Turn-over (i.e. production and consumption) of ethylene was examined in con
trasting soil types to evaluate the effect of environmental changes on C2H4
dynamics. Three general responses to batch incubation with C2H4 (generally
12-16 mul l(-1)) were observed: (i) arable soil and lake sediment required
prolonged acclimation (1-4 weeks) for C2H4 consumption and showed no C2H4
production; (ii) coniferous and deciduous forest soil showed an inherent ca
pacity for C2H4 consumption (21-85 pmol C2H4 g(-1) dry wt h(-1)) and a subs
equent C2H4 production (4-26 pmol C2H4 g(-1) dry wt h(-1)), which coincided
with a depletion of O-2 to below similar to1%; (iii) coniferous litter sam
ples showed a slight C2H4 consumption (0-30 pmol C2H4 g(-1) dry wt h(-1)) f
ollowed by a large C2H4 production (32-120 pmol C2H4 g(-1) dry wt h(-1)), a
gain coinciding with depletion of the O-2 pool. The results for forest samp
les indicated that C2H4 was produced and consumed simultaneously under aero
bic conditions, while it was only produced under sub-oxic conditions. Simil
ar patterns of C2H4 turn-over were found in samples collected in different
years and both C2H4-consuming and -producing microorganisms survived during
storage at 2 degreesC for 22 months. Notably in coniferous soil, changes i
n C2H4 dynamics apparently could have the potential to adversely influence
plant growth. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.