Prediction of soil carbon levels in calcareous soils of Iran by mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The objective of this study was to assess the predictive performance of midDRIFTS-PLSR models in quantifying total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), total inorganic carbon (TIC), total nitrogen (TN), hot water extractable carbon and nitrogen (C_HWE, N_HWE), pH, and the clay, silt, and sand content of soils. A total of 68 soil samples were taken across an agroecological region in southwest Iran, and analyzed in the laboratory using mid-DRIFTS-PLSR. midDRIFTS-PLSR calibration models were developed, and external validation was performed for each of the soil properties via an independent algorithm. The calibration and validation models allowed for a sufficient prediction of TC, TIC, and TOC with residual prediction deviations ≥3 and R² values >0.9. The precise prediction ofcarbon fractions, such as TC, TIC, and TOC, in a rapid and inexpensive manner confirmed that midDRIFTS analysis was a rapid-throughput and cost-effective technique for monitoring soil carbon at the regional scale.     

Controls of organic and inorganic carbon in randomly selected Boreal lakes in varied catchments

Organic and inorganic carbon concentrations in lakes and the links to catchment and water quality were studied in variable landscapes using the Finnish Lake Survey data base including 874 randomly selected lakes sampled during autumn overturn. The median total organic carbon (TOC) in these boreal lakes was 7.8 mg l^?1, the median total inorganic carbon (TIC) 1.6 mg l^?1 and the median partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂) 900 μatm. When the data was divided into subgroups according to land use in the catchment, the proportion of TIC of the total carbon (TC) in lakes was highest (31%) in agricultural areas and lowest (10%) in peatland areas. Elevated TIC concentrations were associated with agricultural land in the catchment, whereas elevated TOC concentrations were observed in lakes with high peatland proportion in the catchment. Two contrasting important sources of CO₂ in lakes were identified on the basis of statistical analysis of the data; weathering processes in the catchments and decomposition of organic matter. CO₂ was also strongly associated with total nutrients TN and TP, implying the importance of quality of organic matter and availability of nutrients for the decomposition processes.     

Stocks of carbon and nitrogen and partitioning between above- and belowground pools in the Brazilian coastal Atlantic Forest elevation range

We estimated carbon and nitrogen stocks in aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) along an elevation range in forest sites located on the steep slopes of the Serra do Mar on the north coast of the State of São Paulo, southeast Brazil. In elevations of 100 m (lowland), 400 m (submontane), and 1000 m (montane) four 1-ha plots were established, and above- (live and dead) and belowground (live and dead) biomass were determined. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations in each compartment were determined and used to convert biomass into carbon and nitrogen stocks. The carbon aboveground stock (C_AGB) varied along the elevation range from approximately 110 to 150 Mg·ha⁻¹, and nitrogen aboveground stock (N_AGB), varied from approximately 1.0 to 1.9 Mg·ha⁻¹. The carbon belowground stock (C_BGB) and the nitrogen belowground stock (N_BGB) were significantly higher than the AGB and varied along the elevation range from approximately 200–300 Mg·ha⁻¹, and from 14 to 20 Mg·ha⁻¹, respectively. Finally, the total carbon stock (C_TOTAL) varied from approximately 320 to 460 Mg·ha⁻¹, and the nitrogen total stock (N_TOTAL) from approximately 15 to 22 Mg·ha⁻¹. Most of the carbon and nitrogen stocks were found belowground and not aboveground as normally found in lowland tropical forests. The above- and belowground stocks, and consequently, the total stocks of carbon and nitrogen increased significantly with elevation. As the soil and air temperature also decreased significantly with elevation, we found a significantly inverse relationship between carbon and nitrogen stocks and temperature. Using this inverse relationship, we made a first approach estimate that an increase of 1°C in soil temperature would decrease the carbon and nitrogen stocks in approximately 17 Mg·ha⁻¹ and 1 Mg·ha⁻¹ of carbon and nitrogen, respectively.     

