Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Wang, Yanyan Zhang, Wei Du, Shu Tao
Summary: This study demonstrated that adding a small amount of water during microwave-assisted extraction can release otherwise recalcitrant PAHs in soil, improving the analyzed concentrations. The comparison of different soil organic components showed that PAHs were mainly associated with biochar, humic acid, and humin, and could be released through hot water treatment. The results provide insights into the sequestration and release mechanisms of recalcitrant PAHs in soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Anthony J. Mirabito, Lisa G. Chambers
Summary: By testing and modifying a standard method for quantifying mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in terrestrial soils, it was found that in wetland soils, particulate organic matter (POM) rather than MAOM is the main mechanism protecting soil organic carbon from mineralization. The study also revealed that the C to N ratio in wetland soils differs from that in terrestrial soils, which warrants further investigation in future research.
Article
Soil Science
Andrea Jilling, Marco Keiluweit, Jessica L. M. Gutknecht, A. Stuart Grandy
Summary: Root exudates influence the stability of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in soil, causing carbon and nitrogen release through direct and indirect pathways, which significantly impact nutrient availability for microbes and plants.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Guohua Dai, Shanshan Zhu, Yue Cai, Erxiong Zhu, Yufu Jia, Chengjun Ji, Zhiyao Tang, Jingyun Fang, Xiaojuan Feng
Summary: Plant and microbial residues are the main sources of soil organic carbon (SOC). This study found that forests have lower microbial necromass in SOC compared to grasslands, indicating a higher contribution of plant-derived components to forest SOC. Plant-derived lignin phenols do not play a major role in SOC accumulation, while leaf- and root-derived hydrolysable lipids make up a higher proportion of SOC in forests. Soil pH, reactive iron and aluminum contents, and lignin oxidation are factors that influence the accumulation of plant lipids and SOC in forest soils.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Huan Li, Yang Zhou, Huiling Mei, Jianlong Li, Xuan Chen, Qiwei Huang, Xinghui Li, Jinchi Tang
Summary: The use of bio-organic fertilizer can improve the physical and chemical properties of tea garden soil, increase soil carbon and nitrogen content, enhance the number and activity of soil microorganisms, and improve soil enzyme activity. Furthermore, organic fertilizer can enhance the protective effect of clay minerals and iron/aluminum/silicon oxides, contributing to soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. These findings confirm the feasibility of organic fertilizer for enhancing soil quality in tea plantation ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mengyuan Liu, Jun Zhu, Xin Yang, Qingling Fu, Hongqing Hu, Qiaoyun Huang
Summary: This study examined the mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) during the remediation of soil heavy metal pollution and found that different minerals can significantly affect the availability of heavy metals and regulate the mineralization of SOM through various mechanisms.
Article
Soil Science
Zhichao Zou, Lixiao Ma, Xiao Wang, Ruirui Chen, Davey L. Jones, Roland Bol, Di Wu, Zhangliu Du
Summary: The extent to which long-term application of mineral fertilizers regulates the quantity, quality, and stability of soil organic matter remains unclear. The study investigated the effects of 10-year fertilization on the molecular composition, decomposition, and origins of soil organic matter in a cropland in North China. Fertilization increased soil organic carbon in the mineral-associated organic matter fraction but had limited effect on bulk soil organic carbon levels, and altered the composition and origins of soil organic matter.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Xueshu Song, Jingwen Guo, Xiao Wang, Zhangliu Du, Rongxiu Ren, Sen Lu, Chunxia He
Summary: Studies have found that the molecular composition of soil organic matter (SOM) changes during land use conversion, with an initial decrease in soil microbial biomass carbon content and subsequent recovery. Afforestation increases the SOM content and stocks over time, as well as the lignin-derived phenol content in the surface soil layer. However, the proportion of the unstable carbon pool is relatively high and the SOM content may decline in the early stage of afforestation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuling Chen, Thimo Klotzbuecher, Oliver J. Lechtenfeld, Hanlie Hong, Chongxuan Liu, Klaus Kaiser, Christian Mikutta, Robert Mikutta
Summary: The study found that repeated sorption of identical DOM solutions led to a stabilization in MOM formation efficiency, while depletion of high-affinity compounds further decreased MOM formation efficiency. Although continued exchange between DOM and MOM molecules altered the composition of DOM, it did not impact MOM formation efficiencies. The interactions between the sorptivities of DOM components and mineral surface chemistry explain the legacy effects that regulate fluxes and distribution of organic matter in the soil.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Katharina R. Lenhardt, Hergen Breitzke, Gerd Buntkowsky, Christian Mikutta, Thilo Rennert
Summary: This study investigates the effects of the composition of short-range ordered aluminosilicates (SROAS) on the retention and distribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and carbon in soils and sediments. The results show that the composition of SROAS affects the adsorption capacity of DOM and the distribution of carbon components. The interaction between DOM and SROAS also affects the mineral structure and silicon abundance in the co-precipitates.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Niu, Qiuyu Chen, Hongzhe Jiao, Xiaoqin Yang, Ming Shao, Jian Wang, Guicai Si, Tianzhu Lei, Yibo Yang, Gengxin Zhang, Georg Guggenberger
