Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Junyi Liang, Kangli Chen, Siqintana, Tianci Huo, Yaowen Zhang, Jingying Jing, Wenting Feng
Summary: Soils serve as important carbon reservoirs and play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Soil water potential (SWP), which represents the energy with which water is retained in the soil, is a vital factor in soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition. This study investigates the impact of extrapolating SWP estimations beyond the range of measurements on SOC decomposition modeling. The results demonstrate that extrapolating SWP significantly underestimates its value and leads to inaccurate predictions of SOC decomposition, particularly under dry conditions.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sebastian Horstmann, Cassi J. Henderson, Elizabeth A. H. Hall, Ronan Daly
Summary: The text discusses the concept of contactless conductivity sensing using a projected mutual capacitive touchscreen. It demonstrates the near linear response to the ionic concentration of metal cations and their susceptibility to electric fringe fields induced by capacitive touchscreens. The article suggests that this sensor demonstration could lead to broader exploration in mobile technologies for rapid measurements and data communication.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chen Zhang, Sichen Gu, Danfeng Zhang, Jiabin Ma, Han Zheng, Muyun Zheng, Ruitao Lv, Kuang Yu, Junqiao Wu, Xiaomin Wang, Quan-Hong Yang, Feiyu Kang, Wei Lv
Summary: The use of high-concentration electrolytes (HCEs) provides a promising way to stabilize the lithium metal anode, but their high viscosity and poor wettability hinder Li-ion diffusion kinetics. This study presents a new strategy using an ether-based, nonflammable localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE), which includes a fire-retardant diluent, to enhance safety and suppress dendrite formation in lithium metal batteries.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Ziling He, Xiuyuan Lu, Ningbo Cui, Shouzheng Jiang, Shunsheng Zheng, Fei Chen, Rangjian Qiu, Chunwei Liu, Junliang Fan, Yaosheng Wang, Xiuliang Jin
Summary: The study investigates the effect of soil water content threshold levels on kiwifruit quality at different growth stages. The results suggest that specific threshold levels of soil water content significantly impact fruit weight, volume, and chemical quality. In particular, certain threshold levels enhance the nutritional value, taste, and storage capability of kiwifruits.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiaming Zhang, Qiuping Li, Yaping Zeng, Zheng Tang, Dan Sun, Dan Huang, Zhiguang Peng, Yougen Tang, Haiyan Wang
Summary: This study proposes a brand-new ultralow concentration mixed ether electrolyte for lithium metal batteries, which improves Coulombic efficiency and safety. The unique solvent structure design leads to over 99.3% lithium deposition/stripping efficiency and superior electrochemical performance.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Wenlong Liu, Shiying Tian, Mohamed A. Youssef, Francois P. Birgand, George M. Chescheir
Summary: This study analyzed the leaching mechanisms of nitrate in an artificially drained agricultural watershed in the Midwestern U.S. using a long-term high-frequency dataset. The results showed that most events exhibited anti-clockwise behavior, indicating slower transportation of water with high nitrate concentrations to the stream network. The study also revealed the preponderant role of the near-drain zone in accelerated leaching and less accumulation of nitrate in the soil profile. There was strong but opposite seasonality in terms of flushing and dilution patterns.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Subhadip Roy, Jahur Alam Mondal
Summary: Research shows that ions have a strong correlation with the structure of hydrogen bonding at the air/water interface and in bulk water. Specifically, structure-breaking anions decrease hydrogen bonding at the interface, while structure-making anions have the opposite effect. None of the electrolytes studied significantly affect the orientation of water molecules at the interface.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Chen Wu, Ying Zhou, Xiaolong Zhu, Minzhi Zhan, Hanxi Yang, Jiangfeng Qian
Summary: Novel high-concentration and localized-high-concentration electrolytes have attracted considerable attention due to their excellent electrochemical performance for Li metal batteries, but there are still some issues such as interfacial side effects and continuous loss of active Li.
ACTA PHYSICO-CHIMICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anna Yudina, Olga Ovchinnikova, Vladimir Cheptsov, Dmitry Fomin
Summary: Soil microbial and enzyme activities are closely related to the spatial variability of soil environmental conditions at the microscale. The origin and localization of enzymes are often overlooked when evaluating specific soil functions based on measured activity. The impact on soil solids significantly affected enzyme activity, depending on the enzyme type and soil land use. The highest proportions of certain enzyme activities were determined at specific energy ranges and were associated with the soil structure and land use type.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. A. Idris
Summary: The global demand for jewellery and precious stones has led to a significant increase in gemstone mining. However, the environmental impact of this mining activity needs to be properly assessed to prevent further damage to ecosystems. A study was conducted in southwestern Nigeria to evaluate the effects of mining on soil and water. The results showed that mining at the site resulted in a loss of crucial nutrients for plant growth, such as soil organic matter, nitrogen, and potassium. Additionally, the water in and around the mining site exhibited high acidity and exceeded the permissible limits of certain substances set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hai Qin, Jiapeng Zhang, Hao Cheng, Liang Hong, Zhaohui Yang, Xiaohua Zhang
Summary: In this study, a gel-type aqueous lithium bis-trifluoromethane-sulfonimide (LiTFSI) electrolyte using glycerol as a cosolvent and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a gel-forming agent is demonstrated. The addition of glycerol and PVA effectively extends the electrochemical stability window (ESW) of the electrolyte at low LiTFSI concentrations. The gel-type electrolytes exhibit an ESW of 3.0 V and a wider temperature operating window compared to liquid electrolytes. Quasi-solid-state flexible supercapacitors assembled with this electrolyte show excellent performance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Diana Yaritza Dorado-Guerra, Javier Paredes-Arquiola, Miguel Angel Perez-Martin, Harold Tafur Hermann
Summary: High nutrient discharge from groundwater into surface water has multiple undesirable effects on river water quality, especially in terms of nitrate concentration that is closely related to surface water-groundwater interactions. Anthropogenic activities contribute to higher nitrate concentrations downstream of the river basin, mainly due to diffuse pollution.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Cong Chen, Jianzhong Liu, Jianbin Wang, Dedi Li, Yitong Chen, Jun Cheng
Summary: Coal-assisted water electrolysis is an effective method for hydrogen production, but the mechanism of the electrolyte's influence on coal particles is not clear. In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of electrolyte concentration on coal-assisted water electrolysis. The results showed that higher electrolyte concentration led to decreased reactivity of coal particles. The release of small organic molecules from coal particles during acid leaching and electrolysis was positively correlated with sulfuric acid concentration and oxidation charge.
Article
Plant Sciences
Honglang Duan, Changchang Shao, Xianying Luo, Victor Resco de Dios, David T. Tissue, Guijie Ding
Summary: Adapting to future climates with more severe droughts requires a better understanding of tree mortality mechanisms. This study investigated the physiological limits and the relationship between water and carbon traits in enhancing survival in Pinus massoniana seedlings. The results showed that hydraulic failure played a primary role in seedling mortality, and root relative water content could be a potential warning signal for mortality.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lingming Kong, Aolin Yu, Ke Liang, Jilin Qi
Summary: The study reveals that the bimodal structure of the soil affects the freezing characteristics, with the freezing stage consisting of rapid-drop and slow-drop parts. As the specific surface area increases, the proportions of these parts change. Additionally, the duration of the isothermal stage and the freezing point decrease with the rising specific surface area on the temperature-time curve.
COLD REGIONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)