Impact of changing atmospheric CO2 concentrations over the Phanerozoic on stomatal parameters of vascular land plants

A novel and multi-disciplinary subject involving the relationships between changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration throughout the geological history and features of plant anatomy is reviewed. Particular attention will be given to stomatal parameters (stomatal density and stomatal index) which are recorded at a cellular level in fossil plants and the relationships of these observable parameters to earth life history and global environmental change. Trends of atmospheric CO2 concentrations during the Phanerozoic period are briefly introduced and recent conceptual advances in understanding the causal mechanisms for changes in stomatal parameters of land vascular plants are considered. In addition, some of the inherent problems and limitations of this kind of work are discussed and future research directions are presented.     

Trend, seasonal and diurnal variations of atmospheric CO2 in Beijing

The concentration of atmospheric CO₂ in Beijing increased rapidly at a mean growth rate of 3.7% · a⁻¹ from 1993 to 1995. After displaying a peak of (409.7±25.9) μmol · mol⁻¹ in 1995, it decreased slowly. Both the almost stable anthropogenic CO₂ source and increasing biotic CO₂ sink contribute to the drop of CO₂ concentration from 1995 to 2000. The seasonal variation of CO₂ concentration exhibits a clear cycle with a maximum in winter, averaging (426.8±20.6) μmol · mol⁻¹, and a minimum in summer, averaging (369.1±6.1) μmol·mol⁻¹. The seasonal variation of CO₂ concentration is mainly controlled by phenology. The mean diurnal variation of atmospheric CO₂ concentration for a year in Beijing is highly clear: daily maximum CO₂ concentration usually occurs at night, but daily minimum CO₂ concentration does in the daytime, with a mean diurnal difference more than 34.7 μmol·mol⁻¹. It has been revealed that the interannual variations of atmospheric CO₂ concentration in winter and autumn regulated the interannual trend of atmospheric CO₂, whereas the interannual variation of CO₂ concentration in summer affected the general tendency of atmospheric CO₂ in a less degree.     

Responses of plant rhizosphere to atmospheric CO2 enrichment

Plant root growth is generally stimulated under elevated CO₂. This will bring more carbon to the below-ground through root death and exudate. This potential increase in below-ground carbon sink may lead to changes in long-term soil sequestration and relationship between host plants and symbions. On the other hand, changes in litter components due to the changes in plant chemical composition may also affect soil processes, such as litter decomposition, soil organic matter sequestration and hetero-nutritional bacteria activities. These issues are discussed.     

CO2 background concentration in the atmosphere over the Chinese mainland

Based on the long-term monitoring data on CO₂ concentration, variation trend and characteristics of CO₂ background concentration in the atmosphere over the Chinese mainland are analyzed. Results show that the increasing trend of CO₂ background concentration in the atmosphere over the Chinese mainland has appeared during the period of 1991–2000. The average annual CO₂ growth increment is 1.59 μL/L, and the average annual CO₂ growth rate is 0.44%. Distinct seasonal variations of CO₂ background concentration are observed, and the averaged amplitude of CO₂ seasonal variations is 10.35 μL/L. Regional variation characteristics of CO₂ background concentration in the atmosphere and possible impact of human activities on these variations over the Chinese mainland are discussed as well.     

Changes of photosynthetic capacity of some plant species under very high CO2 concentrations in Biosphere 2

Conclusions The initial slope of A/ light curve became steep under high CO₂ (700 μmol · mol^-1) compared with that under low CO₂ (350 μmol · mol^-1) for the C₃ species growing in very high CO₂(>2 200 μmol · mol^-1) for a long period. The light compensation points remained unchanged, but the light saturation points were found increased. The ϕ_m,_app and A_max of the C₃ species increased respectively by 79 % and 80 %, while those of C₄ species decreased by 10% and 14%, respectively. The shape of A/light curve of C₄ species did not change. Such results indicated that C₃ species increased the capacity of photosynthesis, while C₄ did not change, otherwise it decreased a little. This work only compared the changes of capacity in photosynthesis of some species under different CO₂ levels in Biosphere 2. We need further investigation on the effects of high CO₂ on the same species outside Biosphere 2, in order to fully undertand the effects and mechanism of response of plants to the elevated CO₂.     

