重度放牧对欧亚温带草原东缘生态样带土壤氮矿化及其温度敏感性的影响

以欧亚温带草原东缘生态样带为平台,以样带上未放牧和重度放牧配对样地为研究对象,开展重度放牧对欧亚温带典型草原土壤氮矿化及其温度敏感性的影响研究。结果表明:(1)在室内培养条件下,土壤氮积累量和土壤净氮矿化速率呈现出干燥度指数较大的样点显著大于干燥度指数最低的样点(P0.05)。在相对湿润的样点,土壤氮素矿化周转速率较快;(2)重度放牧对不同样点土壤氮积累量和土壤氮矿化速率的影响是不同的。在干燥度指数较高样点,重度放牧样地土壤铵态氮减少量和速率较未放牧样地低(P0.05),重度放牧显著降低了土壤硝态氮积累量、无机氮积累量、硝化速率、净氮矿化速率(P0.05);在干燥度指数较低样点,重度放牧样地土壤铵态氮减少量和速率较未放牧样地高(P0.05),重度放牧对土壤硝态氮积累量、无机氮积累量、硝化速率、净氮矿化速率影响不大(P0.05);(3)土壤氮矿化作用温度敏感性(Q_(10))变化范围在1.61—2.06,重度放牧对Q_(10)无显著影响。随着纬度的升高,Q_(10)呈升高趋势。Q_(10)与基质质量指数以及表观活化能与基质质量指数均呈显著的负相关关系(P0.05);(4)土壤硝态氮积累量、无机氮积累量、硝化速率、净氮矿化速率对重度放牧的响应比与干燥度指数呈极显著负相关(P0.01),重度放牧对欧亚温带典型草原土壤氮矿化的影响受气候条件(温度和降水)的调控。     

高寒草甸退化对祁连山土壤微生物生物量和氮矿化速率的影响

为深入了解高寒草甸退化对草原生态系统中土壤微生物碳氮量、土壤氮矿化及土壤微生物相关酶的变化特征,以祁连山东缘4个不同退化程度(未退化、轻度退化、中度退化和极度退化)的高寒草甸为研究对象,采集了深度为0—10 cm的土壤样品,并对不同退化程度高寒草甸中植物因子、土壤理化性质、土壤氨化速率、土壤硝化速率、土壤净氮矿化速率以及转化氮素的相关酶和微生物进行了相关研究。结果表明:(1)随退化程度的加剧,高寒草甸土壤中氨化速率和净氮矿化速率逐渐降低,硝化速率逐渐升高;(2)高寒草甸的退化降低了有关氮素转化相关酶,如土壤蛋白酶、脲酶、亮氨酸氨基肽酶的活性,而β-乙酰葡糖胺糖苷酶的活性呈先下降后上升趋势,且在极度退化草地活性最高;(3)随退化程度的加剧,高寒草甸土壤中微生物生物量碳和氮的含量逐渐降低,同时土壤基础呼吸、土壤微生物熵和代谢熵的指数也呈下降趋势。RDA分析表明,高寒草甸中氨化速率和净氮矿化速率与微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮、土壤基础呼吸、植物高度、植被盖度、地上生物量、蛋白酶、脲酶以及亮氨酸氨基肽酶呈显著正相关,而硝化速率则表现为负相关性。因此,高寒草甸退化对土壤微生物特性以及氮素转化和循环具有重要影响。     

