Article
Ecology
Xiaoyue Wang, Chao Liang, Jingdong Mao, Yuji Jiang, Qing Bian, Yuting Liang, Yan Chen, Bo Sun
Summary: Managing above-ground plant carbon inputs is important for achieving carbon neutrality and mitigating climate change. The chemical complexity of plant residues plays a key role in carbon sequestration. This study found that residue chemistry diverges during the initial 0.5-3 year period and then converges to a common array of compounds during the 3-9 year period. Keystone taxa, particularly Alphaproteobacteria of the Rhizobiales order, regulate the divergence and convergence of residue chemistry.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sandrine Veloso, David Amouroux, Laurent Lanceleur, Christine Cagnon, Mathilde Monperrus, Jonathan Deborde, Cristiana Cravo Laureau, Robert Duran
Summary: The fluctuation of environmental conditions in estuaries drives the structure of microbial communities, which play a key role in ecosystem functioning. In this study, the microbial communities in the Adour Estuary were investigated using gene sequencing and chemical analysis. The results showed a strong seasonal organization and spatial distribution of microbial communities, influenced by biogeochemical parameters and micropollutants. Network analysis revealed specific modules linked to pollutant types, providing important insights into estuarine microbial ecology.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Haiping Zheng, Tianjie Yang, Yanzhuo Bao, Panpan He, Keming Yang, Xinlan Mei, Zhong Wei, Yangchun Xu, Qirong Shen, Samiran Banerjee
Summary: This study shows that forestland has the highest litter decomposition rate, which is attributed to microbial communities with higher ligninolytic enzyme activities and diversity, and a less complex but more specialized network. Keystone taxa, such as Chryseobacterium in bacteria and Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium in fungi, play important roles in litter decomposition, and can be used for manipulating lignocellulose decomposition in soil ecosystems.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alin Song, Jiayin Zhang, Duanyang Xu, Enzhao Wang, Jingjing Bi, Bismark Asante-Badu, Marie Claire Njyenawe, Miaomiao Sun, Piao Xue, Sai Wang, Fenliang Fan
Summary: The decomposition of lignin and cellulose in arable soil has a significant impact on soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Long-term fertilization increases the decomposition rates and alters the key microbial populations involved. The decomposition rates of cellulose and lignin are influenced by different factors under different fertilization conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sebastian Petters, Verena Gross, Andrea Sollinger, Michelle Pichler, Anne Reinhard, Mia Maria Bengtsson, Tim Urich
Summary: Myxobacteria were found to potentially play a key role in the soil microbial food web, impacting prokaryotic community composition. Eukaryotic micropredators, such as amoeba and nematodes, had generally lower abundance of 18S rRNA transcripts, especially in mineral soils.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shengwei Liu, Huang Yu, Yuhe Yu, Jie Huang, Zhengyuan Zhou, Jiaxiong Zeng, Pubo Chen, Fanshu Xiao, Zhili He, Qingyun Yan
Summary: This study used network analysis to investigate the seasonal stability of microbial communities in lake ecosystems. The results showed distinct differences in microbial networks among seasons, with the most complex network in autumn exhibiting the highest stability. Water temperature and pH were found to be significantly correlated with strong connecting structures among microbes, which impacted keystone taxa and destabilized microbial communities. Additionally, the presence of keystone taxa contributed to the stability of the networks, and their removal resulted in unstable networks. The specific composition of keystone taxa in different seasons was influenced by environmental filtering and interspecific interactions. These findings highlight the influence of seasonal variations in environmental factors on microbial networks and community stability.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiao Fan, Yeqiang Chen, Rui Xu, Zhaohui Guo
Summary: Copper mining causes soil contamination and impacts soil microbial communities and their multifunctionality. Metal-contaminated soils enrich metal-tolerant keystone taxa, leading to a decrease in microbial community diversity. Metal contamination also inhibits important microbial metabolic potentials in the soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jia Lin Wang, Kai Lou Liu, Xue Qiang Zhao, Gui-Feng Gao, Yong Hong Wu, Ren Fang Shen
Summary: Unbalanced fertilization of nutritional elements in acid soil poses a potential threat to environmental quality and agricultural productivity. Harnessing keystone taxa in the soil microbiome can enhance crop productivity and reduce negative environmental impacts of fertilizers, promoting agricultural sustainability. Research shows that specific soil microbial keystone taxa play a crucial role in influencing maize yield by altering mineral element flows in acid soil, with some taxa promoting productivity while others exert opposite effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Ding Wang, Yanli Zhou, Ping Zhao, Linkang Chen, Rui Xiang, Yuji Jiang, Guangqiang Long
Summary: Microbe-regulated organic residue decomposition is crucial for carbon cycling, but little is known about its microbial mechanisms during mixed crop residue decomposition in agroecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guofan Zhu, Ruijun Du, Daolin Du, Jiazhong Qian, Mao Ye