Pedogenic carbonate isotope record of vegetational evolution since late Miocene in Loess Plateau

Isotopic analyses for paleovegetational evolution have been carried out on samples of the pedogenic carbonate nodules in the Red Clay-Loess sequence at Lingtai (35°N), the Loess Plateau. Stable carbon isotopic composition indicates that ( i ) C4 plants might be present at least by7.0 Ma; ( ii ) C4 plants expanded gradually between ～4.0 and ～3.2 Ma, and their biomass fraction was up to 50% ; and (Ⅲ ) the biomass of C4 vegetation since ～2.0 Ma seems to have been decreased to the level (about 20%) before 4.0 Ma. C4 plant expansion at Lingtai cannot be fully understood with the "global C4 expansion" model because it occurred much later up to 3.0 Ma than in Pakistan, which indicates that some changes in the regional climatic system may also contribute to C3/C4 shift except changes in atmospheric CO2 concentrations and temperature. The latitudinal zone for C3/C4 transition seems to move southwards slightly in East Asia, compared with the case in North America where 37°N癗 is the ideal boundary for the C4 expansion.     

Effect of elevated CO2 on CH4 emission

Global CH₄ emission may increase under CO₂ enrichment condition, which is projected for the future. CO₂ enrichment could affect CH₄ emission in two ways: (i) Photosynthesis of plants that also include plants in rice paddies and natural wetlands will be stimulated under CO₂ enrichment condition. CH₄ emission rate may be increased due to the accumulation of more plant biomass, root exudes and soil organic matters. (ii) Combined with other global warming forces, CO₂ enrichment may bring a change of atmospheric temperature and precipitation around the world. CH₄ emission will also be changed with the variation of the area and distribution of rice paddies and natural wetlands.     

Response of phytoliths in Leymus chinensis to the simulation of elevated global CO2 concentrations in Songnen Grassland, China

Measuring the response of terrestrial ecosystems to elevated CO₂ concentrations is very important for understanding the effects of global change. In this study, OTC (open top chambers) were used to simulate elevated CO₂ concentrations in the Songnen Grassland. As well, phytoliths in Leymus chinensis were extracted to study the relationships between phytoliths and CO₂ concentration. The results show the rondel is abundant in Leymus chinensis, while the trapeziform polylobate is rare. When phytolith production is increased, the rondel phytoliths grow bigger and the proportions of the different phytolith types changes under high CO2 con-centration. These types include elongate hollow, acicular hair cell, square and laminate and are only observed in samples grown under high CO₂ concentrations. All this evidence demonstrates that phytoliths in Leymus chinensis are sensitive to CO₂ concentration, and indicate that phytolith analysis may have potential use in the study of global change, identifying different ecotypes of Leymus chinensis and for the reconstruction of paleoatmospheric CO₂ concentrations.     

CO2的温室效应饱和度分析及其大气体积分数预测模型

通过精确的LBLRTM逐线积分模式建立CO_2体积分数变化模型,分析了CO_2的温室效应饱和度,并对未来地表温升的变化趋势进行了预测.结果表明,目前CO_2的持续排放只能使其在680cm~(-1)强吸收带中心达到饱和,而在未来相当长一段时间内,其仍将通过该吸收带的翼区以及1 000cm~(-1),1 350cm~(-1)与1 900cm~(-1)等弱吸收带对地表红外辐射表现出强烈的吸收,CO_2的温室效应还远未达到饱和;如果按照当前CO_22.2(mL/·m~(-3))/a的年排放速率,CO_2的大气体积分数将会持续增加,从而造成地表温度不断升高,到2056年,地表温升将会达到2K.     

Relationship between luminescence and matrices in the system A12O3-B2O3-Ce2O3

The system Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-Ce₂O₃, with Al/B ratio varying from 4.5 to 2 and Ce/(Al+B) = 0.02, has been prepared at the temperature from 1 200 to 1 400°C. Relationship between luminescence and matrices in the system Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-Ce₂O₃ was investigated. It was found that some changes of the matrices occurred with Al/B ratio varying from 4.5 to 2. These results lead to a great change in luminescence properties, indicating variation of Ce-surroundings of crystal field. With the decrease of the ratio from 3 to 2, the excitation and emission peaks shift to shorter wavelengths. It was also found that a new type of rare earth luminescent materials was obtained with appropriate Al/B ratio.     