Advantages of fungal enzyme production in solid state over liquid fermentation systems

The present paper attempts to explain why enzyme production in solid-state fermentation (SSF) is higher than in submerged fermentation (SmF). Recent work done in our laboratory [Biotechnol. Lett. 22 (2000) 1255; J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 26 (5) (2001) 271; J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 26 (5) (2001) 296] related to the production of invertase, pectinases and tannases, by Aspergillus niger grown by SSF and SmF is reviewed. To do such a comparative study, logistic and Luedeking–Piret equations are used in order to estimate the values of the following coefficients: maximal specific growth rate (μ_M), maximal biomass level (X_M), enzyme/biomass yield (Y_P/X) and secondary rate of production, or breakdown (k). It is shown that enzyme productivity is proportional to group, μ_MY_P/XX_M, corrected by a function of ν=k/Y_P/Xμ_M. In all three cases of enzyme production studied, productivity using a SSF system was higher than in SmF. Studies with invertase resulted in higher values of μ_MX_M. Studies with pectinases resulted in higher values of Y_P/XX_M. Studies with tannases resulted in higher Y_P/X and less negative values of k. Finally, a reaction–diffusion model is presented to try to explain such differences based on micrographic measurements of mycelial aggregates for each kind of fermentation system.     

帽儿山地区不同土地利用方式下土壤-微生物-矿化碳氮化学计量特征

土地利用方式的变化导致土壤碳氮含量及其化学计量关系的变化,然而土壤微生物化学计量及其驱动的碳氮矿化过程如何响应这种变化仍不明确。以帽儿山地区天然落叶阔叶林、人工红松林、草地和农田4种不同土地利用类型为对象,测定其土壤有机碳(C_(soil))、全氮(N_(soil))、微生物生物量碳和氮(C_(mic)和N_(mic))、土壤碳和氮矿化速率(C_(min)和N_(min)),旨在比较不同土地利用方式对土壤、微生物碳氮化学计量特征及矿化速率的影响,探索土壤-微生物-矿化之间碳氮化学计量特征的相关性,揭示微生物对土壤碳氮化学计量变化的响应和调控机制。结果显示:C_(soil)、N_(soil)、C_(mic)、N_(mic)和C_(min)均呈现天然落叶阔叶林人工红松林草地农田,而天然落叶阔叶林和草地的N_(min)显著高于人工红松林和农田。土地利用方式显著影响土壤和微生物碳氮比(C∶N_(soil)和C∶N_(mic)),均呈现农田最高。不同土地利用方式的数据综合分析发现:碳氮矿化速率比与C∶N_(mic)呈负相关,而和微生物与土壤碳氮化学计量不平衡性(C∶N_(imb))显著正相关。单位微生物生物量的碳矿化速率(qCO_2)随着C∶N_(mic)的增加而降低,而单位微生物生物量的氮矿化速率(qAN)随着C∶N_(mic)的增加而增加。C∶N_(imb)与qCO_2正相关,与qAN负相关。以上结果表明,微生物会通过改变自身碳氮化学计量、调整碳氮之间相对矿化速率,以适应土地利用变化导致的土壤碳氮及其化学计量的变异性,以满足自身生长和代谢的碳氮需求平衡。     

Synthesis of (NBu4)2[Pd2(μ-Br)2(C6X5)2Br2] (X=F,Cl), new and more versatile precursors of pentahalophenyl derivatives of palladium(II)

The title compounds (1, X=F; 2, X=Cl) were obtained in quantitative yield by refluxing together (NBu₄)₂[Pd₂(μ-Br)₂(C₆X₅)₄] and (NBu₄)₂[Pd₂(μ-Br)₂Br₄]. Treatment of 1 or 2 with AgClO₄ (Pd:Ag= 1:1) gave solutions which behaved as containing ‘Pd(C₆X₅)Br’. 1, 2 and the ‘Pd(C₆X₅)Br’ solutions were checked as precursors of mono-pentahalophenyl derivatives, yielding a variety of complexes [Pd(C₆X₅)Br(L-L)] (L-L=bipy, tmen, dpe, COD), [Pd(C₆X₅)BrL₂] (L=p-TolNH₂, py, PPh₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃), [Pd₂(μ-Br)₂(C₆X₅)₂L₂] (X=F, L=AsPh₃; X=Cl, L=SbPh₃) and (NBu₄)[Pd(C₆X₅)Br₂L] (X=F, L= py, AsPh₃, SbPh₃; X=Cl, L=p-TolNH₂, py, PPh₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃). The solutions of ‘Pd(C₆X₅)Br’ proved to be the best general precursors of complexes [Pd(C₆X₅)BrL₂] although complexes with OPPh₃ could not be obtained.     

