Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah C. Crosby, Nicole C. Spiller, Devan S. Healy, Lauren Brideau, Luke M. Stewart, Jamie M. P. Vaudrey, Kasey E. Tietz, Peter J. Fraboni
Summary: Excess nitrogen in coastal waters poses a threat to ecosystems, particularly salt marshes, but studies in Long Island Sound suggest that its role in driving salt marsh loss may be less significant than previously thought. Eutrophication continues to be a critical issue for these ecosystems despite aggressive nitrogen reduction efforts in the region.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chunjing Liu, Ping Li, Wenxia Xie, Mengqiao Sha, Wenchao Ding
Summary: Spartina alterniflora has become the most important invasive species in coastal wetlands of China, impacting soil sulfur components and promoting sulfur state transformation, which has significant ecological implications. Its invasion and growth have led to increased soil sulfur levels, improved bio-availability, and altered distribution of sulfur fractions in the soil.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephen K. Formel, Kimberly L. Mighell, Demetra Kandalepas, Elizabeth Jarrell, Brittany M. Bernik, Vijaikrishnah Elango, John H. Pardue, Michael J. Blum, Sunshine A. Van Bael
Summary: This study compared the spatial and temporal changes in soil fungal communities in two southern Louisiana salt marshes with different oiling histories, finding that the impact of oiling on fungal communities is not clear. High-resolution unbiased spatial sampling analysis showed that fungal communities did not align with shoreline classifications less than three years after initial oiling, despite differences in oil residues and secondary oiling.
WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sara Martin, Nigel Temple, Gillian Palino, Just Cebrian, Eric Sparks
Summary: The study found that large-scale breakwaters are effective in maintaining high coverage of natural marshes, but have minimal impact on shoreline plant growth. Breakwaters reduce pressure for upland migration, allowing marsh patches to expand seaward. The presence of breakwaters can help preserve fringing marsh vegetation in high wave energy environments, but adaptive management may be necessary for future effectiveness in response to sea-level rise.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Amanda C. Spivak, Andrew J. Pinsonneault, Christopher Hintz, Jay Brandes, J. Patrick Megonigal
Summary: Roots of salt marsh grasses affect soil building and decomposition through the release of carbon exudates and oxygen. Experimental results suggest that carbon and oxygen availability play a role in soil metabolism and regulation of carbon mineralization.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Niu Li, Ming Nie, Bo Li, Jihua Wu, Jiayuan Zhao
Summary: Aboveground litter inputs from plants play a crucial role in carbon and nutrient fluxes to the soil. This study compared the effects of aboveground litter from native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora on soil nitrification and denitrification, finding species-specific impacts on these processes, particularly more pronounced in the late growth phase. The study also showed that while previous research has highlighted the strong impacts of invasive Spartina alterniflora on nitrogen removal processes, the aboveground litter from this species did not significantly alter nitrification or denitrification, suggesting the presence of other important pathways in these processes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Zenglei Song, Yanyan Huang, Qing Liu, Xiaoke Hu
Summary: In this study, the diversity and functional properties of epiphytic microbial community on submerged Spartina alterniflora were analyzed. The results showed that the community varied greatly with leaf locations and seasons, and were closely related to environmental factors. The study also found significant correlations between the epiphytic microbial community and some important functional properties.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangliang Zhang, Junhong Bai, Christoph C. Tebbe, Laibin Huang, Jia Jia, Wei Wang, Xin Wang, Lu Yu, Qingqing Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the effects of plant invasions on soil microbial communities and functions in salt marshes. It finds that microbial diversity is positively correlated with the duration of invasion, and both bacterial and fungal communities show consistent changes with invasion. The metabolic potential of soil microbes decreases in response to invasion, leading to carbon accumulation in invaded salt marshes. Bacteria and fungi have distinct contributions to microbial community assembly along the invasion gradient.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guangliang Zhang, Junhong Bai, Christoph C. Tebbe, Laibin Huang, Jia Jia, Wei Wang, Xin Wang, Lu Yu, Qingqing Zhao
Summary: This study investigated soil fungal communities in a salt marsh ecosystem with native and exotic plant species. It found that plant invasion significantly decreased fungal richness and diversity, altered community composition, and led to homogenization of the fungal community. The invaded sites had a higher proportion of saprophytic fungi, while growth of pathogenic fungi was inhibited. Soil pH and salinity were identified as important factors in shaping the fungal community structures in the context of plant invasion.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sinead M. Crotty, Daniele Pinton, Alberto Canestrelli, Hallie S. Fischman, Collin Ortals, Nicholas R. Dahl, Sydney Williams, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Christine Angelini
Summary: This study reveals that the mussel, Geukensia demissa, has a significant effect on saltmarsh accretion in the southeastern US, with deposition being 2.8-10.7 times higher on mussel aggregations compared to other marsh locations. The study also predicts that mussels drive substantial changes to the magnitude and spatial patterning of accretion at marsh domain scales. Moreover, a manipulative experiment involving over 200,000 mussels shows that the faunal engineer has a much larger impact on relative marsh accretion rates than expected. Therefore, there is a critical need for empirical, experimental, and modeling work to understand the importance of faunal engineers in modifying the persistence of coastal ecosystems globally.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yueming Wu, Zhanrui Leng, Jian Li, Hui Jia, Chongling Yan, Hualong Hong, Qiang Wang, Yanyan Lu, Daolin Du
Summary: Evidence suggests that the invasion of Spartina alterniflora poses serious risks to coastal wetland stability. The addition of sulfur can promote the growth of S. alterniflora and enhance its tolerance to cadmium, potentially exacerbating its expansion in contaminated areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guangliang Zhang, Junhong Bai, Qingqing Zhao, Jia Jia, Xin Wang, Wei Wang, Xinyan Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates that Spartina alterniflora invasion in coastal salt marshes influences the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) stocks, with implications on carbon accumulation rates and profile distribution. Invasion leads to soil acidification and Ca loss, impacting the accumulation of SOC and SIC.
