Temporal variation in leaf nitrogen partitioning of a broad-leaved evergreen tree, Quercus myrsinaefolia.

PubMed

Yasumura, Yuko; Ishida, Atsushi

2011-01-01

We examined temporal changes in the amount of nitrogenous compounds in leaves from the outer and inner parts of the crown of Quercus myrsinaefolia growing in a seasonal climate. Throughout the leaf life span, metabolic protein and Rubisco content closely correlated with total nitrogen content, while structural protein content was relatively stable after full leaf expansion. Chlorophyll content was affected by shading as well as total nitrogen content in outer leaves that were overtopped by new shoots in the second year. Outer leaves showed a large seasonal variation in photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE; the light-saturated photosynthetic rate per unit leaf nitrogen content) during the first year of their life, with PNUE decreasing from the peak in summer towards winter. Outer and inner leaves both showed age-related decline in PNUE in the second year. There were no such drastic changes in leaf nitrogen partitioning that could explain seasonal and yearly variations in PNUE. Nitrogen resorption occurred in overwintering leaves in spring. Metabolic protein explained the majority of nitrogen being resorbed, whereas structural protein, which was low in degradability, contributed little to nitrogen resorption.

Detection of Nitrogen Content in Rubber Leaves Using Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy with Correlation-Based Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA).

PubMed

Tang, Rongnian; Chen, Xupeng; Li, Chuang

2018-05-01

Near-infrared spectroscopy is an efficient, low-cost technology that has potential as an accurate method in detecting the nitrogen content of natural rubber leaves. Successive projections algorithm (SPA) is a widely used variable selection method for multivariate calibration, which uses projection operations to select a variable subset with minimum multi-collinearity. However, due to the fluctuation of correlation between variables, high collinearity may still exist in non-adjacent variables of subset obtained by basic SPA. Based on analysis to the correlation matrix of the spectra data, this paper proposed a correlation-based SPA (CB-SPA) to apply the successive projections algorithm in regions with consistent correlation. The result shows that CB-SPA can select variable subsets with more valuable variables and less multi-collinearity. Meanwhile, models established by the CB-SPA subset outperform basic SPA subsets in predicting nitrogen content in terms of both cross-validation and external prediction. Moreover, CB-SPA is assured to be more efficient, for the time cost in its selection procedure is one-twelfth that of the basic SPA.

[Prediction of total nitrogen and alkali hydrolysable nitrogen content in loess using hyperspectral data based on correlation analysis and partial least squares regression].

PubMed

Liu, Xiu-ying; Wang, Li; Chang, Qing-rui; Wang, Xiao-xing; Shang, Yan

2015-07-01

Wuqi County of Shaanxi Province, where the vegetation recovering measures have been carried out for years, was taken as the study area. A total of 100 loess samples from 24 different profiles were collected. Total nitrogen (TN) and alkali hydrolysable nitrogen (AHN) contents of the soil samples were analyzed, and the soil samples were scanned in the visible/near-infrared (VNIR) region of 350-2500 nm in the laboratory. The calibration models were developed between TN and AHN contents and VNIR values based on correlation analysis (CA) and partial least squares regression (PLS). Independent samples validated the calibration models. The results indicated that the optimum model for predicting TN of loess was established by using first derivative of reflectance. The best model for predicting AHN of loess was established by using normal derivative spectra. The optimum TN model could effectively predict TN in loess from 0 to 40 cm, but the optimum AHN model could only roughly predict AHN at the same depth. This study provided a good method for rapidly predicting TN of loess where vegetation recovering measures have been adopted, but prediction of AHN needs to be further studied.

Variable-rate nitrogen application algorithm based on canopy reflected spectrum and its influence on wheat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Hongxia; Zhao, Chunjiang; Huang, Wenjiang; Liu, Liangyun; Wang, Jihua; Ma, Youhua

2005-01-01

This study was to develop the time-specific and time-critical method to overcome the limitations of traditional field sampling methods for variable rate fertilization. Farmers, agricultural managers and grain processing enterprises are interested in measuring and assessing soil and crop status in order to apply adequate fertilizer quantities to crop growth. This paper focused on studying the relationship between vegetation index (OSAVI) and nitrogen content to determine the amount of nitrogen fertilizer recommended for variable rate management in precision agriculture. The traditional even rate fertilizer management was chosen as the CK. The grain yield, ear numbers, 1000-grain weight and grain protein content were measured among the CK, uniform treatments and variable rate fertilizer treatments. It indicated that variable rate fertilization reduced the variability of wheat yield, ear numbers and dry biomass, but it didn't increased crop yield and grain protein content significantly and did not decrease the variety of 1000-grain weight, compared to traditional rate application. The nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency was improved, for this purpose, the variable rate technology based on vegetation index could be used to prevent under ground water pollution and environmental deterioration.

Hyperspectral remote sensing of foliar nitrogen content

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A strong positive correlation between vegetation canopy Bidirectional Reflectance Factor (BRF) in the Near'InfraRed (NIR) spectral region and foliar mass-based nitrogen concentration (%N) has been reported in some temperate and boreal forests. This relationship, if true, would indicate an additional...

Spatial variability of chlorophyll and nitrogen content of rice from hyperspectral imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moharana, Shreedevi; Dutta, Subashisa

2016-12-01

Chlorophyll and nitrogen are the most essential parameters for paddy crop growth. Spectroradiometric measurements were collected at canopy level during critical growth period of rice. Chemical analysis was performed to quantify the total leaf content. By exploiting the ground based measurements, regression models were established for chlorophyll and nitrogen aimed indices with their corresponding crop growth variables. Vegetation index models were developed for mapping these parameters from Hyperion imagery in an agriculture system. It was inferred that the present Simple Ratio (SR) and Leaf Nitrogen Concentration (LNC) indices, which followed a linear and nonlinear relationship respectively, were completely different from published Tian et al. (2011). The nitrogen content varied widely from 1 to 4% and only 2 to 3% for paddy crop using present modified index models and Tian et al. (2011) respectively. The modified LNC index model performed better than the established Tian et al. (2011) model as far as estimated nitrogen content from Hyperion imagery was concerned. Furthermore, within the observed chlorophyll range obtained from the studied rice varieties grown in the rice agriculture system, the index models (LNC, OASVI, Gitelson, mSR and MTCI) performed well in the spatial distribution of rice chlorophyll content from Hyperion imagery. Spatial distribution of total chlorophyll content varied widely from 1.77 to 5.81 mg/g (LNC), 3.0 to 13 mg/g (OASVI), 0.5 to 10.43 mg/g (Gitelson), 2.18 to 10.61 mg/g (mSR) and 2.90 to 5.40 mg/g (MTCI). The spatial information of these parameters will help in proper nutrient management, yield forecasting, and will serve as inputs for crop growth and forecasting models for a precision rice agriculture system.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Synthesis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in Three Varieties of Kacip Fatimah (Labisia Pumila Blume)

PubMed Central

Ibrahim, Mohd Hafiz; Jaafar, Hawa Z.E.; Rahmat, Asmah; Rahman, Zaharah Abdul

2011-01-01

A split plot 3 by 4 experiment was designed to examine the impact of 15-week variable levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha) on the characteristics of total flavonoids (TF), total phenolics (TP), total non structurable carbohydrate (TNC), net assimilation rate, leaf chlorophyll content, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), phenyl alanine lyase activity (PAL) and protein content, and their relationships, in three varieties of Labisia pumila Blume (alata, pumila and lanceolata). The treatment effects were solely contributed by nitrogen application; there was neither varietal nor interaction effect observed. As nitrogen levels increased from 0 to 270 kg N/ha, the production of TNC was found to decrease steadily. Production of TF and TP reached their peaks under 0 followed by 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha treatment. However, net assimilation rate was enhanced as nitrogen fertilization increased from 0 to 270 kg N/ha. The increase in production of TP and TF under low nitrogen levels (0 and 90 kg N/ha) was found to be correlated with enhanced PAL activity. The enhancement in PAL activity was followed by reduction in production of soluble protein under low nitrogen fertilization indicating more availability of amino acid phenyl alanine (phe) under low nitrogen content that stimulate the production of carbon based secondary metabolites (CBSM). The latter was manifested by high C/N ratio in L. pumila plants. PMID:21954355

[Effects of nitrogen application levels on yield and active composition content of Desmodium styracifolium].

