Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mareike Gutensohn, Jeffra K. Schaefer, Elena Yunda, Ulf Skyllberg, Erik Bjorn
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the combined effects of chemical speciation of divalent, inorganic mercury and cell physiology on microbial formation of methylmercury. They found that low-molecular-mass thiols played a crucial role in enhancing MeHg formation by altering the partitioning and speciation of Hg(II). However, the conversion of cysteine to penicillamine by cells may suppress MeHg formation in cysteine-rich environments like biofilms.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily Seelen, Van Liem-Nguyen, Urban Wunsch, Zofia Baumann, Robert Mason, Ulf Skyllberg, Erik Bjorn
Summary: This study demonstrates that the concentration of thiol compounds associated with dissolved organic matter controls the bioavailability of methylmercury in aquatic systems.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ludovico Pontoni, Valentina Roviello, Marco Race, Luigi Savignano, Eric D. van Hullebusch, Giovanni Esposito, Francesco Pirozzi, Massimiliano Fabbricino
Summary: Natural organic matter (NOM) extracted from Sphagnum peat soil self-organizes into colloidal aggregates of variable sizes in water, stabilized by the exposure of polar functional groups to solvent, forming hydrogen bonds and dipole interactions. The inner part of the aggregates displays hydrophobic features and is further reinforced by p-stacking interactions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Youssef-Amine Boussouga, Malini Bangalore Mohankumar, Akhil Gopalakrishnan, Alexander Welle, Andrea I. Schaefer
Summary: The study found that in nanofiltration technology, the retention of As(III) significantly increased as the pH increased from 9 to 12, while the impact of salinity on As(III) retention was minor. Among different organic matter types, only humic acid (HA) was able to significantly increase As(III) retention.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Xiaoyong Chu, Jui-Lin Kuo, Josef Pradler
Summary: This study numerically treats the abundance of thermal dark matter at the MeV mass scale, taking into account the energy transfer among the dark sector, neutrinos, and the electromagnetically interacting plasma. The study finds that the present Planck data exclude a complex scalar dark matter particle with a mass of m(phi) <= 7 MeV.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Emmanouil Semidalas, Jan M. L. Martin
Summary: We present correlation-consistent basis sets for hydrocarbon systems, VnZ-F12-wis (n = D,T,Q). The basis sets are evaluated on a challenging test set for hydrocarbon barrier heights and demonstrate good performance. Our basis sets are compact and provide a computational advantage for large systems.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Mei-Ling Sun, Zhe Wang, Yu-Fang Ye, Qin Wang, Xiao-Yan Ma, Zhi-Xi Zhao
Summary: Arsenic pollution is a serious issue in groundwater worldwide. The interaction between arsenic, iron, and organic matter plays a significant role in the transformation and transportation of arsenic in groundwater. This review summarizes research in three areas, providing important theoretical and practical insights for understanding the mechanism of arsenic pollution and developing effective control measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOTECHNICS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
D. Ranjan, K. Ramakrishna, K. Voigt, O. S. Humphries, B. Heuser, M. G. Stevenson, J. Luetgert, Z. He, C. Qu, S. Schumacher, P. T. May, A. Amouretti, K. Appel, E. Brambrink, V. Cerantola, D. Chekrygina, L. B. Fletcher, S. Goede, M. Harmand, N. J. Hartley, S. P. Hau-Riege, M. Makita, A. Pelka, A. K. Schuster, M. Smid, T. Toncian, M. Zhang, T. R. Preston, U. Zastrau, J. Vorberger, D. Kraus
Summary: The insulator-metal transition in liquid hydrogen is explored for its importance in understanding gas giants and high-pressure, high-temperature materials. An experimental approach using spectrally resolved x-ray scattering is described, demonstrating the potential for observing hydrogen metallization in dynamically compressed hydrocarbons. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations and scattering spectra from undriven carbon samples show sufficient data quality for future experiments at the European x-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility.
