Mind the gap: non‐biological processes contributing to soil CO2 efflux

Widespread recognition of the importance of soil CO₂ efflux as a major source of CO₂ to the atmosphere has led to active research. A large soil respiration database and recent reviews have compiled data, methods, and current challenges. This study highlights some deficiencies for a proper understanding of soil CO₂ efflux focusing on processes of soil CO₂ production and transport that have not received enough attention in the current soil respiration literature. It has mostly been assumed that soil CO₂ efflux is the result of biological processes (i.e. soil respiration), but recent studies demonstrate that pedochemical and geological processes, such as geothermal and volcanic CO₂ degassing, are potentially important in some areas. Besides the microbial decomposition of litter, solar radiation is responsible for photodegradation or photochemical degradation of litter. Diffusion is considered to be the main mechanism of CO₂ transport in the soil, but changes in atmospheric pressure and thermal convection may also be important mechanisms driving soil CO₂ efflux greater than diffusion under certain conditions. Lateral fluxes of carbon as dissolved organic and inorganic carbon occur and may cause an underestimation of soil CO₂ efflux. Traditionally soil CO₂ efflux has been measured with accumulation chambers assuming that the main transport mechanism is diffusion. New techniques are available such as improved automated chambers, CO₂ concentration profiles and isotopic techniques that may help to elucidate the sources of carbon from soils. We need to develop specific and standardized methods for different CO₂ sources to quantify this flux on a global scale. Biogeochemical models should include biological and non‐biological CO₂ production processes before we can predict the response of soil CO₂ efflux to climate change. Improving our understanding of the processes involved in soil CO₂ efflux should be a research priority given the importance of this flux in the global carbon budget.     

Unexpected stimulation of soil methane uptake as emergent property of agricultural soils following bio‐based residue application

Intensification of agriculture to meet the global food, feed, and bioenergy demand entail increasing re‐investment of carbon compounds (residues) into agro‐systems to prevent decline of soil quality and fertility. However, agricultural intensification decreases soil methane uptake, reducing, and even causing the loss of the methane sink function. In contrast to wetland agricultural soils (rice paddies), the methanotrophic potential in well‐aerated agricultural soils have received little attention, presumably due to the anticipated low or negligible methane uptake capacity in these soils. Consequently, a detailed study verifying or refuting this assumption is still lacking. Exemplifying a typical agricultural practice, we determined the impact of bio‐based residue application on soil methane flux, and determined the methanotrophic potential, including a qualitative (diagnostic microarray) and quantitative (group‐specific qPCR assays) analysis of the methanotrophic community after residue amendments over 2 months. Unexpectedly, after amendments with specific residues, we detected a significant transient stimulation of methane uptake confirmed by both the methane flux measurements and methane oxidation assay. This stimulation was apparently a result of induced cell‐specific activity, rather than growth of the methanotroph population. Although transient, the heightened methane uptake offsets up to 16% of total gaseous CO₂ emitted during the incubation. The methanotrophic community, predominantly comprised of Methylosinus may facilitate methane oxidation in the agricultural soils. While agricultural soils are generally regarded as a net methane source or a relatively weak methane sink, our results show that methane oxidation rate can be stimulated, leading to higher soil methane uptake. Hence, even if agriculture exerts an adverse impact on soil methane uptake, implementing carefully designed management strategies (e.g. repeated application of specific residues) may compensate for the loss of the methane sink function following land‐use change.     

亚高山林线优势种形态结构和竞争力对CO2浓度和温度升高的响应

利用封顶式生长室模拟未来变化的气候条件,研究了亚高山林线优势物种岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)和4种草本植物形态与竞争指标对CO2浓度和温度升高的响应.结果表明:处理2个生长季后,高CO2浓度条件下,岷江冷杉冠体积增加42％,比叶面积、比冠体积和比根长分别增加17％、65％和19％;温度升高使岷江冷杉冠形更纵向生长,冠体积增加22％,根冠比和比根长均比对照增加17％;二者同时升高使岷江冷杉冠体积增加79％,比叶面积、比冠体积和比根长分别增加17％、197％和18％.CO2浓度升高处理下糙野青茅(Deyeuxia scabrescen)的株高、基茎和每株叶片数增加,但比叶面积降低;甘肃苔草(Carexkansuensis)、东方草莓(Fragaria orientali)和紫花碎米荠(Cardamine tangutorum)的各项指标变化与青茅相反.温度升高下青茅、苔草、草莓株高、基茎和根冠比下降.二者同时升高条件下4种草本植物的基茎和每株叶片数增加,但比叶面积和根冠比降低.这表明,在CO2浓度和温度升高处理下,岷江冷杉形成有利于生长的冠层结构且单位质量的竞争力增加,而4种草本植物的形态结构和竞争力均受到不同程度的负面影响.     