PubMed

Zhou, Jiamin; Yin, Xiaohong; Chen, Chaojun; Huang, Min; Peng, Fuyuan; Zhu, Xiaoqi

2010-06-01

To find out the optimal nitrogen application level of Desmodium styracifolium. A field experiment using randomized block design was carried out to study the effects of 5 nitrogen application levels (150, 187.5, 225.0, 262.5 and 300.0 kg x hm(-2)) on yield and active component content of D. styracifolium. Nitrogen application could increase the yield and contents of polysaccharide, total flavonoides and total saponins of D. styracifolium. However, the enhancing extent of the active component content and the yield were not always significant with the increase of nitrogen level. In which, the yield were not significantly different among the nitrogen application levels of 225.0, 262.5, 300.0 kg x hm(-2) the polysaccharide content was no significantly difference among the nitrogen application levels of 225.0, 262. 5 and 300.0 kg x hm(-2), the total flavonoides content under the nitrogen level of 300.0 kg x hm(-2) was significantly lower than that of 150.0 kg hm(-2) (P < 0.01), and the total saponins content under the nitrogen level of 300.0 kg x hm(-2) was no significant difference compared with that of 262.5 kg x hm(-2). The optimal nitrogen application level of D. styracifolium was 225.0-262.5 kg x hm(-2).

[Research on fast detecting tomato seedlings nitrogen content based on NIR characteristic spectrum selection].

PubMed

Wu, Jing-zhu; Wang, Feng-zhu; Wang, Li-li; Zhang, Xiao-chao; Mao, Wen-hua

2015-01-01

In order to improve the accuracy and robustness of detecting tomato seedlings nitrogen content based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), 4 kinds of characteristic spectrum selecting methods were studied in the present paper, i. e. competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), Monte Carlo uninformative variables elimination (MCUVE), backward interval partial least squares (BiPLS) and synergy interval partial least squares (SiPLS). There were totally 60 tomato seedlings cultivated at 10 different nitrogen-treatment levels (urea concentration from 0 to 120 mg . L-1), with 6 samples at each nitrogen-treatment level. They are in different degrees of over nitrogen, moderate nitrogen, lack of nitrogen and no nitrogen status. Each sample leaves were collected to scan near-infrared spectroscopy from 12 500 to 3 600 cm-1. The quantitative models based on the above 4 methods were established. According to the experimental result, the calibration model based on CARS and MCUVE selecting methods show better performance than those based on BiPLS and SiPLS selecting methods, but their prediction ability is much lower than that of the latter. Among them, the model built by BiPLS has the best prediction performance. The correlation coefficient (r), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and ratio of performance to standard derivate (RPD) is 0. 952 7, 0. 118 3 and 3. 291, respectively. Therefore, NIR technology combined with characteristic spectrum selecting methods can improve the model performance. But the characteristic spectrum selecting methods are not universal. For the built model based or single wavelength variables selection is more sensitive, it is more suitable for the uniform object. While the anti-interference ability of the model built based on wavelength interval selection is much stronger, it is more suitable for the uneven and poor reproducibility object. Therefore, the characteristic spectrum selection will only play a better role in building model, combined with the consideration of sample state and the model indexes.

Using straw hydrolysate to cultivate Chlorella pyrenoidosa for high-value biomass production and the nitrogen regulation for biomass composition.

PubMed

Zhang, Tian-Yuan; Wang, Xiao-Xiong; Wu, Yin-Hu; Wang, Jing-Han; Deantes-Espinosa, Victor M; Zhuang, Lin-Lan; Hu, Hong-Ying; Wu, Guang-Xue

2017-11-01

Heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa based on straw substrate was proposed as a promising approach in this research. The straw pre-treated by ammonium sulfite method was enzymatically hydrolyzed for medium preparation. The highest intrinsic growth rate of C. pyrenoidosa reached to 0.097h -1 in hydrolysate medium, which was quicker than that in glucose medium. Rising nitrogen concentration could significantly increase protein content and decrease lipid content in biomass, meanwhile fatty acids composition kept stable. The highest protein and lipid content in microalgal biomass reached to 62% and 32% under nitrogen excessive and deficient conditions, respectively. Over 40% of amino acids and fatty acids in biomass belonged to essential amino acids (EAA) and essential fatty acids (EFA), which were qualified for high-value uses. This research revealed the rapid biomass accumulation property of C. pyrenoidosa in straw hydrolysate medium and the effectiveness of nitrogen regulation to biomass composition at heterotrophic condition. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

[Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen application on cotton biomass, nitrogen utilization and soil urease activity].

PubMed

Lyu, Ning; Yin, Fei-hu; Chen, Yun; Gao, Zhi-jian; Liu, Yu; Shi, Lei

2015-11-01

In this study, a semi-open-top artificial climate chamber was used to study the effect of CO2 enrichment (360 and 540 µmol · mol(-1)) and nitrogen addition (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg · hm(-2)) on cotton dry matter accumulation and distribution, nitrogen absorption and soil urease activity. The results showed that the dry matter accumulation of bud, stem, leaf and the whole plant increased significantly in the higher CO2 concentration treatment irrespective of nitrogen level. The dry matter of all the detected parts of plant with 300 kg · hm(-2) nitrogen addition was significantly higher than those with the other nitrogen levels irrespective of CO2 concentration, indicating reasonable nitrogen fertilization could significantly improve cotton dry matter accumulation. Elevated CO2 concentration had significant impact on the nitrogen absorption contents of cotton bud and stem. Compared to those under CO2 concentration of 360 µmol · mol(-1), the nitrogen contents of bud and stem both increased significantly under CO2 concentration of 540 µmol · mol(-1). The nitrogen content of cotton bud in the treatment of 300 kg · hm(-2) nitrogen was the highest among the four nitrogen fertilizer treatments. While the nitrogen contents of cotton stem in the treatments of 150 kg · hm(-2) and 300 kg · hm(-2) nitrogen levels were higher than those in the treatment of 0 kg · hm(-2) and 450 kg · hm(-2) nitrogen levels. The nitrogen content of cotton leaf was significantly influenced by the in- teraction of CO2 elevation and N addition as the nitrogen content of leaf increased in the treatments of 0, 150 and 300 kg · hm(-2) nitrogen levels under the CO2 concentration of 540 µmol · mol(-1). The nitrogen content in cotton root was significantly increased with the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level under elevated CO2 (540 µmol · mol(-1)) treatment. Overall, the cotton nitrogen absorption content under the elevated CO2 (540 µmol · mol(-1)) treatment was higher than that under the ambient CO2- (360 µmol · mol(-1)) treatment. The order of nitrogen accumulation content in organs was bud > leaf > stem > root. Soil urease activity of both layers increased significantly with the elevation of CO2 concentration in all the nitrogen treatments. Under each CO2 concentration treatment, the soil urease activity in the upper layer (0-20 cm) increased significantly with nitrogen application, while the urease activity under the application of 300 kg · hm(-2) nitrogen was highest in the lower layer (20- 40 cm). The average soil urease activity in the upper layer (0-20 cm) was significantly higher than that in the lower layer (20-40 cm). This study suggested that the cotton dry matter accumulation and nitrogen absorption content were significantly increased in response to the elevated CO2 concentration (540 µmol · mol(-1)) and higher nitrogen addition (300 kg · hm(-2)).

