Changes in the humus status and the structure of the microbial biomass in hydrogen exhalation places

Evidence for natural molecular hydrogen seepage associated with Carolina bays (surficial, ovoid depressions on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Province of the USA)

“…The occurrence of molecular hydrogen in the soils of Carolina bays was discovered after noting the remarkable geomorphological similarity to depressions that emit H 2 in the EEC in Russia (Sukhanova et al 2013;Larin et al 2014). In both cases, relatively high H 2 concentrations were found in the soil gas of the bay-like features.…”

“…This detector is selective for H 2 and is not affected by H 2 S, CO, or any other gas. It has demonstrated excellent efficiency in several studies in which H 2 was measured or monitored (Firstov and Shirokov 2005;Rogozhin et al 2010;Sukhanova et al 2013). The second gas analyzer was the landfill GA2000 Plus multi-gas detector by Geotech® Leamington Spa, UK, equipped with a H 2 -sensitive electrochemical cell with a sensitivity for H 2 ranging from 1 to 1100 ppm.…”

“…Field measurements of the soil gas concentrations were made with a method modified from previously described techniques (Battani et al 2010;Rogozhin et al 2010;Garcia et al 2012;Sukhanova et al 2013;Larin et al 2014). Small holes were drilled with a portable perforator using a 120 cm long drilling bit with a 12 mm diameter.…”

“…When soil scientists studied the hydrogen-seeping features in the EEC in Russia (Sukhanova et al 2013;Polyanskaya et al 2014), they found that molecular hydrogen seeps from these structures and that this seepage affects the soil layers by disturbing the vegetation and the microbial biomass. In areas of H 2 seepage, the humus content decreases by a factor of 2-3 and the optical density of the humic acids is lower than in the surrounding areas.…”

“…In areas of H 2 seepage, the humus content decreases by a factor of 2-3 and the optical density of the humic acids is lower than in the surrounding areas. The fertility of arable lands decreases significantly, and they often become unsuitable for cultivation (Sukhanova et al 2013). The total quantities and biomasses of bacterial cells and fungal spores and the lengths of fungal and actinomycete mycelia decrease (Polyanskaya et al 2014).…”