A fibre optic catheter for simultaneous measurement of longitudinal and circumferential muscular activity in the gastrointestinal tract

Diagnostic catheters based on fibre Bragg gratings (FBG's) are proving to be highly effective for measurement of the muscular activity associated with motility in the human gut. While the primary muscular contractions that generate peristalsis are circumferential in nature, it has long been known that there is also a component of longitudinal contractility present, acting in harmony with the circumferential component to improve the overall efficiency of material movement. We report the detection of longitudinal motion in mammalian intestine using an FBG technique that should be viable for similar detection in humans. The longitudinal sensors have been combined with our previously reported FBG pressure sensing elements to form a composite catheter that allows the relative phase between the two components to be detected. The catheter output has been validated using video mapping in an ex‐vivo rabbit ileum preparation. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Functional morphology and light-gathering ability of podocopid ostracod eyes and the palaeontological implications

The optical features of lateral ocelli of the eye were examined in 29 Recent species of the major ostracod group Podocopida using a theoretical morphological model. A cuticular lens–tapetum model was used for this purpose. Ray tracing was simulated on each model in order to assess the light-gathering abilities of the various forms of eyes. The results of computer simulations and morphospace analyses indicated that the light-gathering ability of the eye is dominantly affected by the thickness and curvature of the outer surface of the lens. On the basis of a combination of form and light-gathering ability, four eye types (LG1, LG2, MG, and HG) were recognized. The results of the phototactic experiment and the light intensity from each microhabitat were concordant with estimated scores on the light-gathering abilities using the theoretical models. Phylogenetic analyses and the fossil record indicate that the MG type is the most plesiomorphic, and that the other types derive from this. The present study also suggests that the optical structure that determines the light-gathering ability is closely related to the development of surface ornamentation on the valve.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 147 , 97–108.     

The growth of soybean under free air [CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>] enrichment (FACE) stimulates photosynthesis while decreasing in vivo Rubisco capacity

Down-regulation of light-saturated photosynthesis (A_sat) at elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration, [CO₂], has been demonstrated for many C₃ species and is often associated with inability to utilize additional photosynthate and/or nitrogen limitation. In soybean, a nitrogen-fixing species, both limitations are less likely than in crops lacking an N-fixing symbiont. Prior studies have used controlled environment or field enclosures where the artificial environment can modify responses to [CO₂]. A soybean free air [CO₂] enrichment (FACE) facility has provided the first opportunity to analyze the effects of elevated [CO₂] on photosynthesis under fully open-air conditions. Potential ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylation (V_c,max) and electron transport through photosystem II (J_max) were determined from the responses of A_sat to intercellular [CO₂] (C_i) throughout two growing seasons. Mesophyll conductance to CO₂ (g_m) was determined from the responses of A_sat and whole chain electron transport (J) to light. Elevated [CO₂] increased A_sat by 15–20% even though there was a small, statistically significant, decrease in V_c,max. This differs from previous studies in that V_c,max/J_max decreased, inferring a shift in resource investment away from Rubisco. This raised the C_i at which the transition from Rubisco-limited to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration-limited photosynthesis occurred. The decrease in V_c,max was not the result of a change in g_m, which was unchanged by elevated [CO₂]. This first analysis of limitations to soybean photosynthesis under fully open-air conditions reveals important differences to prior studies that have used enclosures to elevate [CO₂], most significantly a smaller response of A_sat and an apparent shift in resources away from Rubisco relative to capacity for electron transport.Abbreviations FACE Free air [CO₂] enrichment - Rubisco Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase - RuBP Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate - SoyFACE Soybean free air [CO₂] enrichment - VPD Vapor pressure deficit     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of the bimetallic cyano-bridged [(η-C5H5)(PPh3)2Ru(μ-CN)Ru(PPh3)2(η-C5H5)][PF6]

The bimetallic cyano-bridged [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂Ru(μ-CN)Ru(PPh₃)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)][PF₆] (1) was prepared by reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂RuCl] with N,N′-bis(cyanomethyl)ethylenediamine. The single crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction showed crystallization on the triclinic P1 space group with a perfect alignment of the cyanide bridges. This accentric crystallization was explored having in view the NLO properties at the macroscopic level, determined by the Kurtz Powder technique. Besides the very low efficiency values for the second harmonic generation, the value obtained for the bimetallic complex 1 showed to be higher than one of the parent complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂RuCN] (2).     

Spatial and temporal variation of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the North China Plain

A monitoring network of nine sites was established to determine the spatial and temporal variation of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in the North China Plain (NCP) over a two-year period. The annual bulk deposition of inorganic N in the North China Plain ranged from 18.4 to 38.5 kg/hm² and averaged 28.0 kg/hm². The concentration of NH₄ -N and NO₃^--N in rainwater averaged 3.76 and 1.85 mg/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than the values at background sites in China (normally less than 0.5 mg/L). Annual bulk deposition of inorganic N in the Beijing area (32.5 kg/hm²) was higher than that in Shandong and Hebei provinces (21.2 kg/hm² on an average). Also bulk N deposition was much greater in Dongbeiwang and Fangshan than in Yanqing and Shunyi counties. Significant spatial variation of bulk deposition was observed in the Beijing area because of variation of precipitation, and 60% of bulk deposition occurred from June to September. Bulk deposition of NH₄ -N was 2.0 times that of NO₃^--N deposition at the rural monitoring sites. However, the situation was reversed at the Beijing Academy of Agricultural-Forestry Sciences (BAAFS), the unique urban monitoring site. The results suggest that reduced N in precipitation is dominant in rural regions, but oxidized N is the major form in urban regions. The positive relationship between inorganic N deposition and precipitation can be fitted by a power equation (r²= 0.67), showing an increase of NH₄ -N and NO₃^--N inputs with increased precipitation. Wet deposition of N accounted for 73% of the bulk deposition, implying that dry deposition of N, particularly NH₄ -N from dust, is important in the North China Plain.     

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on soil enzyme activities at different nitrogen application treatments

It has been predicted that elevated atmospheric CO₂ will increase enzyme activity as a result of CO₂-induced carbon entering the soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on soil enzyme activities under a rice/wheat rotation. This experiment was conducted in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China as part of the China FACE (Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) Project. Two atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (580±60) and (380±40) μmol·mol^-1) and three N application treatments (low-150, normal-250 and high-350 kg N·hm^-2) were included. Soil samples (0-10 cm) were collected for analysis of β-glucosidase, invertase, urease, acid phosphates and β-glucosaminidase activities. The results revealed that with elevated atmospheric CO₂ β-glucosidase activity significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at low N application rates; had no significant effect with a normal N application rate; and significantly increased (P < 0.05) with a high N application rate. For urease activity, at low and normal N application rates (but not high N application rate), elevated atmospheric CO₂ significantly increased (P < 0.05) it. With acid phosphatase elevated atmospheric CO₂ only had significant higher effects (P < 0.05) at high N application rates. Under different CO₂ concentration, effects of N fertilization are also different. Soil β-glucosidase activity at ambient CO₂ concentration decreased with N fertilization, while it increased at elevated CO₂ concentration. In addition, invertase and acid phosphatase activities at elevated CO₂ concentration, significantly increased (P < 0.05) with N treatments, but there was no effect with the ambient CO₂ concentration. For urease activity, at ambient CO₂ concentration, N fertilization increased it significantly (P < 0.05), whereas at elevated CO₂ concentration it was not significant. Additionally, with β-glucosaminidase activity, there were no significant effects from N application. In general, then, elevated atmospheric CO₂ increased soil enzyme activity, which may be attributed to the following two factors: (1) elevated atmospheric CO₂ led to more plant biomass in the soil, which in turn stimulated soil microbial biomass and activity; and (2) elevated atmospheric CO₂ increased plant photosynthesis, thereby increasing plant-derived soil enzymes.     

大气热层结条件对林冠显热的影响

应用欧拉二阶闭合模型研究了大气热层结条件下森林冠层显热通量源汇分布和通量特征.结果表明:白天,冠层上的不稳定层结和冠层下的稳定层结是森林冠层大气层结的一种特有现象;温度廓线的变化表明林冠高度2/3处存在较强的热源;冠层内大气处于弱稳定状态时,热量继续向上输送,呈现出热通量的反梯度输送.显热通量日变化的模拟值与实测值吻合,其R2=0.9035(P0.01).在显热收支方程中添加浮力项,可提高反演模型在实际大气中的模拟精度,从而改善模型对热通量收支的模拟能力.