Energetic Ionic Liquids Based on Lanthanide Nitrate Complex Anions (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

calculated nitrogen content for CO-balanced aluminum -con- taining ionic liquids is 28%,[3] while the nitrogen content of CO-balanced salts 11 and 12 is...1 mg of 11 was heated to 200 8C in a micro melting point apparatus, gases rapidly evolved to leave white lanthanum oxide powder . The decomposition...Iyen- gar , J. Tomasi, V. Barone, B. Mennucci, M. Cossi, G. Scalmani, N. Rega, G. A. Petersson, H. Nakatsuji, M. Hada, M. Ehara, K. Toyota, R. Fukuda, J

Detection of Soil Nitrogen Using Near Infrared Sensors Based on Soil Pretreatment and Algorithms

PubMed Central

Nie, Pengcheng; Dong, Tao; He, Yong; Qu, Fangfang

2017-01-01

Soil nitrogen content is one of the important growth nutrient parameters of crops. It is a prerequisite for scientific fertilization to accurately grasp soil nutrient information in precision agriculture. The information about nutrients such as nitrogen in the soil can be obtained quickly by using a near-infrared sensor. The data can be analyzed in the detection process, which is nondestructive and non-polluting. In order to investigate the effect of soil pretreatment on nitrogen content by near infrared sensor, 16 nitrogen concentrations were mixed with soil and the soil samples were divided into three groups with different pretreatment. The first group of soil samples with strict pretreatment were dried, ground, sieved and pressed. The second group of soil samples were dried and ground. The third group of soil samples were simply dried. Three linear different modeling methods are used to analyze the spectrum, including partial least squares (PLS), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), competitive adaptive reweighted algorithm (CARS). The model of nonlinear partial least squares which supports vector machine (LS-SVM) is also used to analyze the soil reflectance spectrum. The results show that the soil samples with strict pretreatment have the best accuracy in predicting nitrogen content by near-infrared sensor, and the pretreatment method is suitable for practical application. PMID:28492480

Finding the Bio in Biobased Products: Electrophoretic Identification of Wheat Proteins in Processed Products

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Verification of the bio-content in bio-based or green products identifies genuine products, exposes counterfeit copies, supports or refutes content claims and ensures consumer confidence. When the bio-content includes protein, elemental nitrogen analysis is insufficient for verification since non-pr...

Corrosion Behavior of High Nitrogen Nickel-Free Fe-16Cr-Mn-Mo-N Stainless Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, K. L.; Liao, H. Y.; Shyue, J. J.; Lian, S. S.

2014-04-01

The purpose of the current study is to develop austenitic nickel-free stainless steels with lower chromium content and higher manganese and nitrogen contents. In order to prevent nickel-induced skin allergy, cobalt, manganese, and nitrogen were used to substitute nickel in the designed steel. Our results demonstrated that manganese content greater than 14 wt pct results in a structure that is in full austenite phase. The manganese content appears to increase the solubility of nitrogen; however, a lower corrosion potential was found in steel with high manganese content. Molybdenum appears to be able to increase the pitting potential. The effects of Cr, Mn, Mo, and N on corrosion behavior of Fe-16Cr-2Co-Mn-Mo-N high nitrogen stainless steels were evaluated with potentiodynamic tests and XPS surface analysis. The results reveal that anodic current and pits formation of the Fe-16Cr-2Co-Mn-Mo-N high nitrogen stainless steels were smaller than those of lower manganese and nitrogen content stainless steel.

[Effects of the frequency and intensity of nitrogen addition on soil pH, the contents of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia, China.

PubMed

Zhou, Ji Dong; Shi, Rong Jiu; Zhao, Feng; Han, Si Qin; Zhang, Ying

2016-08-01

A four-year simulated nitrogen (N) deposition experiment involving nine N gradients and two N deposition frequencies (N was added either twice yearly or monthly) was conducted in Inner Mongolian grassland, to examine the effects of frequency and intensity of N addition on pH and the contents of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in soil. The results indicated that the soil pH and total phosphorus content, regardless of the N addition frequency, gradually decreased with the increase of N addition intensity. By contrast, the contents of soil available nitrogen and available phosphorus showed an increasing trend, while no significant variation in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content was observed, and the contents of soil total carbon and total nitrogen had no change. Compared with the monthly N addition, the twice-a-year N addition substantially overestimated the effects of N deposition on decreasing the soil pH and increasing the available phosphorus content, but underestimated the effects of N deposition on increasing the soil available nitrogen content, and the significant difference was found in 0-5 cm soil layer.

Remarkable activity of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres encapsulated Cu on synthesis of dimethyl carbonate: Role of effective nitrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Haixia; Zhao, Jinxian; Shi, Ruina; Hao, Panpan; Liu, Shusen; Li, Zhong; Ren, Jun

2018-04-01

A critical aspect in the improvement of the catalytic performance of Cu-based catalysts for the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is the development of an appropriate support. In this work, nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres (NHCSs), with 240 nm average diameter, 17 nm shell thickness, uniform mesoporous structure and a specific surface area of 611 m2 g-1, were prepared via a two-step Stӧber method. By varying the quantity of nitrogen-containing phenols used in the preparation it has been possible to control the nitrogen content and, consequently, the sphericity of the NHCSs. It was found that perfect spheres were obtained for nitrogen contents below 5.4 wt.%. The catalysts (Cu@NHCSs) were prepared by the hydrothermal impregnation method. The catalytic activity towards DMC synthesis was notably enhanced due to the immobilization effect on Cu particles and the enhanced electron transfer effect exercised by the effective nitrogen species, including pyridinic-N and graphitic-N. When the average size of the copper nanoparticles was 7.4 nm and the nitrogen content was 4.0 wt.%, the values of space-time yield of DMC and of turnover frequency (TOF) reached 1528 mg/(g h) and 11.0 h-1, respectively. The TOF value of Cu@NHCSs was 6 times higher than non-doped Cu@Carbon (2.1 h-1). The present work introduces the potential application of nitrogen-doped carbon materials and presents a novel procedure for the preparation of catalysts for DMC synthesis.

Assessing Nitrogen Status of Dryland Wheat Using the Canopy Chlorophyll Content Index

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ground-based, active light sensing relies upon the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for assessing crop nitrogen (N) response and applying N fertilizer. However, NDVI may not work well in semiarid environments where biomass and yields depend upon plant water. This study evaluated the C...

Research on the Optimum Water Content of Detecting Soil Nitrogen Using Near Infrared Sensor

PubMed Central

He, Yong; Nie, Pengcheng; Dong, Tao; Qu, Fangfang; Lin, Lei

2017-01-01

Nitrogen is one of the important indexes to evaluate the physiological and biochemical properties of soil. The level of soil nitrogen content influences the nutrient levels of crops directly. The near infrared sensor can be used to detect the soil nitrogen content rapidly, nondestructively, and conveniently. In order to investigate the effect of the different soil water content on soil nitrogen detection by near infrared sensor, the soil samples were dealt with different drying times and the corresponding water content was measured. The drying time was set from 1 h to 8 h, and every 1 h 90 samples (each nitrogen concentration of 10 samples) were detected. The spectral information of samples was obtained by near infrared sensor, meanwhile, the soil water content was calculated every 1 h. The prediction model of soil nitrogen content was established by two linear modeling methods, including partial least squares (PLS) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE). The experiment shows that the soil has the highest detection accuracy when the drying time is 3 h and the corresponding soil water content is 1.03%. The correlation coefficients of the calibration set are 0.9721 and 0.9656, and the correlation coefficients of the prediction set are 0.9712 and 0.9682, respectively. The prediction accuracy of both models is high, while the prediction effect of PLS model is better and more stable. The results indicate that the soil water content at 1.03% has the minimum influence on the detection of soil nitrogen content using a near infrared sensor while the detection accuracy is the highest and the time cost is the lowest, which is of great significance to develop a portable apparatus detecting nitrogen in the field accurately and rapidly. PMID:28880202

Research on the Optimum Water Content of Detecting Soil Nitrogen Using Near Infrared Sensor.