Summary: Chlordane exposure affects the bacterial composition in the earthworm gut more significantly than in indigenous soil microbial communities. Keystone species such as Flavobacterium, Candidatus Nitrososphaera, and Acinetobacter remain stable in both the earthworm gut and bacterial communities despite varying chlordane concentrations, with higher abundance in the low-concentration treatment group. Keystone species have greater network connectivity and capability to degrade pesticides and transform carbon and nitrogen compared to non-keystone species, indicating their importance in resisting chlordane stress and maintaining microbial equilibrium in soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Brett D. Jameson, Sheryl A. Murdock, Qixing Ji, Catherine J. Stevens, Damian S. Grundle, S. Kim Juniper
Summary: Network analysis of 16S rRNA-sequencing data collected over six months in the Sannich Inlet on Vancouver Island, Canada, suggests keystone microbial taxa that might contribute to water column N2O production and accumulation. The study reveals the potential mechanisms controlling water column N2O cycling under both high-oxygen and low-oxygen conditions, providing a theoretical basis for further investigations into marine microbial interaction networks.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico Biagioli, Claudia Coleine, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Youzhi Feng, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez, Laura Selbmann
Summary: This study reanalyzed bacterial and fungal communities of caves worldwide and found that outdoor temperature and rainfall are critical factors in explaining differences in microbial diversity patterns. The study also highlights the opposite preferences of fungal and bacterial diversity in different climatic regions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Qing Bian, Xiaoyue Wang, Xingguo Bao, Lingyue Zhu, Zubin Xie, Zongxian Che, Bo Sun
Summary: Exogenous substrate quality affects the occurrence of keystone microbial taxa linked to soil C mineralization, and the impact varies depending on the type of substrate quality.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Min Xu, Quanxin Zeng, Yuanyuan Liu, Chengchung Liu, Qiufang Zhang, Kongcan Mei, Xiaochun Yuan, Xiaoqing Zhang, Yuehmin Chen
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of microbial community-level properties and keystone taxa in the priming effect and decomposition of soil organic matter. Single carbon addition induced a greater priming effect compared to repeated carbon additions, and the shifts in fungal/bacterial dominance play a crucial role in regulating the priming effect. Sufficient carbon facilitates the proliferation of r-strategy bacterial taxa and saprophytic fungal taxa, leading to increased soil organic matter decomposition.
Article
Forestry
Wanting Li, Qinghua Liu, Lulu Xie, Chunying Yin
Summary: Mixed forests improve biomass productivity and soil quality compared with monospecific stands. The mechanisms by which mixed stands improve tree growth and soil nutrient availability are still unclear. This study shows that mixed forests increase soil bacterial and fungal diversity, network stability, and abundance of keystone taxa, leading to improved soil nutrient availability.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cuirin Cantwell, Xing Song, Xixi Li, Baiyu Zhang
Summary: In this study, quantitative structure-property relationship (QSAR) modeling was used to predict the adsorption behavior of 209 PBDE congeners, and the biodegradability of common PBDE congeners was evaluated through molecular docking analysis. The results highlight the significant role of bromination degree in the absorption and biodegradation of PBDEs in soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yibo Liu, Baiyu Zhang, Yong-He Han, Ye Yao, Ping Guo
Summary: This study investigates the involvement of exogenous arsenic-reducing bacteria (EARB) in root surface biofilm (RSB) formation and its role in enhancing arsenic (As) phytoextraction. It is found that EARB successfully participate in RSB formation, leading to increased As accumulation in plant roots.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Min Yang, Baiyu Zhang, Xiujuan Chen, Qiao Kang, Boyang Gao, Kenneth Lee, Bing Chen
Summary: This study investigated the transport of microplastic-oil-dispersant agglomerates (MODAs) in a simulated ocean system and explored related mechanisms under different conditions. It was found that heavy oil-formed MODAs mainly stayed at the seawater surface, while light oil-formed MODAs were distributed throughout the seawater column. Increased salinity promoted the transport of certain MODAs, and minerals facilitated the sinking of large microplastic-formed MODAs. The study proposed a MODA-mineral system and recommended Rubey's equation for predicting sinking velocity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaying Xin, Bing Chen, Min Yang, Sichen Gao, Hongjie Wang, Wenwen Gu, Xixi Li, Baiyu Zhang
Summary: This review examines the interaction between microplastics/nanoplastics and co-existing contaminants, such as organic contaminants, potentially toxic elements, and metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles. The characteristics of the plastics, including polymer type, size, functional groups, and weathering, influence their combined effects with the co-existing contaminants. Mixture toxicity is not only affected by these factors, but also by the type of contaminants, their concentrations, exposure time, dissolved organic matter, and surfactants. Different organisms show different responses to the complex system. Organic contaminants can be biodegraded, which may enhance or alleviate mixture toxicity. Potentially toxic elements can be adsorbed and desorbed under changing environments, further affecting the combined effects. The presence of metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles is more complicated, as some particles may release ion metals, increasing the contaminant composition.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinshun Dai, Yamin Dong, Liangfeng Duan, Baiyu Zhang, Shuguang Wang, Shan Zhao