原始红松林退化演替后土壤氮矿化特征变化

土壤氮矿化是氮素生物地理化学循环的重要环节,表征着土壤的供氮潜力,其变化过程会影响森林生态系统生产力。从小兴安岭典型的原始红松林及其退化形成的次生阔叶林样地采集土壤样品,采用好气室内培养法,研究在不同培养温度(4℃、12℃、20℃、28℃和36℃)和湿度(20%、40%、60%、80%和100%饱和持水量,WHC)下,2种林地土壤氮转化速率的变化。结果表明:与原始红松林相比,次生阔叶林表层土(0—20 cm)的有机质、全碳、全氮、硝态氮、碳/氮比、全磷、速效磷、速效钾、pH值均显著升高,铵态氮显著降低(P0.05)。采用方差分析结果表明:原始红松林表层土壤的净矿化速率、净硝化速率均显著低于次生阔叶林,但净氨化速率的变化则相反;培养温度和湿度及两者的交互作用均对土壤氮转化速率影响显著(P0.001)。原始红松林和次生阔叶林净矿化速率对温度和湿度变化的响应存在一定差异,最适温度和湿度分别为28℃—36℃和60%(WHC)。原始红松林土壤氮矿化温度敏感性指数(Q_(10))显著高于次生阔叶林(P0.05),均值分别为2.08和1.80,Q_(10)与基质质量指数(A)呈负相关,与土壤有机质呈极显著负相关(P0.01)。     

间伐和林下植被剔除对毛竹林土壤氮矿化速率及其温度敏感性的影响

选择中亚热带毛竹人工林为研究对象,利用野外原位和室内培养相结合的方法,探讨不同间伐强度(25%间伐、50%间伐)和林下植被剔除对土壤氮矿化速率及其温度敏感性的影响。结果表明,25%间伐显著增加土壤氨化速率(P0.01),但降低硝化速率(P0.01);50%间伐显著增加土壤硝化速率(P0.01),而林下植被剔除显著降低土壤硝化速率(P0.01)。相关分析的结果表明,土壤氨化速率与有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)及全磷(TP)含量呈显著负相关关系;硝化速率与SOC、含水量(SWC)呈显著正相关关系,与铵态氮(NH~+_4-N)含量呈显著负相关关系。随着温度的升高,不同处理下的氨化速率均显著增加(P0.01),而硝化速率显著降低(P0.01)。25%间伐显著降低土壤净氮矿化和氨化过程的Q_(10)值,对硝化过程的Q_(10)值影响不显著;50%间伐对氨化和硝化过程的Q_(10)值影响均不显著;林下植被剔除对氨化过程的Q_(10)值影响不显著,但显著增加硝化过程的Q_(10)值。不同处理下的土壤氮矿化过程的Q_(10)值介于1.17—1.36之间。25%间伐和林下植被保留有利于毛竹林土壤氮素的供给。     

模拟增温对青藏高原东部高寒灌丛土壤氮转化的影响

本文研究了青藏高原东部窄叶鲜卑花高寒灌丛生长季前期、生长季后期和非生长季3个生育期的土壤氮转化速率对模拟增温的响应,分析全球气候变暖对高寒灌丛土壤氮循环过程的影响。结果表明: 模拟增温使高寒灌丛土壤温度显著升高1.2 ℃,土壤水分显著降低2.5%。高寒灌丛生长季土壤净氮矿化(氨化和硝化)速率显著高于非生长季,但土壤净氮固持速率显著低于非生长季。土壤氮矿化在生长季前期以硝化作用为主,在生长季后期和非生长季以氨化作用为主。模拟增温对高寒灌丛土壤氮转化过程的影响在不同时期存在显著差异。模拟增温显著增加了生长季前期土壤净氨化、净硝化、净氮矿化、净氮固持速率和非生长季土壤净硝化、净氮矿化速率,并显著降低了生长季后期土壤净硝化、净氮矿化、净氮固持速率和非生长季土壤净氨化速率。但模拟增温对高寒灌丛非生长季净氮固持速率和生长季后期净硝化速率的影响不显著。未来气候变暖将显著改变青藏高原东部高寒灌丛土壤氮转化,进而加速高寒灌丛土壤氮循环过程。     

沙坡头地区藓类结皮土壤净氮矿化作用对水热因子的响应

采用室内控制温度(-10、5、15、25、35和40 ℃)和湿度(29%、58%、85%和170%田间持水量,FWC)培养原状土柱的方法,研究腾格里沙漠东南缘天然植被区藓类结皮土壤氮矿化特征及其对水热因子的响应.结果表明： 低温(<15 ℃)培养时,土壤氮素转化以微生物固持作用为主,>25 ℃后土壤氮素转化速率显著增加.藓类结皮土壤氮素转化速率及其对温度的敏感性均高于无结皮土壤,且在85%FWC时敏感性最高,表明藓类结皮的存在有利于土壤氮素的转化.随着土壤湿度的增加,土壤氮素转化速率呈先增加后减小的趋势,85%FWC时最大.藓类结皮土壤净氮矿化速率在高温(25～40 ℃)和中等水分条件下(58%FWC和85%FWC)最大,呈现明显的温湿度交互作用.藓类结皮的繁衍和拓殖能够提高土壤的供氮能力,促进氮素循环,有助于土壤生态系统的修复.
     

