Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiajie Hu, Yuxiang Zhao, Xiangwu Yao, Jiaqi Wang, Ping Zheng, Chuanwu Xi, Baolan Hu
Summary: The study revealed the significant role of comammox Nitrospira in soil nitrification, especially in acid soils, showing a positive correlation between their abundance and nitrification potential, dominating in most soil samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chris Chisholm, Hong J. Di, Keith Cameron, Andriy Podolyan, Anish Shah, Lisa Hsu, Jupei Shen
Summary: This study investigated the abundance and community composition of comammox Nitrospira across different regions of pasture-based dairy farms and different land uses within the same region. The results showed that comammox Nitrospira were most abundant under west coast dairy farm conditions and irrigated dairy farms. The abundance of comammox Nitrospira was also influenced by soil moisture and annual rainfall.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Guibing Zhu, Xiaomin Wang, Shanyun Wang, Longbin Yu, Gawhar Armanbek, Jie Yu, Liping Jiang, Dongdan Yuan, Zhongrui Guo, Hanrui Zhang, Lei Zheng, Lorenz Schwark, Mike S. M. Jetten, Asheesh Kumar Yadav, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Nitrogen pollution is a growing challenge in the Anthropocene, and the discovery of comammox Nitrospira bacteria has changed our understanding of the nitrogen oxidation process. These bacteria can directly oxidize ammonia to nitrate and play a significant role in the global nitrogen cycle.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xinghua Ding, Wensheng Lan, Yiliang Li, Aixin Yan, Yoko Katayama, Keisuke Koba, Akiko Makabe, Keitaro Fukushima, Midori Yano, Yuji Onishi, Qinya Ge, Ji-Dong Gu
Summary: This study examined the stone-dwelling microbiome in three important Angkorian monuments in Cambodia, revealing a rich microbiome with abundant microbial nitrogen transforming reactions. The study found that AOA and Comammox were the most abundant ammonia-oxidizers in the microbiome of these sandstone monuments. The findings suggest an internal recycling mechanism between ammonia/ammonium and nitrate to support the microbial community on the stone monuments.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ji-Dong Gu, Yoko Katayama
Summary: Knowledge and understanding of substratum materials, the environment, fauna and flora, and microorganisms are crucial for the protection and management of cultural heritage. Extensive research in Cambodia has yielded insights into the mechanisms of stone monument (bio)deterioration, specifically the interaction between water cycling, salt dynamics, and surface microbiomes such as biofilms. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a decline in tourist numbers, resulting in an increase in the population of bats and monkeys, which poses challenges to ongoing protection efforts. Furthermore, the management of large trees surrounding cultural heritage sites has become necessary to mitigate potential risks and negative impacts. Scientific results are crucial for the long-term successful preservation of these cultural heritage sites, and such investigations have implications beyond Cambodia.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2023)
Review
Archaeology
Jing Li, Maocheng Deng, Lin Gao, Sufen Yen, Yoko Katayama, Ji-Dong Gu
Summary: This article presents the current available results on the active microorganisms and their biochemical processes associated with the biodeterioration of sandstone cultural heritage in Cambodia under tropical climate. Both sulfur and nitrogen cycles are active biochemical processes by specific microorganisms on sandstone monuments in the tropical region, with recent focus on ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). There is a paradigm shift in research on microbiology of cultural heritage, with a focus on biochemically and physiologically functional microbes for better protection and management.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Jun Xie, Zifang Wang, Ying Wang, Shujiang Xiang, Ziyi Xiong, Ming Gao
Summary: Fertilization and soil environmental factors play a role in the niche differentiation of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and affect the ammonia-oxidation process. In this study, the effect of manure, chemical fertilizer, and manure combined with biochar on soil properties and the abundance, diversity, and structure of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in the rhizosphere were investigated. The results showed that chemical fertilizer and manure combined with biochar increased the potential nitrification rate (PNR) and AOA amoA gene abundance, while manure combined with biochar decreased PNR and AOA amoA gene abundance. The population structure of AOA and AOB was influenced by pH, available phosphorus, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, soil moisture content, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen in the rhizosphere. The ammonia oxidation process in the acid purple soil was dominated by AOA in the presence of chemical fertilizer and pig manure combined with rice husk biochar.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Lei Cui, Dongpo Li, Zhijie Wu, Yan Xue, Yuchao Song, Furong Xiao, Lili Zhang, Ping Gong, Ke Zhang
Summary: The application of nitrification inhibitors (NIs) can effectively reduce nitrogen (N) loss by delaying the nitrification process through influencing the growth of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in different soils.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomohiro Inaba, Tomoyuki Hori, Megumi Tsuchiya, Hideyuki Ihara, Etsuo Uchida, Ji-Dong Gu, Yoko Katayama
Summary: The sandstone monuments of Angkor are suffering from serious deterioration and damage, mainly caused by microorganisms. In this study, the fungal colonization and biodeterioration of sandstone were examined using confocal reflection microscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the fungi formed cavities on the sandstone surface, leading to its degradation. A biodeterioration model was proposed to explain the process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yubing Dong, Xintong Xu, Junqian Zhang, Ying Jiao, Bingxue Wang, Chenyuan Wang, Zhengqin Xiong
Summary: This study investigated the emission characteristics and relative contributions of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) and other microbial processes to nitrous oxide (N2O) production in greenhouse vegetable fields in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The results showed that the ammonia oxidation process is the dominant contributor to N2O production, regardless of soil pH. AOA-driven N2O emission rates were consistently higher than AOB-driven rates, and both were positively correlated with soil pH.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yujie Dai, Xiaolan Lin, Yi Luo, Jing Sun, Yun Tian
