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Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jul 2021The interaction between land plants and mycorrhizal fungi (MF) forms perhaps the world's most prevalent biological market. Most plants participate in such markets, in...
The interaction between land plants and mycorrhizal fungi (MF) forms perhaps the world's most prevalent biological market. Most plants participate in such markets, in which MF collect nutrients from the soil and trade them with host plants in exchange for carbon. In a recent study, M. D. Whiteside et al. [Curr. Biol. 29, 2043-2050.e8 (2019)] conducted experiments that allowed them to quantify the behavior of arbuscular MF when trading phosphorus with their host roots. Their experimental techniques enabled the researchers to infer the quantities traded under multiple scenarios involving different amounts of phosphorus resources initially held by different MF patches. We use these observations to confirm a revealed preference hypothesis, which characterizes behavior in Walrasian equilibrium, a centerpiece of general economic equilibrium theory.
Topics: Carbon; Models, Economic; Mycorrhizae; Nature; Phosphorus
PubMed: 34183408
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020961118 -
The Science of the Total Environment Nov 2022Eutrophication continues to be a concerning global water quality issue. Managing and mitigating harmful algal blooms demands clear information on the conditions...
Eutrophication continues to be a concerning global water quality issue. Managing and mitigating harmful algal blooms demands clear information on the conditions promoting large phosphorus losses from contributing watersheds. Of particular concern is the amount and form of phosphorus loading to receiving water bodies during extreme runoff events, which are expected to increase in frequency due to climate change. Five years (2015 to 2020) of water quantity and quality data from 11 agricultural watersheds in the lower Great Lakes basin were analyzed and used to model total and dissolved phosphorus losses. This study aimed to assess temporal dynamics in phosphorus concentrations and losses over runoff events covering a wide range of hydrologic conditions and to quantify their relative importance on annual phosphorus losses. Event concentration-discharge relationships for total and dissolved phosphorus were hysteretic and had contrasting dominant patterns across watersheds. The proportion of annual phosphorus losses during events was highly variable between watersheds, accounting for 47-94 %. Extreme events were particularly impactful: as few as three events per year were found to be responsible for nearly half of total phosphorus (20-50 %) and total dissolved phosphorus (14-44 %) losses. Variability in total and dissolved phosphorus losses and concentrations over a wide range of flow conditions suggests that event magnitude is an important control on the relative mobility of particulate and dissolved phosphorus fractions. This study showed that insights into nutrient dynamics and phosphorus budgets in the lower Great Lakes basin and agriculture dominated environments more broadly can be gained by assessing event nutrient losses with respect to flow conditions and patterns in concentration-discharge relationships.
Topics: Agriculture; Environmental Monitoring; Eutrophication; Phosphorus; Rivers
PubMed: 35926630
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157736 -
Bioresource Technology Jan 2020Although for the past 100 years, fertilizer technologies have increasingly used renewable resources, the majority of manufactured products are still based on mineral... (Review)
Review
Although for the past 100 years, fertilizer technologies have increasingly used renewable resources, the majority of manufactured products are still based on mineral deposits and fossil fuels. The European Commission has set a goal of 30% reduction of non-renewable resources in fertilizer production. This can only be accomplished if there are incentives for wastes valorization and fines for making use of non-renewable raw materials. This will enable the reduction of eutrophication of surface waters due to the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus, originating from agricultural fields fertilizers. The use of biological waste is a practical solution to recover valuable fertilizer components. In order to effectively implement technologies based on biological resources, it is necessary to construct small wastes solubilization or fertilizer installations at the site of waste generation, which will solve the problem of waste transport or sanitary hazards.
Topics: Fertilizers; Minerals; Nitrogen; Phosphorus
PubMed: 31623921
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122223 -
MSystems Feb 2022Enhancing soil phosphate solubilization is a promising strategy for agricultural sustainability, while little is known about the mechanisms of how microorganisms cope...
