Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Siqi Gao, Yanyu Song, Changchun Song, Xianwei Wang, Xiuyan Ma, Jinli Gao, Xiaofeng Cheng, Yu Du
Summary: The study found that the decomposition rate of Eriophorum vaginatum litter was faster than that of Sphagnum, and an increase in temperature significantly promoted litter decomposition and CO2 emission for both plants. Nitrogen addition promoted the decomposition of E. vaginatum litter, but the effect on Sphagnum litter varied depending on the treatment. Microorganisms played a primary role in regulating the effects of temperature and nitrogen addition on plant litter decomposition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jodi E. Newman, Patrick A. Levasseur, Peter Beckett, Shaun A. Watmough
Summary: Peatlands act as a carbon sink and a record of atmospheric metal deposition, but air pollution can negatively impact Sphagnum mosses and subsequently affect carbon and metal accumulation in peat. This study examines how the loss of Sphagnum in peatlands near a copper and nickel smelter in Sudbury, Ontario, influences carbon accumulation and metal profiles in peat. The depth of accumulated peat increased with distance from the smelter, while the peat bulk density decreased. Despite high pollution loadings, the average rates of carbon accumulation were within the range of published values. Surface peat close to the smelters had higher concentrations of copper and nickel, with copper profiles in dated peat cores reflecting known pollution histories better than nickel profiles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
A. Jonathan Shaw, Bryan Piatkowski, Aaron M. Duffy, Blanka Aguero, Karn Imwattana, Marta Nieto-Lugilde, Adam Healey, David J. Weston, Megan N. Patel, Jeremy Schmutz, Jane Grimwood, Joseph B. Yavitt, Kristian Hassel, Hans K. Stenoien, Kjell-Ivar Flatberg, Christopher P. Bickford, Karen A. Hicks
Summary: We conducted phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses on Sphagnum magellanicum, one of the two Sphagnum species with a reference-quality genome. Our results showed that there are four clades/species within the S. magellanicum complex in eastern North America, with the reference genome belonging to Sphagnum divinum. The species exhibit varying degrees of nucleotide differences, with two informally referred species showing smaller differences. We also found evidence of introgression among species in the complex. Additionally, we found that a key ecological trait, tissue decomposability, does not differ between segregates in the S. magellanicum complex.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Anna Sinyutkina
Summary: This study investigated the drainage impact on vegetation and peat deposit in Western Siberia bogs, finding that large raised bogs are relatively stable and capable of self-restoration, while small bogs are more susceptible to drainage effects.
Article
Thermodynamics
Guenther Carlos Krieger Filho, Paulo Bufacchi, Franklin Costa, Ely Vieira Cortez, Jose Carlos Andrade, Kelly Ribeiro, Fernando de Souza Costa
Summary: This study compares the characteristics of peat with different densities during combustion, finding that the burning rate of high-density peat is significantly lower than that of low-density peat. Under the same conditions of organic matter and bulk surface area to volume ratio, the higher oxidation temperature of high-density peat leads to a lower burning rate.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Luisa Astolfi, Lorenzo Massimi, Mattia Rapa, Rita Rosa Pla, Raquel Clara Jasan, Mabel Beatriz Tudino, Silvia Canepari, Marcelo Enrique Conti
Summary: This study examines the distribution and accumulation of elements in peat deposits and Sphagnum moss in the Tierra del Fuego region of southern South America. The results show significant differences in element content between moss and peat samples, with some elements being more abundant in moss and others in peat. The findings highlight the role of moss as a facilitator for element entry into peat samples.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriel Magnan, Nicole K. Sanderson, Sanna Piilo, Steve Pratte, Minna Valiranta, Simon van Bellen, Hui Zhang, Michelle Garneau
Summary: Recent ecosystem shifts in northern peatlands, including transitions from oligotrophic fens to bogs and expansion of Sphagnum, are widespread and coincided with climate warming. Rapid transitions towards drier bog communities and Sphagnum expansion, especially in the northern subarctic sites of northeastern Canada, are concurrent with summer warming. These results suggest a northward migration of Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in North America in response to climate change, with differences in timing of ecosystem shifts reflecting internal peatland dynamics and varying vegetation responses.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pawel Pech, Bronislaw Wojtun, Aleksandra Samecka-Cymerman, Ludmila Polechonska, Alexander J. Kempers
Summary: The Sudetes mountain range is known for its diverse peat bogs, which rely on atmospheric precipitation as their only source of minerals. Due to the low buffering capacity of these peat bogs, they are highly responsive to atmospheric contamination, making them suitable for bioindication purposes. This study assessed the concentration of various metals in different plant functional types from peat bogs in the Sudetes, and found that the algae and Sphagnum mosses were the most effective indicators of trace metal pollution. Airborne contaminants, including those from long-range transport, were found to significantly contribute to trace metal levels in peat bogs located above the upper forest line. These findings highlight the importance of considering airborne depositions in monitoring and environmental protection programs.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lionel Djadaojee, Jules Grucker
Summary: By utilizing stimulated Brillouin gain spectroscopy technique, the equation of state of bulk liquid helium-4 at around 1 K between 0 and 10 bars was measured, showing good agreement with previous measurements and theoretical equations. The specific method used allows for determination at narrow space/timescales of 35 μm/190 ns, which is useful for resolving debates about the homogeneous cavitation pressure of liquid helium-4 at similar temperatures.
