Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenhui Xiang, Yu Zhong, Gang Li, Xingyu Song, Yadong Huang, Zhen Wang, Chuanyang Zheng, Liangmin Huang
Summary: The carbon metabolism of the planktonic community in Zhongsha Atoll acts as a significant source of atmospheric CO2, contributing to the overall carbon budget of the ocean.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Michael P. Lesser, Keir J. Macartney, Marc Slattery
Summary: On Caribbean coral reefs, sponges play an important role in consuming organic matter and producing detritus. A study on Agelas tubulata sponges found that their detritus production, including phytodetritus, is greater at mesophotic depths compared to shallow coral reefs. Phytodetritus, consisting of autotrophic picoplankton, may be a significant carbon and nitrogen source in mesophotic communities.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Congzhi Zhang, Zhanhui Zhao, Fang Li, Jiabao Zhang
Summary: The overapplication of mineral nitrogen fertilizer and the inability to recycle organic manure pose a scientific problem in the North China Plain. A four-year fertilization experiment was conducted to explore the effects of substituting mineral fertilizer with organic manure. The results showed that organic manure significantly increased soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon, while enhancing soil enzymatic activities. Path analyses revealed that organic manure application played a positive role in promoting the sequestration of labile organic carbon and stable organic carbon. The combined application of mineral fertilizer and organic manure improved both the quantity and quality of soil organic carbon, making it a promising alternative in the North China Plain.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenwen Shi, Dongfeng Li, Dandan Tu, Deng Li, Wei Yu, Jingying Shi, Can Li
Summary: To overcome the poor stability of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) based photoelectrodes in aqueous environment, researchers have developed an inside and outside integrated modification method. The BHJ (PBDB-T:ITIC:PC71BM)-based photocathode with surface carbon protective layer showed sustained and fast photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen evolution with an average photocurrent density of up to 13.5 mA cm(-2) for a duration of 15 hours.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Menghan Wang, Fucui Li, Lili Dong, Xiang Wang, Liebao Han, Jurgen E. Olesen
Summary: Increases in nitrogen deposition have the potential to impact the organic carbon cycle in soil. The effects of nitrogen addition on soil organic carbon pools are inconsistent, highlighting the need for quantifying the response of organic carbon pool distribution to nitrogen addition. Furthermore, the influence of adding a mixture of organic and inorganic nitrogen on organic carbon pool distribution and stabilization in grassland soil remains unclear.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Balakrishnan Manikandan, Alen Mariyam Thomas, Suhas Suresh Shetye, Sadaiappan Balamurugan, Chellandi Mohandass, Kunuyil Nandakumar
Summary: Macroalgae are taking over coral reefs globally by releasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) that degrades the reefs. This study quantified DOC release by five macroalgae species affecting live corals and analyzed bacterial community structure changes in response to the DOC. The research showed variation in DOC lability to microbial mineralization among different macroalgae species.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wail Al Zoubi, Mohammad Ehtisham Khan, Young Gun Ko
Summary: In this study, a flower-like hierarchy with outstanding chemical stability and electrochemical performance was achieved through the self-assembly of 8-hydroxyquinoline and 1.10-phenanthroline on a plasma electrolysis-treated porous material surface.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kai Wang, Shilong Piao, Yue He, Yongwen Liu, Honglin He
Summary: Understanding the stability of terrestrial carbon sinks (S-TCS) helps predict the terrestrial carbon sink (TCS) accurately and inform climate change mitigation policies. By focusing on China, we analyzed the spatial distribution and driving mechanisms for the S-TCS using three independent approaches. We found that China has a generally stable TCS with relatively small interannual variability compared to the United States and Europe. The North China Plain, Northeast China Plain, and western Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau have lower S-TCS due to different underlying mechanisms, such as variations in precipitation and temperature.
SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alireza Raheb, Behnam Asgari Lajayer, Venkatramanan Senapathi
Summary: Studying total soil carbon (STC) and investigating its influence on other soil properties is crucial for global soil carbon management. Boosting soil carbon sequestration, particularly in arid regions, has direct and indirect implications for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals. A study in southeastern Iran found that SOC and storage showed an opposing pattern with soil depth, unlike SIC. Within drylands, SIC plays a more prominent role in total carbon storage than SOC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Xiang Zhang, Zhenhua Yu, Dan Zhang, Qidong Tai, Xing-Zhong Zhao
Summary: Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising next-generation photovoltaic technology, but their commercialization is limited by poor device stability. Carbon-based inorganic PSCs (C-IPSCs) overcome this stability challenge and offer advantages such as simplified fabrication, cost reduction, and moisture resistance. Through various strategies, the power conversion efficiency of C-IPSCs has increased rapidly from 5% to over 15%. This review summarizes the recent progress, discusses existing challenges, and provides prospects for future development of C-IPSCs.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Keith E. Schilling, Matthew T. Streeter, Christopher S. Jones, Peter J. Jacobson
Summary: This study examined the carbon flux from artificially-drained cropped fields. The results showed that the dominant carbon export was from inorganic carbon (IC) losses through subsurface drainage tiles. Detailed soil sampling revealed that approximately 0.23% of the total carbon content in shallow soils was lost in a single year. The study suggests the need for improved monitoring of total carbon export from fields for accurate assessment of carbon sequestration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Junjun Wu, Hong Zhang, Yontai Pan, Xiaoli Cheng, Kerong Zhang, Guihua Liu
Summary: Soil organic carbon (SOC) consists of heterogeneous pools with different properties. This study explored the effects of nitrogen (N) addition on particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) in SOC. The results showed that N addition significantly increased POC by 20.6% and decreased MAOC by 4.5%, leading to a higher proportion of POC in bulk SOC and a lower proportion of MAOC. The response of POC to N addition was negatively correlated with pH and microbial biomass carbon, while the response of MAOC was positively correlated with these factors.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Liu Liu, Fei Yan, Hao Liu, Mengjie Zhang, Lin Jin, Linghan Xiao, Yuhui Ao
Summary: An organic-inorganic hierarchical structure was formed by self-assembled MXene and chitosan on carbon fiber surfaces, improving the interfacial performance of CF/epoxy composites. The enhanced wettability and surface energy from active groups of MXene and CS greatly boosted interfacial adhesion. The increased roughness and the formation of hydrogen and covalent bonds contributed to better mechanical interlocking and crack deflection at the fiber-matrix interface.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alberto Rovellini, Matthew R. Dunn, Elizabeth A. Fulton, Lisa Woods, Jamaluddin Jompa, Abdul Haris, James J. Bell
Summary: This study describes the temporal dynamics of benthic organisms on an Indonesian coral reef, showing that turf algae can rapidly occupy available space on some Indonesian reefs, while other benthic groups may not be limited by bare substrate, but rather may overgrow already fouled substrates.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Indra Gandi Subramani, Veeradasan Perumal, Subash C. B. Gopinath, Khor Shing Fhan, Norani Muti Mohamed
Summary: Nanotechnology has seen significant advancements in the past decade, particularly in the field of organic-inorganic hybrid nanoflowers with green synthesis methods. Despite their high surface-to-volume ratio and enzymatic activity, challenges such as low mechanical strength and difficulties in recovery have hindered their wide industrial application.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lei Duan, Robert Petroski, Lowell Wood, Ken Caldeira
Summary: The study modeled electricity systems in different regions and found that solar and wind can provide cheaper electricity in moderate decarbonization scenarios. However, in deeply decarbonized systems, nuclear energy can compete with solar and wind, while high-quality wind resources can make it difficult for nuclear to compete. The combination of thermal heat storage and nuclear power can promote the development of wind and solar.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Robert van Woesik, Tom Shlesinger, Andrea G. Grottoli, Rob J. Toonen, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Mark E. Warner, Ann Marie Hulver, Leila Chapron, Rowan H. McLachlan, Rebecca Albright, Eric Crandall, Thomas M. DeCarlo, Mary K. Donovan, Jose Eirin-Lopez, Hugo B. Harrison, Scott F. Heron, Danwei Huang, Adriana Humanes, Thomas Krueger, Joshua S. Madin, Derek Manzello, Lisa C. McManus, Mikhail Matz, Erinn M. Muller, Mauricio Rodriguez-Lanetty, Maria Vega-Rodriguez, Christian R. Voolstra, Jesse Zaneveld