Enhancing soil phosphate solubilization is a promising strategy for agricultural sustainability, while little is known about the mechanisms of how microorganisms cope with differing phosphorus availability. Using a combination of genome-resolved metagenomics and amplicon sequencing, we investigated the microbial mechanisms involved in phosphorus cycling under three agricultural treatments in a wheat-maize rotation system and two natural reforestation treatments. Available soil phosphorus was the key factor shaping bacterial and fungal community composition and function across our agricultural and reforestation sites. Membrane-bound quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) and exopolyphosphatases (PPX) governed microbial phosphate solubilization in agroecosystems. In contrast, genes encoding glycerol-3-phosphate transporters (, , and ) displayed a significantly greater abundance in the reforestation soils. The gene encoding PQQGDH was found to be the best determinant for bioavailable soil phosphorus. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) affiliated with and were obtained from agricultural soils. Their MAGs harbored not only but also the gene encoding low-affinity phosphate transporters. MAGs obtained from reforestation soils were affiliated with and . These contain genes but no , and thereby are indicative of a phosphate transporter strategy. Our study demonstrates that knowledge of distinct microbial phosphorus acquisition strategies between agricultural and reforestation soils could help in linking microbial processes with phosphorus cycling. The soil microbiome is the key player regulating phosphorus cycling processes. Identifying phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and utilizing them for release of recalcitrant phosphate that is bound to rocks or minerals have implications for improving crop nutrient acquisition and crop productivity. In this study, we combined functional metagenomics and amplicon sequencing to analyze microbial phosphorus cycling processes in natural reforestation and agricultural soils. We found that the phosphorus acquisition strategies significantly differed between these two ecosystems. A microbial phosphorus solubilization strategy dominated in the agricultural soils, while a microbial phosphate transporter strategy was observed in the reforestation soils. We further identified microbial taxa that contributed to enhanced phosphate solubilization in the agroecosystem. These microbes are predicted to be beneficial for the increase in phosphate bioavailability through agricultural practices.
Topics: Phosphorus; Soil; Soil Microbiology; Bacteria; Microbiota; Phosphates
PubMed: 35014868
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01107-21 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Sep 2022Appetite for reactions involving PH has grown in the past few years. This in part is due to the ability to generate PH cleanly and safely via digestion of cheap metal... (Review)
Review
Appetite for reactions involving PH has grown in the past few years. This in part is due to the ability to generate PH cleanly and safely via digestion of cheap metal phosphides with acids, thus avoiding pressurized cylinders and specialized equipment. In this perspective we highlight current trends in forming new P-C/P-OC bonds with PH and discuss the challenges involved with selectivity and product separation encumbering these reactions. We highlight the reactivity of PH with main group reagents, building on the early pioneering work with transition metal complexes and PH. Additionally, we highlight the recent renewal of interest in alkali metal sources of HP which are proving to be useful synthons for chemistry across the periodic table. Such MPH sources are being used to generate the desired products in a more controlled fashion and are allowing access to unexplored phosphorus-containing species.
Topics: Coordination Complexes; Metals; Phosphorus; Transition Elements
PubMed: 36070395
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07688 -
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology May 2022Water quality degradation can be caused by excessive agricultural nutrient transfers from fertilised soils exposed to wet weather. Mitigation measures within the EU...
Water quality degradation can be caused by excessive agricultural nutrient transfers from fertilised soils exposed to wet weather. Mitigation measures within the EU Nitrates Directive aim to reduce this pressure by including 'closed' fertiliser spreading periods during wet months. For organic fertilisers such as slurry and manure, this closed period requires sufficient on-farm winter storage and good weather conditions to relieve storage at the end of the period. Therefore, robust scientific evidence is needed to support the measure. Incidental nutrient transfers of recently applied organic fertilisers in wet weather can also be complicated by synchronous transfers from residual soil stores and tracing is required for risk assessments. The combination of nutrient monitoring and biomarker analyses may aid this and one such biomarker suite is faecal steroids. Accordingly, this study investigated the persistence of steroids and their association with phosphorus during leaching episodes. The focus was on the coupled behaviour of steroids and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in sub-surface hydrological pathways. Cattle slurry was applied to monolith lysimeters either side of a closed period and concentrations of both steroids and TP were monitored in the leachate. The study showed no significant effect of the treatment (average p = 0.17), though tracer concentrations did significantly change over time (average p = 0.001). While the steroidal concentration ratio was validated for herbivorous faecal pollution in the leachate, there was a weak positive correlation between the steroids and TP. Further investigation at more natural scales (hillslope/catchment) is required to confirm tracer behaviours/correlations and to compliment this sub-surface pathway study.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Fertilizers; Manure; Phosphorus; Soil; Steroids
PubMed: 35231779
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.103979 -
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.) Jan 2022Smouldering treatment of sewage sludge - and recapturing phosphorus - provides important steps towards a circular economy. This study reveals that bulking sludge with...