Article
Soil Science
Yuekai Wang, Zhongbin Zhang, Zichun Guo, Yueming Chen, Junsheng Yang, Xinhua Peng
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of combined soil moisture and thermal property sensors in estimating the dynamic of bulk density (ρb) in non-rigid soils under different tillage practices and established mathematic equations to predict ρb dynamics associated with soil subsidence and shrink-swelling processes. The results showed that the dual-sensor combination provided accurate ρb estimates and the proposed two-stage equation has great potential for predicting ρb dynamics.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Yuekai Wang, Zhongbin Zhang, Zhengchao Tian, Yili Lu, Tusheng Ren, Xinhua Peng
Summary: Commercial sensors and thermal grease can be used to measure soil water content and thermal properties to estimate soil bulk density dynamics in Vertisols effectively.
Article
Ecology
Amey S. Tilak, Kenneth A. Byrne, A. Jonay Jovani-Sancho, Matthew Saunders, Seamus Hoyne
Summary: This study utilized the HYDRUS 1-D computer model to quantify moss moisture stresses on Irish peatlands, using site-specific peat hydrophysical properties and different initial water table depths. The modeling results showed that most undrained peatlands did not reach the threshold of -100 cm in single year simulations. However, in consecutive 4-year simulations, some sites reached this threshold during dry years.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Zuzhi Huang, Yang Yang, Haipeng Lv, Caixia Shi, Tian Li, Yihan Ling, Ting Chen, Shaorong Wang
Summary: In this study, large-area PCFCs were successfully fabricated using multilayer-tape casting and hot-pressing lamination technology. Through optimizing the sintering process, PCFCs with dense electrolyte were obtained, showing good performance and durability.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Zhennan Zhu, Hong Tian, Guosheng Jiang, Bin Dou
Summary: This research examines the physico-mechanical characteristics of rocks undergoing thermal treatments, revealing that the density of rocks decreases with increasing temperature due to the expansion of rock volume. The loss of rock mass after thermal treatment is attributed to water evaporation, thermal reactions, and generation of rock fragments, while rock volume expansion is mainly caused by thermal expansion and reactions of rock-forming minerals.
GEOMECHANICS AND GEOENGINEERING-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Craig Walker, Madoc Sheehan
Summary: Macroalgae have the potential to contribute significantly to sustainability and circular economy goals. This study presents drying curves and models for convective drying of macroalgae, providing important insights for the drying process.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew J. Carroll, Andreas Heinemeyer, James W. Pearce-Higgins, Peter Dennis, Chris West, Joseph Holden, Zoe E. Wallage, Chris D. Thomas
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2015)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andreas Heinemeyer, Graeme T. Swindles
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phoebe A. Morton, Andreas Heinemeyer
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2018)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ashleigh J. Fletcher, Malcolm A. Smith, Andreas Heinemeyer, Richard Lord, Christopher J. Ennis, Edward M. Hodgson, Kerrie Farrar
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2014)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Mark A. Ashby, Andreas Heinemeyer
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Phoebe A. Morton, Chris Fennell, Rachel Cassidy, Donnacha Doody, Owen Fenton, Per-Erik Mellander, Phil Jordan
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phoebe A. Morton, Rachel Cassidy, Stewart Floyd, Donnacha G. Doody, W. Colin McRoberts, Philip Jordan
Summary: The study found that MCPA was widely present in a surface water source catchment, with occurrences positively correlated to sub-catchments with higher proportions of 'Improved Grassland' land use. The prevalence of high concentrations of MCPA poses costly problems for water source treatment. Using the data, simulations were conducted to explore the potential to reduce intake of water containing high concentrations of MCPA by stopping abstraction in different scenarios.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Mark Andrew Ashby, Andreas Heinemeyer
Summary: Despite contrary evidence, there is a growing tendency in the UK to view prescribed burning as always harmful to peatland ecosystems. Some position statements contain unverified assertions and misleading arguments. The aim is to encourage a more evidence-based approach to evaluating the impacts of prescribed burning on UK peatlands.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kevin Atcheson, Per-Erik Mellander, Rachel Cassidy, Sally Cook, Stewart Floyd, Colin McRoberts, Phoebe A. Morton, Phil Jordan
Summary: This study investigates the hydrological pathway processes of the agricultural acid herbicide MCPA in drinking water source catchments. The findings suggest that MCPA is mainly lost through acute, storm-dependent processes during the spraying season, with a portion being transported via deep baseflows. Reducing usage and implementing surface pathway disconnection measures are effective mitigation options.
Review
Ecology
Andreas Heinemeyer, Mark A. Ashby
Summary: Peatlands are important carbon stores globally, and prescribed fire is a recognized vegetation management tool. However, in the UK, there is debate over the use of prescribed burning in relation to habitat status and carbon storage in blanket bog peatlands. A review of the evidence by Gregg et al. is critically analyzed, and concerns are raised about their methodology and misrepresentation of evidence. Recommendations are made to improve the scientific robustness of the review and its value to academics, land managers, and policymakers.
Article
Geography
Andreas Heinemeyer, Quinn Asena, William Lee Burn, Anthony Lloyd Jones
GEO-GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENT
(2018)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Iulia Ilie, Peter Dittrich, Nuno Carvalhais, Martin Jung, Andreas Heinemeyer, Mirco Migliavacca, James I. L. Morison, Sebastian Sippel, Jens-Arne Subke, Matthew Wilkinson, Miguel D. Mahecha
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT
(2017)