内蒙古不同类型草地土壤氮矿化及其温度敏感性

土壤氮矿化(Nitrogen mineralization)是土壤氮循环的重要环节,对土壤氮素供应以及植物生产力的维持具有十分重要的意义。沿中国东北草地样带(Northeastern China Transect, NECT)分别在典型草地、过渡草地及荒漠草地设置了3个实验样地,利用不同温度(5、10、15、20 ℃和25 ℃)和不同水分(30%、60%和90%土壤饱和含水量,Saturated soil moisture, SSM)的室内培养途径,探讨了不同类型草地的土壤氮矿化速率、土壤氮矿化的温度敏感性(Q₁₀)及其主要影响因素。实验结果表明:从典型草地至荒漠草地,土壤全碳、全氮、全磷、微生物生物量碳氮含量均表现为逐渐下降的趋势;类似地,土壤净氮矿化速率、硝化速率也逐渐降低。在20 ℃和60% SSM时,土壤净氮矿化速率表现为典型草地 (0.715 mg N kg^-1 d^-1) > 过渡草地 (0.507 mg N kg^-1 d^-1) > 荒漠草地 (0.134 mg N kg^-1 d^-1);相反,温度敏感性却逐渐升高,温度敏感性与基质质量指数呈负相关。草地类型和水分对于土壤净氮矿化速率、硝化速率具有显著影响,且二者间具有显著的交互效应。包含温度和水分的双因素模型可很好地拟合土壤氮矿化速率的变化趋势(P < 0.0001),二者可共同解释土壤硝化速率92%-96%的变异。土壤氮矿化沿着草地演替呈现出很好的空间格局、并与温度和水分具有密切关系,为解释内蒙古草地空间分布格局提供了理论基础。     

水分和温度对若尔盖湿地和草甸土壤碳矿化的影响

土壤碳矿化及其温度和水分敏感性是研究生态系统碳循环的重要指标。本文以若尔盖高寒湿地和草甸为对象,在不同水分（70%,100%,130%饱和含水量（SSM））和温度（5,10,15,20,25℃）培养下定期测定土壤碳矿化速率（或土壤微生物呼吸速率）,探讨水分和温度对高寒湿地和草甸土壤碳矿化的影响,为揭示未来暖干化对若尔盖地区碳贮存及其碳汇功能的潜在影响提供科学依据。实验结果表明：增温显著促进了高寒湿地和草甸土壤碳矿化,而水分过高会抑制土壤碳矿化;此外,高寒湿地土壤碳矿化速率高于高寒草甸。土壤水分和草地类型对土壤碳矿化温度敏感性（Q10）的影响比较复杂。高寒草甸Q10随水分升高而显著升高,培养7天时的Q10变化趋势为70% SSM（1.21）< 100% SSM（1.76）< 130% SSM（2.80）,培养56天的Q10从1.17上升为4.53。高寒湿地的Q10在培养7天差异不显著,但整个56天培养期内Q10随水分升高而显著增加。在评估暖干化对若尔盖地区碳贮量和碳汇功能的影响时,应更加重视高寒草甸和高寒湿地Q10对水分和温度变化的不同响应。     