Smouldering treatment of sewage sludge - and recapturing phosphorus - provides important steps towards a circular economy. This study reveals that bulking sludge with sand or another organic waste, e.g., woodchips, created a material that was readily converted to ash by self-sustained smouldering. Simultaneous phosphorus and regulated potentially toxic element releases from ash were evaluated using leaching methods from the USEPA Leaching Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF). Extraction potentials were also determined to evaluate direct recovery as an alternative to land application. Compared to the parent sludge, post-treatment ash from smouldering sludge with sand contained higher quantities of inorganic phosphorus in sorbed and mineral phases, which can provide beneficial slow phosphorus release to plants and avoid early phosphorus washout during land application. Ash also released lower initial and total quantities of potentially toxic elements than virgin sludge. As an alternative to land application, approximately 42% of retained phosphorus can be recovered directly using acidic extraction, and an additional 30% from emissions. In contrast, co-smouldering sludge with woodchips was more suited for direct recovery with 78% of phosphorus potentially recoverable via emissions capture and yield increasing to 99% with acidic extraction of resulting ash. Co-smouldering also produces a single post-treatment ash and can be readily operated continuously, which aligns with current incinerator configurations at wastewater treatment plants and makes adaptation highly feasible. With phosphorus reuse opportunities for land application and direct recovery, smouldering sewage sludge creates an important opportunity for a phosphorus circular economy as part of wastewater treatment sludge management.
Topics: Incineration; Phosphorus; Sewage
PubMed: 34801957
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.11.001 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023The usage of flame retardants in flammable polymers has been an effective way to protect both lives and material goods from accidental fires. Phosphorus flame retardants...
The usage of flame retardants in flammable polymers has been an effective way to protect both lives and material goods from accidental fires. Phosphorus flame retardants have the potential to be follow-on flame retardants after halogenated variants, because of their low toxicity, high efficiency and compatibility. Recently, the emerging allotrope of phosphorus, two-dimensional black phosphorus, as a flame retardant has been developed. To further understand its performance in flame-retardant efficiency among phosphorus flame retardants, in this work, we built model materials to compare the flame-retardant performances of few-layer black phosphorus, red phosphorus nanoparticles, and triphenyl phosphate as flame-retardant additives in cellulose and polyacrylonitrile. Aside from the superior flame retardancy in polyacrylonitrile, few-layer black phosphorus in cellulose showed the superior flame-retardant efficiency in self-extinguishing, ~1.8 and ~4.4 times that of red phosphorus nanoparticles and triphenyl phosphate with similar lateral size and mass load (2.5~4.8 wt%), respectively. The char layer in cellulose coated with the few-layer black phosphorus after combustion was more continuous and smoother than that with red phosphorus nanoparticles, triphenyl phosphate and blank, and the amount of residues of cellulose coated with the few-layer black phosphorus in thermogravimetric analysis were 10 wt%, 14 wt% and 14 wt% more than that with red phosphorus nanoparticles, triphenyl phosphate and blank, respectively. In addition, although exothermic reactions, the combustion enthalpy changes in the few-layer black phosphorus (-127.1 kJ mol) are one third of that of red phosphorus nanoparticles (-381.3 kJ mol). Based on a joint thermodynamic, spectroscopic, and microscopic analysis, the superior flame retardancy of the few-layer black phosphorus was attributed to superior combustion reaction suppression from the two-dimensional structure and thermal nature of the few-layer black phosphorus.