Summary: Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is the largest soil carbon pool, but the understanding of different organo-mineral fractions and their response to environmental variables is limited. In this study, sequential chemical extraction was used to separate MAOM fractions and alpine forest soils were selected to assess their response to climate change. Residual and weakly adsorbed organic matter were the primary fractions, and climate indirectly affected their preservation through weathering and environmental factors. The organo-mineral fractions were closely associated with metal cations and secondary minerals, forming complex networks. Water-soluble, weakly adsorbed, and Fe/Al oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter played central roles in the networks and were related to soil pH, moisture, and microbial composition. Additionally, climate and weathering factors greatly impacted Fe/Al-OM complexes, oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter, and residual organic matter. The complex network among organo-mineral fractions provides insights into MAOM preservation under climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tao Sun, Xiali Mao, Kefeng Han, Xiangjie Wang, Qi Cheng, Xiu Liu, Jingjie Zhou, Qingxu Ma, Zhihua Ni, Lianghuan Wu
Summary: Nitrogen addition has significant impacts on aboveground and belowground processes, affecting plant productivity, microbial activity, and soil properties, which in turn alters the fate of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the effects of nitrogen addition on different SOC fractions and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guodong Sun, Chun Cao, Mengke Wang, Huishan Li, Yinghui Wang, Guisen Deng, Junjian Wang
Summary: This study used biomarkers and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy analyses to reveal distinct organic matter (OM) characteristics between Chinese soil and sediment standard reference materials (SRMs), including significantly higher lignin phenol concentrations in sediment OM and a decreasing trend of lignin biomarkers with increasing weathering degree in soil.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai Fang, Leiyi Chen, Shuqi Qin, Qiwen Zhang, Xuning Liu, Pengdong Chen, Yuanhe Yang
Summary: This study investigated the stability of soil organic matter in the Tibetan alpine permafrost region and found that SOM stability increased from the southeastern to northwestern plateau, with stronger stability associated with higher mineral-organic associations and more arid conditions. The study highlights the importance of considering mineral variables in Earth system models to better predict soil carbon dynamics across permafrost regions.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Yuqi Wei, Yingjun Zhang, Gail W. T. Wilson, Yafen Guo, Yixian Bi, Xue Xiong, Nan Liu
Summary: It was found in this study that trampling increased the transfer of litter C to the SOC pool, enhancing SOC formation, without inducing significant positive priming effects. This indicates that trampling plays an important role in SOC formation and stabilization, efficiently transferring litter C into the SOC pool.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mengyuan Ren, Jing Zhao, Bin Wang, Hang An, Yuhuan Li, Xiaoqian Jia, Jiamei Wang, Shuo Wang, Lailai Yan, Xiaohong Liu, Bo Pan, Zhiwen Li, Rongwei Ye
Summary: This study found that lower maternal levels of zinc and iron are associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, while higher levels of zinc and iron can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hao Li, Yi Liu, Feng Jiang, Xing Bai, Huijie Li, Di Lang, Lin Wang, Bo Pan
Summary: The study found that the defective structure and adsorption of PS on biochar are key factors for the activation of persulfate (PS), which can promote the generation of reactive oxygen species on biochar.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Danping Wu, Quan Chen, Min Wu, Peng Zhang, Liping He, Yihui Chen, Bo Pan
Summary: This study investigated the reactivity of pyrogenic carbon by regulating the species and content of oxygen-containing functional groups on biochar surface, and conducting batch sorption/degradation experiments for rhodamine B. The results showed that biochars produced at different temperatures had different reaction active sites, suggesting that strategies in manipulating biochar properties should be carefully considered.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhaofeng Chang, Luping Tian, Jun Zhang, Dandan Zhou
Summary: Aromatic moieties in biochar play a crucial role in immobilizing hydrophobic organic contaminants in the environment. This study comprehensively investigated the importance of different aromatic moieties and found that high-condensation aromatic moieties are more significant in sorption. The research also revealed the influence of different raw materials and pyrolysis temperatures on the content and nature of aromatic moieties in biochar.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinfeng Zhao, Guofeng Shen, Lin Shi, Hao Li, Di Lang, Lu Zhang, Bo Pan, Shu Tao
Summary: Residential biomass and coal burning are important emission sources for environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs). This study conducted a field campaign in rural China to evaluate the presence and characteristics of EPFRs generated from residential biomass and coal burning. The results showed that EPFRs emissions from crop residues burning were significantly higher than those from firewood and coal. Fuel type was found to be the primary factor controlling EPFR discharge. Biomass burning had higher EPFRs per particle compared to coal combustion. EPFRs had stronger relationships with carbonaceous components. EPFRs from biomass burning were mainly generated during the pyrolysis of fuels, while EPFRs from coal combustion were mainly associated with refractory organic compounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhaofeng Chang, Luping Tian, Jihong Dong, Quan Chen, Min Wu, Bo Pan
