酸雨背景下缙云山典型林分凋落物量和营养元素含量及其释放特征

选取缙云山针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林、楠竹林和灌木林作为研究对象,对4种林分的凋落物储量和营养元素释放量等进行观测,并应用室内模拟酸雨实验对4种林分凋落物进行淋溶模拟。结果表明:缙云山各林分现存凋落物厚度为1.4～4.5 cm,具有明显的分层结构;林分未分解U层、半分解S层和分解D层现存凋落物量分别为1.97～8.59、2.84～10.18和3.58～17.43 t·hm-2,林分年凋落物量为2.17～9.86 t·hm-2·a-1,凋落物总储量为14.21～32.42 t·hm-2,凋落物分解常数为0.15～0.31,林下凋落物分解95%时所需时间针阔混交林和楠竹林均在10年以上,凋落物分解速率比较缓慢;林下凋落物层营养元素含量以Ca、N为主,Fe、K、Mg次之;凋落物总的营养元素释放率表现为常绿阔叶林(0.80)>灌木林(0.72)>针阔混交林(0.50)>楠竹林(-0.17);与叶片相比,凋落物中N、K、Mn 3种营养元素含量明显降低;为探明酸雨影响营养元素循环的作用机理,对模拟酸雨的离子含量与凋落物淋滤液盐基离子含量进行了分析,其相关性大小表现为楠竹林(相关系数0.895)>针阔混交林(0.826)>灌木(0.700)>常绿阔叶林(0.699),楠竹林凋落物营养元素的淋滤受酸雨影响最大,常绿阔叶林受其影响最弱;推测在这一过程中以凋落物的吸附作用为主。     

濒危鱼类稀有白甲鱼沅江种群与西江种群形态度量学性状的差异性

分别以采自沅江水系142例和西江水系92例稀有白甲鱼标本为材料,采用差异系数法、方差分析法、判别分析法和主成分分析法,研究了稀有白甲鱼沅江种群、西江种群包括10个可数性状和31个比例性状等形态度量学性状的差异性.方差分析表明,2个种群之间共有6个可数性状和27个比例性状存在着显著性差异(P＜0.05).判别分析筛选出了9个对区分2个种群贡献较大的比例性状,并建立了2个种群的判别函数式.主成分分析显示,稀有白甲鱼种群鱼体沿背腹轴、头尾轴分别有16和6个比例性状表现出了明显的变化,在尾部有2个比例性状差异明显.可见2个种群之间形态度量学性状已显示了明显的分化.这可能是两个种群长期隔离,在不同水系生态环境中产生了适应性进化的结果.然而,差异系数的计算结果表明,两个种群之间形态度量学性状的差异尚未达到亚种分化的水平.     

华西雨屏区香樟人工林土壤表层细根生物量和碳储量

2010年11月-2011年12月, 研究了华西雨屏区31年生香樟人工林土壤表层(0～30 cm)细根生物量及碳储量.结果表明: 香樟人工林土壤0～30 cm层细根总生物量(活根+死根)和碳储量的平均值分别为1592.29 kg·hm^-2和660.68 kg C·hm^-2,其中活细根贡献率分别为91.1%和91.8%.随着土壤深度的增加,香樟1～5级活细根和死细根的生物量及碳储量均显著减少;随着根序等级的升高,香樟活细根生物量及碳储量显著增加.香樟细根总生物量及碳储量均在秋季最高、冬季最低,死细根生物量及碳储量为冬季最高、夏季最低;1级根和2级根生物量及碳储量均在夏季最高、冬季最低,而3~5级根则为秋季最高、冬季最低.土壤养分和水分的空间异质性是导致细根生物量和碳储量变化的主要原因.     

The effect of harvest date and harvest method on the combustion characteristics of Miscanthus × giganteus

