| 1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(author)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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In: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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| 2. |
- Wu, Xiaoyan, et al.
(author)
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Anomalous photoluminescence in InP1-xBix
- 2016
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322 .- 2045-2322. ; 6, s. Art. no. 27867-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Low temperature photoluminescence (PL) from InP1-xBix thin films with Bi concentrations in the 0-2.49% range reveals anomalous spectral features with strong and very broad (linewidth of 700 nm) PL signals compared to other bismide alloys. Multiple transitions are observed and their energy levels are found much smaller than the band-gap measured from absorption measurements. These transitions are related to deep levels confirmed by deep level transient spectroscopy, which effectively trap free holes and enhance radiative recombination. The broad luminescence feature is beneficial for making super-luminescence diodes, which can theoretically enhance spatial resolution beyond 1 ?m in optical coherent tomography (OCT).
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| 3. |
- Hao, Qian, et al.
(author)
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Organic blue carbon sequestration in vegetated coastal wetlands : Processes and influencing factors
- 2024
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In: Earth-Science Reviews. - : Elsevier. - 0012-8252 .- 1872-6828. ; 255
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal wetlands play a vital role in carbon (C) sequestration, named 'blue carbon'. The review aims to disentangle the processes and influencing factors, including elevated atmospheric CO2, global climate warming, sea level rise and anthropogenic activities. Firstly, we provided an overview of C processes, including input, output, and deposition, in coastal wetlands. We then summarized the impacts of different factors on C processes by modifying soil physicochemical properties, plant growth, vegetation type, and microbial community composition. Vegetation composition was a major contributor to C inputs, and C outputs was mainly controlled by microbial decomposition. Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration and associated climate warming often enhanced vegetation growth, while climate warming also promoted soil C decomposition. As a result, C storage could increase under mild warming conditions in the short-term, but decrease in the long-term as the severity of warming intensifies. Elevated salinity, caused by sea level rise, can be harmful to plant growth and inhibit organic C decomposition because of the reduced biomass and the weakened metabolic capacity of microorganisms. Most of human activities, such as reclamation, can lead to less C input and more C output, resulting in decreased C storage in coastal wetlands. Additionally, we also illustrate various coastal wetland restoration methods aimed at enhancing C sequestration, including legal frameworks, scientific theories, vegetation management, hydrological restoration, and other relevant constructions. Vegetation management could benefit plant growth and enhance C input effectively, and hydrological restoration can maintain the harmonious development of coastal wetland ecosystems. Other constructions, including breakwater, spillway, and dredged material, could protect coastal wetlands, especially facing sea level rise. This review offers valuable theoretical support and scientific references for the sustainable development and management of coastal wetlands in a changing climate.
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| 4. |
- Li, Qiang, et al.
(author)
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Microbial Necromass, Lignin, and Glycoproteins for Determining and Optimizing Blue Carbon Formation
- 2024
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In: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 58, s. 468-479
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal wetlands contribute to the mitigation of climate change through the sequestration of “blue carbon”. Microbial necromass, lignin, and glycoproteins (i.e., glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP)), as important components of soil organic carbon (SOC), are sensitive to environmental change. However, their contributions to blue carbon formation and the underlying factors remain largely unresolved. To address this paucity of knowledge, we investigated their contributions to blue carbon formation along a salinity gradient in coastal marshes. Our results revealed decreasing contributions of microbial necromass and lignin to blue carbon as the salinity increased, while GRSP showed an opposite trend. Using random forest models, we showed that their contributions to SOC were dependent on microbial biomass and resource stoichiometry. In N-limited saline soils, contributions of microbial necromass to SOC decreased due to increased N-acquisition enzyme activity. Decreases in lignin contributions were linked to reduced mineral protection offered by short-range-ordered Fe (FeSRO). Partial least-squares path modeling (PLS-PM) further indicated that GRSP could increase microbial necromass and lignin formation by enhancing mineral protection. Our findings have implications for improving the accumulation of refractory and mineral-bound organic matter in coastal wetlands, considering the current scenario of heightened nutrient discharge and sea-level rise.
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| 5. |
- Wang, Jun-Zhi, et al.
