Review
Engineering, Environmental
Tantan Wang, Xu Yang, Zihao Li, Wenhao Chen, Xin Wen, Yubo He, Chi Ma, Zhongzhu Yang, Chang Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the mechanisms by which eutrophication affects the production of methylmercury (MeHg), with a focus on the roles of algal organic matter (AOM) and iron (Fe)-sulfur (S)-phosphorus (P) dynamics. Suggestions for risk control of MeHg in eutrophic lakes are also proposed.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pei Lei, Jin Zhang, Jinjie Zhu, Qiaoguo Tan, Raymond W. M. Kwong, Ke Pan, Tao Jiang, Mohammad Naderi, Huan Zhong
Summary: This study reveals the impact of algal organic matter on microbial Hg methylators and MeHg production, showing that bioavailable components of AOM can increase the abundance and activity of methanogens, leading to enhanced levels of dissolved MeHg.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Moshan Chen, Carter A. Rholl, Shane L. Persaud, Zixuan Wang, Zhen He, Kimberly M. Parker
Summary: During harmful algal blooms (HABS), permanganate can be used as a preoxidant to improve drinking water quality by removing algal cells and degrading algal toxins. However, permanganate oxidation also alters the precursors of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) from intracellular algal organic matter (AOM), affecting DBP formation during disinfection. This study evaluated the impacts of permanganate preoxidation on DBP generation during chlorination and chloramination of AOM. The results showed that permanganate preoxidation increased the formation of certain DBPs and decreased others, indicating a complex interaction between permanganate and AOM.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Mingyong Wang, Bowen Zhang, Xihua Cao, Fang Li, Xiuxian Song, Zhiming Yu
Summary: Modified clay (MC) technology has been widely used to control harmful algal blooms (HABs) with effective results. This study investigated the effect of dissolved algal organic matter (dAOM) on MC flocculation and found that a small amount of dAOM can enhance the flocculation efficiency of MC, while large amounts of dAOM inhibit the flocculation. The study also revealed that the dosage of MC needs to be increased to achieve the best algal removal efficiency.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Spiridon E. Papoulis, Steven W. Wilhelm, David Talmy, Erik R. Zinser
Summary: The presence of an abundance of restriction modification systems is a key factor in the ecological success of harmful algal blooms caused by cyanobacteria, particularly in nutrient-rich environments. These defense mechanisms play a crucial role in the competitive advantage of these organisms, especially in the face of viral predation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rong Xiang, Binghui Zheng, Haifeng Jia
Summary: Algal blooms negatively impact reservoir water quality, and the role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in bloom formation in reservoirs has not been investigated. The compositions of sediment- and soil-derived DOM and their effects on the growth, physiology, and photosynthetic activity of four bloom-forming species were assessed. Sediment DOM promoted the growth of all algal species, while soil DOM significantly promoted the growth of two species and slightly inhibited the growth of one species. The main DOM components affecting algal growth were identified. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the development of bloom-prevention strategies for river-type reservoirs.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Annette B. G. Janssen, Bram Droppers, Xiangzhen Kong, Sven Teurlincx, Yindong Tong, Carolien Kroeze
Summary: Chinese lakes, including ponds and reservoirs, are facing increasing threats from algal blooms, with unique lake characteristics influencing vulnerability. Eastern lakes in China, typically warmer and deeper, are more vulnerable to algal blooms, especially due to higher pollution levels. This assessment provides valuable information for policymakers to address regions most at risk of algal blooms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruna Monallize Duarte Moura Guimaraes, Iran Eduardo Lima Neto
Summary: The study aimed to determine spatiotemporal variations in chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration using hydroclimatic and nutrient variables in tropical reservoirs in Brazil. A model for Chl-a prediction was proposed based on the product of nitrogen, phosphorus, volume, and precipitation. The results showed that nutrients had a better predictability for Chl-a than hydroclimatic variables. Chl-a blooms were more frequent in periods of high precipitation and low volume, and their response to the parameters varied.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
B. D. Dudley, N. G. Barr, D. R. Plew, K. Scheuer
Summary: This study investigated the growth response of red algae to seawater nutrient concentrations, salinity, temperature, and light. Results showed that nitrogen availability and salinity are likely to restrict the summertime growth of the algae. When combined with modeling, the research may aid in predicting growth responses to nutrient loading in estuaries.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying Wang, Lian Feng, Xuejiao Hou