Summary: This study investigated the responses and relative contributions of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria in mangrove sediments after spiking urea. The results indicated that nitrification (primarily mediated by AOA)-denitrification process played the most important role in nitrogen removal from the amendment of nitrogen short-term input in the mangrove sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting Lan, Nan Xie, Cheng Chen, Xiaoqian He, Ouping Deng, Wei Zhou, Guangdeng Chen, Jing Ling, Shu Yuan, Rong Huang, Zhaonan Tian, Christopher W. N. Anderson, Xuesong Gao
Summary: The effects of biological nitrification inhibitors on nitrogen loss and fertilizer N recovery efficiency in staple food crops are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of the biological nitrification inhibitor MHPP and/or urease inhibitor NBPT on NH3 volatilization, N leaching, and fertilizer N recovery efficiency in rice growth experiments. The results showed that the fertilizer N recovery efficiency significantly increased in the MHPP and NBPT+MHPP groups in calcareous soil, and the rice yield increased in the NBPT+MHPP treatment. However, these effects were not significant in acidic soil. MHPP had a significant effect on soil ammonia oxidizers, with the response depending on the soil type.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Di Liang, G. Philip Robertson
Summary: The long-term contribution of nitrification to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions as well as the proportion of N2O derived from nitrification in different ecosystems remains uncertain, with actual values likely to be lower than estimated due to low N2O yields in cultured nitrifiers and competing sinks for available NH4+.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Konrad Egenolf, Philipp Schad, Ashly Arevalo, Daniel Villegas, Jacobo Arango, Hannes Karwat, Georg Cadisch, Frank Rasche
Summary: Brachiaria humidicola (syn. Urochloa humidicola) has been recognized for controlling soil nitrification through releasing nitrification inhibitors (NI), termed as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI), which can reduce net nitrification rates by 50 to 85%. Adjustment of soil pH and microbial background has little influence on BNI performance, while the decrease in net nitrification rates mainly depends on microbial N immobilization and efficient plant N uptake.
BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Youfen Qian, Tongzhou Gan, Sahib Zada, Yoko Katayama, Ji-Dong Gu
Summary: This study reveals the dissolution and loss of CaCO3 in stone as it is exposed to the environment, resulting in increased porosity and microbial growth. The difference in CaCO3 content between fresh and weathered stone demonstrates the connection between mineral dissolution reactions and microbial catalysis. This alteration of stone properties is critical for colonization and development of microbial communities.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shaofeng Zhou, Wenwen An, Cuifen Gan, Meiying Xu
Summary: Bacteria generate and release extracellular reactive oxygen species (eROS), which significantly contribute to the natural ROS pool and play a crucial role in metabolic interactions of bacteria with their environment. Understanding the behavior of eROS-generating bacteria and its environmental implications is of great importance in the cycling of biogeochemical elements, transformation of organic matter, and regulation of antibiotic resistance genes.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ji-Dong Gu, Tim Ford, Bryce Mitton, Ralph Mitchell
Summary: Plastics and microplastics are widely present and accumulating in the environment, leading to increasing public attention. In addition to packaging plastics, materials from industries such as electronics, space and aviation are also accumulating, but receiving less attention. The production of degradable and biodegradable plastics is seen as a way to reduce environmental impacts, but enhancing the non-degradability of functional polymers is also a feasible option. Microbial colonization and deterioration pose significant challenges to these materials.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Justyna Bohacz, Michal Mozejko
Summary: This study evaluated the keratinolytic activity of 37 strains of Trichophyton ajelloi and found that pigmented strains isolated from loamy soil were more efficient in degrading native feather keratin, while non-pigmented strains isolated from chernozem showed better abilities. The keratinolytic activity increased over time, as evidenced by the increase in extracellular keratinase activity and release of soluble proteins and peptides. Protease activity peaked in the first 7 days and again on day 28 of culture. The release of ammonium and sulfate ions, associated with an increase in pH, reached its maximum on day 21. Three pigment-producing strains were among the most active in releasing large amounts of ammonium and sulfate ions. The biodegradation of feather waste by Trichophyton ajelloi strains can be used to produce fertilizers suitable for plants with high sulfur requirements.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joseph M. Suflita, Brenda J. Little
Summary: This article reviews the major achievements of the International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Society (IBBS) on its 50th anniversary and provides recommendations for addressing new challenges and developments based on personal experiences.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhenyan Lin, Tuo Jin, Xin Xu, Xiao Yin, Dan Zhang, Mengjiao Geng, Chunyu Pang, Gongwen Luo, Lizhi Xiong, Jianwei Peng, Jiangchi Fei
Summary: The incomplete recycle of residual mulch film (RMF) in recent years has led to an increase in plastic fragments in soil, posing a serious threat to the soil ecological environment. In this study, seven potential plastic-degrading microorganisms were screened and identified from film-mulched vegetable fields. The degradation ability experiments showed that both single strains and mixed strains demonstrated varying levels of degradation of RMF.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tiina Belt, Michael Altgen, Muhammad Awais, Martin Nopens, Lauri Rautkari
Summary: This study investigated the degradation of heat-treated wood by brown rot fungi and found that the decay increased the hygroscopicity of wood in the decaying state. Furthermore, it was observed that heat-treated samples were more susceptible to fungal decay compared to untreated samples, which may be related to the increase in moisture content.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marta Cicardi, Davide Bernasconi, Luca Martire, Linda Pastero, Giulia Caneva, Sergio E. Favero-Longo
Summary: This study investigated the phenomenon of Centimetric circular areas Uncolonized by Microbial Biofilms (CUMBs) on natural and heritage stone surfaces. The analysis revealed a compatibility in distribution and size between CUMBs and lichen thalli, suggesting a lichen origin for some CUMBs. Microscopic analysis also showed similar modifications in marble layers beneath CUMBs and lichens, indicating a possible alteration of stone properties by lichens.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)