Topics: Flame Retardants; Phosphorus; Cellulose; Polymers
PubMed: 37446723
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135062 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2023The evaluation of soil quality can provide new insights into the sustainable management of forests. This study investigated the effects of three types of forest...
The evaluation of soil quality can provide new insights into the sustainable management of forests. This study investigated the effects of three types of forest management intensities (non-management (CK), extensive management (EM), and intensive management (IM)), and five management durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 years) on the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis forest. Further, minimum data sets (MDS) and optimized minimum data sets (OMDS) were established to evaluate the soil quality index (SQI). A total of 20 soil indicators representing its physical, chemical, and biological properties were measured for the 0-30 cm layer. Using one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA), the total data set (TDS), the minimum data set (MDS), and optimized minimum data set (OMDS) were established. The MDS and OMDS contained three (alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN), and pH) and four (total phosphorus (TP), soil organic carbon (SOC), AN, and bulk density (BD)) soil indicators, respectively. The SQI derived from the OMDS and TDS exhibited a stronger correlation (r = 0.94, p < 0.01), which was suitable for evaluating the soil quality of the C. dabieshanensis forest. The evaluation results revealed that the soil quality was highest during the early stage of intensive management (IM-3), and the SQI of each soil layer was 0.81 ± 0.13, 0.47 ± 0.11, and 0.38 ± 0.07, respectively. With extended management times, the degree of soil acidification increased, and the nutrient content decreased. Compared with the untreated forest land the soil pH, SOC, and TP decreased by 2.64-6.24%, 29.43-33.04%, and 43.63-47.27%, respectively, following 20 years of management, while the SQI of each soil layer decreased to 0.35 ± 0.09, 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.06, respectively. In contrast to extensive management, the soil quality deteriorated more rapidly under longer management and intensive supervision. The OMDS established in this study provides a reference for the assessment of soil quality in C. dabieshanensis forests. In addition, it is suggested that the managers of C. dabieshanensis forests should implement measures such as increasing the amount of P-rich organic fertilizer and restoring vegetation to increase soil nutrient resources for the gradual restoration of soil quality.
Topics: Soil; Carya; Carbon; Forests; Phosphorus; Nitrogen; China
PubMed: 36977743
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32237-9 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Apr 2021The foundation of managing excess nutrients in river is the identification of key physical processes and the control of decisive influencing factors. The existing...
The foundation of managing excess nutrients in river is the identification of key physical processes and the control of decisive influencing factors. The existing studies seldom consider the influence of rainfall-runoff relationship and only focus on a few anthropogenic activities and natural attributes factors. To address this issue, a comprehensive set of influencing factors including rainfall-runoff relationship (represented by runoff coefficient), basic physical and chemical parameters of water quality, land use types, landscape patterns, topography, and socioeconomic development was constructed in this study. M-K test and cluster analysis were conducted to identify the temporal mutation and spatial clustering characteristics of NH-N and TP in Huangshui River basin, respectively. Partial least squares regression was used to elucidate the linkages between water contaminants and the factors. As shown in the results, the temporal mutations of NH-N and TP were obvious in the middle reaches, with 4 out of 7 catchments in the middle reaches have a larger number of mutations of NH-N than other catchments. The cluster analysis results of NH-N and TP among catchments were similar. This study also indicated that although the Huangshui River basin was located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the influences of rainfall-runoff relationship on spatiotemporal changes of NH-N and TP in its sub-basins were limited. Only the temporal change of NH-N in Jintan catchment in the upstream area was significantly affected by runoff coefficient. The indexes of proportion of water area (PWA), proportion of impervious area (PIA), and proportion of primary industry (PPI) were the top three influencing factors of temporal variation of NH-N and TP for most catchments in the middle reaches. The temporal change of NH-N in Jintan catchment in the upstream area was obviously affected by runoff coefficient. The spatial variation of NH-N and TP were all affected by PWA and proportion of secondary industry significantly. The results of this study can provide theoretical basis and technical support for the control and management of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in upper reaches of rivers.
Topics: China; Environmental Monitoring; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Rivers; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 33891180
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09067-1