PubMed

He, Yong; Xiao, Shupei; Nie, Pengcheng; Dong, Tao; Qu, Fangfang; Lin, Lei

2017-09-07

Nitrogen is one of the important indexes to evaluate the physiological and biochemical properties of soil. The level of soil nitrogen content influences the nutrient levels of crops directly. The near infrared sensor can be used to detect the soil nitrogen content rapidly, nondestructively, and conveniently. In order to investigate the effect of the different soil water content on soil nitrogen detection by near infrared sensor, the soil samples were dealt with different drying times and the corresponding water content was measured. The drying time was set from 1 h to 8 h, and every 1 h 90 samples (each nitrogen concentration of 10 samples) were detected. The spectral information of samples was obtained by near infrared sensor, meanwhile, the soil water content was calculated every 1 h. The prediction model of soil nitrogen content was established by two linear modeling methods, including partial least squares (PLS) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE). The experiment shows that the soil has the highest detection accuracy when the drying time is 3 h and the corresponding soil water content is 1.03%. The correlation coefficients of the calibration set are 0.9721 and 0.9656, and the correlation coefficients of the prediction set are 0.9712 and 0.9682, respectively. The prediction accuracy of both models is high, while the prediction effect of PLS model is better and more stable. The results indicate that the soil water content at 1.03% has the minimum influence on the detection of soil nitrogen content using a near infrared sensor while the detection accuracy is the highest and the time cost is the lowest, which is of great significance to develop a portable apparatus detecting nitrogen in the field accurately and rapidly.

Synthesis of polybenzoxazine based nitrogen-rich porous carbons for carbon dioxide capture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Liu; Wang, Jianlong; Feng, Chong; Sun, Yahui; Li, Kaixi

2015-04-01

Nitrogen-rich porous carbons (NPCs) were synthesized from 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, urea, and formaldehyde based on benzoxazine chemistry by a soft-templating method with KOH chemical activation. They possess high surface areas of 856.8-1257.8 m2 g-1, a large pore volume of 0.15-0.65 cm3 g-1, tunable pore structure, high nitrogen content (5.21-5.32 wt%), and high char yields. The amount of the soft-templating agent F127 has multiple influences on the textural and chemical properties of the carbons, affecting the surface area and pore structure, impacting the compositions of nitrogen species and resulting in an improvement of the CO2 capture performance. At 1 bar, high CO2 uptake of 4.02 and 6.35 mmol g-1 at 25 and 0 °C was achieved for the sample NPC-2 with a molar ratio of F127 : urea = 0.010 : 1. This can be attributed to its well-developed micropore structure and abundant pyridinic nitrogen, pyrrolic nitrogen and pyridonic nitrogen functionalities. The sample NPC-2 also exhibits a remarkable selectivity for CO2/N2 separation and a fast adsorption/desorption rate and can be easily regenerated. This suggests that the polybenzoxazine-based NPCs are desirable for CO2 capture because of possessing a high micropore surface area, a large micropore volume, appropriate pore size distribution, and a large number of basic nitrogen functionalities.Nitrogen-rich porous carbons (NPCs) were synthesized from 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, urea, and formaldehyde based on benzoxazine chemistry by a soft-templating method with KOH chemical activation. They possess high surface areas of 856.8-1257.8 m2 g-1, a large pore volume of 0.15-0.65 cm3 g-1, tunable pore structure, high nitrogen content (5.21-5.32 wt%), and high char yields. The amount of the soft-templating agent F127 has multiple influences on the textural and chemical properties of the carbons, affecting the surface area and pore structure, impacting the compositions of nitrogen species and resulting in an improvement of the CO2 capture performance. At 1 bar, high CO2 uptake of 4.02 and 6.35 mmol g-1 at 25 and 0 °C was achieved for the sample NPC-2 with a molar ratio of F127 : urea = 0.010 : 1. This can be attributed to its well-developed micropore structure and abundant pyridinic nitrogen, pyrrolic nitrogen and pyridonic nitrogen functionalities. The sample NPC-2 also exhibits a remarkable selectivity for CO2/N2 separation and a fast adsorption/desorption rate and can be easily regenerated. This suggests that the polybenzoxazine-based NPCs are desirable for CO2 capture because of possessing a high micropore surface area, a large micropore volume, appropriate pore size distribution, and a large number of basic nitrogen functionalities. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Elemental and XPS analyses and XPS peak positions and relative content of N species in the NPCs. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr07409b

Remote estimation of canopy nitrogen content in winter wheat using airborne hyperspectral reflectance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xianfeng; Huang, Wenjiang; Kong, Weiping; Ye, Huichun; Luo, Juhua; Chen, Pengfei

2016-11-01

Timely and accurate assessment of canopy nitrogen content (CNC) provides valuable insight into rapid and real-time nitrogen status monitoring in crops. A semi-empirical approach based on spectral index was extensively used for nitrogen content estimation. However, in many cases, due to specific vegetation types or local conditions, the applicability and robustness of established spectral indices for nitrogen retrieval were limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the optimal spectral index for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) CNC estimation using Pushbroom Hyperspectral Imager (PHI) airborne hyperspectral data. Data collected from two different field experiments that were conducted during the major growth stages of winter wheat in 2002 and 2003 were used. Our results showed that a significant linear relationship existed between nitrogen and chlorophyll content at the canopy level, and it was not affected by cultivars, growing conditions and nutritional status of winter wheat. Nevertheless, it varied with growth stages. Periods around heading stage mainly worsened the relationship and CNC estimation, and CNC assessment for growth stages before and after heading could improve CNC retrieval accuracy to some extent. CNC assessment with PHI airborne hyperspectra suggested that spectral indices based on red-edge band including narrowband and broadband CIred-edge, NDVI-like and ND705 showed convincing results in CNC retrieval. NDVI-like and ND705 were sensitive to detect CNC changes less than 5 g/m2, narrowband and broadband CIred-edge were sensitive to a wide range of CNC variations. Further evaluation of CNC retrieval using field measured hyperspectra indicated that NDVI-like was robust and exhibited the highest accuracy in CNC assessment, and spectral indices (CIred-edge and CIgreen) that established on narrow or broad bands showed no obvious difference in CNC assessment. Overall, our study suggested that NDVI-like was the optimal indicator for winter wheat CNC retrieval.

Solubility of Nitrogen in Superaustenitic Stainless Steels During Air Induction Melting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandrasekar, A.; Anburaj, J.; Narayanan, R.; Balusamy, V.; Mohamed Nazirudeen, S. S.

2013-04-01

The amount of nitrogen contained in super austenitic stainless steels (SASS) influences their properties significantly. The effect of maximum amount of nitrogen in the highly alloyed Cr and Ni SASS containing further additions of Mo and Mn is studied. The calculated nitrogen contents of the experimental alloys are compared with the actual nitrogen contents obtained in the alloys produced using induction melting furnace. The actual nitrogen content of the alloys is always lower than the calculated value, and this discrepancy is due to the presence of positive interaction parameters of Ni, Cu, and Si in the alloy. However, the yield of nitrogen in the liquid SASS is improved significantly with additions of Mn and Mo contents. The construction of multicomponent phase diagrams for SASS is demonstrated using Thermo-Calc software. SASS containing more nitrogen exhibited a very high strength without loss of toughness.

Modeling and optimization of lipid accumulation by Yarrowia lipolytica from glucose under nitrogen depletion conditions.