河岸带不同植被类型土壤氮素转化过程对冻融交替的响应

河岸带是水陆交错地带氮素生物地球化学循环的热点区域,春季融雪时期的气温变化引起的冻融交替是影响土壤氮素转化过程和氮素流失重要因素之一.通过室内模拟,研究了河岸带珍珠梅、落叶松和农田3种植被类型土壤可溶性氮含量与净氮矿化速率对不同冻结温度和冻融频次的响应.结果表明,冻融频次对3种植被类型河岸带土壤可溶性氮影响显著(P＜0.05),不同植被类型土壤可溶性氮含量变化趋势相似,在第1次冻融之后达到峰值,在第10次冻融之后稳定.3种植被类型土壤无机氮含量受冻融交替影响显著升高(P＜0.05).冻融温度对土壤净氮矿化速率影响显著(P＜0.05),土壤净氮矿化速率在第1次冻融之后达到最大值,随冻融次数增加而下降.3种植被类型土壤受冻融交替影响均有一定程度的氮素流失风险,农田土壤无机氮含量本底值较高,土壤氮素随冰雪融水流失风险较大.     

温度对川西亚高山3种森林土壤氮矿化的影响

川西亚高山森林群落土壤氮循环对全球气候变化非常敏感。采用室内培养法,研究川西3个森林群落(天然针叶林、云杉人工林和桦木次生林)土壤有机层和矿质土壤层无机氮含量在两个培养温度(20℃和10℃)下4周内动态变化。结果表明:培养4周后,在20℃培养条件下天然针叶林、云杉人工林和桦木次生林硝态氮含量比在10℃培养条件下分别高出104.32%、52.11%和25.57%;而铵态氮含量仅高出10.18%、24.06%和44.82%。有机层土壤氨化速率、硝化速率和净氮矿化速率大多表现为20℃显著高于10℃;相反,温度对矿质土壤层氮转化速率影响大多不显著。此外,天然林土壤净氨化速率、硝化速率和净氮矿化速率均高于桦木次生林和云杉人工林。实验期间,3个森林群落土壤净硝化速率20℃比10℃高79.03%—128.89%,而净氨化速率仅高37.81%—63.33%。综上所述,温度变化对川西亚高山森林土壤氮矿化具有显著影响,而温度效应因森林类型、土壤层次和氮形态而不同。与矿质土壤层相比,土壤有机层氮矿化对温度变化更为敏感。     

Absolute correlation between lag time and growth rate in the spontaneous formation of several amyloid-like aggregates and fibrils

The formation of polypeptide aggregates, including amyloid fibrils and prions, is a biochemical process of considerable interest in the context of its association with ageing and neurodegeneration. Aggregation occurs typically with a lag phase and a growth phase that reflect an underlying nucleation-polymerisation mechanism. While the propensity of nucleation can be estimated from the lag time t(l), the efficiency of growth is represented by the growth rate k(g). Here, I have analysed the absolute k(g) and t(l) values from a total of 298 samples prepared from insulin, glucagon and different sequence variants of the Alzheimer's Abeta(1-40) peptide. Although these samples differ in the conditions of aggregation, systematic comparison reveals an overall similarity in the plot of k(g)versus t(l). The plot fits readily with the simple equation k(g)=alpha/t(l) and by using a proportionality factor alpha of 4.5. In contrast to the individual values of k(g) and t(l) that depend substantially on sequential and environmental parameters, alpha seems much less affected by such factors. These data suggest mechanistic similarities in the nucleation behaviour of different amyloid-like fibrils and aggregates.     

Tuning of functional heme reduction potentials in Shewanella fumarate reductases

The fumarate reductases from S. frigidimarina NCIMB400 and S. oneidensis MR-1 are soluble and monomeric enzymes located in the periplasm of these bacteria. These proteins display two redox active domains, one containing four c-type hemes and another containing FAD at the catalytic site. This arrangement of single-electron redox co-factors leading to multiple-electron active sites is widespread in respiratory enzymes. To investigate the properties that allow a chain of single-electron co-factors to sustain the activity of a multi-electron catalytic site, redox titrations followed by NMR and visible spectroscopies were applied to determine the microscopic thermodynamic parameters of the hemes. The results show that the redox behaviour of these fumarate reductases is similar and dominated by a strong interaction between hemes II and III. This interaction facilitates a sequential transfer of two electrons from the heme domain to FAD via heme IV.     