Separation of some mono-, di- and tri-unsaturated fatty acids containing 18 carbon atoms by high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection

Positional and geometric isomers of mono-, di- and tri-unsaturated fatty acids containing 18 carbon atoms were separated on commercially available reversed-phase columns in gradient systems composed of acetonitrile and water, utilizing photodiode array detection. The biological samples were hydrolyzed with 2 M NaOH for 35–40 min at 85–90°C. After cooling, the hydrolysates were acidified with 4 M HCl and the free fatty acids were extracted with dichloromethane. The organic solvent was removed in a gentle stream of argon. The fatty acids were determined after pre-column derivatization with dibromacetophenone in the presence of triethylamine. The reaction components were mixed and reacted for 2 h at 50°C. Separations of derivatized fatty acids were performed on two C₁₈ columns (Nova Pak C₁₈, 4 μm, 250×4.6 mm, Waters) by binary or ternate gradient programs and UV detection at 254 and 235 nm. The geometric and positional isomers of some unsaturated fatty acids were substantially retained on the C₁₈ columns and were distinct from some saturated fatty acids, endogenous substances in biological samples or background interference. Only slight separation of critical pairs of cis-9 C_18:1/cis-11 C_18:1 and cis-6 C_18:1/trans-11 C_18:1 was obtained. A ternate gradient program can be used for complete fractionation of a mixture of conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) from cis-9, cis-12 and trans-9, trans-12 isomers of C_18:2. The CLA isomers in the effluent were monitored at 235 nm. The CLA isomers were differentiated from saturated and unsaturated fatty acids using a photodiode array detector. The utility of the method was demonstrated by evaluating the fatty acid composition of duodenal digesta, rapeseed and maize oils.     

Tracing prey origins,proportions and feeding periods for predatory beetles from agricultural systems using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses

Predatory beetles are an important component of the natural enemy complex that preys on insect pests such as aphids within agroecosystems. Tracing diet origins and movement of natural enemies aids understanding their role in the food web and informs strategies for their effective conservation. Field sampling and laboratory experiments were carried out to examine the changes of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) among crops (cotton and maize), pests (cotton and maize aphids), and between wing and abdomen of predatory beetles, Propylea japonica, and to test the hypothesis that prey origins, proportions and feeding periods of the predatory beetles can be deduced by this stable isotope analysis. Results showed that the δ¹³C values both in wing and abdomen of adult P. japonica were changing from a C₃- to a C₄-based diet of aphids reared on maize or cotton, respectively; the isotope ratio of their new C₄ substrates were detectable within 7 days and the δ¹⁵N values began to reflect their new C₄ substrates within 3 days. The relationship between δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of P. japonica adults in wing or abdomen and diets of aphids from a C₃-based resource transitioning to a C₄-based resource were described best in linear or quadratic equations. Results suggest that integrative analysis of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values can be regarded as a useful method for quantifying to trace prey origins, proportions of diets and feeding periods of natural enemies. The results can provide quantifying techniques for habitat management of natural enemies.     

Estimating stable carbon isotope values of microphytobenthos in the Arctic for application to food web studies

Most studies on Arctic food webs have neglected microphytobenthos as a potential food source because we currently lack robust measurements of δ¹³C values for microphytobenthos from this environment. As a result, the role of microphytobenthos in high latitude marine food webs is not well understood. We combined field measurements of the concentration of aqueous carbon dioxide and the stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ¹³C_DIC) from bottom water in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas with a set of stable carbon isotopic fractionation factors reflecting differences in algal taxonomy and physiology to estimate the stable carbon isotope composition of microphytobenthos-derived total organic carbon (δ¹³C_p). The δ¹³C_p for Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a pennate diatom likely to be a dominant microphytobenthos taxon, was estimated to be ?23.9 ± 0.4 ‰ as compared to a centric diatom (Porosira glacialis, δ¹³C_p = ?20.0 ± 1.6 ‰) and a marine haptophyte (Emiliana huxleyi, δ¹³C_p = ?22.7 ± 0.5 ‰) at a growth rate (µ) of 0.1 divisions per day (d^?1). δ¹³C_p values increased by ~2.5 ‰ when µ increased from 0.1 to a maximum growth rate of 1.4 d^?1. We compared our estimates of δ¹³C_p values for microphytobenthos with published measurements for other carbon sources in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. We found that microphytobenthos values overlapped with pelagic sources, yet differed from riverine and ice-derived carbon sources. These model results provide valuable insight into the range of possible isotopic values for microphytobenthos from this region, but we remain cautious in regard to the conclusiveness of these findings given the paucity of field measurements currently available for model validation.     

