Article
Ecology
Roel van Klink, Diana E. Bowler, Orr Comay, Michael M. Driessen, S. K. Morgan Ernest, Alessandro Gentile, Francis Gilbert, Konstantin B. Gongalsky, Jennifer Owen, Guy Pe'er, Israel Pe'er, Vincent H. Resh, Ilia Rochlin, Sebastian Schuch, Ann B. Swengel, Scott R. Swengel, Thomas J. Valone, Rikjan Vermeulen, Tyson Wepprich, Jerome L. Wiedmann, Jonathan M. Chase
Summary: Insects are the most common and diverse organisms on Earth, but recent observations of dramatic declines have brought them into the spotlight. To facilitate comprehensive analysis of insect abundance changes, researchers compiled a database of long-term studies from 1925 to 2018, consisting of 1,668 plot-level time series from 165 studies.
Article
Ecology
Maria Bertaso De Garcia Fernandez, Lizete Stumpf, Pablo Miguel, Luiz Fernando Spinelli Pinto, Filipe Selau Carlos, Ryan Noremberg Schubert, Adao Pagani Junior, Eliana Aparecida Cadona, Juliana Maciel Bicca
Summary: Mining is highly destructive to natural ecosystems. This study examined the impact of revegetation and mowing management on soil quality after coal mining in Brazil's largest mine, Candiota Mine. The results showed that there was improvement in soil microbiological activity after 18 years of revegetation, but mowing management may not be the most effective method for improving soil conditions.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bart G. G. van Hall, Chris Sweeney, Melanie Bottoms, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel
Summary: A better understanding of the relationship between soil organic matter (OM) content and pesticide toxicity to soil invertebrates is crucial for improving risk assessment approaches. This study collected toxicity data from various studies and found that the toxicity-OM relationship differs depending on the chemical, toxicity endpoint, and species. This suggests that current risk assessment approaches based on lipophilicity and species correction factors may not be sufficient.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
J. Traba, J. Gomez-Catasus, A. Barrero, D. Bustillo-de la Rosa, J. Zurdo, I Hervas, C. Perez-Granados, E. L. Garcia de la Morena, A. Santamaria, M. Reverter
Summary: This study attempts to quantify the relationship between arthropod biomass and plant productivity in shrub steppes using UAV and satellite imagery. The results indicate that UAV and satellite imagery data may be viable and cost-efficient alternatives for quantifying arthropod biomass at large scales.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tereza Novotna Jaromerska, Jakub Trubac, Krzysztof Zawierucha, Lenka Vondrovicova, Miloslav Devetter, Jakub D. Zarsky
Summary: This study presents data on the isotopic composition of tardigrades, rotifers, and cryoconite from High Arctic glaciers in Svalbard, discussing their role in a cryoconite hole trophic network. Differences in isotopic values between consumers and organic matter in cryoconite were found, indicating the need for further investigation into the particular diets and isotopic ratios of cryoconite consumers. The study introduces the first observation of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition of top consumers in cryoconite holes, paving the way for future studies on supraglacial trophic networks.
Article
Limnology
Michael L. Pace, Cal D. Buelo, Stephen R. Carpenter
Summary: Lake respiration is supported by a combination of autochthonous and allochthonous resources, with temperature and organic matter inputs influencing the process. However, the variability in daily inputs can lead to fluctuations in respiration rates, with nutrients not directly tracking phytoplankton blooms in the lakes. Changes in hydrologic, climatic, and land use factors may result in linear responses in ecosystem processes like respiration.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jakub Buda, Ewa A. Poniecka, Piotr Rozwalak, Roberto Ambrosini, Elizabeth A. Bagshaw, Andrea Franzetti, Piotr Klimaszyk, Adam Nawrot, Miroslawa Pietryka, Dorota Richter, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: This study experimentally investigated the influence of sediment oxygenation on the production and decomposition of organic matter in cryoconite on glaciers. The results have implications for understanding biogeochemical processes on glacier surfaces, organism adaptation to changing physical conditions due to sediment mixing, and estimating productivity of supraglacial systems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiaojiao Liao, Xuan Yang, Yanxing Dou, Baorong Wang, Zhijing Xue, Hui Sun, Yang Yang, Shaoshan An
Summary: Grassland restoration is an effective method to increase soil carbon stocks, with different contributions from plant-derived particulate organic carbon (POC) and microbial-derived mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC). 30-year grassland restoration increased POC by 47% and MAOC by 41%. POC was mainly influenced by plant biomass, while MAOC was affected by microbial necromass and leaching of calcium-bound carbon. Both POC and MAOC play important roles in soil organic carbon sequestration during grassland restoration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lukas Brodsky, Vit Vilimek, Miroslav Sobr, Tomas Kroczek
Summary: Supraglacial lakes are important for ice dynamics and surface hydrology. This study quantifies the effect of suspended particulate matter on lake depth measurements. The results show a good relationship between water spectra and lake depth even in the presence of suspended particulate matter.