PubMed

Robles-Rodríguez, Carlos E; Muñoz-Tamayo, Rafael; Bideaux, Carine; Gorret, Nathalie; Guillouet, Stéphane E; Molina-Jouve, Carole; Roux, Gilles; Aceves-Lara, César A

2018-05-01

Oleaginous yeasts have been seen as a feasible alternative to produce the precursors of biodiesel due to their capacity to accumulate lipids as triacylglycerol having profiles with high content of unsaturated fatty acids. The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is a promising microorganism that can produce lipids under nitrogen depletion conditions and excess of the carbon source. However, under these conditions, this yeast also produces citric acid (overflow metabolism) decreasing lipid productivity. This work presents two mathematical models for lipid production by Y. lipolytica from glucose. The first model is based on Monod and inhibition kinetics, and the second one is based on the Droop quota model approach, which is extended to yeast. The two models showed good agreements with the experimental data used for calibration and validation. The quota based model presented a better description of the dynamics of nitrogen and glucose dynamics leading to a good management of N/C ratio which makes this model interesting for control purposes. Then, quota model was used to evaluate, by means of simulation, a scenario for optimizing lipid productivity and lipid content. For that, a control strategy was designed by approximating the flow rates of glucose and nitrogen with piecewise linear functions. Simulation results achieved productivity of 0.95 g L -1  hr -1 and lipid content fraction of 0.23 g g -1 , which indicates that this strategy is a promising alternative for the optimization of lipid production. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of FT-NIR Models for the Simultaneous Estimation of Chlorophyll and Nitrogen Content in Fresh Apple (Malus Domestica) Leaves

PubMed Central

Tamburini, Elena; Ferrari, Giuseppe; Marchetti, Maria Gabriella; Pedrini, Paola; Ferro, Sergio

2015-01-01

Agricultural practices determine the level of food production and, to great extent, the state of the global environment. During the last decades, the indiscriminate recourse to fertilizers as well as the nitrogen losses from land application have been recognized as serious issues of modern agriculture, globally contributing to nitrate pollution. The development of a reliable Near-Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS)-based method, for the simultaneous monitoring of nitrogen and chlorophyll in fresh apple (Malus domestica) leaves, was investigated on a set of 133 samples, with the aim of estimating the nutritional and physiological status of trees, in real time, cheaply and non-destructively. By means of a FT (Fourier Transform)-NIR instrument, Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression models were developed, spanning a concentration range of 0.577%–0.817% for the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) content (R2 = 0.983; SEC = 0.012; SEP = 0.028), and of 1.534–2.372 mg/g for the total chlorophyll content (R2 = 0.941; SEC = 0.132; SEP = 0.162). Chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b contents were also evaluated (R2 = 0.913; SEC = 0.076; SEP = 0.101 and R2 = 0.899; SEC = 0.059; SEP = 0.101, respectively). All calibration models were validated by means of 47 independent samples. The NIR approach allows a rapid evaluation of the nitrogen and chlorophyll contents, and may represent a useful tool for determining nutritional and physiological status of plants, in order to allow a correction of nutrition programs during the season. PMID:25629703

An analytical study of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emissions in hydrocarbon combustion with added nitrogen - Preliminary results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittker, D. A.

1980-01-01

The influence of ground-based gas turbine combustor operating conditions and fuel-bound nitrogen (FBN) found in coal-derived liquid fuels on the formation of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide is investigated. Analytical predictions of NOx and CO concentrations are obtained for a two-stage, adiabatic, perfectly-stirred reactor operating on a propane-air mixture, with primary equivalence ratios from 0.5 to 1.7, secondary equivalence ratios of 0.5 or 0.7, primary stage residence times from 12 to 20 msec, secondary stage residence times of 1, 2 and 3 msec and fuel nitrogen contents of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt %. Minimum nitrogen oxide but maximum carbon monoxide formation is obtained at primary zone equivalence ratios between 1.4 and 1.5, with percentage conversion of FBN to NOx decreasing with increased fuel nitrogen content. Additional secondary dilution is observed to reduce final pollutant concentrations, with NOx concentration independent of secondary residence time and CO decreasing with secondary residence time; primary zone residence time is not observed to affect final NOx and CO concentrations significantly. Finally, comparison of computed results with experimental values shows a good semiquantitative agreement.

Supercapacitors based on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide and borocarbonitrides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopalakrishnan, K.; Moses, Kota; Govindaraj, A.; Rao, C. N. R.

2013-12-01

Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (RGO) samples with different nitrogen content, prepared by two different methods, as well as nitrogen-doped few-layer graphene have been investigated as supercapacitor electrodes. Two electrode measurements have been carried out both in aqueous (6M KOH) and in ionic liquid media. Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxides exhibit satisfactory specific capacitance, the values reaching 126F/g at a scan rate of 10mV/s in aqueous medium. Besides providing supercapacitor characteristics, the study has shown the nitrogen content and surface area to be important factors. High surface-area borocarbonitrides, BxCyNz, prepared by the urea route appear to be excellent supercapacitor electrode materials. Thus, BC4.5N exhibits a specific capacitance of 169F/g at a scan rate of 10mV/s in aqueous medium. In an ionic liquid medium, nitrogen-doped RGO and BC4.5N exhibit specific capacitance values of 258F/g and 240F/g at a scan rate of 5mV/s. The ionic liquid enables a larger operating voltage range of 0.0-2.5V compared to 0.0-1V in aqueous medium.

Worldwide Organic Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Data (1986) (NDP-018)

DOE Data Explorer

Zinke, P. J. [Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Stangenberger, A. G. [Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States); Post, W. M. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Emanuel, W. R. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Olson, J. S. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Millemann, R. E. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Boden, T. A. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

1986-01-01

This data base was begun with the collection and analysis of soil samples from California. Additional data came from soil surveys of Italy, Greece, Iran, Thailand, Vietnam, various tropical Amazonian areas, and U.S. forests and from the soil-survey literature. The analyzed samples were collected at uniform soil-depth increments and included bulk-density determinations. The data on each sample are soil profile number; soil profile carbon content; soil profile nitrogen content; sampling site latitude and longitude; site elevation; profile literature reference source; and soil profile codes for Holdridge life zone, Olson ecosystem type, and parent material. These data may be used to estimate the size of the soil organic carbon and nitrogen pools at equilibrium with natural soil-forming factors.

Sources and sinks of atmospheric N2O and the possible ozone reduction due to industrial fixed nitrogen fertilizers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, S. C.; Cicerone, R. J.; Donahue, T. M.; Chameides, W. L.

1977-01-01

The terrestrial and marine nitrogen cycles are examined in an attempt to clarify how the atmospheric content of N2O is controlled. We review available data on the various reservoirs of fixed nitrogen, the transfer rates between the reservoirs, and estimate how the reservoir contents and transfer rates can change under man's influence. It is seen that sources, sinks and lifetime of atmospheric N2O are not understood well. Based on our limited knowledge of the stability of atmospheric N2O we conclude that future growth in the usage of industrial fixed nitrogen fertilizers could cause a 1% to 2% global ozone reduction in the next 50 years. However, centuries from now the ozone layer could be reduced by as much as 10% if soils are the major source of atmospheric N2O.

Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laurens, Lieve M; Olstad-Thompson, Jessica L; Templeton, David W

Accurately determining protein content is important in the valorization of algal biomass in food, feed, and fuel markets, where these values are used for component balance calculations. Conversion of elemental nitrogen to protein is a well-accepted and widely practiced method, but depends on developing an applicable nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor. The methodology reported here covers the quantitative assessment of the total nitrogen content of algal biomass and a description of the methodology that underpins the accurate de novo calculation of a dedicated nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor.

Plant traits and trait-based vegetation modeling in the Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, C.; Sevanto, S.; Iversen, C. M.; Salmon, V. G.; Rogers, A.; Wullschleger, S.; Wilson, C. J.