Summary: Many lakes in China suffer from algal bloom problems, but there is a lack of comprehensive characterization of the spatial and temporal distribution of lacustrine algal blooms at the national scale. In this study, an automated algal bloom detection algorithm for MODIS images was developed and applied to analyze the dynamics of algal blooms in 171 lakes in China. The results show that 60.2% of the examined lakes have been affected by algal blooms in the past two decades, with an increasing trend observed in 95 lakes. The occurrence of algal blooms is linked to factors such as wind speed, temperature, and fertilizer use.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
R. Eugene Turner, James M. Lee, Charles S. Milan, Erick M. Swenson
Summary: The study found that phosphorous entering the lake mainly comes from fertilizer use in the watershed, while the source of nitrogen is not related to the total nitrogen concentration in the lake. Half of the particulate P entering the lake is trapped within it, and the net accumulation of N in the lake appears to be from the stimulation of nitrogen fixation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
I Alcantara, A. Somma, G. Chalar, A. Fabre, A. Segura, M. Achkar, R. Arocena, L. Aubriot, C. Baladan, M. Barrios, S. Bonilla, M. Burwood, D. L. Calliari, C. Calvo, L. Capurro, C. Carballo, C. Cespedes-Payret, D. Conde, N. Corrales, B. Cremella, C. Crisci, J. Cuevas, S. De Giacomi, L. De Leon, L. Delbene, I Diaz, V Fleitas, I Gonzalez-Bergonzoni, L. Gonzalez-Madina, M. Gonzalez-Piana, G. Goyenola, O. Gutierrez, S. Haakonsson, C. Iglesias, C. Kruk, G. Lacerot, J. Langone, F. Lepillanca, C. Lucas, F. Martigani, G. Martinez de la Escalera, M. Meerhoff, L. Nogueira, H. Olano, J. P. Pacheco, D. Panario, C. Piccini, F. Quintans, F. Teixeira de Mello, L. Terradas, G. Tesitore, L. Vidal, F. Garcia-Rodriguez
Summary: This paper critiques a study on the effects of agricultural eutrophication on cyanobacterial blooms in rivers and artificial reservoirs, pointing out significant flaws in methodology and analysis, as well as misinterpretations of the ecological impact of harmful algal blooms and land use effects on freshwater quality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel A. Lemley, Stephen J. Lamberth, Warren Manuel, Monique Nunes, Gavin M. Rishworth, Lara van Niekerk, Janine B. Adams
Summary: Rapid population growth globally is the main cause of deteriorating water quality in urbanized estuaries. The temporarily closed Hartenbos Estuary in South Africa, impacted by wastewater treatment plant discharges, experiences frequent artificial breaching to prevent flooding and extreme events. The ecosystem in the estuary is characterized by high nutrient loads, hypereutrophic conditions, and dominance of a few opportunistic species tolerant of adverse conditions. Management priorities for improving the health and biodiversity of such systems include diverting wastewater treatment plant discharges and restoring hydrodynamic variability.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Rodrigues, J. S. Patil, A. C. Anil
Summary: This study presents an overview of dinoflagellates cysts assemblage as a trophic index in three monsoon-influenced estuarine and marine ports along the Indian coast. The investigation reveals the abundance and species number of cysts (including harmful species) are highest in highly eutrophicated estuarine ports, followed by medium and low eutrophicated marine ports. Four new species are found in the region. Autotrophs dominate in highly productive ports, suggesting that heterotrophs are not always dominant in eutrophic systems. The study concludes that cysts can be potential proxies for eutrophication and emphasizes the greater risks of harmful algal blooms in high trophic-index ports.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanjie Yang, Zhaoting Chen, Yingxin Ye, Gang Chen, Fantang Zeng, Changjin Zhao
Summary: Algal blooms pose a serious threat to water resources globally, and detecting them early remains challenging in eutrophication management. A fuzzy logic-based early warning system was developed in this study, utilizing key parameters to accurately predict algae blooms in a river impacted by tidal sluices. The system successfully reproduced past algal bloom events and highlighted the importance of dissolved oxygen and velocity for early warning systems in tidal rivers in urban areas of South China.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hao Liao, Xiuli Hao, Fei Qin, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Yurong Liu, Jizhong Zhou, Peng Cai, Wenli Chen, Qiaoyun Huang
Summary: Microbial communities have critical roles in fixing carbon from the atmosphere and fixing it in the soils, but their large-scale variations and drivers are poorly understood. This study conducted a large-scale survey in China and found that soil autotrophic organisms, such as bacteria and protists, are crucial for explaining CO2 fluxes from the atmosphere to soils. The fixation rates of CO2 were significantly correlated to the variations in autotrophic bacteria and phototrophic protists.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kunkun Fan, Haiyan Chu, David J. J. Eldridge, Juan J. J. Gaitan, Yu-Rong Liu, Blessing Sokoya, Jun-Tao Wang, Hang-Wei Hu, Ji-Zheng He, Wei Sun, Haiying Cui, Fernando D. D. Alfaro, Sebastian Abades, Felipe Bastida, Marta Diaz-Lopez, Adebola R. R. Bamigboye, Miguel Berdugo, Jose L. Blanco-Pastor, Tine Grebenc, Jorge Duran, Javier G. G. Illan, Thulani P. P. Makhalanyane, Arpan Mukherjee, Tina U. U. Nahberger, Gabriel F. F. Penaloza-Bojaca, Cesar Plaza, Jay Prakash Verma, Ana Rey, Alexandra Rodriguez, Christina Siebe, Alberto L. L. Teixido, Pankaj Trivedi, Ling Wang, Jianyong Wang, Tianxue Yang, Xin-Quan Zhou, Xiaobing Zhou, Eli Zaady, Leho Tedersoo, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