Article
Soil Science
YunFei Zhao, Xia Wang, Fei Chen, Jia Li, JinHong Wu, YuXin Sun, YuanYe Zhang, Tao Deng, SiLong Jiang, XiaoHe Zhou, HuiYing Liu
Summary: In this study, the link between aboveground biomass (AGB) and soil organic matter (SOM) across 209 alpine grassland sites on the Tibetan Plateau was evaluated. It was found that AGB decreased with increasing aridity severity above a threshold of 0.37. Additionally, a stronger positive relationship between AGB and SOM was observed in more arid conditions beyond an aridity threshold of 0.64. The results highlight the importance of soil carbon sequestration strategies for biomass production and climate change mitigation in arid areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhe Wang, Min Lv, Chu-Long Huang, Dong-Dong Zhang, Ruixia Han, Gang Li, Ling-Xin Chen
Summary: This study found that anthropogenic activities, such as urbanization and oil combustion, have a significant impact on the distribution and properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in intertidal sediments. The release of organic matters from urbanization and the combustion of oil contribute to the higher concentration of aromatic compounds in the sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roel van Klink, Diana E. Bowler, Konstantin B. Gongalsky, Jonathan M. Chase
Summary: The authors address points raised by Jahnig et al., clarifying that they did not suggest a global increasing trend in freshwater insect abundances, but rather an average increasing trend in available data. They also did not imply global improvements in freshwater quality, but noted that documented improvements can explain some observed trends. They encourage freshwater ecologists to share more long-term monitoring data for larger and more comprehensive syntheses.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas S. Varner, Harshad Kulkarni, William Nguyen, Kyungwon Kwak, M. Bayani Cardenas, Peter S. K. Knappett, Ann S. Ojeda, Natalia Malina, Mesbah Uddin Bhuiyan, Kazi M. Ahmed, Saugata Datta
Summary: Elevated dissolved arsenic concentrations in the shallow aquifers of Bangladesh are primarily caused by microbially-mediated reduction of As-bearing iron in organic matter rich, reducing environments. Interactions between the river and groundwater along the Meghna River cause fluctuating redox conditions, forming a Fe-rich natural reactive barrier capable of sequestering As. The geochemistry of riverbank and aquifer sediments show differences in the extracted inorganic and organic constituents, impacting the mobility of As in the dry season.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaron Adkins, Jessica R. Miesel
Summary: The study found that high intensity soil heating reduces soil carbon sink strength by affecting microbial anabolism, while lower intensity heating has minimal impact on microbial biomass accumulation and carbon use efficiency. Addition of pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) to soils resulted in similar microbial biomass accumulation compared to uncharred organic matter, but lower CO2 emissions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tho Huu Huynh Tran, Sang Hyun Kim, Hosub Lee, Ho Young Jo, Jaeshik Chung, Seunghak Lee
Summary: The nonstationary nature of water and oxygen content in the vadose zone determines various biogeochemical reactions regarding arsenic (As) therein, which affects the groundwater vulnerability to As contamination at a site. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of soil organic matter (OM) on the behavior of As using specifically designed soil columns that simulated the vadose zone. OM was found to exhibit variable effects, either inhibiting or accelerating the mobilization of As, depending on bulk density.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jakub Buda, Ewa A. Poniecka, Piotr Rozwalak, Roberto Ambrosini, Elizabeth A. Bagshaw, Andrea Franzetti, Piotr Klimaszyk, Adam Nawrot, Miroslawa Pietryka, Dorota Richter, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: This study experimentally investigated the influence of sediment oxygenation on the production and decomposition of organic matter in cryoconite on glaciers. The results have implications for understanding biogeochemical processes on glacier surfaces, organism adaptation to changing physical conditions due to sediment mixing, and estimating productivity of supraglacial systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Krzysztof Zawierucha, Artur Trzebny, Jakub Buda, Elizabeth Bagshaw, Andrea Franzetti, Miroslawa Dabert, Roberto Ambrosini