Article
Ecology
Scott Zengel, Nicolle Rutherford, Brittany M. Bernik, Jennifer Weaver, Mengni Zhang, Zachary Nixon, Jacqueline Michel
Summary: The study found that mechanical treatment coupled with vegetation planting in heavily oiled salt marshes showed the most improvement in oiling conditions and vegetation recovery compared to untreated areas or those with mechanical treatment only. This approach was most effective in re-establishing vegetation cover and dominant plant species composition approaching reference conditions.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler W. dD'Entremont, Juan C. Lopez-Gutierrez, Allison K. Walker
Summary: Salt marshes play essential roles in coastal stability and marine ecosystems, but are facing decline due to anthropogenic and natural causes. This study demonstrates that using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly improve survival and growth of salt marsh grass, especially when using rhizome-derived plants inoculated with propagated Funneliformis geosporum. This finding suggests potential for using AMF-inoculated plants in large-scale salt marsh restoration efforts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew R. Payne, David M. Burdick, Gregg E. Moore, Cathleen Wigand
Summary: Research shows that adding 10 cm of sand to pots planted with Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens can result in fewer stems for S. patens after 2 months, but not for S. alterniflora. Total biomass and root mass were not significantly impacted for either species, indicating that plants will fully recover from the thin-layer placement over time. Effects of thin-layer placement on biomass and stem density did not vary significantly by elevation, and short-term results suggest it is a promising strategy to enhance marsh resilience to sea level rise in New England.
JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Xiaoxu Sun, Tianle Kong, Fangbai Li, Max M. Haggblom, Max Kolton, Ling Lan, Maggie C. Y. Lau Vetter, Yiran Dong, Peng Gao, Joel E. Kostka, Baoqin Li, Weimin Sun
Summary: This study discovered a novel biogeochemical process, S oxidation coupled to Sb(V) reduction, mediated by Desulfurivibrio bacteria through enzymatic reactions. Desulfurivibrio showed a high relative abundance in Sb mine tailings. The metabolic potential encoded by non-canonical enzymes was found in the Desulfurivibrio genomes retrieved from metal-contaminated sites.
Article
Microbiology
Max Kolton, David J. Weston, Xavier Mayali, Peter K. Weber, Karis J. McFarlane, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Mark M. Somoza, Jory Lietard, Jennifer B. Glass, Erik A. Lilleskov, A. Jonathan Shaw, Susannah Tringe, Paul J. Hanson, Joel E. Kostka
Summary: The microbiome of Sphagnum mosses in North America shows remarkable consistency, with nitrogen-fixing methanotrophs playing a key role in the coupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Denise M. Akob, John M. Sutton, Timothy J. Bushman, Shaun M. Baesman, Edina Klein, Yesha Shrestha, Robert Andrews, Janna L. Fierst, Max Kolton, Sara Gushgari-Doyle, Ronald S. Oremland, John L. Freeman
Summary: The isolation of Bradyrhizobium strain I71 expands the distribution of acetylene-consuming microbes to include a group of economically important microorganisms. The unique capability of strain I71 in acetylene consumption and nitrogen fixation suggests potential economic impacts beyond agriculture, such as bioremediation.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoxu Sun, Zhenyu Chen, Tianle Kong, Zheng Chen, Yiran Dong, Max Kolton, Zhiguo Cao, Xin Zhang, Haihan Zhang, Guoqiang Liu, Pin Gao, Nie Yang, Ling Lan, Yating Xu, Weimin Sun
Summary: Microplastic contamination is a serious global environmental problem. This study investigated the biodegradation of microplastics in the heavily polluted Pearl River and identified potential microplastic degraders and their degradation pathway.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Miaomiao Zhang, Max Kolton, Max M. Haggblom, Xiaoxu Sun, Ke Yu, Bin He, Zaijian Yuan, Yiran Dong, Xianfa Su, Zhenyu Chen, Hui Li, Tangfu Xiao, Enzong Xiao, Weimin Sun
Summary: This study observed the coupling of anaerobic ammonium oxidation with As(V) reduction, known as Asammox, and identified the responsible bacteria in As-contaminated paddy soil. The discovery of Asammox expands the understanding of N and As biogeochemical cycling and provides a proof-of-concept for investigating anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled with metal(loid)s reduction.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kevin Z. Z. Mganga, Jose L. Rolando, Subin Kalu, Christina Biasi, Kristiina Karhu