Water deficit in field-grown Gossypium hirsutum primarily limits net photosynthesis by decreasing stomatal conductance,increasing photorespiration,and increasing the ratio of dark respiration to gross photosynthesis

Much effort has been expended to improve irrigation efficiency and drought tolerance of agronomic crops; however, a clear understanding of the physiological mechanisms that interact to decrease source strength and drive yield loss has not been attained. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to inhibition of net carbon assimilation under drought stress, three cultivars of Gossypium hirsutum were grown in the field under contrasting irrigation regimes during the 2012 and 2013 growing season near Camilla, Georgia, USA. Physiological measurements were conducted on three sample dates during each growing season (providing a broad range of plant water status) and included, predawn and midday leaf water potential (Ψ_PD and Ψ_MD), gross and net photosynthesis, dark respiration, photorespiration, and chlorophyll a fluorescence. End-of-season lint yield was also determined. Ψ_PD ranged from −0.31 to −0.95 MPa, and Ψ_MD ranged from −1.02 to −2.67 MPa, depending upon irrigation regime and sample date. G. hirsutum responded to water deficit by decreasing stomatal conductance, increasing photorespiration, and increasing the ratio of dark respiration to gross photosynthesis, thereby limiting P_N and decreasing lint yield (lint yield declines observed during the 2012 growing season only). Conversely, even extreme water deficit, causing a 54% decline in P_N, did not negatively affect actual quantum yield, maximum quantum yield, or photosynthetic electron transport. It is concluded that P_N is primarily limited in drought-stressed G. hirsutum by decreased stomatal conductance, along with increases in respiratory and photorespiratory carbon losses, not inhibition or down-regulation of electron transport through photosystem II. It is further concluded that Ψ_PD is a reliable indicator of drought stress and the need for irrigation in field-grown cotton.     

Photochemical processes, carbon assimilation and RNA accumulation of sucrose transporter genes in tomato arbuscular mycorrhiza

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance CO₂ assimilation of their hosts which ensure the demand for carbohydrates of these obligate biotrophic microorganisms. Photosynthetic parameters were measured in tomato colonised or not by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae. In addition, carbohydrate contents and mRNA accumulation of three sucrose transporter genes were analysed. Mycorrhizal plants showed increased opening of stomata and assimilated significant more CO₂. A higher proportion of the absorbed light was used for photochemical processes, while non-photochemical quenching and the content of photoprotective pigments were lower. Analysis of sugar contents showed no significant differences in leaves but enhanced levels of sucrose and fructose in roots, while glucose amounts stayed constant. The three sucrose transporter encoding genes of tomato SlSUT1, SlSUT2 and SlSUT4 were up-regulated providing transport capacities to transfer sucrose into the roots. It is proposed that a significant proportion of sugars is used by the mycorrhizal fungus, because only amounts of fructose were increased, while levels of glucose, which is mainly transferred towards the fungus, were nearly constant.     

Computational modeling of cell adhesion and movement using a continuum-kinetics approach

Adhesion of leukocytes to substrate involves the coupling of disparate length and timescales between molecular mechanics and macroscopic transport, and existing models of cell adhesion do not use full cellular information. To address these challenges, a multiscale computational approach for studying the adhesion of a cell on a substrate is developed and assessed. The cellular level model consists of a continuum representation of the field equations and a moving boundary tracking capability to allow the cell to change its shape continuously. At the receptor-ligand level, a bond molecule is mechanically represented by a spring. Communication between the macro/micro- and nanoscale models is facilitated interactively during the computation. The computational model is assessed using an adherent cell, rolling and deforming along the vessel wall under imposed shear flows. Using this approach, we first confirm existing numerical and experimental results. In this study, the intracellular viscosity and interfacial tension are found to directly affect the rolling of a cell. Our results also show that the presence of a nucleus increases the bond lifetime, and decreases the cell rolling velocity. Furthermore, it is found that a cell with a larger diameter rolls faster, and decreases the bond lifetime. This study shows that cell rheological properties have significant effects on the adhesion process contrary to what has been hypothesized in most literature.     