Summary: This study used molecular markers to identify the source and properties of biochar prepared from corn straw and pinewood. The results showed that pinewood biochar is more stable than corn straw biochar, and the BPCAs content changed differently after HNO3/H2SO4 oxidation for the two biochars.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenmei Tao, Peng Zhang, Hao Li, Qiliang Yang, Patryk Oleszczuk, Bo Pan
Summary: The generation mechanism of persistent free radicals (PFRs) in biochar is closely related to its chemical structure. In this study, it was found that the formation of PFRs was significantly positively correlated with the presence of C=O and aromatic C=C structures. Reduction experiments demonstrated that reducible C=O functional groups were closely associated with the PFRs in biochar.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying Zhou, Zongrui Li, Yu Zhu, Zhaofeng Chang, Yongxia Hu, Lin Tao, Tong Zheng, Mingdeng Xiang, Yunjiang Yu
Summary: This study investigated the levels of harmful substances in indoor dust collected from e-waste industrial parks and adjacent villages in south China. The results showed significant differences in levels and composition patterns between workshop and home dust. Although the estimated daily intakes of these substances were below acceptable levels, e-waste dismantling activities still posed a high burden on surrounding residents.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Marcinczyk, Patrycja Krasucka, Aleksandra Bogusz, Beata Tomczyk, Wenyan Duan, Bo Pan, Patryk Oleszczuk
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects of different methods of zinc-modified biochar (BC-Zn). Invertebrates (Folsomia candida, Daphnia magna) and bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri) were used to assess the toxicity of different BC-Zn treatments. The post-treated and calcined composites had higher levels of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (C-tot PAHs) compared to the pre-modified BC-Zn, but they had limited impact on the luminescence activity of bacteria.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luping Tian, Zhaofeng Chang, Zexiao Ren, Quan Chen, Min Wu, Bo Pan, Baoshan Xing
Summary: This study used benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCAs) molecular biomarkers and soil particle density fractionation to identify the contribution of biochar to carbon content in representative soils. The results showed significant interactions between biochar and soil mineral particles, suggesting an additional stabilization mechanism. Furthermore, both positive and negative effects of biochar on native soil organic carbon (SOC) were observed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bin Wang, Yiming Pang, Kexin Li, Jianjun Jiang, Yibing Zhu, Zhenjiang Li, Bo Pan, Le Zhang, Yali Zhang, Rongwei Ye, Zhiwen Li
Summary: Through a relatively large case-control study and additional population study and rat model, we found a significant positive association between maternal hair germanium concentration and the risk of neural tube defects. We also discovered that maternal germanium exposure may increase oxidative stress and the likelihood of fever or flu among pregnant women, both of which are related to NTD risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Wei Du, Jinze Wang, Yuanchen Chen, Bo Pan, Guofeng Shen, Nan Lin
Summary: The smoking ban is ineffective in some entertainment venues in China. This study investigated PM2.5 pollution caused by cigarette smoking in mahjong clubs and found that the number of smoking persons in a room is the main factor affecting PM2.5 levels. Adjacent nonsmoking rooms also experienced an increase in PM2.5 due to air penetration from smoking rooms. The results highlight the need for strict enforcement of smoking bans in entertainment venues and scientific placement of smoking areas to prevent diffusion into nonsmoking areas.
Letter
Engineering, Environmental
Yanqiu Feng, Shu Su, Weinan Lin, Mengyuan Ren, Ning Gao, Bo Pan, Le Zhang, Lei Jin, Yali Zhang, Zhiwen Li, Rongwei Ye, Aiguo Ren, Bin Wang
Summary: A nested case-control study was conducted to analyze biomarkers of external chemical exposure, lipidomics, and immunity in 30 women with SPB and 30 women without. The findings showed higher serum lipid concentration in SPB cases compared to controls, while no significant differences were observed in chemical and immune biomarkers. Random forest and extreme gradient boosting models had a prediction accuracy of over 90%. Glycerophospholipids were identified as the most abundant lipidomic features, followed by glycerolipids and sphingolipids, with FA(21:0) contributing the most to the prediction performance. Maternal exposure to various elements can contribute to SPB risk through interaction with GP metabolism.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pinyao Lan, Quan Chen, Meng Lu, Christian E. W. Steinberg, Min Wu, Bo Pan
Summary: This study demonstrates that the application of biochar can reduce the production of allelochemical benzoic acid (BA) by soybean roots, thereby alleviating allelopathy between plants. This provides new evidence for a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of biochar and offers technical support for overcoming obstacles in continuous cropping.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gang Chu, Jing Zhao, Yu Zhang, Kai Sun, Xiaohong Liu, Youbin Si, Bo Pan, Christian E. W. Steinberg
Summary: Biochar is a multiphase carbonaceous structure with inherent minerals that play a crucial role in organic sorption. The study investigates the composition of minerals in biochar and their impact on the sorption behavior of BPA, demonstrating the significant role of mineral elements in enhancing sorption. The research highlights the importance of recognizing biochar minerals for understanding the sorption mechanism of phenolic compounds.