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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuwei Wang, Gideon Bartov, Thomas Wang, John R. Reinfelder, Thomas M. Johnson, Nathan Yee
Summary: Experimental results showed that Hg stable isotope fractionation can be facilitated by rapid Hg isotopic exchange in Hg(II)-Hg(0) redox systems, and the fractionation is influenced by nuclear volume effects.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Zhang, Xuewu Fu, Xian Wu, Qianwen Deng, Kaihui Tang, Leiming Zhang, Jonas Sommar, Guangyi Sun, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigates the fluxes and isotope fractionation of Hg during water-atmosphere exchange processes. The results show that the exchange is characterized by Hg(0) emissions and negative δHg-202 and ΔHg-199 values. The study highlights the importance of atmospheric Hg(0) deposition in the cycling of Hg between atmosphere and water bodies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanwei Liu, Hui Tao, Ying Wang, Yingying Fang, Yuping Xiang, Guangliang Liu, Yingying Guo, Jiyan Liu, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai, Guibin Jiang
Summary: This study investigated the foliar oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury using poplar as a model tree species. The results showed that the oxidation of gaseous mercury in foliage can occur through a two-step single-electron transfer process, involving the formation of Hg(I) and Hg(II) mediated by nonenzymatic and enzymatic reactions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kang Luo, Wei Yuan, Nantao Liu, Shufang Zeng, Dingyong Wang, Zhiyun Lu, Xun Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigates the impact of climate change on the accumulation pathways of mercury (Hg) in forests along the timberline ecotone. Results show that a shift in vegetation structure led to a decrease in vegetation and soil Hg pool sizes. Atmospheric deposition was identified as the main source of Hg accumulation in soils, highlighting the potential risk of global warming in promoting Hg pollution. Further studies are recommended to assess the ecological risk of Hg exposure in alpine ecosystems.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Liman Wei, Qiong Zhao, Xiangyu Chen, Qingye Sun, Xiang Zhang, Yongjing Chen
Summary: Algae have a significant impact on soil formation and biogeochemical cycling. This study analyzed the structure of soil algal communities and examined soil physiochemical properties in different forest plantations and seasons. The results showed seasonal variation in soil algal community structure, with higher diversity in summer. There were also correlations between soil algae and physicochemical properties, indicating the importance of edaphic characteristics. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of algal communities in forest ecosystems and have important implications for their management and protection.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xin Gao, Wei Yuan, Jiubin Chen, Fang Huang, Zhengrong Wang, Yifei Gong, Yuanming Zhang, Yi Liu, Tong Zhang, Wang Zheng
Summary: This study investigates the sources, transport, and transformation processes of mercury (Hg) during pedogenesis in tropical soils, using soil and bedrock samples from a latosol profile in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China. The results provide direct evidence for the accumulation and downward migration of atmospheric Hg in tropical soils, as well as the loss of geogenic Hg during the weathering of bedrock, highlighting the potential impact of tropical soils on global Hg cycling.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marie Spohn, Johan Stendahl
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify the parameters that affect the nitrogen isotope ratio (δN-15) in temperate and boreal forest soils. Two types of δN-15 patterns were identified: type D soils showed a decreasing δN-15 in the mineral soil with depth, while type C soils showed a constant δN-15 throughout the soil profile. Type D soils had higher δN-15 in the organic layer and upper mineral soil, lower atmospheric N deposition, and higher phosphorus concentration than type C soils. The δN-15 of the organic layer was positively correlated with latitude and negatively correlated with mean annual temperature and atmospheric N deposition across Europe.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Christian Bruemmer, Jeremy J. Rueffer, Jean-Pierre Delorme, Pascal Wintjen, Frederik Schrader, Burkhard Beudert, Martijn Schaap, Christof Ammann