(author)
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An analytical study on artesian flow conditions in unconfined-aquifer drainage basins
- 2015
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In: Water resources research. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0043-1397 .- 1944-7973. ; 51:10, s. 8658-8667
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although it has been reported that flowing artesian wells could be topographically controlled, there is no quantitative research on artesian flow conditions in unconfined aquifers. In this study, the water table, which has a lower amplitude than the land surface, is damped from the topography and used as the boundary condition to obtain the analytical solution of hydraulic head of a unit basin with a single flow system. The term artesian head is defined to characterize the condition of flowing artesian wells. The zone with positive artesian head is called artesian zone while with negative artesian head is nonartesian zone. The maximum artesian head and the size of artesian zones are found to increase with the damping factor and the anisotropy ratio, and decrease with the ratio of basin width to depth and the depth-decay exponent of hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, the artesian head increases with depth nearby the valley and decreases with depth near by the divide, and the variation rates are influenced by the decay exponent and the anisotropy ratio. Finally, the distribution of flowing artesian wells and the artesian head measurements in different depths of a borehole in a small catchment in the Ordos Plateau, Northwestern China is used to illustrate the theoretical findings. The change in artesian head with depth was used to estimate the anisotropy ratio and the decay exponent. This study opens up a new door to analyze basin-scale groundwater flow.
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| 6. |
- Wang, Yabo, et al.
(author)
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Potential environmental benefits of integrating flue gas quench in biomass/waste-fueled CHP plants
- 2021
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In: Energy Science & Engineering. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2050-0505. ; 9:2, s. 189-199
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Due to stricter regulations, large biomass/waste incineration power plants are expected to reduce (i) pollutant emissions through water (such as organic compounds dissolved in the discharge water), (ii) the withdrawal of external freshwater, and (iii) the disturbance to the natural water by increasing the water recycle and internal reuse. To address such challenges, flue gas quench (FGQ) is playing a vital role that links flue gas (FG) cleaning and wastewater treatment. In this study, a detailed analysis based on the material and energy balance is performed regarding the pollutant distribution in the flue gas and the wastewater within a combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The real data from the reference CHP plant were used; and results show that the utilization of FGQ can result in less wastewater discharge (about 73 tonnes/d) together with less pollutant concentration to the municipal wastewater treatment plant, as compared to the system with only flue gas condenser but without FGQ. The integration of FGQ also results in less burden on the external freshwater use by increasing the amount of clean water for internal use (about 57 tonnes per day). In addition, the integration of FGQ can offer a potential annual energy saving of about 13.1 MWh in the municipal wastewater treatment plant due to the less wastewater coming from the CHP plant.
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| 7. |
- Wu, Lele, et al.
(author)
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Organic matter composition and stability in estuarine wetlands depending on soil salinity
- 2024
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 945
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coastal wetlands are key players in mitigating global climate change by sequestering soil organic matter. Soil organic matter consists of less stable particulate organic matter (POM) and more stable mineral -associated organic matter (MAOM). The distribution and drivers of MAOM and POM in coastal wetlands have received little attention, despite the processes and mechanisms differ from that in the upland soils. We explored the distribution of POM and MAOM, their contributions to SOM, and the controlling factors along a salinity gradient in an estuarine wetland. In the estuarine wetland, POM C and N were influenced by soil depth and vegetation type, whereas MAOM C and N were influenced only by vegetation type. In the estuarine wetland, SOM was predominantly in the form of MAOM ( > 70 %) and increased with salinity (70 % -76 %), leading to long-term C sequestration. Both POM and MAOM increased with SOM, and the increase rate of POM was higher than that of MAOM. Aboveground plant biomass decreased with increasing salinity, resulted in a decrease in POM C (46 % - 81 %) and N (52 % -82 %) pools. As the mineral amount and activity, and microbial biomass decreased, the MAOM C (2.5 % -64 %) and N pool (8.6 % -59 %) decreased with salinity. When evaluating POM, the most influential factors were microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Key parameters, including MBC, DOC, soil salinity, soil water content, aboveground plant biomass, mineral content and activity, and bulk density, were identified as influencing factors for both MAOM abundance. Soil water content not only directly controlled MAOM, but together with salinity also indirectly regulated POM and MAOM by controlling microbial biomass and aboveground plant biomass. Our findings have important implications for improving the accumulation and increased stability of soil organic matter in coastal wetlands, considering the global sea level rise and increased frequency of inundation.
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| 8. |
- Xia, Shaopan, et al.