Summary: The global impacts of climate change are evident in every marine ecosystem, particularly on coral reefs where mass coral bleaching and mortality are common responses. Linking information across scientific disciplines and scales is a major challenge, but adopting an integrative approach can advance coral-reef science and guide conservation efforts. Establishing networks of protected reefs across national boundaries may be the best chance for corals to persist through climate change.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Aaron T. Ninokawa, Justin Ries
Summary: Increased anthropogenic carbon dioxide can cause ocean acidification and potentially impact the physiological, ecological, and chemical processes in marine systems. However, the effects on freshwater calcifiers have been less studied, despite their ecological importance in freshwater systems.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James C. Orr, Lester Kwiatkowski, Hans-Otto Poertner
Summary: Seasonal changes in ocean acidification have a different impact on marine organisms over the long term. The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to seasonal variations in ocean carbon dioxide partial pressure, causing divergent long-term trends in summer and winter. The timing of summer carbon dioxide levels also influences these trends.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manon Berger, Lester Kwiatkowski, David T. Ho, Laurent Bopp
Summary: This study uses a high-resolution ocean biogeochemical model to simulate the impact of macroalgae cultivation in Exclusive Economic Zones on the ocean carbon sink. The results show that physicochemical processes limit the enhancement of carbon flux from macroalgae cultivation, and there may be challenges in measuring and verifying this flux. The addition of macronutrient limitations and feedbacks further reduce the efficiency of macroalgae-based carbon dioxide removal. Nevertheless, Eastern boundary upwelling systems, the Northeast Pacific, and the Southern Ocean emerge as potentially promising locations for efficient macroalgae-based carbon dioxide removal.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lester Kwiatkowski, Olivier Torres, Olivier Aumont, James C. C. Orr
Summary: Studies have shown that the influence of increasing atmospheric CO2 and climate change on the marine CO2 system and ecosystems is mainly manifested in the variability of carbonate chemistry, including seasonal and diurnal variations. Models project that the future ocean will experience enhanced diurnal variability of pCO2 and [H+], which may impose higher metabolic costs on marine organisms.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Elora H. Lopez-Nandam, Rebecca Albright, Erik A. Hanson, Elizabeth A. Sheets, Stephen R. Palumbi
Summary: In many animals, the germline differentiates early in embryogenesis, so only mutations that accumulate in germ cells are inherited by offspring. Stony corals, however, have been thought to produce gametes from somatic tissue. To clarify this, researchers sequenced the genomes of parent coral branches and their sperm pools and found that a significant portion of mutations were not shared between the parent and the sperm, indicating the presence of self-renewing stem cells in coral. Understanding the evolution and diversity of germlines in animals and corals can provide insights for adaptation in the face of climate change.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca Albright, Lina Hansson, Sarah R. Cooley, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Paul Marshall, Nadine Marshall, Stephen Fletcher, Gunnar Haraldsson, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Summary: This paper presents a framework for assessing the readiness of policy to address ocean acidification, focusing on coral reefs as a case study. The framework encompasses six dimensions that encompass comprehensive preparation for the impacts of ocean acidification and other anthropogenic hazards. Standardized indicators are defined, leading countries are identified, and the case study of Australia, with its largest coral reef system, is evaluated. The framework provides a rubric for self-assessing policy preparedness and prioritizing future endeavors.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Anastazia T. Banaszak, Kristen L. Marhaver, Margaret W. Miller, Aaron C. Hartmann, Rebecca Albright, Mary Hagedorn, Peter L. Harrison, Kelly R. W. Latijnhouwers, Sandra Mendoza Quiroz, Valeria Pizarro, Valerie F. Chamberland