Summary: This study investigated the relationships between bacteria, fungi, and other microeukaryotes in cryoconite and tardigrades. The results showed that tardigrades consume bacteria, fungi, and other microeukaryotes in cryoconite, and their presence enriches the microbiome of glaciers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Piotr Rozwalak, Pawel Podkowa, Jakub Buda, Przemyslaw Niedzielski, Szymon Kawecki, Roberto Ambrosini, Roberto S. Azzoni, Giovanni Baccolo, Jorge L. Ceballos, Joseph Cook, Biagio Di Mauro, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Andrea Franzetti, Dariusz Ignatiuk, Piotr Klimaszyk, Edyta Lokas, Masato Ono, Ivan Parnikoza, Miroslawa Pietryka, Francesca Pittino, Ewa Poniecka, Dorota L. Porazinska, Dorota Richter, Steven K. Schmidt, Pacifica Sommers, Juliana Souza-Kasprzyk, Marek Stibal, Witold Szczucinski, Jun Uetake, Lukasz Wejnerowski, Jacob C. Yde, Nozomu Takeuchi, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: Cryoconite, composed of mineral and organic material, covers glacial ice and plays a crucial role in ecological processes and glacier functioning. Research has shown that cryoconite exhibits diverse morphologies, with organic matter content closely linked to granular forms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edyta Lokas, Przemyslaw Wachniew, Giovanni Baccolo, Pawel Gaca, Karel Janko, Andrew Milton, Jakub Buda, Kamila Komedera, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: This study provides the first survey of the occurrence of artificial and natural radionuclides in Norwegian cryoconitc. The concentrations of radionuclides in cryoconite samples from the Blaisen Glacier were found to be extremely high, primarily due to bioaccumulation in organic-rich cryoconite and enhanced by contamination transfers from the tundra by lemmings.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Juliana Souza-Kasprzyk, Thais de Castro Paiva, Peter Convey, Larissa Schmauder Teixeira da Cunha, Tuany Alves Soares, Krzysztof Zawierucha, Erli Schneider Costa, Przemyslaw Niedzielski, Joao Paulo Machado Torres
Summary: The presence of marine vertebrates in Antarctic soils has an influence on trace element and soil organic matter levels, although it does not significantly increase the concentrations of these elements. There is evidence of selective enrichment, indicating a zoogenic influence. Soil elemental levels in this region are determined by a combination of local geology, vertebrate diet, and colony size.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masato Ono, Nozomu Takeuchi, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: Snow ecosystems are crucial for polar and mountainous regions, impacting water systems, biogeochemical cycles, and supporting specific snow-dwelling species. However, knowledge of the taxonomic diversity of microinvertebrates in snow is limited. This study used morphological and molecular approaches to identify two tardigrade species found in green snow patches on Mt. Gassan in Japan.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicoletta Makowska-Zawierucha, Joanna Mokracka, Marcelina Malecka, Piotr Balazy, Maciej Chelchowski, Dariusz Ignatiuk, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: The Arctic region, heavily impacted by climate change, shows a lack of research regarding antibiotic resistance. This study aims to determine the types and frequencies of integron-integrase genes in bacteria, as well as analyze the presence of these genes in the metagenomes of high Arctic environments. Through sampling different areas with varying levels of human activity, it was found that integrons and genes associated with antibiotic resistance play significant roles in bacterial adaptation to cold and dynamic environments. The study also revealed the influence of both natural and human factors in shaping the resistome of polar aquatic environments.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Krzysztof Zawierucha, Daniel Stec, Peter K. Dearden, Daniel H. Shain
