Effects of nitrogen sources and glucose on the consumption of ethylene and methane by temperate volcanic forest surface soils

There is limited knowledge with regard to the consumption of ethylene (C2H4) and methane (CH4) in volcanic forest soils containing low microbial carbon-to-organic carbon ratio, and to the responses of both consumptions to nitrogen and carbon additions. Temperate volcanic forest surface soils under three forest stands (e.g. Pinus sylvestris L., Cryptomeria japonica and Quercus serrata) were used to compare CH4 and C2H4 consumption by forest soils, and to study the effects of nitrogen sources and glucose on both consumptions. There was a good parallel between CH4 and C2H4 consumption by for- est soils, but mineralization reduced CH4 consumption rather than C2H4 consumption in forest soils, particularly in a Pinus forest soil. The stimulatory effect of glucose addition on both CH4 and C2H4 consumption by forest soils was increased by increasing the pre-incubation period after glucose addi- tion, and a largest stimulation occurred in the Pinus forest soil. The addition of KNO3-N at the rate of 100 μg·g1 significantly reduced the consumptions of both C2H4 and CH4 by forest soils (P≤0.05). In the presence of urea plus dicyandiamide, the consumption rates of C2H4 and CH4 by forest soils were higher than those in the KNO3-N and urea-N treated soils at the same N rate (P≤0.05), but were similar to those of the control. Hence, under experimental conditions, there was a strong inhibitory effect of NO3 rather than NH4 addition on the CH4 and C2H4 consumption in these forest soils. When amount of the added NO3-N increased up to more than 2―3 times the soil initial NO3-N concentrations, both C2H4 and CH4 consumption rates were reduced to 10%―20% of the rates in soils without nitrate addition. By comparing the three forest stands, it was shown that there was a smallest effective concentration of the added nitrate that could inhibit C2H4 and CH4 consumption in the Pinus forest soil, which indicated that C2H4 and CH4 consumption of the soil was more sensitive to NO3-N addition.     

Measurement of ethylene and methane production in a temperate forest soil using inhibition of acetylene and carbon monoxide

We studied in the laboratory the effects of acetylene （C2H2） concentrations on the accumulation and consumption of ethylene and methane in a temperate pine forest soil, and in situ ethylene and methane production and flush effects of nitrogen sources on both productions in the pine forest stand （Pinus sylvestris L.）. The addition of C2H2 at concentrations more than 50 Pa C2H2 in the headspace caused a more than 95% reduction in rates of ethylene and methane consumption in forest soil compared to those with no C2H2. Furthermore, addition of acetylene within a range of 50 to 10, 000 Pa C2H2 induced a similar rate of methane accumulation in forest soil. Hence, it can be concluded that presence of more than 50 Pa C2H2 in the headspace is an effective method to measure methane production in forest soil. The addition of C2H2 at concentrations more than 50 Pa C2H2 induced an increasing concentration of ethylene in the headspace （P≤0.05）, indicating the reduction of acetylene to ethylene in forest soil. Using inhibition of 0.5 kPa C2H2 in combination with 5 kPa carbon monoxide that inhibits the reduction of acetylene in a short term, it was observed that there was a larger in situ methane production rate （218±26 μg C m^-2 h^-1（μg C per square meter per hour, the same below）） than in situ ethylene production rate （92±6 μg C m^-2 h^-1） in the pine forest soil. The addition of nitrogen sources such as urea, urea plus a nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide, and potassium nitrate, could induce a 5-fold greater increase in rates of in situ ethylene and methane production compared to those in the control, particularly in the latter （P≤0.05）. The results can promote in situ measurement of ethylene and methane production in forest soils at different sites.     

