Soil H sub(2)-uptake in relation to soil properties and rhizobial H sub(2)-production

The biological nature of soil H sub(2)-consumption has been investigated. Soil microorganisms were capable to remove H sub(2) present in the gas phase at concentrations in the range of 200 ppm. Oxygen seemed to be the predominant electron acceptor. The influence of microbiological and physical soil properties on the H sub(2)-uptake activity was examined for 38 soils. A highly significant correlation between biomass-C and H sub(2)-uptake rate of the soil was noted. The correlation was not applicable for soils recently grown with legumes.