Article
Soil Science
Yiyun Wang, Xiaoqing Liu, Xinying Zhang, Guohua Dai, Zhiheng Wang, Xiaojuan Feng
Summary: This study found that the addition of ferrous iron (Fe(II)) has the potential to stabilize soil organic carbon (SOC) in wetlands. Under cyclic redox conditions, the response of Fe(II) was positively correlated with phenol oxidative activity and cumulative CO2 emissions. Fe(II) addition increased Fe-bound SOC through the production of short-range-ordered Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Additionally, Fe(II) addition decreased CO2 emissions in soils with pH > 6 but increased CO2 emissions in a Sphagnum-dominated soil.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Iurii Kolesnichenko, Larisa G. Kolesnichenko, Sergey N. Vorobyev, Liudmila S. Shirokova, Igor P. Semiletov, Oleg Dudarev, Rostislav S. Vorobev, Uliana Shavrina, Sergey N. Kirpotin, Oleg S. Pokrovsky
Summary: The study revealed a southern decrease in element concentrations in the main stem of the Ob River and its tributaries, attributed to the progressive increase in permafrost coverage towards the north. With an increase in forest coverage, there was a significant rise in concentrations of DOC, Fe, and P.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jing Liu, Qingze Chen, Yixuan Yang, Hongyan Wei, Minwang Laipan, Runliang Zhu, Hongping He, Michael F. Hochella
Summary: The chemistry of Fe and Mn in natural geochemical systems are closely coupled, and the coupled redox reactions between Fe and Mn play important roles in environmental system dynamics. The crystallization and transformation of FeOx and MnOx are bilaterally affected by the coupled redox between Fe and Mn. The coupled redox cycling of Fe and Mn exerts more complex and significant influences on biogeochemical processes compared to individual Fe or Mn.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wenjuan Huang, Kefeng Wang, Chenglong Ye, William C. Hockaday, Gangsheng Wang, Steven J. Hall
Summary: The research shows that periodic anoxia may sustain or even stimulate decomposition in saturated soils, despite the fact that cumulative carbon losses do not consistently decrease with decreasing oxygen exposure. Improved models accounting for microbial responses to oxygen fluctuations are crucial for effectively modeling carbon-climate feedbacks in humid ecosystems.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zi Cheng, Honghong Lyu, Boxiong Shen, Jingya Tian, Yanfang Sun, Chunfei Wu
Summary: In this study, a novel FeOx@CNTs nanocomposite was synthesized and demonstrated to efficiently remove Sb(III) from aqueous solution through chemical adsorption and oxidation mechanisms. The composite could be easily separated from the solution using an external magnetic field, making it a promising environmentally-friendly adsorbent for remediating Sb(III) in water environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shi-Xu Wang, Yun-Xin Huang, Hao Wang, Yao-Yao Lu, Wen-Long He, Jing Li, Nian-Si Fan, Bao-Cheng Huang, Ren-Cun Jin
Summary: Exploiting phosphorus resources from waste streams such as municipal wastewater is crucial for their recycling and utilization. However, the common practice of phosphorus recovery still faces challenges such as CO2 emission and energy consumption. This study evaluated the use of ferrihydrite and magnetite in a bioflocculation organic carbon capture system for improving phosphorus recovery from municipal wastewater. Results showed that ferrihydrite outperformed magnetite in phosphorus capture, and both iron minerals improved sludge settling performance. Furthermore, ferrihydrite exhibited potential in volatile fatty acids production. This work is valuable for exploring sustainable resource recovery.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenping Meng, Quanhou Dai, Qingqing Ren, Na Tu, Tingjiao Leng
Summary: Studying the stoichiometric characteristics of mosses and soil can provide a powerful reference for the ecological restoration and evaluation of ecosystems experiencing rocky desertification. Soil nutrients accumulate with each succession stage during natural restoration of karst rocky desertification areas. Mosses have a strong effect on improving soil nutrients in rocky desertification areas.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Eli K. Moore, Alex Ostroverkhova, Daniel Hummer, Shaunna Morrison, Yarissa Peralta, Stephanie J. Spielman
Summary: The mineral record reveals the changing redox conditions of Earth's crust and the availability of critical elements for life. Transition metal elements, such as iron, which are important for enzymes, can be tracked through preserved mineral chemistry. This study investigates the mineral chemistry of iron over geologic time using a new analysis platform. The findings show the increasing importance of oxygen abundance in the atmosphere and its influence on the diversity of iron minerals.
PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Yin, Han Hua, Frank Burns, Donna Fennell, James Dyer, Richard Landis, Lisa Axe
Summary: This research systematically characterizes redox transition zones in a contaminated environment by analyzing a core sample from a historically polluted site, demonstrating correlations between Fe and S reducing bacteria and oxidation-reduction gradients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Ziwei Guo, Zhang Wen, Xiaochuang Bu, Hui Liu, Songhu Yuan
Summary: This study investigated the migration and transformation of iron and phosphorus in riparian zones using a sand tank experiment. The results showed a significant positive correlation between iron/aluminum coupled phosphorus and amorphous total iron. Dissolved organic carbon was found to have a greater effect on the redox condition than dissolved oxygen. Phosphate was observed to accumulate in the transition area of the riparian zone and was difficult to migrate through the river.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingwen Chen, Yuanliu Hu, Steven J. Hall, Dafeng Hui, Jianling Li, Guoyin Chen, Lianwei Sun, Deqiang Zhang, Qi Deng
Summary: Atmospheric acid deposition can affect the protection of carbon in soil by altering organo-mineral interactions. This study examined the impacts of acidification on organo-mineral interactions and soil carbon sequestration in naturally acidic tropical soils with a high content of reactive iron phases. The results showed that soil acidification increased the leaching of base cations and changed the solubility and composition of iron and aluminum phases. These changes led to an increase in iron-bound carbon and a decrease in calcium-bound carbon. The findings highlight the importance of pH-sensitive geochemical changes and the key roles of iron in regulating the response of soil organic carbon to acid deposition.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zibo Xu, Yulu Yu, Xiaoyun Xu, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Chengbo Yao, Jin Fan, Ling Zhao, Hao Qiu, Xinde Cao
Summary: Electron transfer mediated by iron minerals is a critical step for the dynamics of pollutants in soil. This study demonstrates that the electron transfer mechanisms involving iron minerals change with the mineral crystallization process, which would affect the geochemical process of contaminants with pyrogenic carbon.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhe Zhou, Susann Henkel, Sabine Kasten, Moritz Holtappels
Summary: Permeable sandy sediments on the global continental shelf play a crucial role in regulating organic matter and nutrient cycling in the coastal ocean. This study investigated the biogeochemical processes in North Sea sands under porewater advection and changing redox conditions. The results showed that Fe(III) oxyhydroxides served as the major electron acceptors during anoxic incubation, and Fe(II) in the solid phase acted as a rechargeable redox battery. Furthermore, excessive phosphorus release occurred after the release of Fe(II), potentially increasing net benthic phosphorus efflux under variable redox conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Fei Gao, Xiaoyang Cui, Mengdie Chen, Ying Sang
Summary: Primary forest conversion has a significant impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, with effects on different fractions and chemical components of SOC. Converting primary forest to secondary forest resulted in increased litter and fine root quality, SOC, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), while converting to plantations decreased litter and fine root quantity and quality, SOC, MBC, and microbial residue carbon. These changes influenced the levels and evenness of particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC).