Climate as the dominant control on C3 and C4 plant abundance in the Loess Plateau： Organic carbon isotope evidence from the last glacial-interglacial loess-soil sequences

Abundance of C3 and C4 photosynthesis plants can be inferred relatively from stable carbon isotopic composition of organic matter in soils. The samples from five sequences of the last glacial-interglacial loess-soil in the Chinese Loess Plateau have been measured for organic carbon isotopic ratios (613Corg). The organic carbon isotope data show that relative abundance (or biomass) of C4 plants was increased ca. 40% for each sampling site from the last glacial maximum (LGM) to Holocene optimum, and increased southeastward on the Loess Plateau during both periods of LGM and Holocene. Statistic analyses on the steady maximum δ^13Corg values of Holocene soils and modern climatic data from the Loess Plateau and Inner Mongolia indicate that the C4 plant abundance increases with increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation. The C4 plant abundance is related much closer with mean April temperature and precipitation than annual. These results lead us to deduce following conclusions. First, temperature is the major factor for control on variations in C4 plant abundance in the Loess Plateau from the last glacial to interglacial. In the absence of favorable temperature condition, both of low moisture and low atmospheric CO2 concentration are insufficient to drive an expansion of the C4 plants in the plateau. Second,δ^13Corg in the loess-paleosol sequences, as a proxy of the relative abundance of C4 plants in the Loess Plateau, could not be used as an indicator of changes in the summer monsoon intensity unless the temperature had changed without great amplitude. Since all C4 plants are grasses, finally, the increase of the C4 plants supports that forest has not been dominant in the ecosystem on the Loess Plateau during Holocene although precipitation and atmospheric CO2 were largely increased relative to those during LGM.     

Zr-pillared montmoril lonite supported cobalt nanoparticles for Fischer – Tropsch synthesis

In this article Fischer–Tropsch(FT) synthesis was studied over cobalt nanoparticles supported on modifed Montmorillonite(Zr-PILC).Co-loaded/Zr-PILC catalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and were characterized by XRD,XRF,BET,H2-TPR,TGA and SEM techniques.FT reactions were carried out in fxed bed microreactor(T 225 1C,260 1C and 275 1C,P 1,5 and 10 bars).The FT-products obtained over Co-loaded/Zr-PILC catalysts showed increased selectivity of C2–C12hydrocarbons and decreased selectivity towards CH4and higher molecular weight hydrocarbons(C21) at a TOS of 2–30 h as compared to the Co-loaded/NaMMT catalysts.With increase in reaction temperature from225 1C to 275 1C,CO-conversion and CH4selectivity increases while that of C5+hydrocarbons decreases.Decrease in CH4selectivity while increase in C5+hydrocarbons and CO-conversion were observed on increasing the pressure of reaction.     

Effects of acetylene at low concentrations on nitrification, mineralization and microbial biomass nitrogen concentrations in forest soils

Temperate forest surface soils at the varying distances from main trunks (e.g., Pinus koraiensis and Quercus mongolica) were used to study the effects of acetylene (C₂H₂) at low concentrations on nitrification, mineralization and microbial biomass N concentrations of the soils, and to assess the contribution of heterotrophic nitrification to nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from soils. The use of acetylene at partial pressures within a range from 10 to 100 Pa C₂H₂ in headspace gas gave a significant decrease in N₂O emission at soil moisture of c. 45% water-filled porosity space, and the decrease was almost the same in each soil after exposure of C₂H₂ at low concentrations. Heterotrophic nitrification could account for 21%―48% of total N₂O emission from each soil; the contribution would increase with increasing distances from the Pinus koraiensis trunks rather than from the Quercus mongolica trunks. Under the experimental conditions, the use of C₂H₂ at low concentrations showed no significant influence on soil microbial biomass N, net N mineralization and microbial respiration. However, 100 Pa C₂H₂ in headspace gas could reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from soils. According to the rapid consumption of 10 Pa C₂H₂ by forest soils and convenience for laboratory incubations, 50 Pa C₂H₂ in headspace gas can be used to study the origin of N₂O emissions from forest soils under aerobic conditions and the key associated driving mechanisms. The N₂O and CO₂ emissions from the soils at the same distances from the Quercus mongolica trunks were larger than those from the Pinus koraiensis trunks, and both emissions decreased as the distances from trunks increased. The stepwise regression analysis showed that 95% of the variability in soil CO₂ emissions could be accounted for by the concentrations of soil total C and water soluble organic C and soil pH, and that 72% of the variability in soil N₂O emissions could be accounted for by the concentrations of soil total N, exchangeable NH⁺₄-N and microbial biomass N and 25% of the variability in heterotrophic nitrification by the soil microbial biomass N concentration. The emissions of N₂O and CO₂ from forest soils after exposure of C₂H₂ at low concentrations were positively related to the net nitrification of the soils.     