Summary: This study found that the presence of elemental sulfur (S0) in sulfidated zero-valent iron (S-ZVI) can enhance the removal of Cr(VI) and improve recyclability when compared to FeS or iron polysulfides (FeSx, x > 1). The formation of micro-galvanic cells, the semiconductor properties of cyclo-octasulfur S0 with Fe2+ substitution, and the in situ generation of highly reactive iron monosulfide (FeSaq) or polysulfides precursors (FeSx, aq) were identified as the reasons for this improved performance. The interaction between S0 and ZVI required direct contact and overcoming the spatial barrier caused by FexSy formation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Masoumeh Rostami, Baiyu Zhang, Yan Zhang
Summary: A fluorescent sensor of nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) and silica gel hybrid was developed for the quantitative detection of nitenpyram. The sensor exhibited remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards nitenpyram. The selective sensing is attributed to the excitation light absorption of nitenpyram, leading to fluorescence quenching of the sensor.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinshun Dai, Weiyu Du, Chao Jiang, Wanqi Wu, Yamin Dong, Liangfeng Duan, Shiwen Sun, Baiyu Zhang, Shan Zhao
Summary: Crystalline iron sulfide minerals were used to prepare sulfidated microscale zero-valent iron, which exhibited better chloramphenicol degradation. The FeSx-based samples had a larger contribution of direct electron transfer and better electron utilization under oxic conditions. The rapid transformation of nitroso and azoxy products was crucial for eliminating the biotoxicity of chloramphenicol.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fukai Xu, Jiunian Guan, Yumei Zhou, Ziwei Song, Yanping Shen, Yibo Liu, Xiaohui Jia, Baiyu Zhang, Ping Guo
Summary: This study is the first to investigate the effects of freeze-thaw (FT) and microplastics (MPs) on the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil aggregates. The results showed that FT increased the relative abundance of ARGs in different aggregates by promoting the growth of intI1 and ARG host bacteria. However, polyethylene MPs hindered this increase caused by FT. The study also revealed that FT, MPs, and their integration promoted the proliferation of human pathogenic bacteria in soil aggregates.
Review
Oceanography
Huifang Bi, Catherine N. Mulligan, Baiyu Zhang, Mark Biagi, Chunjiang An, Xiaohan Yang, Linxiang Lyu, Xinya Chen
Summary: This article focuses on surface washing agents as a feasible tool for oil spill cleanup. It compares three types of spill treating agents and systematically summarizes the important characteristics of surface washing agents. The article discusses their application scenarios and challenges, as well as the policy and decisionmaking processes involved.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zheng Wang, Chunjiang An, Kenneth Lee, Qi Feng, Baiyu Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the effects of nanobubbles (NBs) on the fate and transport of pollutants in coastal areas. The properties and influencing factors of NBs were determined. NBs significantly increased dissolved oxygen concentration and altered water pH, zeta potential, and surface tension. Low salinity favored NB generation, while high salinity inhibited it. This study demonstrates the significant role of NBs in the environmental behaviors of pollutants in coastal areas.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bo Liu, Baiyu Zhang, Guihua Dong, Fei Wu, Bing Chen
Summary: Chlorination is a commonly used technique for drinking water disinfection, but it can produce disinfection by-products (DBPs) that threaten water safety. This study introduces environmental microfluidics to a UVA-LED photocatalytic oxidation system for the rapid oxidation of organic matter. The results show that low pH conditions favor the adsorption and degradation of organic matter. The microreactor effectively reduces DBP formation potential and increases water purification efficiency.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fatemeh Salami, Jian-bin Lin, Bing Chen, Baiyu Zhang, Yuming Zhao
Summary: In this work, the elusive macrocyclic organic compound cyclo-di-BADGE, a by-product of co-polymerization reactions of bisphenol A and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, was comprehensively characterized using NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis, dynamic light scattering, molecular dynamics simulations, fluorescence, and molecular docking analyses. The results provide valuable knowledge about the physico-chemical properties and relevant effects of cyclo-di-BADGE on the environment and biological systems.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanping Shen, Yibo Liu, Yutong Du, Xu Wang, Jiunian Guan, Xiaohui Jia, Fukai Xu, Ziwei Song, Hongjie Gao, Baiyu Zhang, Ping Guo
Summary: This study investigated the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from soils to plants, focusing on the role of host bacteria and its impact on seed-derived bacteria. Results showed that host bacteria in the rhizosphere soil were the main source of ARGs in wheat, and some seed-derived bacteria and pathogenic Acinetobacter obtained ARGs through horizontal gene transfer. Factors such as total organic carbon and available nitrogen in the rhizosphere soil were identified as key factors affecting the transfer of potential host bacteria to wheat.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)