Summary: The interactions between reactive nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere and the earth's surface are crucial for atmospheric chemistry and understanding nutrient cycling. Field campaigns have been conducted to investigate the biosphere-atmosphere exchange of selected N-r compounds using novel measurement techniques. The published datasets provide valuable information for improving our understanding of surface-atmosphere exchange in different ecosystems, and serve as validation opportunities for inferential models simulating reactive nitrogen exchange.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xingang Jin, Junyao Yan, Muhammad Ubaid Ali, Qiuhua Li, Ping Li
Summary: Although mercury mining in the Wanshan area has ceased, mine wastes continue to be the primary source of mercury pollution. This study aimed to investigate mercury pollution in various environments and quantify the pollution sources using the mercury isotopes approach. The study found severe mercury contamination in the mine wastes, river water, air, and paddy fields. The findings suggest that mercury isotopes can be used effectively to trace environmental mercury contamination in polluted areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Akane Yamakawa, David Amouroux, Emmanuel Tessier, Sylvain Berail, Ina Fettig, Julien P. G. Barre, Jan Koschorreck, Heinz Rudel, Olivier F. X. Donard
Summary: The Hg isotopic composition in spruce shoots mainly consists of gaseous element mercury (GEM) uptake, showing slight changes over a study period of more than 30 years despite a significant decrease in Hg concentration. Mass-dependent fractionation and odd mass-independent isotopic fractionation exhibited slight variations with time.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taoran Shi, Pei Zhan, Yaqin Shen, Hongyan Wang, Chunfa Wu, Jining Li
Summary: The Xunyang Hg-Sb mine in China is a major source of Hg contamination. The study used various techniques to investigate the spatial distribution and pollution sources of Hg in the environment. It found that Hg in soil was mainly associated with quartz minerals, and Hg in sediment showed different distributions of Sb. The study provides important scientific information for assessing the environmental quality in the area and minimizing further impacts.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhijia Ci, Xiong Tang, Wenjie Shen, Baowei Chen
Summary: The sea surface microlayer (SML) is the uppermost layer of the ocean with distinct physicochemical properties, and it plays a crucial role in regulating air-sea gas exchange and biogeochemistry. However, the occurrence and transformation of mercury (Hg) in the SML have not been well quantified. This study optimized the SML sampling system and assessed the temporal and spatial variability of dissolved gaseous Hg (DGM), total Hg, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and Hg redox chemistry in the SML and subsurface waters (SSWs). The results highlight the importance of the SML Hg cycle in air-sea Hg exchange and suggest further investigations on a global scale.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Chuxian Li, Maxime Enrico, Oliver Magand, Beatriz F. Araujo, Gael Le Roux, Stefan Osterwalder, Aurelien Dommergue, Yann Bertrand, Jerome Brioude, Francois De Vleeschouwer, Jeroen E. Sonke
Summary: Mercury (Hg) stable isotopes were used to investigate the sources and deposition of atmospheric Hg. The study found that atmospheric Hg deposition and plant Hg uptake covaried with dust deposition and were influenced by humidity. The Hg isotope signatures in modern AMS gaseous Hg-0 and rainfall were similar to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The study also suggested that peat Hg isotope records might be a valid rainfall indicator.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jianqiang Shi, Jianjun Chen, Shangchao Xiong, Jinxing Mi, Hao Liu, Zhen Wang, Haiyan Liu, Jiancheng Wang, Junhua Li
Summary: The crystal structure of TiO2 significantly affects the catalytic performance of supported active sites. In this study, different crystal forms of TiO2 were synthesized and used as supports for V2O5-based catalysts for Hg-0 oxidation. The results showed that V2O5/TiO2-B exhibited the highest Hg-0 oxidation efficiency due to its lower redox temperature, larger HCl adsorption capacity, and more oxygen vacancies. The study also suggested that a combination of anatase and brookite TiO2-supported vanadyl tandem catalysts should be employed in the SCR reactor for simultaneous removal of NOx and Hg-0.