Experimental and kinetic study on ignition delay times of methane/hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen mixtures by shock tube

Ignition delay times of methane/hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen mixtures with hydrogen amount-of-substance fractions ranging from 0–20% were measured in a shock tube facility.The ambient temperature varied from 1422 to 1877 K and the pressure was maintained at 0.4 MPa behind the reflected shock wave.The experiments were conducted at an equivalence ratio of 2.0.The fuel mixtures were diluted with nitrogen gas so that the nitrogen amount-of-substance fraction was 95%.The experimental ignition delay time of the CH4/H2 mixture decreased as the hydrogen amount-of-substance fraction increased.The enhancement of ignition by hydrogen addition was weak when the ambient temperature was >1750 K,and strong when the temperature was <1725 K.The ignition delay time of 20% H2/80% CH4 was only one-third that of 100% CH4 at 1500 K.A modified model based on GRI-Mech 3.0 was proposed and used to calculate the ignition delay times of test mixtures.The calculated results agreed with the experimental ignition delay times.Normalized sensitivity analysis showed that HO·+H2 →H·+H2O was the main reaction for the formation of the H· at 1400 K.As the hydrogen amount-of-substance fraction increased,chain branching was enhanced through the reaction H·+O2→O·+HO·,and this reduced the ignition delay time.At 1800 K,the methyl radical (H3C·) became the key species that influenced the ignition of the CH4/H2/O2/N2 mixtures,and sensitivity coefficients of the chain termination reaction 2H3C·(+M)→C2H6(+M),and chain propagation reaction HO2+H3C·→HO·+CH3O decreased,which reduced the influence of hydrogen addition on the ignition of the CH4/H2 mixtures.     

Biodegradation of dissolved organic carbon in soil extracts and leachates from a temperate forest stand and its relationship to ultraviolet absorbance

The amount and biodegradability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forest floors can contribute to carbon sequestration in soils and the release of CO 2-C from soil to the atmosphere.There is only limited knowledge about the biodegradation of DOC in soil extracts and leachates due to the limitations inherent in degradation experiments.Differences in the biodegradation of DOC were studied in forest soil extracts using cold and hot water and 4 mmol/L CaCl 2 solution and in soil leachates sampled under different conditions over a wide range of DOC concentrations.From these results,we developed a simple and rapid method for determining the biodegradable organic C in forest floors.The hot water extracts and CaCl 2 extracts after CH 3 Cl fumigation contained higher concentrations of biodegradable organic C than the cold water extracts and CaCl 2 extracts before fumigation,with rapid DOC degradation occurring 24-48 h after incubation with an inoculum,followed by slow DOC degradation till 120-168 h into the incubation.During a 7-d incubation with an inoculum,the variation in DOC degradation in the different soil extracts was consistent with the change in special UV absorbance at 254 nm.Relatively higher levels of biodegradable organic C were detected in soil leachates from the forest canopy than in forest gaps between April and October 2008 (P <0.05).Relatively lower concentrations of DOC and biodegradable organic C were observed in soil leachates from N-fertilized plots during the growing season compared with the control,with the exception of the plot treated with KNO 3 at a rate of 45 kg N ha 1 a 1.Around 77.4% to 96.3% of the variability in the biodegradable organic C concentrations in the forest floors could be accounted for by the initial DOC concentration and UV absorbance at 254 nm.Compared with the conventional inoculum incubation method,the method of analyzing UV absorbance at 254 nm is less time consuming and requires a much smaller sample volume.The results suggest that the regression models obtained using the initial DOC concentration and UV absorbance can provide a rapid,simple and reliable method for determining the biodegradable organic C content,especially in field studies involving relatively large numbers of samples.     

