The design and use of aerated microcosms in mineralization studies.

The need for aeration of microcosms during mineralization of 14C-labeled compounds in high oxygen demand environments was assessed using active compost-soil mixtures as the model system. Rapid mineralization of 14C-hexadecane occurred in continuously aerated microcosms while no mineralization occurred in unaerated microcosms. Daily flushing with air also yielded no mineralization. Mineralization of 14C-glucose was much less dependent on aeration. The alkaline solution volume and number of CO2 traps required for continuous aeration were calculated and tested experimentally.