PHYSICS OF PLASMAS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Martin van Horn, Trond Saue, Nanna Holmgaard List
Summary: We present a formulation and implementation of anisotropic and isotropic electronic circular dichroism (ECD) using the full semi-classical light-matter interaction operator within a four-component relativistic framework. Our treatment uniquely accounts for both beyond-first-order light-matter interactions and relativistic effects, enabling us to investigate the ECD response across the electromagnetic spectrum from optical to x-ray wavelengths.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia-Qi Chen, Guannan Zhou, Chuan-Shu He, Qi Li, Yi-Ran Wang, Yang Mu
Summary: This study compared the oxic and anoxic removal of DTA by ZVI of different sizes in the presence of NOM, revealing size-dependent responses of ZVI towards NOM. Under aerobic conditions, HA can either promote or inhibit DTA degradation by ZVI, while under anaerobic conditions, HA always suppresses DTA removal regardless of ZVI size.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Zhu, Xuewu Fu, Hui Zhang, Chen Liu, Ulf Skyllberg, Jonas Sommar, Ben Yu, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study reported the results of mercury isotope fractionation during atmosphere-surface exchange, revealing differences in Hg(0) emission from soils affected by background and mercury mining pollution. The emission of Hg(0) from soils is influenced by ambient Hg(0) concentration, and stable Hg isotopes can be used to understand the atmosphere-surface exchange processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
J. R. Marius Tuyishime, Gbotemi A. Adediran, Bengt A. Olsson, Marie Spohn, Stephen Hillier, Wantana Klysubun, Jon Petter Gustafsson
Summary: The study investigates the vertical distribution of phosphorus species in different layers of forest soils in Northern forests. Results show that organic P and adsorbed P are the predominant forms of P in different soil layers, with significant differences in composition and abundance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Danni Zhang, Rui Cao, Yu Song, Yumeng Wang, Peiwen Zhang, Ying Wang, Fan Xiao, Shaofeng Wang, Yongfeng Jia
Summary: This study investigated the impact of high concentration of iron (Fe-III) on the speciation and mobility of arsenic (As) under strongly acidic conditions. The results showed that the elevated Fe-III induced the decomposition of ferric arsenate, forming dissolved and colloidal As-Fe complexes. The proportion of particulate As decreased with the increase of Fe/As molar ratio, and the particle size of the bulk samples decreased significantly. The findings suggest that high aqueous Fe(III) concentration can promote the mobility of As by forming dissolved/colloidal Fe-As complexes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yumeng Wang, Shaofeng Wang, Yu Song, Peiwen Zhang, Xu Ma, Jinru Lin, Hongtao Lv, Danni Zhang, Shuhua Yao, Yongfeng Jia
Summary: A novel in situ method has been proposed to stabilize calcium arsenic residues (CAR) by adding FeIII solution and subsequent formation of yukonite. The stability of CAR was significantly increased after the addition of Fe-III solution, and the dissolved As concentration in the treated CAR samples decreased to a safe level.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Peiwen Zhang, Shaofeng Wang, Danni Zhang, Yumeng Wang, Yu Song, Yongfeng Jia
Summary: Thioarsenic species are widely present in transitional environments and can be formed through the oxidation of arsenite under the influence of ambient air. This study provides insights into the formation mechanisms of thioarsenic species and their potential intermediate roles in environments with varying redox potential or intermittent anoxia.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sofi Jonsson, Van Liem-Nguyen, Agneta Andersson, Ulf Skyllberg, Mats B. Nilsson, Erik Lundberg, Erik Bjorn
Summary: This study investigates the bioaccumulation of mercury in different groups of benthic invertebrates and identifies the factors that control mercury accumulation, including the localization and chemical speciation of mercury in the sediment and the diet composition of the invertebrates.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric Capo, Benjamin D. Peterson, Minjae Kim, Daniel S. Jones, Silvia G. Acinas, Marc Amyot, Stefan Bertilsson, Erik Bjoern, Moritz Buck, Claudia Cosio, Dwayne A. Elias, Cynthia Gilmour, Marisol Goni-Urriza, Baohua Gu, Heyu Lin, Yu-Rong Liu, Katherine McMahon, John W. Moreau, Jarone Pinhassi, Mircea Podar, Fernando Puente-Sanchez, Pablo Sanchez, Veronika Storck, Yuya Tada, Adrien Vigneron, David A. Walsh, Marine Vandewalle-Capo, Andrea G. Bravo, Caitlin M. Gionfriddo
