| Küsel, K; Drake, HL: Anaerobic capacities of leaf litter, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 62, 4216-4219 (1996) | |
| Abstract: Leaf litter displayed a spontaneous capacity to form organic acids, alcohols, phenolic compounds, H2, and CO2 when incubated anaerobically at 20°C as buffered suspensions or in a moistened condition in microcosms. Acetate was the predominant organic product formed independent of the degree of litter decomposition. Initial rates for acetate formation with litter suspensions and microcosms approximated 2.6 and 0.53 µmol acetate per g (dry weight) litter per hour, respectively. Supplemental H2 was directed towards the apparent acetogenic synthesis of acetate. Acetoclastic methanogenesis was induced by partially decomposed litter after extended lag phases; freshly fallen litter did not display this capacity. |