(author)
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Storage, patterns and influencing factors for soil organic carbon in coastal wetlands of China
- 2022
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In: Global Change Biology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 28:20, s. 6065-6085
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Soil organic carbon (SOC) in coastal wetlands, also known as "blue C," is an essential component of the global C cycles. To gain a detailed insight into blue C storage and controlling factors, we studied 142 sites across ca. 5000 km of coastal wetlands, covering temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates in China. The wetlands represented six vegetation types (Phragmites australis, mixed of P. australis and Suaeda, single Suaeda, Spartina alterniflora, mangrove [Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina], tidal flat) and three vegetation types invaded by S. alterniflora (P. australis, K. obovata, A. marina). Our results revealed large spatial heterogeneity in SOC density of the top 1-m ranging 40-200 Mg C ha(-1), with higher values in mid-latitude regions (25-30 degrees N) compared with those in both low- (20 degrees N) and high-latitude (38-40 degrees N) regions. Vegetation type influenced SOC density, with P. australis and S. alterniflora having the largest SOC density, followed by mangrove, mixed P. australis and Suaeda, single Suaeda and tidal flat. SOC density increased by 6.25 Mg ha(-1) following S. alterniflora invasion into P. australis community but decreased by 28.56 and 8.17 Mg ha(-1) following invasion into K. obovata and A. marina communities. Based on field measurements and published literature, we calculated a total inventory of 57 x 10(6) Mg C in the top 1-m soil across China's coastal wetlands. Edaphic variables controlled SOC content, with soil chemical properties explaining the largest variance in SOC content. Climate did not control SOC content but had a strong interactive effect with edaphic variables. Plant biomass and quality traits were a minor contributor in regulating SOC content, highlighting the importance of quantity and quality of OC inputs and the balance between production and degradation within the coastal wetlands. These findings provide new insights into blue C stabilization mechanisms and sequestration capacity in coastal wetlands.
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| 9. |
- Ghan, Steven, et al.
(author)
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Challenges in constraining anthropogenic aerosol effects on cloud radiative forcing using present-day spatiotemporal variability
- 2016
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 113:21, s. 5804-5811
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A large number of processes are involved in the chain from emissions of aerosol precursor gases and primary particles to impacts on cloud radiative forcing. Those processes are manifest in a number of relationships that can be expressed as factors dlnX/dlnY driving aerosol effects on cloud radiative forcing. These factors include the relationships between cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration and emissions, droplet number and CCN concentration, cloud fraction and droplet number, cloud optical depth and droplet number, and cloud radiative forcing and cloud optical depth. The relationship between cloud optical depth and droplet number can be further decomposed into the sum of two terms involving the relationship of droplet effective radius and cloud liquid water path with droplet number. These relationships can be constrained using observations of recent spatial and temporal variability of these quantities. However, we are most interested in the radiative forcing since the preindustrial era. Because few relevant measurements are available from that era, relationships from recent variability have been assumed to be applicable to the preindustrial to present-day change. Our analysis of Aerosol Comparisons between Observations and Models (AeroCom) model simulations suggests that estimates of relationships from recent variability are poor constraints on relationships from anthropogenic change for some terms, with even the sign of some relationships differing in many regions. Proxies connecting recent spatial/temporal variability to anthropogenic change, or sustained measurements in regions where emissions have changed, are needed to constrain estimates of anthropogenic aerosol impacts on cloud radiative forcing.
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| 10. |
- Gryspeerdt, Edward, et al.
(author)
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Constraining the instantaneous aerosol influence on cloud albedo
- 2017
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 114:19, s. 4899-4904
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Much of the uncertainty in estimates of the anthropogenic forcing of climate change comes from uncertainties in the instantaneous effect of aerosols on cloud albedo, known as the Twomey effect or the radiative forcing from aerosol-cloud interactions (RFaci), a component of the total or effective radiative forcing. Because aerosols serving as cloud condensation nuclei can have a strong influence on the cloud droplet number concentration (Nd), previous studies have used the sensitivity of the Nd to aerosol properties as a constraint on the strength of the RFaci. However, recent studies have suggested that relationships between aerosol and cloud properties in the present-day climate may not be suitable for determining the sensitivity of the Nd to anthropogenic aerosol perturbations. Using an ensemble of global aerosol-climate models, this study demonstrates how joint histograms between Nd and aerosol properties can account for many of the issues raised by previous studies. It shows that if the anthropogenic contribution to the aerosol is known, the RFaci can be diagnosed to within 20% of its actual value. The accuracy of different aerosol proxies for diagnosing the RFaci is investigated, confirming that using the aerosol optical depth significantly underestimates the strength of the aerosol-cloud interactions in satellite data.
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