Summary: Researchers have proposed a standardized protocol for detecting, identifying, and quantifying hgc genes from metagenomes, and have created a database containing information on hgc genes. They have also developed a user-friendly bioinformatic pipeline for accurately characterizing hgc genes from environmental samples. The results show that both approaches have similar efficiency in most environments, except for high diversity environments where the coassembly approach is preferred.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eric Capo, Caiyan Feng, Andrea G. Bravo, Stefan Bertilsson, Anne L. Soerensen, Jarone Pinhassi, Moritz Buck, Camilla Karlsson, Jeffrey Hawkes, Erik Bjorn
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between hgc genes and MeHg in the redox-stratified water columns of the Baltic Sea. The findings showed that hgc transcript abundance and the concentration of dissolved Hg-II-sulfide species were strong predictors of Hg-II methylation rate and MeHg concentration. The study also highlighted the versatility of putative Hg-II methylators in the water column of the Baltic Sea through genome reconstruction.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Gbotemi A. Adediran, Melanie Kielman-Schmitt, Ellen Kooijman, Jon-Petter Gustafsson
Summary: Recent advances in soil phosphorus (P) studies have revealed the presence of unique P hot spots and discrete micron-sized grains in soil microenvironments. However, the significance of these hot spots and grains in P cycling and long-term supply is still uncertain. This study used laser ablation ICP-MS imaging to investigate the distribution of soil particles and pore space at a micro-scale, and found that topsoil P was co-localised with Si, Al, and Fe, while subsoil P was mainly co-localised with Ca, Si, Al, and Mg. The findings suggest that the P-Ca spots and micron-sized grains in the subsoil could be a long-term source of P and Ca in these soils.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
J. R. Marius Tuyishime, Gbotemi A. Adediran, Bengt A. Olsson, Therese Sahlen Zetterberg, Lars Hogbom, Marie Spohn, Hyungwoo Lim, Wantana Klysubun, Camelia N. Borca, Thomas Huthwelker, Jon Petter Gustafsson
Summary: Application of wood ash to forests can restore pools of phosphorus and other nutrients. This study investigates the mechanisms affecting the fate of ash-phosphorus in the organic layer and finds that ash application increases the solubility of phosphorus in the soil.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Antti Piironen, Anthony D. Fox, Hakon Kampe-Persson, Ulf Skyllberg, Ole Roland Therkildsen, Toni Laaksonen
Summary: Migratory connectivity is a metric that measures the co-occurrence of migratory animals from different breeding sites, and it can vary throughout the annual cycle. Tracking taiga bean geese, the study found that connectivity can vary at different times during the nonbreeding period, and total counts might underestimate the population size.
POPULATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mareike Gutensohn, Jeffra K. Schaefer, Elena Yunda, Ulf Skyllberg, Erik Bjorn
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the combined effects of chemical speciation of divalent, inorganic mercury and cell physiology on microbial formation of methylmercury. They found that low-molecular-mass thiols played a crucial role in enhancing MeHg formation by altering the partitioning and speciation of Hg(II). However, the conversion of cysteine to penicillamine by cells may suppress MeHg formation in cysteine-rich environments like biofilms.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sylvain Bouchet, Anne L. Soerensen, Erik Bjorn, Emmanuel Tessier, David Amouroux
Summary: Identifying Hg sources and controlling Hg levels in aquatic ecosystems is crucial. This study investigated the Hg concentrations and stable isotopes in sediment, seston, and fish from different basins in the Baltic Sea. The results showed that terrestrial and industrial sources contribute to Hg in sediments, while atmospheric inputs affect odd Hg isotopes. Additionally, wet-deposited Hg accumulates more in northern basins, and the extent of MMHg photodegradation varies across different regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily Seelen, Van Liem-Nguyen, Urban Wunsch, Zofia Baumann, Robert Mason, Ulf Skyllberg, Erik Bjorn
Summary: This study demonstrates that the concentration of thiol compounds associated with dissolved organic matter controls the bioavailability of methylmercury in aquatic systems.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)