Summary: In urban greenspaces, soil biodiversity is positively correlated with multiple ecosystem functions, while plant diversity indirectly influences multifunctionality. Conserving soil biodiversity is crucial for supporting multiple dimensions of ecosystem functioning in urban ecosystems.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jiao Feng, Dailin Yu, Robert L. L. Sinsabaugh, Daryl L. L. Moorhead, Mathias Neumann Andersen, Pete Smith, Yanting Song, Xinqi Li, Qiaoyun Huang, Yu-Rong Liu, Ji Chen
Summary: Biochar amendment is a promising agricultural approach to combat climate change by enhancing soil carbon sequestration. It was found that biochar addition increased soil ligninase activity targeting complex phenolic macromolecules, but suppressed cellulase activity degrading simpler polysaccharides. These shifts in enzyme activities explained variations in soil carbon sequestration in different conditions, and the ligninase:cellulase ratio correlated negatively with soil C sequestration. Short-term biochar addition reduced cellulase activity and increased soil organic C sequestration, while long-term addition enhanced ligninase activity and ligninase:cellulase ratio, resulting in a smaller increase in soil organic C sequestration. This research provides evidence for the diminished long-term soil C sequestration with biochar addition.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhenguang Lv, Min Xu, Ying Liu, Regin Ronn, Christopher Rensing, Song Liu, Shenghan Gao, Hao Liao, Yu-Rong Liu, Wenli Chen, Yong-Guan Zhu, Qiaoyun Huang, Xiuli Hao
Summary: Phagotrophic protist communities in long-term Cu-contaminated soils have important impacts on Cu-resistant bacterial populations. Certain communities, such as Cercozoa and Amoebozoa, increase the relative abundance of Cu-resistant bacteria, while the relative abundance of Ciliophora decreases. Phagotrophs positively influence the relative abundance of Cu-resistant and -sensitive ecological clusters, contributing to the abundance of the Cu resistance gene (copA).
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuang Zhang, Baohui Li, Yi Chen, Mengqiang Zhu, Joel A. Pedersen, Baohua Gu, Zimeng Wang, Hui Li, Jinling Liu, Xin-Quan Zhou, Yun-Yun Hao, Hong Jiang, Fan Liu, Yu-Rong Liu, Hui Yin
Summary: Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxin with adverse health impacts on humans. This research demonstrates that trivalent manganese (Mn(III)) can degrade MeHg in natural environments, suggesting potential applications for remediating heavily polluted soils and engineered systems containing MeHg.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shuhai Wen, Jiaying Chen, Ziming Yang, Lei Deng, Jiao Feng, Wen Zhang, Xiao-Min Zeng, Qiaoyun Huang, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Yu-Rong Liu
Summary: Microbial residues play a crucial role in stabilizing carbon in the soil profile and regulating global climate. However, their sensitivity to climatic seasonality, particularly in deep soils, remains largely unknown. In this study, we examined the changes of microbial residues along soil profiles across China and found that they contribute to a larger proportion of soil carbon in deeper soils. Climate has a significant impact on the accumulation of microbial residues, especially in deep soils, while soil properties also influence residue accumulation in surface soils. Summer precipitation is identified as a key factor regulating microbial-driven carbon stability in deep soils. These findings challenge the notion that deep soils can serve as long-term carbon reservoirs to mitigate climate change.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Siqi Zhang, Yongguang Yin, Peijie Yang, Cong Yao, Shanyi Tian, Pei Lei, Tao Jiang, Dingyong Wang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of changes in DOM characteristics driven by end-member mixing on DOM biogeochemical reactivities. The results showed that the variations of DOM characteristics significantly affected its biogeochemical reactivities, but not all parameters and reactivities followed the conservative mixing behavior. Therefore, the effect of end-member mixing should be evaluated in the given reactivity instead of generalization.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthias C. Rillig, Marcel G. A. van der Heijden, Miguel Berdugo, Yu-Rong Liu, Judith Riedo, Carlos Sanz-Lazaro, Eduardo Moreno-Jimenez, Ferran Romero, Leho Tedersoo, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
