22°C. In other work, soil temperature values were determined in various soil lots given lesser rates of organic amendments. The data obtained show that organic residues in soil can cause local areas within which microbially induced thermogenesis is measurable for intervals of several days, or even weeks, despite the relatively high specific heat capacity and conductivity of moist soil.