Life Sciences Commons^™

Microbial Consumption Of Atmospheric Isoprene In A Temperate Forest Soil, Cory C. Cleveland, J. B. Yavitt

Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences Faculty Publications

Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3 butadiene) is a low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon emitted in large quantities to the atmosphere by vegetation and plays a large role in regulating atmospheric chemistry. Until now, the atmosphere has been considered the only significant sink for isoprene. However, in this study we performed both in situ and in vitro experiments with soil from a temperate forest near Ithaca, N.Y., that indicate that the soil provides a sink for atmospheric isoprene and that the consumption of isoprene is carried out by microorganisms. Consumption occurred rapidly in field chambers (672.60 +/- 30.12 to 2,718.36 +/- 86.40 pmol gdw day) (gdw is …