Miscanthus × giganteus is an energy crop with many attributes that make it a potential biofuel feedstock. This study examined the chemical composition of M. × giganteus stems cut at different dates throughout the spring harvest window (January, February and March) and either left in a swath or left flat in a thin layer on the ground and compared the composition to that of the standing crop collected on the same date in April (control). The research then examined the effect of cutting date on the chemical composition of whole plant M. × giganteus biomass (leaf and stem). The parameters examined in both parts of this experiment were lower heating value on a wet basis (LHV_WB), ash, chlorine, potassium, nitrogen, sulphur, carbon and hydrogen content. The range of values recorded for the parameters from both aspects of this trial were LHV_WB 4.84–11.87 MJ kg^?1; ash 1.44–1.97%; Cl 0.07–0.23%; K 0.15–0.32%; N 0.28–0.39%; S 0.13–0.19%; C 46.75–50.00%; H 5.76–6.09%. The length of time that the M. × giganteus remained in the field after cutting affected the LHV_WB (increased with time) of the stem biomass material. Cutting the biomass and leaving it in the field lowered the ash, Cl and C content of the stem material compared to that of the control which was cut and collected on the same date. No differences were observed for the other parameters. Date of harvest affected the LHV_WB, Cl and C content which all improved with later cutting dates. Thus, combustion quality can be improved by delaying the harvest date or by cutting the crop and leaving it in the field for a period prior to collection. Choosing the correct combination of time and harvest method can therefore improve biomass fuel quality.     

Environmental implications of the use of agro‐industrial residues for biorefineries: application of a deterministic model for indirect land‐use changes

Biorefining agro‐industrial biomass residues for bioenergy production represents an opportunity for both sustainable energy supply and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation. Yet, is bioenergy the most sustainable use for these residues? To assess the importance of the alternative use of these residues, a consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) of 32 energy‐focused biorefinery scenarios was performed based on eight selected agro‐industrial residues and four conversion pathways (two involving bioethanol and two biogas). To specifically address indirect land‐use changes (iLUC) induced by the competing feed/food sector, a deterministic iLUC model, addressing global impacts, was developed. A dedicated biochemical model was developed to establish detailed mass, energy, and substance balances for each biomass conversion pathway, as input to the LCA. The results demonstrated that, even for residual biomass, environmental savings from fossil fuel displacement can be completely outbalanced by iLUC, depending on the feed value of the biomass residue. This was the case of industrial residues (e.g. whey and beet molasses) in most of the scenarios assessed. Overall, the GHGs from iLUC impacts were quantified to 4.1 t CO₂‐eq.ha^?1_demanded yr^?1 corresponding to 1.2–1.4 t CO₂‐eq. t^?1 dry biomass diverted from feed to energy market. Only, bioenergy from straw and wild grass was shown to perform better than the alternative use, as no competition with the feed sector was involved. Biogas for heat and power production was the best performing pathway, in a short‐term context. Focusing on transport fuels, bioethanol was generally preferable to biomethane considering conventional biogas upgrading technologies. Based on the results, agro‐industrial residues cannot be considered burden‐free simply because they are a residual biomass and careful accounting of alternative utilization is a prerequisite to assess the sustainability of a given use. In this endeavor, the iLUC factors and biochemical model proposed herein can be used as templates and directly applied to any bioenergy consequential study involving demand for arable land.     

Impact of land‐use change to Jatropha bioenergy plantations on biomass and soil carbon stocks: a field study in Mali

Small‐scale Jatropha cultivation and biodiesel production have the potential of contributing to local development, energy security, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. In recent years however, the GHG mitigation potential of biofuel crops is heavily disputed due to the occurrence of a carbon debt, caused by CO₂ emissions from biomass and soil after land‐use change (LUC). Most published carbon footprint studies of Jatropha report modeled results based on a very limited database. In particular, little empirical data exist on the effects of Jatropha on biomass and soil C stocks. In this study, we used field data to quantify these C pools in three land uses in Mali, that is, Jatropha plantations, annual cropland, and fallow land, to estimate both the Jatropha C debt and its C sequestration potential. Four‐year‐old Jatropha plantations hold on average 2.3 Mg C ha^?1 in their above‐ and belowground woody biomass, which is considerably lower compared to results from other regions. This can be explained by the adverse growing conditions and poor local management. No significant soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration could be demonstrated after 4 years of cultivation. While the conversion of cropland to Jatropha does not entail significant C losses, the replacement of fallow land results in an average C debt of 34.7 Mg C ha^?1, mainly caused by biomass removal (73%). Retaining native savannah woodland trees on the field during LUC and improved crop management focusing on SOC conservation can play an important role in reducing Jatropha's C debt. Although planting Jatropha on degraded, carbon‐poor cropland results in a limited C debt, the low biomass production, and seed yield attained on these lands reduce Jatropha's potential to sequester C and replace fossil fuels. Therefore, future research should mainly focus on increasing Jatropha's crop productivity in these degraded lands.     