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Niu, Qiuyu Chen, Hongzhe Jiao, Xiaoqin Yang, Ming Shao, Jian Wang, Guicai Si, Tianzhu Lei, Yibo Yang, Gengxin Zhang, Georg Guggenberger
Summary: Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is the largest soil carbon pool, but the understanding of different organo-mineral fractions and their response to environmental variables is limited. In this study, sequential chemical extraction was used to separate MAOM fractions and alpine forest soils were selected to assess their response to climate change. Residual and weakly adsorbed organic matter were the primary fractions, and climate indirectly affected their preservation through weathering and environmental factors. The organo-mineral fractions were closely associated with metal cations and secondary minerals, forming complex networks. Water-soluble, weakly adsorbed, and Fe/Al oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter played central roles in the networks and were related to soil pH, moisture, and microbial composition. Additionally, climate and weathering factors greatly impacted Fe/Al-OM complexes, oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter, and residual organic matter. The complex network among organo-mineral fractions provides insights into MAOM preservation under climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Caroline E. Pierce, Olha S. Furman, Sarah L. Nicholas, Jill Coleman Wasik, Caitlin M. Gionfriddo, Ann M. Wymore, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Randall K. Kolka, Carl P. J. Mitchell, Natalie A. Griffiths, Dwayne A. Elias, Edward A. Nater, Brandy M. Toner
Summary: We investigated the composition and spatial correlation of sulfur and mercury pools in peatland soil profiles. Our findings suggest that organic sulfur species play an important role in mercury methylation processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David M. Costello, Scott D. Tiegs, Luz Boyero, Cristina Canhoto, Krista A. Capps, Michael Danger, Paul C. Frost, Mark O. Gessner, Natalie A. Griffiths, Halvor M. Halvorson, Kevin A. Kuehn, Amy M. Marcarelli, Todd Royer, Devan M. Mathie, Ricardo J. Albarino, Clay P. Arango, Jukka Aroviita, Colden Baxter, Brent J. Bellinger, Andreas Bruder, Francis J. Burdon, Marcos Callisto, Antonio Camacho, Fanny Colas, Julien Cornut, Veronica Crespo-Perez, Wyatt F. Cross, Alison M. Derry, Michael M. Douglas, Arturo Elosegi, Elvira Eyto, Veronica Ferreira, Carmen Ferriol, Tadeusz Fleituch, Jennifer J. Follstad Shah, Andre Frainer, Erica A. Garcia, Liliana Garcia, Pavel E. Garcia, Darren P. Giling, R. Karina Gonzales-Pomar, Manuel A. S. Graca, Hans-Peter Grossart, Francois Guerold, Luiz U. Hepp, Scott N. Higgins, Takuo Hishi, Carlos Iniguez-Armijos, Tomoya Iwata, Andrea E. Kirkwood, Aaron A. Koning, Sarian Kosten, Hjalmar Laudon, Peter R. Leavitt, Aurea L. Lemes da Silva, Shawn J. Leroux, Carri J. LeRoy, Peter J. Lisi, Frank O. Masese, Peter B. McIntyre, Brendan G. McKie, Adriana O. Medeiros, Marko Milisa, Yo Miyake, Robert J. Mooney, Timo Muotka, Jorge Nimptsch, Riku Paavola, Isabel Pardo, Ivan Y. Parnikoza, Christopher J. Patrick, Edwin T. H. M. Peeters, Jesus Pozo, Brian Reid, John S. Richardson, Jose Rincon, Geta Risnoveanu, Christopher T. Robinson, Anna C. Santamans, Gelas M. Simiyu, Agnija Skuja, Jerzy Smykla, Ryan A. Sponseller, Franco Teixeira-de Mello, Sirje Vilbaste, Veronica D. Villanueva, Jackson R. Webster, Stefan Woelfl, Marguerite A. Xenopoulos, Adam G. Yates, Catherine M. Yule, Yixin Zhang, Jacob A. Zwart
Summary: Microbes play a critical role in plant litter decomposition and the fate of carbon in rivers and riparian zones. The process of nutrient immobilization, whereby microbes acquire nitrogen and phosphorus from the environment during the decomposition of low-nutrient plant litter, is influenced by nutrient loading and changing climate. However, environmental controls on immobilization are poorly understood due to the complex interplay between environmental factors and plant litter chemistry.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Steven J. Hall, Aaron Thompson
Summary: Aluminum and iron minerals, especially short-range-ordered phases, are believed to protect soil organic C. However, it is challenging to assess the influence of these minerals or metal complexes. Through analyzing a large soil dataset, it was found that aluminum dissolved by oxalate showed a strong relationship with soil organic C, while iron dissolved by oxalate or citrate-dithionite showed weaker correlation. The results suggest that aluminum-organic carbon complexes may be the best predictor of soil organic C.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Kaitlyn G. Holden, Ashley R. Hedrick, Eric J. Gangloff, Steven J. Hall, Anne M. Bronikowski
Summary: The study demonstrates that metabolic rates at different levels of biological organization are temperature-dependent, showing an increase in cellular and whole-animal respiration rates with temperature. However, there is no correlation between these rates within or among individuals, suggesting that variations in whole-animal metabolic rates are not solely due to cellular level changes, but rather other interacting factors across scales of biological organization. Additionally, while temperature did not affect fuel selection during fasting, it did influence metabolic rates, with a consistent use of a single fuel source to support metabolism across a range of demands.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kevin A. Ryan, Thomas Adler, Ann T. Chalmers, Julia Perdrial, Stephen Sebestyen, James B. Shanley, Aron Stubbins