Summary: Addition of labile carbon can affect the decomposition of soil organic matter, known as priming effect. The magnitude and direction of this effect is difficult to predict, and its relationship with labile carbon inputs and nutrient availability is elusive. In this study, labile carbon input led to the retardation of soil organic matter mineralization across different land use systems and soil types, and higher nutrient availability weakened this effect. The study suggests that nutrient availability plays a significant role in determining the mineralization of labile carbon inputs and the direction of priming effect in dryland soils.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yongbin Li, Lifang Guo, Max Kolton, Rui Yang, Miaomiao Zhang, Fangjie Qi, Mohsen Soleimani, Xiaoxu Sun, Baoqin Li, Wenlong Gao, Geng Yan, Rui Xu, Weimin Sun
Summary: The presence of Sb-dependent BNF was observed in slurries from Sb-contaminated habitats, suggesting its widespread occurrence in the South China Sb belt. Bacteria associated with Rhodocyclaceae and Rhizobiaceae were identified as potential microorganisms responsible for Sb-dependent BNF.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Uttpal Anand, Tarun Pal, Niraj Yadav, Vipin Kumar Singh, Vijay Tripathi, Krishna Kumar Choudhary, Awadhesh Kumar Shukla, Kumari Sunita, Ajay Kumar, Elza Bontempi, Ying Ma, Max Kolton, Amit Kishore Singh
Summary: Globally, substantial research is being conducted on endophytic microbes to increase agricultural and environmental sustainability. Endophytic microbes, such as bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, inhabit plant tissues without causing harm and can regulate various host functions. They play a dominant role in nutrient cycling, biodegradation, and bioremediation, and have potential applications in industries. Endophytes can also synthesize bioactive compounds with high competence, making them promising candidates for new drugs. Biotechnological interventions with endophytes have played a pivotal role in crop improvement and could open new avenues in agricultural research and development.
Article
Ecology
J. L. Rolando, M. Hodges, K. D. Garcia, G. Krueger, N. Williams, J. Carr Jr, J. Robinson, A. George, J. Morris, J. E. Kostka
Summary: The frequency of salt marsh dieback events has increased over the last 25 years, but the consequences to the resilience of the ecosystem are unclear. In Charleston, South Carolina, salt marsh ecosystems affected by sudden vegetation dieback events were thought to naturally recover, but this study found that approximately 14% of the marsh area has not revegetated even after 10 years. Therefore, timely restoration of salt marsh is critical to prevent further degradation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Xu, Max Kolton, Wan Tao, Xiaoxu Sun, Pingzhou Su, Duanyi Huang, Miaomiao Zhang, Zhaohui Yang, Zhaohui Guo, Hanbing Gao, Qi Wang, Baoqin Li, Chengyu Chen, Weimin Sun
Summary: This study aimed to identify putative Se(IV)-reducing bacteria (SeIVRB) in anoxic Se-rich sediment and investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying Se(IV) reduction. Results showed that Pseudomonas, Geobacter, Comamonas, and Anaeromyxobacter were potential SeIVRB. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) affiliated with these bacteria were retrieved, and functional gene annotation indicated the presence of putative Se(IV)-reducing genes. Metatranscriptomic analysis revealed the important roles of DMSO reductase, fumarate reductase, and sulfite reductase in Se(IV) reduction. This study expands our knowledge of anaerobic Se(IV) bio-reduction and demonstrates the complementary abilities of DNA-SIP, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics analyses.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoxu Sun, Tianle Kong, Duanyi Huang, Zhenyu Chen, Max Kolton, Jinchan Yang, Yuqing Huang, Yue Cao, Peng Gao, Nie Yang, Baoqin Li, Huaqing Liu, Weimin Sun
Summary: This study aims to characterize the root endophytic community composition and As-metabolizing potentials in P. vittata. Results showed that microbial As(III) oxidation was the dominant As-biotransformation process in P. vittata roots, and members of Rhizobiales were the core microbiome and the dominant As(III) oxidizers.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tianze Song, Yutong Liu, Max Kolton, Rachel M. Wilson, Jason K. Keller, Jose L. Rolando, Jeffrey P. Chanton, Joel E. Kostka
Summary: Northern peatlands contain a significant amount of soil carbon and are vulnerable to increased greenhouse gas production and emission due to climate warming. The decomposition of peat soil organic matter is controlled by porewater dissolved organic matter and temperature, with warming alleviating the inhibitory effect of inhibitory compounds. The response of microbial organic matter decomposition to warming is regulated by interactions between organic compounds in porewater and peat.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Max Kolton, David J. Weston, Xavier Mayali, Peter K. Weber, Karis J. McFarlane, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Mark M. Somoza, Jory Lietard, Jennifer B. Glass, Erik A. Lilleskov, A. Jonathan Shaw, Susannah Tringe, Paul J. Hanson, Joel E. Kostka
Summary: The study reveals that diazotrophic methanotrophs play a crucial role in the core Sphagnum microbiome, coupling the carbon and nitrogen cycles in nutrient-poor peatlands.