Summary: The authors investigate the relationship between soil stressors exceeding critical thresholds and ecosystem services. They find that multiple stressors crossing a high-level threshold reduce soil functioning and can predict ecosystem functioning. Increasing environmental stressors may decrease ecosystem functioning in soils. However, this relationship has not been globally assessed. Using global field surveys and natural and human factors, the authors test the relationship between stressors exceeding different critical thresholds and ecosystem services maintenance. Their analysis shows that multiple stressors, especially those crossing a high-level threshold, significantly reduce soil biodiversity and functioning globally. The number of stressors exceeding the >75% threshold consistently predicts multiple ecosystem services, enhancing the prediction of ecosystem functioning.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Pablo Garcia-Palacios, Mark A. Bradford, David J. Eldridge, Miguel Berdugo, Tadeo Saez-Sandino, Yu-Rong Liu, Fernando Alfaro, Sebastian Abades, Adebola R. Bamigboye, Felipe Bastida, Jose L. Blanco-Pastor, Jorge Duran, Juan J. Gaitan, Javier G. Illan, Tine Grebenc, Thulani P. Makhalanyane, Durgesh Kumar Jaiswal, Tina U. Nahberger, Gabriel F. Penaloza-Bojaca, Ana Rey, Alexandra Rodriguez, Christina Siebe, Alberto L. Teixido, Wei Sun, Pankaj Trivedi, Jay Prakash Verma, Ling Wang, Jianyong Wang, Tianxue Yang, Eli Zaady, Xiaobing Zhou, Xin-Quan Zhou, Cesar Plaza
Summary: This study compared soil samples from urban and natural ecosystems and found that the soil microbiome is an essential driver of soil carbon in urban greenspace under warming. This research is significant in highlighting the importance of considering the soil microbiome in urban management strategies to maintain soil carbon and related ecosystem services.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qin Liu, Siyuan Liu, Xin-Quan Zhou, Yu-Rong Liu
Summary: This study investigated the degradation of methylmercury (MeHg) in eight typical paddy soils and analyzed the relationship between soil physiochemical properties and microbial degradation efficiency of MeHg. The results showed that soil type played an important role in MeHg degradation, with high clay content soils exhibiting higher degradation efficiency and red paddy soils showing lower efficiency. In addition, specific soil physiochemical properties were found to influence MeHg degradation by regulating microbial communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu-Rong Liu, Long Guo, Ziming Yang, Zeng Xu, Jiating Zhao, Shu-Hai Wen, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Long Chen
Summary: This study provides new insights into environmental drivers and spatial patterns of Hg distribution in global surface soils through a global standardized field survey and machine learning approach. Soil stores a large amount of mercury (Hg) that has adverse effects on human health and ecosystem safety. Significant uncertainties still exist in revealing environmental drivers of soil Hg accumulation and predicting global Hg distribution owing to the lack of field data from global standardized analyses.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Shuhai Wen, Jiao Wang, Yanpei Li, Yu-Rong Liu, Ming'an Shao
Summary: The burrowing activities of earthworms in sloping lands play a significant role in reducing nutrient loss and promoting soil stability. In this study, the presence of earthworms on artificial grass slopes led to decreases in nutrient loss in runoff and sediment, while increasing soil stability and conductivity. This highlights the importance of soil fauna in erosion and nutrient loss regulation in the Loess Plateau.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiao-Min Zeng, Felipe Bastida, Cesar Plaza, Guiyao Zhou, Alfonso Vera, Yu-Rong Liu, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
Summary: Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) is crucial for global carbon cycling and is influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. This study reveals that biotic factors associated with vegetation and soil microbes play an important role in explaining the global distribution of SIC in surface soils. Additionally, soil properties also have a significant impact on SIC variance.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yunyun Li, Nali Zhu, Wenjun Hu, Yu-rong Liu, Wen Jia, Guoming Lin, Hong Li, Yufeng Li, Yuxi Gao, Jiating Zhao
Summary: Sulfur can effectively treat mercury pollution, but recent studies have found conflicting effects between reducing mercury mobility and promoting mercury methylation. The potential mechanism of MeHg production under different sulfur-treated species and doses is not well understood. This study investigated MeHg production in Hg-contaminated paddy soil and its accumulation in rice under elemental sulfur or sulfate treatment at different levels. The results provide insights into the mechanism of sulfur-induced MeHg production and suggest potential strategies for decreasing mercury mobility.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yun-Yun Hao, Hui -Wen Liu, Jiating Zhao, Jiao Feng, Xiuli Hao, Qiaoyun Huang, Baohua Gu, Yu-Rong Liu
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) in agricultural ecosystems can influence the conversion of mercury (Hg) to neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg), but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of MPs on Hg methylation in paddy soils and found that MPs significantly increased MeHg production. The microbial communities associated with Hg methylation were different in the plastisphere (region around the MPs) compared to the bulk soil, and these differences could contribute to the distinct MeHg production ability.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