亚高山红桦根及根际土壤生化特性对升高温度和CO2的响应

通过川西亚高山野外大型控制实验,研究了红桦不同密度下的根系生物量、根际土壤微生物数量和根际土壤酶活性对短期升高温度（ET,相对室外平均升温2.4±0.4 ℃）、升高大气CO2浓度（EC,平均增加15.5±1.0 μmol·L^-1）及交互作用（ETC,生长室相对室外平均升温2.2±0.5　℃并CO₂浓度平均增加15.8±1.2　μmol·L^-1）的响应.初步结果表明：升高大气温度或CO₂浓度均能够显著促进红桦低密度和高密度下单株根系生物量;升高温度和CO₂浓度及二者共同升高对微生物类群和数量影响不同,升高温度细菌、真菌数量以及低密度下放线菌数量显著增加,而高密度下放线菌数量显著下降;升高CO₂浓度下高密度时细菌和真菌数量增加而低密度下均显著下降;升高温度（ET）显著抑制高、低密度下红桦根际土壤多酚氧化酶活性,升高CO₂（EC）根际土壤过氧化氢酶活性在2种密度条件下均不同程度升高,土壤脲酶和多酚氧化酶活性则降低;ETC条件下,根际土壤多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶在2种密度下均表现出不同程度的降低,但脲酶活性在高、低密度条件下对ETC表现出不同的响应结果.     

Leaf cuticular characters of Ginkgo and implications for paleoatmospheric CO2 in the Jurassic

A combination of carbon isotope composition and stomatal characters of fossil leaves provides information about paleoatmospheric CO₂ levels and the physiology of fossil plants. Plant anatomy, physiology, and geochemistry have been employed to reconstruct the paleoatmospheric CO2 concentrations throughout Jurassic time and to investigate the physiological response of fossil Ginkgo to an atmosphere of much higher CO₂ than usual. Our results show that fossil Ginkgo in China lived in an atmosphere with a CO₂ concentration 3—5 times higher than that of today. It used a carbon isotopic discrimination similar to that of the living plant, but had much higher water use efficiency (3—5 times that of the extant). The physiological traits of Ginkgo in different atmospheres suggest that CO₂ might have played a contributory role in the rise and fall of maidenhair trees.     

Leaf cuticular characters of Ginkgo and implications for paleoatmospheric CO2 in the Jurassic

A combination of carbon isotope composition and stomatal characters of fossil leaves provides information about paleoatmospheric CO₂ levels and the physiology of fossil plants. Plant anatomy, physiology, and geochemistry have been employed to reconstruct the paleoatmospheric CO2 concentrations throughout Jurassic time and to investigate the physiological response of fossil Ginkgo to an atmosphere of much higher CO₂ than usual. Our results show that fossil Ginkgo in China lived in an atmosphere with a CO₂ concentration 3—5 times higher than that of today. It used a carbon isotopic discrimination similar to that of the living plant, but had much higher water use efficiency (3—5 times that of the extant). The physiological traits of Ginkgo in different atmospheres suggest that CO₂ might have played a contributory role in the rise and fall of maidenhair trees.     

Combined effects of solar UV radiation and CO2-induced seawater acidification on photosynthetic carbon fixation of phytoplankton assemblages in the South China Sea

We carried out short term pCO₂/pH perturbation experiments in the coastal waters of the South China Sea to evaluate the combined effects of seawater acidification (low pH/high pCO₂) and solar UV radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on photosynthetic carbon fixation of phytoplankton assemblages. Under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) alone treatments, reduced pCO² (190 ppmv) with increased pH resulted in a significant decrease in the photosynthetic carbon fixation rate (about 23%), while enriched pCO₂ (700 ppmv) with lowered pH had no significant effect on the photosynthetic performance compared to the ambient level. The apparent photosynthetic efficiency decreased under the reduced pCO₂ level, probably due to C-limitation as well as energy being diverged for up-regulation of carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). In the presence of UVR, both UV-A and UV-B caused photosynthetic inhibition, though UV-A appeared to enhance the photosynthetic efficiency under lower PAR levels. UV-B caused less inhibition of photosynthesis under the reduced pCO₂ level, probably because of its contribution to the inorganic carbon (Ci)-acquisition processes. Under the seawater acidification conditions (enriched pCO₂), both UV-A and UV-B reduced the photosynthetic carbon fixation to higher extents compared to the ambient pCO₂ conditions. We conclude that solar UV and seawater acidification could synergistically inhibit photosynthesis.     

