Oxidation in Soils, and its Relation to Productiveness

Abstract

It was shown in an earlier communication that the absorption of oxygen by soil is mainly brought about by the action of microorganisms, and is greatly diminished if the soil has previously been heated to 120ºC. On one occasion the temperature of the steriliser only rose to 95º, and it was found that the rate of oxidation of the soil, instead of being reduced, was considerably increased. This unexpected result led to experiments with other methods of partial sterilisation, such as exposure to vapours of toluene, chloroform, etc., and in each case the same effect was produced, the amount of oxygen absorbed showed a marked increase after the antiseptic was removed.