Alternative methods of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in marine macroalgae

Two green macroalgae, Codium decorticatum and Udotea flabellum, differ photosynthetically. Codium had high O₂-sensitive, and Udotea low O₂-insensitive, CO₂ compensation points; Codium showed a Warburg effect at seawater dissolved inorganic carbon levels and had photorespiratory CO₂ release, whereas Udotea did not. Seawater dissolved inorganic carbon levels did not saturate photosynthesis. For Codium, but not Udotea, the Warburg effect was increased by ethoxyzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, at high but not low pH. Isolated chloroplasts from both macroalgae showed a Warburg effect that was ethoxyzolamide-insensitive. In both macroalgae, chloroplastic and extrachloroplastic carbonic anhydrase activity was present. P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) carboxylating activity in Udotea extracts was equivalent to that of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, and enzyme activities for C₄ acid metabolism and P-enolpyruvate regeneration were sufficient to operate a limited C₄-like system. In Udotea, malate and aspartate were early-labeled photosynthetic products that turned over within 60 seconds. Photorespiratory compounds were much less labeled in Udotea. Low dark fixation rates ruled out Crassulacean acid metabolism. A limited C₄-like system, based on PEPCK, is hypothesized to be the mechanism reducing photorespiration in Udotea. Codium showed no evidence of photosynthetic C₄ acid metabolism. Marine macroalgae, like terrestrial angiosperms, seem to have diverse photosynthetic modes.     

新疆干旱区4种柽柳灌丛碳贮量特征

灌丛有机碳贮量对研究干旱区土壤特性及碳循环具有重要意义。以分布于新疆南北疆荒漠区的4种柽柳灌丛(多花柽柳Tamarix hohenackeri、多枝柽柳Tamarix ramosissima、刚毛柽柳Tamarix hispida、沙生柽柳Tamarix taklamakanensis)为研究对象,对其生物量碳和土壤有机碳的分布特征进行了研究。结果表明:1)生物量碳密度从大到小顺序为刚毛多花沙生多枝,生物量碳密度在0.59—2.35 Mg C/hm~2之间,其中,地上生物量碳密度在0.31—0.94 Mg C/hm~2之间,0—100 cm地下植物碳密度在0.28—1.49 Mg C/hm~2之间,根冠比在0.92—1.71之间。2)土壤有机碳密度从大到小的顺序是多花刚毛沙生多枝,多花和沙生柽柳灌丛土壤有机碳密度的最大值出现在表层0—10 cm,多枝和刚毛柽柳灌丛土壤有机碳密度的最高值出现在土层深度为10—20 cm处。4种柽柳灌丛0—10 cm土层土壤有机碳含量在13%—43.7%之间,地下1 m内,0—50 cm土壤有机碳密度所占比例为82.3%—96.4%之间。3)根据分布面积计算,新疆荒漠区4种柽柳灌丛碳贮量在(0.28±0.03)—(56.96±5.36)Tg(1Tg=10~(12)g)之间,总有机碳贮量为(75.00±6.76)Tg。其中,有机碳贮量最多的是刚毛柽柳灌丛,多花柽柳最低。4)4种柽柳灌丛土壤有机碳和生物量碳均表现出了与土壤含水量和土壤有机质的显著相关性,土壤有机碳(C_s)与土壤含水量(X_1)、有机质(X_2)、全N含量(X_3)和电导率(X_4)呈极显著正相关(P0.01),多元线性回归方程为C_s=3.433-10.943X_1+0.378X_2-2.935X_3+0.017X_4;生物量碳(C_p)与土壤含水量、有机质呈显著正相关(P0.05),多元线性回归方程为C_p=2.042-11.930X_1+0.011X_2。说明不同类型的柽柳对水分和有机质的要求不同,碳汇能力和对荒漠生态系统的作用也不同。因此,从物种利用角度来看,选择也应有所侧重。     

Ceramide-1-Phosphate, in Contrast to Ceramide, Is Not Segregated into Lateral Lipid Domains in Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers

Sphingolipids are key lipid regulators of cell viability: ceramide is one of the key molecules in inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis), whereas other sphingolipids, such as ceramide 1-phosphate, are mitogenic. The thermotropic and structural behavior of binary systems of N-hexadecanoyl-D-erythro-ceramide (C₁₆-ceramide) or N-hexadecanoyl-D-erythro-ceramide-1-phosphate (C₁₆-ceramide-1-phosphate; C₁₆-C1P) with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) was studied with DSC and deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (²H-NMR). Partial-phase diagrams (up to a mole fraction of sphingolipids X = 0.40) for both mixtures were constructed based on DSC and ²H-NMR observations. For C₁₆-ceramide-containing bilayers DSC heating scans showed already at X_cer = 0.025 a complex structure of the main-phase transition peak suggestive of lateral-phase separation. The transition width increased significantly upon increasing X_cer, and the upper-phase boundary temperature of the mixture shifted to ∼65°C at X_cer = 0.40. The temperature range over which ²H-NMR spectra of C₁₆-ceramide/DPPC-d₆₂ mixtures displayed coexistence of gel and liquid crystalline domains increased from ∼10° for X_cer = 0.1 to ∼21° for X_cer = 0.4. For C16-C1P/DPPC mixtures, DSC and ²H-NMR observations indicated that two-phase coexistence was limited to significantly narrower temperature ranges for corresponding C1P concentrations. To complement these findings, C₁₆-ceramide/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and C16-C1P/POPC mixtures were also studied by ²H-NMR and fluorescence techniques. These observations indicate that DPPC and POPC bilayers are significantly less perturbed by C₁₆-C1P than by C₁₆-ceramide and that C₁₆-C1P is miscible within DPPC bilayers at least up to X_C1P = 0.30.     

Carbon isotope ratios demonstrate carbon flux from c(4) host to c(3) parasite

Carbon isotope ratios of mature leaves from the C₃ angiosperm root hemiparasites Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth (−26.7‰) and S. asiatica (L.) Kuntze (−25.6‰) were more negative than their C₄ host, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench cv CSH1), (−13.5‰). However, in young photosynthetically incompetent plants of S. hermonthica this difference was reduced to less than 1‰. Differences between the carbon isotope ratios of two C₃-C₃ associations, S. gesnerioides (Willd.) Vatke—Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. and Oryza sativa L.—Rhamphicarpa fistulosa (Hochst.) Benth differed by less than 1‰. Theoretical carbon isotope ratios for mature leaves of S. hermonthica and S. asiatica, calculated from foliar gas exchange measurements, were −31.8 and −32.0‰, respectively. This difference between the measured and theoretical δ¹³C-values of 5 to 6‰ suggests that even in mature, photosynthetically active plants, there is substantial input of carbon from the C₄ host. We estimate this to be approximately 28% of the total carbon in S. hermonthica and 35% in S. asiatica. This level of carbon transfer contributes to the host's growth reductions observed in Striga-infected sorghum.     

Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools under a wheat–maize cropping system in North China Plain

The effects of organic manure and chemical fertilizer on total soil organic carbon (C _T), water-soluble organic C (C _WS), microbial biomass C (C _MB), labile C (C _L), C mineralization, C storage and sequestration, and the role of carbon management index (CMI) in soil quality evaluation were studied under a wheat–maize cropping system in a long-term experiment, which was established in 1989 in the North China Plain. The experiment included seven treatments: (1) OM: application of organic manure; (2) 1/2OMN: application of half organic manure plus chemical fertilizer NPK; (3) NPK: balanced application of chemical fertilizer NPK; (4) NP: application of chemical fertilizer NP; (5) PK: application of chemical fertilizer PK; (6) NK: application of chemical fertilizer NK; and (7) CK: unfertilized control. Application of organic manure (OM and 1/2OMN) was more effective for increasing C _T, C _WS, C _MB, C _L, C mineralization, and CMI, as compared with application of chemical fertilizer alone. For the chemical fertilizer treatments, balanced application of NPK (treatment 3) showed higher C _T, C _WS, C _MB, C _L, C mineralization, and CMI than the unbalanced use of fertilizers (treatments 4, 5, and 6). The C storage in the OM and 1/2OMN treatments were increased by 58.0% and 26.6%, respectively, over the NPK treatment, which had 5.9–25.4% more C storage than unbalanced use of fertilizers. The contents of C _WS, C _MB, and C _L in organic manure treatments (treatments 1 and 2) were increased by 139.7–260.5%, 136.7–225.7%, and 150.0–240.5%, respectively, as compared to the CK treatment. The CMI was found to be a useful index to assess the changes of soil quality induced by soil management practices due to its significant correlation with soil bulk density and C fractions. The OM and 1/2OMN treatments were not a feasible option for farmers, but a feasible option for sequestering soil carbon, especially for the OM treatment. The NPK treatment was important for increasing crop yields, organic material inputs, and soil C fractions, so it could increase the sustainability of cropping system in the North China Plain.     

Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae as active fermenters in earthworm gut content

The earthworm gut provides ideal in situ conditions for ingested heterotrophic soil bacteria capable of anaerobiosis. High amounts of mucus- and plant-derived saccharides such as glucose are abundant in the earthworm alimentary canal, and high concentrations of molecular hydrogen (H₂) and organic acids in the alimentary canal are indicative of ongoing fermentations. Thus, the central objective of this study was to resolve potential links between fermentations and active fermenters in gut content of the anecic earthworm Lumbricus terrestris by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-based stable isotope probing, with [¹³C]glucose as a model substrate. Glucose consumption in anoxic gut content microcosms was rapid and yielded soluble organic compounds (acetate, butyrate, formate, lactate, propionate, succinate and ethanol) and gases (carbon dioxide and H₂), products indicative of diverse fermentations in the alimentary canal. Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae were users of glucose-derived carbon. On the basis of the detection of 16S rRNA, active phyla in gut contents included Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and Verrucomicrobia, taxa common to soils. On the basis of a 16S rRNA gene similarity cutoff of 87.5%, 82 families were detected, 17 of which were novel family-level groups. These findings (a) show the large diversity of soil taxa that might be active during gut passage, (b) show that Clostridiaceae and Enterobacteriaceae (fermentative subsets of these taxa) are selectively stimulated by glucose and might therefore be capable of consuming mucus- and plant-derived saccharides during gut passage and (c) indicate that ingested obligate anaerobes and facultative aerobes from soil can concomitantly metabolize the same source of carbon.     

Construction of carbon chains on ruthenium and osmium carbonyl clusters

We have used the elimination of AuX(PR₃) (X = halide, R = Ph, tol) that occurs in reactions of alkynylgold(I)-phosphine complexes with M₃(μ-H)₃ (μ₃-CBr) (CO)₉ (M = Ru, Os) to prepare the complexes M₃(μ-H)₃(μ₃-CCCR)(CO)₉ [M = Ru, R = Ph 2, CCSiMe₃3, Fc 4, CCFc 6-Ru, CC[Ru(PPh₃)₂Cp] 8; M = Os, R = CCFc 6-Os, CCCCFc 7], Fc′{(μ₃-CCC)Ru₃(μ-H)₃(CO)₉}₂5, and bis-cluster-capped carbon chain complexes {M₃(μ-H)₃(CO)₉}₂{μ₃:μ₃-C(CC)_nC} (M = Ru, n = 2 9, 3 10-Ru; M = Os, n = 3 10-Os) and {(L)(OC)₈(μ-H)₃M₃}C(CC)_nC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (n = 1, M = Ru, L = CO 11, PPh₃12-Ru/P; n = 2, L = CO 12-Ru, PPh₃13; M = Os, L = CO 12-Os) in good to excellent yields. X-ray structural determinations of 2-5, 6-Ru, 6-Os, 7, 9, 11, 12-Ru, 12-Os and 12-Ru/P are reported.     

Soil organic carbon dynamics jointly controlled by climate,carbon inputs,soil properties and soil carbon fractions

Soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are regulated by the complex interplay of climatic, edaphic and biotic conditions. However, the interrelation of SOC and these drivers and their potential connection networks are rarely assessed quantitatively. Using observations of SOC dynamics with detailed soil properties from 90 field trials at 28 sites under different agroecosystems across the Australian cropping regions, we investigated the direct and indirect effects of climate, soil properties, carbon (C) inputs and soil C pools (a total of 17 variables) on SOC change rate (r_C, Mg C ha^?1 yr^?1). Among these variables, we found that the most influential variables on r_C were the average C input amount and annual precipitation, and the total SOC stock at the beginning of the trials. Overall, C inputs (including C input amount and pasture frequency in the crop rotation system) accounted for 27% of the relative influence on r_C, followed by climate 25% (including precipitation and temperature), soil C pools 24% (including pool size and composition) and soil properties (such as cation exchange capacity, clay content, bulk density) 24%. Path analysis identified a network of intercorrelations of climate, soil properties, C inputs and soil C pools in determining r_C. The direct correlation of r_C with climate was significantly weakened if removing the effects of soil properties and C pools, and vice versa. These results reveal the relative importance of climate, soil properties, C inputs and C pools and their complex interconnections in regulating SOC dynamics. Ignorance of the impact of changes in soil properties, C pool composition and C input (quantity and quality) on SOC dynamics is likely one of the main sources of uncertainty in SOC predictions from the process‐based SOC models.     

植被恢复模式对石漠化生态系统碳储量的影响

为揭示石漠化生态系统碳储量对植被恢复模式的响应,在广西天等县中度石漠化山地,研究了吊丝竹纯林(Dendrocalamus minorD)、任豆纯林(Zenia insignis Z)、任豆、蚬木(Buerretiodendron hsienmu)和顶果木(Acrocarpus fraxinifolius)混交林(mixed plantation M),以及相应同龄封育林(D_(CK)、Z_(CK)、M_(CK))的碳储量。结果表明:人工林碳储量显著高于相应同龄封育林的碳储量,D、Z、M人工林碳储量分别为67.75、66.56、121.20 t/hm~2,而D_(CK)、Z_(CK)、M_(CK)封育林仅为49.75、52.89、60.86 t/hm~2。碳储量在乔木层、地被物层、土壤层分配排序因生态系统类型而异,如M:乔木层土壤层地被物层;D和Z:土壤层乔木层地被物层;D_(CK)、Z_(CK)和M_(CK):土壤层地被物层乔木层。此外,M、D、Z乔木层年平均碳储量差异显著,而封育林尚未形成乔木层,其植被碳储量则随封育时间的增加而提高,即M_(CK)Z_(CK)D_(CK)。可见,在中度石漠化山地,植被恢复模式显著影响生态系统碳储量及其分配。人工造林相对于封山育林更能快速促进植被恢复、形成乔木林,从而提高生态系统碳储量。     

Enzymatic fractionation of carbon isotopes by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from c(4) plants

The carbon atoms of glucose and malate in C₄ plants are 2 to 3‰ enriched in ¹²C with respect to atmospheric CO₂; whereas these intermediates in C₃ plants are 15 to 18‰ enriched with ¹²C with respect to atmospheric CO₂. The enzymatic synthesis of malate from phosphoenolpyruvate and bicarbonate in preparations of leaves of Sorghum bicolor, Haygrazer result in a carbon isotope fractionation of about 3‰. The enzymatic synthesis of phosphoglyceric acid from ribulose 1,5-diP and CO₂ in these preparations (contaminated with carbonic anhydrase) at 24 C and 37 C result in a carbon isotope fractionation of 33.7‰ and 18.3‰, respectively. These data are consistent with the conclusion that the small enrichment of ¹²C in the carbon atoms of malate and glucose (with respect to atmospheric CO₂) in leaves of Sorghum bicolor, Haygrazer occurs at the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase step.     

Changes in belowground carbon in Acacia crassicarpa and Eucalyptus urophylla plantations after tree girdling

Limitations in the techniques used to separate root-derived and soil-organic-matter (SOM)-derived respiration have hampered the understanding of forest carbon cycling. Tree girdling is considered to be a robust approach with little disturbance to the root–soil system. Using this approach, we tried to separate root-derived respiration from SOM-derived respiration under Acacia crassicarpa and Eucalyptus urophylla plantations in South China. We found that girdling reduced soil respiration and temperature sensitivity of respiration (Q ₁₀) under both plantations compared to controls, but the intensity of girdling effects was species specific. Six months after girdling, live fine root biomass was lower than the control in A. crassicarpa but not in E. urophylla. Soil microbial biomass (C _mic) under A. crassicarpa was increased by girdling 17 days after treatment, but decreased thereafter. In contrast, there was no difference in C _mic between girdled and control treatments under E. urophylla. Girdling significantly decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) under A. crassicarpa, but not under E. urophylla. We ascribe differences in girdling effects on belowground carbon between the two species to differences in resprouting traits.