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xinyu Li, Guangyi Sun, Yunjie Wu, Mengying Zhou, Zhonggen Li, Xiangyang Bi, Jen -How Huang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: A systematic analysis was conducted on 159 coal samples from different regions, periods, and ranks across China, including antimony (Sb) isotopic composition, trace element contents, and total sulfur content (TS). The study discusses the origin of Sb in coal from different regions in China, highlighting the influence of hydrothermal fluid, leachate, terrigenous materials, and inorganic minerals on Sb enrichment. The establishment of the Sb isotopic fingerprint for coal is essential for researching Sb isotope fractionation and tracing Sb release and transport in the supergene eco-environment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yi Xia, Qianwen Deng, Guangyi Sun, Yunjie Wu, Shengying Qiao, Jamshed Ali, Xuewu Fu, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study developed an innovative method for digestion, preconcentration, and purification of low-Sb water samples for high precision isotope analysis. No isotopic fractionation was observed during sample preparation, and significant variations in Sb isotope ratios were observed in natural water samples, indicating the potential application of this method in studying aquatic Sb systematics and global Sb cycling.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junyao Yan, Ruolan Li, Muhammad Ubaid Ali, Chuan Wang, Bo Wang, Xingang Jin, Mingyu Shao, Ping Li, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Mine waste in historical mercury mining areas continuously emits mercury into the local environment, including aquatic ecosystems. This study used data on mercury concentration, speciation, and isotopes to trace mercury migration from the mine waste and determine its contribution to mercury pollution. The findings revealed that rainfall can increase mercury concentrations in river water and influence the partitioning and transport of mercury in karst fissure zones. Despite remediation efforts, the treated mine waste remains a significant source of mercury pollution in local aquatic ecosystems.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nantao Liu, Xinyuan Cai, Longyu Jia, Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Che-Jen Lin, Dingyong Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigates the concentration and isotopic signatures of mercury (Hg) in the surface soil of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The spatial distribution and source contribution of Hg in the surface soil, as well as factors influencing Hg accumulation, are comprehensively studied. Results show that vegetation mediated atmospheric Hg0 deposition is the dominant source of Hg in the surface soil, followed by geogenic sources and atmospheric Hg2+ inputs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Liwei Cui, Xue Tian, Hongxin Xie, Xin Cong, Lihong Cui, Han Wu, Jianxu Wang, Bai Li, Jiating Zhao, Yanshan Cui, Xinbin Feng, Yu-Feng Li
Summary: Cardamine violifolia, a selenium hyperaccumulator, can accumulate mercury in its roots and aboveground parts at concentrations up to 6000 μg/g. The bioaccumulation factors of Hg reached 1.8-223, and the translocation factor reached 1.5. The study revealed a positive correlation between Hg concentrations in plant tissues and soil. The findings provide insights into the mechanisms of Hg hyperaccumulation in C. violifolia and suggest its potential use in remediation of Hg-contaminated farmlands.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Xian Wu, Xuewu Fu, Hui Zhang, Kaihui Tang, Xun Wang, Hui Zhang, Qianwen Deng, Leiming Zhang, Kaiyun Liu, Qingru Wu, Shuxiao Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study examines the long-term changes in atmospheric mercury concentrations and isotopic compositions in northeastern and southwestern China. The results show continuous declines in gaseous elemental mercury concentrations, which are mainly attributed to reduced anthropogenic emissions. The estimated reduction rates of regional anthropogenic emissions range from 4.8% to 5.8% over the past 5-7 years.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wei Yuan, Mu Liu, Daizhao Chen, Yao-Wu Xing, Robert A. Spicer, Jitao Chen, Theodore R. Them, Xun Wang, Shizhen Li, Chuan Guo, Gongjing Zhang, Liyu Zhang, Hui Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: The colonization and expansion of land plants happened earlier than previously thought, during the Ordovician-Silurian transition, based on analysis of Hg isotopes in marine sediments from South China. The negative excursions in Delta Hg-199 and Delta Hg-200 found in these sediments indicate increased terrestrial contribution of Hg due to the rapid expansion of vascular plants. This expansion coincided with rising atmospheric oxygen concentrations and global cooling.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hongqian Yin, Heng Yao, Wei Yuan, Che-Jen Lin, Xuewu Fu, Runsheng Yin, Bo Meng, Jun Luo, Xinbin Feng
