Mean daily rates of acetylene (C2H2) reduction were determined from regular assays conducted over periods of up to 72 h. Time of occurrence of the daily mean was determined by reference to the diurnal pattern. Simple diurnal patterns of high daylight and lower dark rates were often observed, but there was substantial day-to-day variation on some occasions. This lead to differences in the time of occurrence of the mean but a strong trend for the mean value to occur later in the day from spring to autumn was apparent. Where C2H2reduction sampling is restricted to once in a day, the diurnal patterns need to be carefully established if errors in total daily rates are to be avoided.
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