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Organic Matter Decomposition as Influenced by Oxygen Level and Flow Rate of Gases in the Constant Aeration Method
Author(s) -
Parr J. F.,
Reuszer H. W.
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/sssaj1962.03615995002600060012x
Subject(s) - aeration , decomposition , oxygen , chemistry , straw , volumetric flow rate , organic matter , nitrous oxide , zoology , environmental chemistry , inorganic chemistry , thermodynamics , biology , organic chemistry , physics
Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the rate of decomposition of wheat straw added to soil when continuous aeration was conducted with N 2 ‐O 2 gas mixtures containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 21% oxygen at flow rates of ⅛, ¼, ½, 1, and 2 liters per hour. Rates of decomposition and total decomposition were followed by determination of wheat straw carbon evolved as CO 2 . Total decomposition at all oxygen levels varied directly with aeration flow rate, except for the 0% level where an inverse relationship was observed. Microbial activity at the 21% oxygen level was greatly stimulated as flow rate increased from ⅛ through 2 liters per hour. A rapid increase in microbial activity occurred for the 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0% oxygen levels as flow rate increased from ⅛ through ½ liters per hour, however, little increase in CO 2 production was observed at higher flow rates.