2017-12-01

Arctic tundra environments are characterized by extremely cold temperatures, strong winds, short growing season and thin, nutrient-poor soil layer impacted by permafrost. To survive in this environment vascular plants have developed traits that simultaneously promote high productivity under favorable environments, and survival in harsh conditions. To improve representation of Arctic tundra vegetation in Earth System Models we surveyed plant trait data bases for key trait parameters that influence modeled ecosystem carbon balance, and compared the traits within plant families occurring in the boreal, temperate and arctic zones. The parameters include photosynthetic carbon uptake efficiency (Vcmax and Jmax), root:shoot ratio, and root and leaf nitrogen content, and we focused on woody shrubs. Our results suggest that root nitrogen content in non-nitrogen fixing tundra shrubs is lower than in representatives of the same families in the boreal or temperate zone. High tissue nitrogen concentrations have been related to high vulnerability to drought. The low root nitrogen concentrations in tundra shrubs may thus be an indication of acclimation to shallow soils, and frequent freezing that has a similar impact on the plant conductive tissue as drought. With current nitrogen availability, nitrogen limitation reduces the benefits of increased temperatures and longer growing seasons to the tundra ecosystem carbon balance. Thawing of permafrost will increase nitrogen availability, and promote plant growth and carbon uptake, but it could also make the shrubs more vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles, with the overall result of reduced shrub coverage. The final outcome of warming temperatures and thawing of permafrost on tundra shrubs will thus depend on the relative speed of warming and plant acclimation.

Scaling of xylem and phloem transport capacity and resource usage with tree size

PubMed Central

Hölttä, Teemu; Kurppa, Miika; Nikinmaa, Eero

2013-01-01

Xylem and phloem need to maintain steady transport rates of water and carbohydrates to match the exchange rates of these compounds at the leaves. A major proportion of the carbon and nitrogen assimilated by a tree is allocated to the construction and maintenance of the xylem and phloem long distance transport tissues. This proportion can be expected to increase with increasing tree size due to the growing transport distances between the assimilating tissues, i.e., leaves and fine roots, at the expense of their growth. We formulated whole tree level scaling relations to estimate how xylem and phloem volume, nitrogen content and hydraulic conductance scale with tree size, and how these properties are distributed along a tree height. Xylem and phloem thicknesses and nitrogen contents were measured within varying positions in four tree species from Southern Finland. Phloem volume, nitrogen amount and hydraulic conductance were found to be concentrated toward the branch and stem apices, in contrast to the xylem where these properties were more concentrated toward the tree base. All of the species under study demonstrated very similar trends. Total nitrogen amount allocated to xylem and phloem was predicted to be comparable to the nitrogen amount allocated to the leaves in small and medium size trees, and to increase significantly above the nitrogen content of the leaves in larger trees. Total volume, hydraulic conductance and nitrogen content of the xylem were predicted to increase faster than that of the phloem with increasing tree height in small trees (<~10 m in height). In larger trees, xylem sapwood turnover to heartwood, if present, would maintain phloem conductance at the same level with xylem conductance with further increases in tree height. Further simulations with a previously published xylem-phloem transport model demonstrated that the Münch pressure flow hypothesis could explain phloem transport with increasing tree height even for the tallest trees. PMID:24367373

In situ one-step synthesis of hierarchical nitrogen-doped porous carbon for high-performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Jeon, Ju-Won; Sharma, Ronish; Meduri, Praveen; Arey, Bruce W; Schaef, Herbert T; Lutkenhaus, Jodie L; Lemmon, John P; Thallapally, Praveen K; Nandasiri, Manjula I; McGrail, Benard Peter; Nune, Satish K

2014-05-28

A hierarchically structured nitrogen-doped porous carbon is prepared from a nitrogen-containing isoreticular metal-organic framework (IRMOF-3) using a self-sacrificial templating method. IRMOF-3 itself provides the carbon and nitrogen content as well as the porous structure. For high carbonization temperatures (950 °C), the carbonized MOF required no further purification steps, thus eliminating the need for solvents or acid. Nitrogen content and surface area are easily controlled by the carbonization temperature. The nitrogen content decreases from 7 to 3.3 at % as carbonization temperature increases from 600 to 950 °C. There is a distinct trade-off between nitrogen content, porosity, and defects in the carbon structure. Carbonized IRMOFs are evaluated as supercapacitor electrodes. For a carbonization temperature of 950 °C, the nitrogen-doped porous carbon has an exceptionally high capacitance of 239 F g(-1). In comparison, an analogous nitrogen-free carbon bears a low capacitance of 24 F g(-1), demonstrating the importance of nitrogen dopants in the charge storage process. The route is scalable in that multi-gram quantities of nitrogen-doped porous carbons are easily produced.

Controls for maintaining low nitrogen oxides content in internal combustion engine exhaust gases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Siebke, H.; Moro, B.; Schoenborn, M.

1976-08-10

A control system and apparatus for measuring and monitoring the nitrogen oxides content of internal combustion engine exhaust gases is described. The exhaust gases are contacted with the reducing electrode of a sensor cell having a predetermined potential established between the cell electrodes so that the reducing electrode is able to reduce both the nitrogen oxides and oxygen content of the exhaust gas. The current flowing through the sensor cell is measured to determine whether the nitrogen oxides content of the exhaust gas is sufficiently low.

Effects of Applied Nitrogen Amounts on the Functional Components of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaves.

PubMed

Sugiyama, Mari; Takahashi, Makoto; Katsube, Takuya; Koyama, Akio; Itamura, Hiroyuki

2016-09-21

This study investigated the effects of applied nitrogen amounts on specific functional components in mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves. The relationships between mineral elements and the functional components in mulberry leaves were examined using mulberry trees cultivated in different soil conditions in four cultured fields. Then, the relationships between the nitrogen levels and the leaf functional components were studied by culturing mulberry in plastic pots and experimental fields. In the common cultured fields, total nitrogen was negatively correlated with the chlorogenic acid content (R(2) = -0.48) and positively correlated with the 1-deoxynojirimycin content (R(2) = 0.60). Additionally, differences in nitrogen fertilizer application levels affected each functional component in mulberry leaves. For instance, with increased nitrogen levels, the chlorogenic acid and flavonol contents significantly decreased, but the 1-deoxynojirimycin content significantly increased. Selection of the optimal nitrogen application level is necessary to obtain the desired functional components from mulberry leaves.

[Effects of nitrogen addition and elevated CO2 concentration on soil dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of Bothriochloa ischaemum].

PubMed

Xiao, Lie; Liu, Guo Bin; Li, Peng; Xue, Sha

2017-01-01

A pot experiment was conducted to study soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of Bothriochloa ischaemum in loess hilly-gully region under the different treatments of CO 2 concentrations (400 and 800 μmol·mol -1 ) and nitrogen addition (0, 2.5, 5.0 g N·m -2 ·a -1 ). The results showed that eleva-ted CO 2 treatments had no significant effect on the contents of DOC, dissolved total nitrogen (DTN), DON, dissolved ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) and dissolved nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 - -N) in the soil of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of B. ischaemum. The contents of DTN, DON, and NO 3 - -N in the rhizosphere soil were significantly increased with the nitrogen application and the similar results of DTN and NO 3 - -N also were observed in the non-rhizosphere of B. ischaemum. Nitrogen application significantly decreased DOC/DON in the rhizosphere of B. ischaemum. The contents of DTN, NO 3 - -N and DON in the soil of rhizosphere were significantly lower than that in the non-rhizosphere soil, and DOC/DON was significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than that in the non-rhizosphere soil. It indicated that short-term elevated CO 2 concentration had no significant influence on the contents of soil dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen. Simulated nitrogen deposition, to some extent, increased the content of soil dissolved nitrogen, but it was still insufficient to meet the demand of dissolved nitrogen for plant growing.

The effect of light, salinity, and nitrogen availability on lipid production by Nannochloropsis sp.

