Anaerobic capacities of leaf litter

Leaf litter displayed a capacity to spontaneously form organic acids, alcohols, phenolic compounds, H-2, and CO2 when incubated anaerobically at 20 degrees C either as buffered suspensions or in a moistened condition in microcosms. Acetate was the predominant organic product formed regardless of the degree of litter decomposition, Initial rates of acetate formation in litter suspensions and microcosms approximated 2.6 and 0.53 pmol of acetate per g (dry weight) of litter per h, respectively, Supplemental H-2 was directed towards the apparent acetogenic synthesis of acetate, Acetoclastic methanogenesis was induced by partially decomposed litter after extended lag phases; freshly fallen litter did not display this capacity.