Potential impacts on ecosystem services of land use transitions to second‐generation bioenergy crops in GB

We present the first assessment of the impact of land use change (LUC) to second‐generation (2G) bioenergy crops on ecosystem services (ES) resolved spatially for Great Britain (GB). A systematic approach was used to assess available evidence on the impacts of LUC from arable, semi‐improved grassland or woodland/forest, to 2G bioenergy crops, for which a quantitative ‘threat matrix’ was developed. The threat matrix was used to estimate potential impacts of transitions to either Miscanthus, short‐rotation coppice (SRC, willow and poplar) or short‐rotation forestry (SRF). The ES effects were found to be largely dependent on previous land uses rather than the choice of 2G crop when assessing the technical potential of available biomass with a transition from arable crops resulting in the most positive effect on ES. Combining these data with constraint masks and available land for SRC and Miscanthus (SRF omitted from this stage due to lack of data), south‐west and north‐west England were identified as areas where Miscanthus and SRC could be grown, respectively, with favourable combinations of economic viability, carbon sequestration, high yield and positive ES benefits. This study also suggests that not all prospective planting of Miscanthus and SRC can be allocated to agricultural land class (ALC) ALC 3 and ALC 4 and suitable areas of ALC 5 are only minimally available. Beneficial impacts were found on 146 583 and 71 890 ha when planting Miscanthus or SRC, respectively, under baseline planting conditions rising to 293 247 and 91 318 ha, respectively, under 2020 planting scenarios. The results provide an insight into the interplay between land availability, original land uses, bioenergy crop type and yield in determining overall positive or negative impacts of bioenergy cropping on ecosystems services and go some way towards developing a framework for quantifying wider ES impacts of this important LUC.     

Bioethanol potential from miscanthus with low ILUC risk in the province of Lublin,Poland

Increasing production of biofuels has led to concerns about indirect land‐use change (ILUC). So far, significant efforts have been made to assess potential ILUC effects. But limited attention has been paid to strategies for reducing the extent of ILUC and controlling the type of LUC. This case study assesses five key ILUC mitigation measures to quantify the low‐ILUC‐risk production potential of miscanthus‐based bioethanol in Lublin province (Poland) in 2020. In 2020, a total area of 196 to 818 thousand hectare of agricultural land could be made available for biomass production by realizing above‐baseline yield developments (95–413 thousand ha), increased food chain efficiencies (9–30 thousand ha) and biofuel feedstock production on underutilized lands (92–375 thousand ha). However, a maximum 203–269 thousand hectare is considered legally available (not protected) and biophysically suitable for miscanthus production. The resulting low‐ILUC‐risk bioethanol production potential ranges from 12 to 35 PJ per year. The potential from this region alone is higher than the national Polish target for second‐generation bioethanol consumption of 9 PJ in 2020. Although the sustainable implementation potential may be lower, the province of Lublin could play a key role in achieving this target. This study shows that the mitigation or prevention of ILUC from bioenergy is only possible when an integrated perspective is adopted on the agricultural and bioenergy sectors. Governance and policies on planning and implementing ILUC mitigation are considered vital for realizing a significant bioenergy potential with low ILUC risk. One important aspect in this regard is monitoring the risk of ILUC and the implementation of ILUC mitigation measures. Key parameters for monitoring are land use, land cover and crop yields.     

Molecular genetic improvements of cyanobacteria to enhance the industrial potential of the microbe: A review

The rapid increase in worldwide population coupled with the increasing demand for fossil fuels has led to an increased urgency to develop sustainable sources of energy and chemicals from renewable resources. Using microorganisms to produce high‐value chemicals and next‐generation biofuels is one sustainable option and is the focus of much current research. Cyanobacteria are ideal platform organisms for chemical and biofuel production because they can be genetically engineered to produce a broad range of products directly from CO₂, H₂O, and sunlight, and require minimal nutrient inputs. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview on advances that have been or could be made to improve strains of cyanobacteria for industrial purposes. First, the benefits of using cyanobacteria as a platform for chemical and biofuel production are discussed. Next, an overview of cyanobacterial strain improvements by genetic engineering is provided. Finally, mutagenesis techniques to improve the industrial potential of cyanobacteria are described. Along with providing an overview on various areas of research that are currently being investigated to improve the industrial potential of cyanobacteria, this review aims to elucidate potential targets for future research involving cyanobacteria as an industrial microorganism. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1357–1371, 2016