PubMed

Pal, Dipasmita; Khozin-Goldberg, Inna; Cohen, Zvi; Boussiba, Sammy

2011-05-01

We examined responses of batch cultures of the marine microalga Nannochloropsis sp. to combined alterations in salinity (13, 27, and 40 g/l NaCl) and light intensity (170 and 700 μmol photons/m(2)·s). Major growth parameters and lipid productivity (based on total fatty acid determination) were determined in nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-depleted cultures of an initial biomass of 0.8 and 1.4 g/l, respectively. On the nitrogen-replete medium, increases in light intensity and salinity increased the cellular content of dry weight and lipids due to enhanced formation of triacylglycerols (TAG). Maximum average productivity of ca. 410 mg TFA/l/d were obtained at 700 μmol photons/m(2)·s and 40 g/l NaCl within 7 days. Under stressful conditions, content of the major LC-PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), was significantly reduced while TAG reached 25% of biomass. In contrast, lower salinity tended to improve major growth parameters, consistent with less variation in EPA contents. Combined higher salinity and light intensity was detrimental to lipid productivity under nitrogen starvation; biomass TFA content, and lipid productivity amounted for only 33% of DW and ca. 200 mg TFA/l/day, respectively. The highest biomass TFA content (ca. 47% DW) and average lipid productivity of ca. 360 mg TFA/l/day were achieved at 13 g/l NaCl and 700 μmol photons/m(2)·s. Our data further support selecting Nannochloropsis as promising microalgae for biodiesel production. Moreover, appropriate cultivation regimes may render Nannochloropsis microalgae to produce simultaneously major valuable components, EPA, and TAG, while sustaining relatively high biomass growth rates.

[Nitrogen Fraction Distributions and Impacts on Soil Nitrogen Mineralization in Different Vegetation Restorations of Karst Rocky Desertification].

PubMed

Hu, Ning; Ma, Zhi-min; Lan, Jia-cheng; Wu, Yu-chun; Chen, Gao-qi; Fu, Wa-li; Wen, Zhi-lin; Wang, Wen-jing

2015-09-01

In order to illuminate the impact on soil nitrogen accumulation and supply in karst rocky desertification area, the distribution characteristics of soil nitrogen pool for each class of soil aggregates and the relationship between aggregates nitrogen pool and soil nitrogen mineralization were analyzed in this study. The results showed that the content of total nitrogen, light fraction nitrogen, available nitrogen and mineral nitrogen in soil aggregates had an increasing tendency along with the descending of aggregate-size, and the highest content was occurred in < 0. 25 mm. The content of nitrogen fractions for all aggregate-classes followed in the order of abandoned land < grass land < brush land < brush-arbor land < arbor land in different sample plots. Artificial forest lands had more effects on the improvement of the soil nitrogen than honeysuckle land. In this study it also showed the nitrogen stockpiling quantity of each aggregate-size class was differed in all aggregate-size classes, in which the content of nitrogen fraction in 5-10 mm and 2-5 mm classes of soil aggregate-size were the highest. And it meant that soil nutrient mainly was stored in large size aggregates. Large size aggregates were significant to the storage of soil nutrient. For each class of soil aggregate-size, the contribution of the nitrogen stockpiling quantity of 0. 25-1 mm class to soil net nitrogen mineralization quantity was the biggest, and following >5mm and 2-5 mm classes, and the others were the smallest. With the positive vegetation succession, the weight percentage of > 5 mm aggregate-size classes was improved and the nitrogen storage of macro-aggregates also was increased. Accordingly, the capacity of soil supply mineral nitrogen and storage organic nitrogen were intensified.

Lipid accumulation and growth of Chlorella zofingiensis in flat plate photobioreactors outdoors.

PubMed

Feng, Pingzhong; Deng, Zhongyang; Hu, Zhengyu; Fan, Lu

2011-11-01

Culturing microalgae using natural sunlight is an effective way to reduce the cost of microalgae-based biodiesel production. In order to evaluate the feasibility of culturing Chlorella zofingiensis outdoors for biodiesel production, effects of nitrogen limitation and initial cell concentration on growth and lipid accumulation of this alga were investigated in 60 L flat plate photobioreactors outdoors. The highest μmax and biomass productivity obtained was 0.994 day(-1) and 58.4 mg L(-1)day(-1), respectively. The lipid content was much higher (54.5% of dry weight) under nitrogen limiting condition than under nitrogen sufficient condition (27.3%). With the increasing initial cell concentrations, the lipid contents declined, while lipid concentrations and productivities increased. The highest lipid content, lipid concentration, and lipid productivity obtained was 54.5%, 536 mg L(-1) and 22.3 mg L(-1)day(-1), respectively. This study demonstrated that it was possible to culture C. zofingiensis under outdoor conditions for producing biodiesel feedstock. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nitrogen in Chinese coals

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wu, D.; Lei, J.; Zheng, B.; Tang, X.; Wang, M.; Hu, Jiawen; Li, S.; Wang, B.; Finkelman, R.B.

2011-01-01

Three hundred and six coal samples were taken from main coal mines of twenty-six provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China, according to the resource distribution and coal-forming periods as well as the coal ranks and coal yields. Nitrogen was determined by using the Kjeldahl method at U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), which exhibit a normal frequency distribution. The nitrogen contents of over 90% Chinese coal vary from 0.52% to 1.41% and the average nitrogen content is recommended to be 0.98%. Nitrogen in coal exists primarily in organic form. There is a slight positive relationship between nitrogen content and coal ranking. ?? 2011 Science Press, Institute of Geochemistry, CAS and Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

A comparative study of thermochemical and cold plasma treatment on lignin-based activated carbon for adsorbing Fe(III)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Shukai; Wang, Xin; Chen, Weimin; Chen, Minzhi; Zhou, Xiaoyan

2018-05-01

The as-prepared lignin-based activated carbon (LAC) was post-treated by urea and radio-frequency cold plasma separately. The obtained results demonstrated that the BET surface and total volumes of the LAC and plasma-treated LACs were greater than the urea-modified sample. The analysis of surface elemental composition showed that the nitrogen content of urea-modified LAC and nitrogen plasma-treated LAC are 3.79% and 2.62% higher than that of original LAC respectively, while the oxygen content of air plasma-treated LAC is 10.23% higher than that of original LAC. The Fe(III) ions adsorbed studies with pseudo-second order kinetic model revealed that urea-modified LAC had faster chemisorption rates while air plasma-treated LAC had larger adsorption capacity within 3 h. Moreover, the adsorption capacity and chemisorption rates of LAC post-treated by nitrogen plasma are inferior to the air plasma-treated LAC.

Microbial Biofertilizer Decreases Nicotine Content by Improving Soil Nitrogen Supply.

PubMed

Shang, Cui; Chen, Anwei; Chen, Guiqiu; Li, Huanke; Guan, Song; He, Jianmin

2017-01-01

Biofertilizers have been widely used in many countries for their benefit to soil biological and physicochemical properties. A new microbial biofertilizer containing Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Bacillus thuringiensis was prepared to decrease nicotine content in tobacco leaves by regulating soil nitrogen supply. Soil NO 3 - -N, NH 4 + -N, nitrogen supply-related enzyme activities, and nitrogen accumulation in plant leaves throughout the growing period were investigated to explore the mechanism of nicotine reduction. The experimental results indicated that biofertilizer can reduce the nicotine content in tobacco leaves, with a maximum decrement of 16-18 % in mature upper leaves. In the meantime, the total nitrogen in mature lower and middle leaves increased with the application of biofertilizer, while an opposite result was observed in upper leaves. Protein concentration in leaves had similar fluctuation to that of total nitrogen in response to biofertilizer. NO 3 - -N content and nitrate reductase activity in biofertilizer-amended soil increased by 92.3 and 42.2 %, respectively, compared to those in the control, whereas the NH 4 + -N and urease activity decreased by 37.8 and 29.3 %, respectively. Nitrogen uptake was improved in the early growing stage, but this phenomenon was not observed during the late growth period. Nicotine decrease is attributing to the adjustment of biofertilizer in soil nitrogen supply and its uptake in tobacco, which result in changes of nitrogen content as well as its distribution in tobacco leaves. The application of biofertilizer containing P. chrysosporium and B. thuringiensis can reduce the nicotine content and improve tobacco quality, which may provide some useful information for tobacco cultivation.

Influence on wine biogenic amine composition of modifications to soil N availability and grapevine N by cover crops.