Spatio-temporal variability in the photosynthetic characteristics of Zostera tasmanica measured by PAM

Rapid light curves (RLCs), based on pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry, were used to investigate the spatio-temporal variability in photosynthesis versus irradiance parameters (α, I_k and P_max) and the F_v/F_m ratio of the seagrass Zostera tasmanica (formerly Heterozostera tasmanica). Spatial variation was examined across scales ranging from within a leaf (cms) to across the bed (ms), using a nested analysis of covariance sampling design. Overall, significant variation was identified at all scales examined, excluding the largest scale (area). Patterns of variability differed among individual parameters; however a high percentage of the variation was consistently assigned to the covariates, age (within and between leaves) for all parameters, except P_max.     

Electron transfer kinetics between soluble modules of Paracoccus denitrificans cytochrome c1 and its physiological redox partners

The transient electron transfer (ET) interactions between cytochrome c₁ of the bc₁-complex from Paracoccus denitrificans and its physiological redox partners cytochrome c₅₅₂ and cytochrome c₅₅₀ have been characterized functionally by stopped-flow spectroscopy. Two different soluble fragments of cytochrome c₁ were generated and used together with a soluble cytochrome c₅₅₂ module as a model system for interprotein ET reactions. Both c₁ fragments lack the membrane anchor; the c₁ core fragment (c_1CF) consists of only the hydrophilic heme-carrying domain, whereas the c₁ acidic fragment (c_1AF) additionally contains the acidic domain unique to P. denitrificans. In order to determine the ionic strength dependencies of the ET rate constants, an optimized stopped-flow protocol was developed to overcome problems of spectral overlap, heme autoxidation and the prevalent non-pseudo first order conditions. Cytochrome c₁ reveals fast bimolecular rate constants (10⁷ to 10⁸ M^− 1 s^− 1) for the ET reaction with its physiological substrates c₅₅₂ and c₅₅₀, thus approaching the limit of a diffusion-controlled process, with 2 to 3 effective charges of opposite sign contributing to these interactions. No direct involvement of the N-terminal acidic c₁-domain in electrostatically attracting its substrates could be detected. However, a slight preference for cytochrome c₅₅₀ over c₅₅₂ reacting with cyochrome c₁ was found and attributed to the different functions of both cytochromes in the respiratory chain of P. denitrificans.     

Enzymatic oxidation of manganese ions catalysed by laccase

The principal possibility of enzymatic oxidation of manganese ions by fungal Trametes hirsuta laccase in the presence of oxalate and tartrate ions, whereas not for plant Rhus vernicifera laccase, was demonstrated. Detailed kinetic studies of the oxidation of different enzyme substrates along with oxygen reduction by the enzymes show that in air-saturated solutions the rate of oxygen reduction by the T2/T3 cluster of laccases is fast enough not to be a readily noticeable contribution to the overall turnover rate. Indeed, the limiting step of the oxidation of high-redox potential compounds, such as chelated manganese ions, is the electron transfer from the electron donor to the T1 site of the fungal laccase.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic characterisation of individual haems in multicentre cytochromes c3

The characterisation of individual centres in multihaem proteins is difficult due to the similarities in the redox and spectroscopic properties of the centres. NMR has been used successfully to distinguish redox centres and allow the determination of the microscopic thermodynamic parameters in several multihaem cytochromes c₃ isolated from different sulphate-reducing bacteria. In this article we show that it is also possible to discriminate the kinetic properties of individual centres in multihaem proteins, if the complete microscopic thermodynamic characterisation is available and the system displays fast intramolecular equilibration in the time scale of the kinetic experiment. The deconvolution of the kinetic traces using a model of thermodynamic control provides a reference rate constant for each haem that does not depend on driving force and can be related to structural factors. The thermodynamic characterisation of three tetrahaem cytochromes and their kinetics of reduction by sodium dithionite are reported in this paper. Thermodynamic and kinetic data were fitted simultaneously to a model to obtain microscopic reduction potentials, haem-haem and haem-proton interacting potentials, and reference rate constants for the haems. The kinetic information obtained for these cytochromes and recently published data for other multihaem cytochromes is discussed with respect to the structural factors that determine the reference rates. The accessibility for the reducing agent seems to play an important role in controlling the kinetic rates, although is clearly not the only factor.