A new synthetic route to MgO–MgAl_2O_4–ZrO_2 highly dispersed composite material through formation of Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12) metastable phase:synthesis and physical properties

Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12) metastable phase was successfully synthesized from analytical-grade Mg O,α-Al_2O_3,MgAl_2O_4,and ZrO_2 under an N_2 atmosphere.The sintering temperature was varied from 1650 to 1780°C,and the highest amount of Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12) appeared in the composite material when the sintering temperature was 1760°C.According to our research of the formation mechanism of Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12),the formation and growth of MgAl_2O_4 dominated when the temperature was not higher than 1650°C.When the temperature was higher than 1650°C,MgO and ZrO_2 tended to diffuse into MgAl_2O_4 and the Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12) solid solution was formed.When the temperature reached 1760°C,the formation of Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12) was completed.The effect of Mg Al_2O_4 spinel crystals was also studied,and their introduction into the composite material promoted the formation and growth of Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12).A highly dispersed MgO–Mg Al_2O_4–ZrO_2 composite material was prepared through the decomposition of the Mg_5Al_(2.4)Zr_(1.7)O_(12) metastable phase.The as-prepared composite material showed improved overall physical properties because of the good dispersion of MgO,MgAl_2O_4,and ZrO_2 phases.     

Carbonate rock dissolution rates in different landuses and their carbon sink effect

Research on karst processes is important for the determination of their carbon sink potential,as is research into terrestrial ecosystems in karst areas.Solutional denudation rates of soils from three karst spring watersheds supporting different land uses were studied.Solution rates showed a distinct pattern based on land use,with a generally higher rate being recorded in forest use soil.The mean values for tablet dissolution from the cultivated land,shrublands,secondary forest,grassland and primary forest were 4.02,7.0,40.0,20.0,63.5 t km-2 a-1 respectively.Changes in vegetation patterns could improve the size of karst carbon sinks;for example,in this study the carbon sink was 3 times higher in primary forest than in secondary forest soil and 9 times higher than under shrubland,equating to an increase from 5.71-7.02 to 24.86-26.17 t km-2 a-1 from cultivated land or shrub to secondary forest and to primary forest,respectively.     

Investigation of the ozone formation potential for ethanol using a smog chamber

The ozone formation reactivity of ethanol has been studied using chamber experiments and model simulations. The computer simulations are based on the MCM v3.1 mechanism with chamber-dependent auxiliary reactions. Results show that the MCM mechanism can well simulate C 2 H 5 OH-NO x chamber experiments in our experimental conditions, especially on ozone formation. C 2 H 5 OH-NO x irradiations are less sensitive to relative humidity than alkane species under our experimental conditions. In order to well simulate the experiments under high relative humidity conditions, inclusion of N 2 O 5 +H 2 O=2HNO 3 in the MCM mechanism is necessary. Under C 2 H 5 OH-limited conditions, the C 2 H 5 OH/NO x ratio shows a positive effect on d(O 3 -NO)/dt and RO 2 +HO 2 . High C 2 H 5 OH/NO x ratios enhance the production of organoperoxide radical and HO 2 radical concentrations, which leads to a much quicker accumulation of ozone. By using ozone isopleths under typical scenarios conditions, the actual ozone formation ability of ethanol is predicted to be 2.3-3.5 part per billion (ppb) in normal cities, 3.5-146 ppb in cities where ethanol gas are widely used, and 0.2-3.2 ppb in remote areas. And maximum ozone formation potential from ethanol is predicted to be 4.0-5.8 ppb in normal cities, 5.8-305 ppb in cities using ethanol gas, and 0.2-3.8 ppb in remote areas.     

Spectroscopic characterization and stereodynamics of ferrocenylselenoethers Pt(II), Pd(II), Rh(III) complexes

Ferrocenlyselenides (C₅H₅FeC₅H₄SeR, Fe(C₅H₄SeR)₂) and their complexes of metal Pt, Pd, Rh (R=undecenyl, benzyl, phenyl) have been prepared. The spectroscopic characterization has been examined by mass spectrum, XPS, IR and NMR. IR, NMR spectra of C₅H₅Fe C₅H₄Se (CH₂)₉ CH=CH₂PtCl₂ reveal C=C double-bond in Fe(C₅H₄Se (CH₂)₉CH=CH₂)₂ Pt Cl₂ is free because of binding with Pt(II). The results obtained from^H,¹³C and⁷⁷Se NMR indicate that invertomers ofmeso anddl species existence. The ratio ofmeso/dl for BUnSeF Pt is ca 70/30, whereas four and three invertomers for BUnSeF Pt and BBSeFPd have been clearly observed from¹H NMR spectra. Tian Bingshou: born in Feb. 1938, Associate professor     