Summary: Reversing coral reef decline requires reducing environmental threats and actively restoring reef ecological structure and function. Coral breeding is a promising approach to reestablish genetically diverse coral communities, but currently faces challenges of low survival and limited spatial scale and species diversity. To increase the effectiveness and scale of coral breeding in restoration, research and cooperative innovation efforts should prioritize expanding restoration sites and species, improving broodstock selection, enhancing culture conditions, and scaling up infrastructure and technologies.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rafael J. P. Schmitt, Edgar Virguez, Sara Ashfaq, Ken Caldeira
Summary: The 2022 Indus floods in Pakistan highlight the need to adapt to more frequent and severe natural disasters in a warming world. By using high-resolution assessment of flood stages and demographic data, this study identifies adaptation opportunities and costs for the Indus floodplains. Rebuilding houses in flood-proof, elevated manner or temporary relocation can protect a certain percentage of people affected, but implementing these measures will come with substantial costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ken Caldeira, Lei Duan, Juan Moreno-Cruz
Summary: This study proposes a framework to quantify the contribution of reducing the Green Premium to carbon emissions reduction and introduces a new assessment model for cost-saving innovation. The results show that reducing the Green Premium can lead to various positive impacts, including enhanced carbon abatement, lower abatement costs, less climate damage, and increased net-present-value of consumption. Furthermore, the value of Green Premium reductions and carbon dioxide removal is greater under more stringent mitigation targets.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Davide Tonelli, Lorenzo Rosa, Paolo Gabrielli, Ken Caldeira, Alessandro Parente, Francesco Contino
Summary: Proposals for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 include scaling-up electrolytic hydrogen production. However, there are technical, economic, and environmental challenges to overcome. This study analyzes the land and water availability compared to the hydrogen demand in 2050, identifying countries that may face limitations in achieving self-sufficiency in hydrogen supply and countries that have the potential to become hydrogen exporters.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alban Planchat, Lester Kwiatkowski, Laurent Bopp, Olivier Torres, James R. Christian, Momme Butenschoen, Tomas Lovato, Roland Seferian, Matthew A. Chamberlain, Olivier Aumont, Michio Watanabe, Akitomo Yamamoto, Andrew Yool, Tatiana Ilyina, Hiroyuki Tsujino, Kristen M. Krumhardt, Jorg Schwinger, Jerry Tjiputra, John P. Dunne, Charles Stock
Summary: Ocean alkalinity plays a critical role in carbon uptake and buffering against acidification. However, the representation of alkalinity and the calcium carbonate cycle in Earth system models have been frequently overlooked. The transition from CMIP5 to CMIP6 shows improvements in alkalinity representation, likely due to model tuning or parameterizations.
Article
Ecology
Laurent Bopp, Olivier Aumont, Lester Kwiatkowski, Corentin Clerc, Leonard Dupont, Christian Ethe, Thomas Gorgues, Roland Seferian, Alessandro Tagliabue
Summary: This study uses two IPSL-CM versions to simulate divergent NPP responses to similar high-emission scenarios in the 21st century, identifying nitrogen fixation as the main driver of these differences. While the evaluation of these model versions does not help constrain future NPP projection uncertainties, the use of a more comprehensive version of PISCES suggests moderate changes in globally averaged N fixation in the 21st century.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kathleen M. Kennedy, Tyler H. Ruggles, Katherine Rinaldi, Jacqueline A. Dowling, Lei Duan, Ken Caldeira, Nathan S. Lewis
Summary: Policies in the US are calling for the use of variable renewable energy sources that can reliably meet electricity demand despite fluctuations. However, the role of concentrated solar power (CSP) and thermal energy storage (TES) in comparison to photovoltaics (PV) and batteries in a highly reliable, 100% renewable system has not been clearly evaluated. This study finds that CSP and PV do not directly compete, but TES competes with short-duration battery storage. The coupled CSP+TES system can provide reliability in the absence of other grid flexibility mechanisms, and its adoption is primarily limited by high CSP generation costs.
ADVANCES IN APPLIED ENERGY
(2022)