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Science 18 June 1971:
Vol. 172. no. 3989, pp. 1229 - 1231
DOI: 10.1126/science.172.3989.1229
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Articles

Soil: A Natural Sink for Carbon Monoxide

Robert E. Inman 1, Royal B. Ingersoll 1, and Elaine A. Levy 1

1 Stanford Research Institute-Irvine, Irvine, California 92664

A potting soil mixture depleted carbon monoxide in a test atmosphere from a concentration of 120 parts per million to near zero within 3 hours. Maximum activity occurred at 30°C. Steam sterilization of the soil, the addition of antibiotics or 10 percent (by weight) saline solution, and anaerobic conditions all prevented carbon monoxide uptake. Sterilized soil inoculated with nonsterile soil acquired activity with time. Samples of various natural soils differed in their ability to remove carbon monoxide from the air. Acidic soils with a high content of organic matter were generally the most active. The soil's ability to remove carbon monoxide from the atmosphere is ascribed to the activity of soil micro-organisms.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
How Much Are Nature's Services Worth?.
W. E. Westman (1977)
Science 197, 960-964
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Carbon Monoxide: Natural Sources Dwarf Man's Output.
T. H. Maugh II (1972)
Science 177, 338-339
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Carbon Monoxide Balance in Nature.
B. Weinstock and H. Niki (1972)
Science 176, 290-292
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Fate of Air Pollutants: Removal of Ethylene, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide by Soil.
F. B. Abeles, L. E. Craker, L. E. Forrence, and G. R. Leather (1971)
Science 173, 914-916
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