Crystal structure and magnetism of the binuclear Gd(III) complex Gd2(C12H8N2)2(C6H5COO)6

In the medium of H₂O, C₂H₅OH and HAC, the reaction of Gd(NO₃)₃·6H₂O with C₆H₅COONa and C₁₂H₈N₂ produced a novel binuclear Gd(III) complex in formula [Gd₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂ (C₆H₅COO)₆]. Crystallographic data: crystal system, triclinic; space group, P1; unit cell dimensions, a=1.191 9(2) nm,b =1.244 2(2) nm,c = 1.080 4(2) nm, α = 93.57(3)°, β= 113.33(3)°, γ= 105.06(3)°, Z=l. The finalR =0.037 6. The magnetic measurement of the crystal powder in the temperature region of 1.5–300 K shows that this complex possesses antiferromagnetic property with fitting magnetic parametersJ = −0.471 andg =1.975.     

Studies on the behaviors of PbSO4/Pb and PbO2/PbSO4 electrodes prepared from lead carbonate by powder microelectrode technique

The behaviors of PbSO₄/Pb and PbO₂/PbSO₄ electrode prepared from PbCO₃ have been examined using powder microelectrode(PME) technique and cyclic voltammetry(CV). Firstly, PMEs packed with PbCO₃ transformed into PbSO₄ PME in 1.0 mol/L H₂SO₄ solution at 30 °C, and then the PbSO₄ in the PMEs were formed to Pb or PbO₂ using an unsymmetrical signal (Q _a/Q _c for PbSO₄/Pb electrode andQ _c/Q _a for PbO₂/PbSO₄ electrode being 0.1–0.3) in 2.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ solution. The results show that the CV characteristic of either PbSO₄/Pb or PbO₂/PhSO₄ PME prepared from PbCO₂ are as good as that of both electrodes made from lead oxide powder produced by ball mill. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science of China(29677013) and Chenguang Foundation of Wuhan Municipal Science and Technology Commission(20005004022) Biography: Dai Zhong-xu(1968-), male, Lecturer, Ph. D. candidate, research direction: electrochemistry.     

The fluid inclusions in jadeitite from Pharkant area, Myanmar

A lot of liquid-gas and liquid-gas-solid inclusions were found in Pharkant jadeitites, northwestern Myanmar and their characteristics, geological setting and porphyroclastic jadeites with inclusions in them were described in detail. The results analyzed by Raman spectrometer showed that the component of liquid-gas phase and solid phase (daughter minerals) in fluid inclusions is H₂O + CH₄ and jadeite separately. The results indicated that Pharkant jadeitites were crystallized from H₂O + CH₄ bearing jadeitic melt which may originate from mantle. The P-T conditions in which the jadeitites were crystallized were speculated to be T ＞650℃, P ＞1.5 GPa.     

Comparison of the carbon isotope composition of total organic carbon and long-chain <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes from surface soils in eastern China and their significance

Surface soil samples collected over a high spatial resolution in eastern China were analyzed for carbon isotope composition （δ^13C） of total organic carbon （TOC） and higher plant-derived long-chain n-alkanes, with the latter reported as weighted mean values. The two sets of δ^13C values are significantly correlated and show similar trends in spatial variation. The spatial distribution of δ^13C shows less negative values in the mid-latitudes between 31°N and 40°N and more negative ones at higher and lower latitudes. This is consistent with previously reported carbon isotope data from surface soil phytoliths in the same region and suggests that the mid-latitude area provides relatively favorable growing condi- tions for C4 plants. Furthermore, δ^13C values of both TOC and long-chain n-alkanes from 12 surface soil samples collected from a small grassland in north China displayed similar carbon isotope values and the difference between paired δ^13C of a soil samples remains relatively constant. Our data demonstrate that in eastern China, soil δ^13C composition of both TOC and long-chain n-alkanes is effective indicators of C3/C4 ratios of the prevailing vegetation. This work suggests that -22‰ and -32‰ are good es- timated end members for the weighted mean δ^13C values of long-chain n-alkanes （C27, C29 and C31 n-alkanes） from soils under dominant C4 or C3 vegetation, allowing us to reconstruct paleovegetation trends.