CO2-水-方解石相互作用后岩石表观形貌及渗透率变化特征

将CO_2注入地下油藏用于驱替原油是减少温室气体的排放及提高原油采收率的一种有效方法。CO_2注入地层后会与地层流体和岩石发生反应,其中岩石组成中的碳酸盐矿物极易与CO_2和水发生反应导致储层岩石物性发生改变。论文以方解石为代表样品,采用X射线衍射仪(XRD),电诱导双等离子体原子排放光谱测定仪(ICP-AES),扫描电镜(SEM)及在5 MPa压力下填砂模型的试验方法进行评价,分别考察了方解石的矿物学性质、CO_2-水-方解石反应前后方解石的表面物性、反应前后溶液的离子浓度变化及方解石填砂模型与CO_2、水反应后渗透率的变化。实验结果表明,与CO_2和水反应后,方解石出现溶蚀现象;反应压力增加,方解石溶蚀现象增加,反应后溶液中Ca~(2+)、HCO_3~-浓度增加;反应温度增加,方解石溶蚀现象增加,反应后溶液中Ca~(2+)、HCO_3~-浓度先增加,后降低;与CO_2和水反应后的方解石/石英砂填砂模型水测渗透率增加。     

碳封存工程泄漏超高CO2浓度对植被影响的多光谱遥感监测应用

利用天然CO_2气田模拟碳封存工程泄漏超高浓度CO_2后对生态环境影响研究基地,借助多光谱高分辨率遥感技术,在获取多个时相的卫星影像基础上,监测当地植被指数及变化趋势。结果表明:多光谱遥感技术能很好的应用于因高浓度CO_2泄漏造成的植被影响监测,既适用于微小尺度的精细监测,同时也对宏观范围内植被监测起到很好的效果,为完善我国二氧化碳地质封存工程环境影响监测技术方法体系提供科学支撑。     

Re-examining the reliability of tree-ring isotope ratio as a historical CO2 proxy

To examine the reliability of using tree ring δ¹³C and the model of isotopic fractionation in reconstructing atmospheric CO₂ levels, we studied the variations of some important parameters of several subtropical species under natural field conditions. It was found that, different from other researchers’ results, leaf conductance to CO₂ transfer, g, did not change in proportion to the change in rate of CO₂ assimilation, A, with the result that intercellular concen- tration of CO₂, C_i, could not keep constant. Thus, we conclude that the use of tree-ring isotope ratios in the reconstruction of atmospheric CO₂ variation based on the presupposition that C_i keeps constant during assimilation is not reliable under current circumstances.     

High critical current density in powder-in-tube processed MgB2/Ta/Cu wire

The magnetization of dense MgB₂/Ta/Cu wires prepared by the powder-in-tube method is measured by a SQUID magnetometer. The results indicate that the critical temperature of MgB₂/Ta/Cu is around 38.4 K with a sharp transition width of 0.6 K. The MgB₂/Ta/Cu wire shows a strong flux pinning and the critical current density is higher than 10⁵ A/cm² (5 K, self-field) and 10⁴ A/cm² (20 K, 1 T). Also, the irreversibility field of the sample reaches 6.6 T at 5 K.     

超临界CO2流体萃取南方红豆杉针叶中的紫杉醇

采用超临界CO₂萃取法从南方红豆杉针叶中提取分离紫杉醇,重点考察了萃取条件对紫杉醇提取率的影响.结果表明：用含水10%~15%的乙醇为夹带剂,且夹带剂与CO₂流体的体积比为0.12时为最佳萃取溶剂;萃取压力30 MPa,萃取温度50 ℃,时间2 h为最佳萃取条件.最佳条件下萃取率可达93%以上.