Summary: Tree-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important carbon flux in forested watersheds. This study assessed the optical properties and factors controlling DOM quality in a temperate deciduous forest. The results showed that throughfall and stemflow had higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and calcium than rainwater. A multiway model was developed to characterize DOM optical properties, and different tree species and seasons were found to influence DOM quality.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Mariel W. Jones, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Salli F. Dymond, G. H. Crystal Ng, Xue Feng
Summary: The relationship between snowmelt and spring streamflow is changing under warming temperatures and diminishing snowpack. The hydrologic connectivity across catchment landscape elements, such as snowpack and surface wetlands, plays a critical role in controlling the routing of snowmelt to streams. The effects of soil frost on the movement of water from a snowpack to a stream are not fully understood.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjuan Huang, Anthony J. J. Mirabito, Carlos G. G. Tenesaca, William F. F. Mejia-Garcia, Nathaniel C. C. Lawrence, Andy L. VanLoocke, Amy L. Kaleita, Steven J. J. Hall
Summary: Many agricultural soils with poor drainage may intermittently pond water even with artificial drainage infrastructure, especially in topographic depressions. The study investigates the relationship between temporary ponding and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, finding that only carbonate C, not SOC, increases in depressions with poor drainage. The negative relationship between ponding duration and SOC suggests the suppression of decomposition in periodically anoxic soil. The accumulation of SOC in agricultural depressions is more likely due to erosion than temporary ponding.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Steven J. Hall, Carlos G. Tenesaca, Nathaniel C. Lawrence, David I. S. Green, Matthew J. Helmers, William G. Crumpton, Emily A. Heaton, Andy VanLoocke
Summary: Much of the US Corn Belt has been drained with subsurface tile to improve crop production, yet poorly drained depressions often still flood intermittently, suppressing crop growth. Leaching of nitrogen (N) and P was greater in depressions than in uplands for most transects and years. Cropped depressions may be disproportionate sources of N and P to downstream waters despite their generally poor drainage characteristics, and targeted management with cover crops or perennials might partially mitigate these impacts for N, but not necessarily for P.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall, Matthew E. Craig, Debjani Sihi, Zhuonan Wang, Stephen C. Hart
Summary: Nitrogen (N) is a crucial nutrient in terrestrial ecosystems, but predicting and modeling soil N cycling remains challenging due to gaps in sampling. In this study, a publicly available data set collected by NEON is introduced, which can help fill these gaps. The study evaluated the data and found wide spatiotemporal variation in inorganic N pool sizes and transformation rates. The observed data did not match the simulated data, highlighting the need for improved predictive modeling.
Article
Soil Science
Matthew Leeford, Manpreet Singh Mavi, Daniel Liptzin, Steven J. Hall
Summary: This study examined the impact of different soil drying temperatures on water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and soil CO2 emissions after rewetting. The results showed that the drying temperature had a nonlinear effect on WEOC and CO2 emissions, and the response varied among soil samples and vegetation types. Therefore, soil health assessments conducted with different drying temperatures may not be directly comparable, and drying at lower temperatures may be preferable to avoid increasing carbon availability.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bo Yi, Chaoqun Lu, Wenjuan Huang, Wenjuan Yu, Jihoon Yang, Adina Howe, Samantha R. Weintraub-Leff, Steven J. Hall
Summary: Confidence in model estimates of soil CO2 flux relies on assumptions about fundamental mechanisms controlling litter and soil organic carbon decomposition. We used data-model fusion with modified versions of the CN-SIM model and a 571-day laboratory incubation dataset to test competing mechanisms for lignin decomposition. Our findings indicate that the role of lignin and its decomposition can be accurately estimated by considering soil biogeochemical factors, substrate availability, soil pH, extractable Mn, and fungal community composition.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Juliana D. ' Andrilli, Carlos M. Romero, Phoebe Zito, David C. Podgorski, Robert A. Payn, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Fernando L. Rosario -Ortiz
Summary: Patterns in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) data provide insights into the characteristics of organic matter influenced by natural processes. This study reevaluates the molecular lability boundary (MLB) approach to assess organic matter lability, incorporating new data and considering different experimental conditions. The findings suggest the need to reframe the MLB approach to include lability indices for biotic, thermal, and photochemical processes, and provide a broader perspective on ecosystem form and function trends.
ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY
(2023)