Summary: The study investigated tardigrades in three temperate glaciers of New Zealand's Southern Alps and discovered two new genera and four new species through morphological and DNA analysis. The results suggest that tardigrade speciation was triggered by glacier fragmentation during the Pleistocene, making it an important model for studying allopatric divergence in glacier meiofauna.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Francesca Pittino, Jakub Buda, Roberto Ambrosini, Marco Parolini, Arianna Crosta, Krzysztof Zawierucha, Andrea Franzetti
Summary: Glaciers are ecosystems that contain active biological communities. They act as condensers where pollutants are deposited due to high precipitation rates and cold temperatures. This review aims to provide an overview of the studies on the effects of pollutants on glacier ecosystems, particularly the supraglacial ecosystem. Despite discussions on the distribution of pollutants in glacier environments, no review paper has summarized the current knowledge on the effects of these substances on the ecological communities living in glaciers.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Tereza Novotna Jaromerska, Roberto Ambrosini, Mikolaj Mazurkiewicz, Andrea Franzetti, Piotr Klimaszyk, Piotr Rozwalak, Ewa Poniecka, Lenka Vondrovicova, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: This study investigated the differences in dominant invertebrate consumers in three different habitats on the glacier surface. The results showed that the microenvironments on the glacier surface play a crucial role in the functioning of the glacier ecosystem.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. Pittino, R. Ambrosini, M. Seeger, R. S. Azzoni, G. Diolaiuti, P. Alviz Gazitua, A. Franzetti
Summary: This study provides the first description of the bacterial communities in cryoconite holes of South American glaciers. The bacterial communities were found to be similar to those observed in cryoconite holes of other continents, but with fewer cyanobacteria. The composition of bacterial communities varied between glaciers and was influenced by water pH and O-2 concentration.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Francesca Pittino, Krzysztof Zawierucha, Ewa Poniecka, Jakub Buda, Asia Rosatelli, Simone Zordan, Roberto S. Azzoni, Guglielmina Diolaiuti, Roberto Ambrosini, Andrea Franzetti
Summary: Recent evidence has revealed the presence of a potential niche for anaerobic microorganisms and processes in supraglacial sediments. This study used rRNA and mRNA sequencing to demonstrate that anaerobes are actively involved in these environments and play a significant role in ecosystem functions.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lukasz Wejnerowski, Ewa Poniecka, Jakub Buda, Piotr Klimaszyk, Agnieszka Piasecka, Marcin Krzysztof Dziuba, Gianmarco Mugnai, Nozomu Takeuchi, Krzysztof Zawierucha
Summary: Cryoconite, the dark sediment on glaciers, acts as a biogeochemical factory, supporting microbial communities and providing nutrients for micrometazoans. This study reveals that cyanobacteria are responsible for the granulation of cryoconite by binding mineral particles together through extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion. The presence of mineral substrate increases the formation of these complex microstructures on glaciers.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Krzysztof Zawierucha, Eva Stefkova Kasparova, Sandra McInnes, Jakub Buda, Roberto Ambrosini, Miloslav Devetter, Gentile Francesco Ficetola, Andrea Franzetti, Nozomu Takeuchi, Patrik Horna, Tereza Novotna Jaromerska, Masato Ono, Marie Sabacka, Karel Janko
Summary: This study investigates the biogeography of the tardigrade genus Cryoconicus, finding two species on Arctic glaciers in Svalbard, far from their reported ranges. The research indicates large disjunctions in their distribution, with limited presence in intermediate areas. The study also reveals that inhabitants of extreme environments can establish isolated and highly fragmented populations persisting at very low densities.