Summary: A DGT method using aminopropyl and mercaptopropyl bi-functionalized SBA-15 nanoparticles was developed to determine the concentration and isotopic composition of aqueous Hg. Laboratory analysis showed that Hg adsorption by DGT induces mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and limited mass-independent fractionation (MIF). The DGT method effectively characterizes the MIF of Hg, providing valuable insights into the biogeochemical cycle of Hg at contaminated sites.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xu Liu, Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Dingyong Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Foliage uptake and phloem translocation of Hg0 is the main pathway for Hg accumulation in tree rings, and tree rings have been used to directly reconstruct atmospheric Hg0 trends. Hg records in remote regions have successfully reconstructed historical Hg emissions and source shifts. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of Hg translocation and the impact of environmental and tree physiological factors on Hg signals in tree rings.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Da Lei, Haorui Cao, Kuankuan Zhang, Kang Mao, Yongkun Guo, Jen-How Huang, Guili Yang, Hua Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigated the physiological responses of rice and the relationships between different antioxidant parameters under different levels of Se and Cd. The results revealed that the AsA-GSH cycle, GS-PCS coupling system, and GPX-SOD coupling system in aerial parts of rice contribute to the protection against Cd stress. However, in roots, the APX-GPX-CAT and PCS-GS-SOD systems play distinct roles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jen-How Huang, Bjorn Berg, Chaoyue Chen, Anne Thimonier, Maria Schmitt, Stefan Osterwalder, Christine Alewell, Jorg Rinklebe, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Litterfall, including needles/leaves, contributes to over 50% of total mercury deposition in forest ecosystems. A study in a subalpine forest in Switzerland found that lichens and fine litter, along with needle litter, have a significant contribution to annual mercury deposition. The seasonal pattern of litterfall and rainfall suggests that this finding could be generally valid.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fei Wu, Luhan Yang, Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Che-Jen Lin, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Understanding the complexation of mercury (Hg) with soil organic matter is crucial for assessing Hg accumulation and sequestration in forest ecosystems. Separating soil organic matter into particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) can provide insights into Hg dynamics and cycling. The study found that atmospheric deposition is the main source of Hg in both POM and MAOM, with higher concentrations of Hg in MAOM compared to POM. The accumulation and sequestration of Hg in organic soil vary with vegetation succession, and the isotopic signatures of Hg are influenced by source mixing and sequestration processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Yuan, Xun Wang, Che-Jen Lin, Qinghai Song, Hui Zhang, Fei Wu, Nantao Liu, Huazheng Lu, Xinbin Feng
Summary: In a Chinese tropical rainforest, Hg-0 is released from the soil and absorbed by plants, which replenishes the deposited Hg-0. However, there is still limited understanding of the emission of Hg-0 from the forest floor, which hinders our knowledge of the Hg mass budget in forest ecosystems. This study used Hg stable isotopic techniques to investigate the biogeochemical processes of Hg-0 deposition and evasion in the soil. The results showed that Hg-0 is emitted from the soil during the rainy season and deposited during the dry season, and there is no isotopic fractionation during atmospheric Hg-0 deposition.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hu Du, Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Fei Wu, Longyu Jia, Nantao Liu, Che-Jen Lin, Jiang Gan, Fuping Zeng, Kelin Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: In this study, the biogeochemical cycling of mercury (Hg) in a karst forest in southwest China was investigated using high-resolution sampling and stable isotope techniques. The results showed that the litterfall deposition of Hg was higher in the karst forest, with elevated concentrations and fluxes in the spring due to the longer lifespan of evergreen tree foliage exposed to atmospheric Hg-0. The study also found that litterfall Hg deposition accounted for a significant portion of the Hg source contribution in the surface soil, and soil erosion enhanced Hg accumulation in low-lying land.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Liwei Cui, Xue Tian, Hongxin Xie, Xin Cong, Lihong Cui, Han Wu, Jianxu Wang, Bai Li, Jiating Zhao, Yanshan Cui, Xinbin Feng, Yu-Feng Li
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