PubMed

Pérez-Álvarez, Eva P; Garde-Cerdán, Teresa; Cabrita, Maria João; García-Escudero, Enrique; Peregrina, Fernando

2017-11-01

Vineyard soil management can modify the nitrogen soil availability and, therefore, grape amino acid content. These compounds are precursors of biogenic amines, which have negative effects on wine quality and human health. The objective was to study whether the effect of conventional tillage and two cover crops (barley and clover) on grapevine nitrogen status could be related to wine biogenic amines. Over 4 years, soil NO 3 - -N, nitrogen content in leaf and wine biogenic amine concentration were determined. Barley reduced soil NO 3 - -N availability and clover increased it. In 2011, at bloom, nitrogen content decreased with barley treatment in both blade and petiole. In 2012, nitrogen content in both leaf tissues at bloom was greater with clover than with tillage and barley treatments. Also, total biogenic amines decreased in barley with respect to tillage and clover treatments. There were correlations between some individual and total biogenic amine concentrations with respect to nitrogen content in leaf tissues. Wine biogenic amine concentration can be affected by the grapevine nitrogen status, provoked by changes in the soil NO 3 - -N availability with both cover crop treatments. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

21 CFR 176.170 - Components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... acrylamide monomer and having an average nitrogen content of 14.9 percent such that a 1 percent by weight... ethylenediamine sulfate having a nitrogen content of 22.5-25.0 percent (Kjeldahl dry basis) and containing no more.... Acrylonitrile polymer with styrene, reaction product with ethylenediamine acetate, having a nitrogen content of...

21 CFR 176.170 - Components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... acrylamide monomer and having an average nitrogen content of 14.9 percent such that a 1 percent by weight... ethylenediamine sulfate having a nitrogen content of 22.5-25.0 percent (Kjeldahl dry basis) and containing no more.... Acrylonitrile polymer with styrene, reaction product with ethylenediamine acetate, having a nitrogen content of...

Nitrogen fertilization and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria treatments affected amino acid content of cabbage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dursun, Atilla; Yildirim, Ertan; Ekinci, Melek; Turan, Metin; Kul, Raziye; Karagöz, Fazilet P.

2017-04-01

This study was designed to determine the influence of a nitrogen fixing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation (seed coating and seedling dipping) and 6 doses of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 kg ha-1) application on amino acid contents of cabbage. Coating and seedling dipping applications caused a significant increase in values histidine, glycine, thionin, arginine and alanine of cabbage. Highest glutamate, serine, asparagines and glutamine contents were obtained from 160-200 kg ha-1 nitrogen dose applied plants. As a result, the use of bacteria treatments provides means of improving amino acid contents in cabbage.

Nitrogen-to-oxygen as a tracer of the chemical evolution of the Local and young Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Montero, E.

2013-05-01

Oxygen optical emission-lines are used exhaustively as tracers of the metal content in gaseous nebulae ionized during different episodes of massive star formation. The high luminosity of these lines make them to be detected from the Local Universe up to starbursts at high redshift. Occasionally, in those cases where these lines cannot be measured due to the spectral coverage or to the redshift, nitrogen emission-lines are used instead. However, both nitrogen and oxygen have different nucleosynthetic origins, so the study of chemical abundances from nitrogen emission-lines introduces variables depending on the star formation history of each galaxy that must be taken into account. This contribution summarizes those risks involved in using metallicity tracers based on optical nitrogen emission lines and also describes the advantages of using instead the nitrogen-to-oxygen ratio as a tracer itself, based mainly on its independence on star formation rate, avoiding selection effects at high redshift.

Coordinated response of photosynthesis, carbon assimilation, and triacylglycerol accumulation to nitrogen starvation in the marine microalgae Isochrysis zhangjiangensis (Haptophyta).

PubMed

Wang, Hai-Tao; Meng, Ying-Ying; Cao, Xu-Peng; Ai, Jiang-Ning; Zhou, Jian-Nan; Xue, Song; Wang, Wei-liang

2015-02-01

The photosynthetic performance, carbon assimilation, and triacylglycerol accumulation of Isochrysis zhangjiangensis under nitrogen-deplete conditions were studied to understand the intrinsic correlations between them. The nitrogen-deplete period was divided into two stages based on the photosynthetic parameters. During the first stage, carbon assimilation was not reduced compared with that under favorable conditions. The marked increase in triacylglycerols and the variation in the fatty acid profile suggested that triacylglycerols were mainly derived from de novo synthesized acyl groups. In the second stage, the triacylglycerol content continued increasing while the carbohydrate content decreased from 44.0% to 26.3%. These results indicated that the intracellular conversion of carbohydrates to triacylglycerols occurred. Thus, we propose that sustainable carbon assimilation and incremental triacylglycerol production can be achieved by supplying appropriate amounts of nitrogen in medium to protect the photosynthetic process from severe damage using the photosynthetic parameters as indicators. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Distribution of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and water stable aggregates of cropland with different soil textures on the Loess Plateau, Northwest China].

PubMed

Ge, Nan Nan; Shi, Yun; Yang, Xian Long; Zhang, Qing Yin; Li, Xue Zhang; Jia, Xiao Xu; Shao, Ming An; Wei, Xiao Rong

2017-05-18

In this study, combined with field investigation and laboratory analyses, we assessed the distribution of soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous contents and their stoichiometric ratios, and the distribution of soil water stable aggregates along a soil texture gradient in the cropland of the Loess Plateau to understand the effect of soil texture and the regulation of soil aggregates on soil fertility in cropland. The results showed that, with the change from fine soils to coarse soils along the texture gradient (loam clay→ clay loam→ sandy loam), the contents of macroaggregates, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and their stoichiometric ratios decreased, while pH value and microaggregates content showed an opposite changing pattern. The contents of macroaggregates, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and C/P and N/P were significantly increased, but pH value and microaggregates content were significantly decreased with increasing the soil clay content. Furthermore, the contents of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and C/P and N/P increased with the increase of macroaggregates content. These results indicated that soil fertility in croplands at a regional scale was mainly determined by soil texture, and was regulated by soil macroaggregates.

Study on the reduction and hysteresis effect of soil nitrogen pollution by Alfalfa in channel buffer bank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Yixia; Xue, Lianqing; Zhang, Zhanyu; Li, Dongying

2018-01-01

Based on the simulation experiments of solute transport in channel buffer bank and pot experiments, this study analyzed the transport of nitrogen pollution from farmland drains along the South-North Water Transfer east route project; and compared the nitrogen transport rule and purification effect of alfalfa in channel buffer bank soil under situations of bare land and alfalfa mulching. The results showed that: (1) soil nitrogen content decreased gradually with the width increase of channel buffer bank by the soil adsorption and decomposition; (2) the migration rates of nitrogen were 0.06 g·kg-1 by the alfalfa mulching; (3) the removed rates of nitrogen from the soil were 0.088 g·kg-1 by cutting alfalfa; (4) the residual nitrogen of soil with alfalfa was 10% of the bare land. Alfalfa in channel buffer bank had obvious reduction and hysteresis effect to soil nitrogen pollution.

A mechanistic, globally-applicable model of plant nitrogen uptake, retranslocation and fixation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fisher, J. B.; Tan, S.; Malhi, Y.; Fisher, R. A.; Sitch, S.; Huntingford, C.

2008-12-01

Nitrogen is one of the nutrients that can most limit plant growth, and nitrogen availability may be a controlling factor on biosphere responses to climate change. We developed a plant nitrogen assimilation model based on a) advective transport through the transpiration stream, b) retranslocation whereby carbon is expended to resorb nitrogen from leaves, c) active uptake whereby carbon is expended to acquire soil nitrogen, and d) biological nitrogen fixation whereby carbon is expended for symbiotic nitrogen fixers. The model relies on 9 inputs: 1) net primary productivity (NPP), 2) plant C:N ratio, 3) available soil nitrogen, 4) root biomass, 5) transpiration rate, 6) saturated soil depth,7) leaf nitrogen before senescence, 8) soil temperature, and 9) ability to fix nitrogen. A carbon cost of retranslocation is estimated based on leaf nitrogen and compared to an active uptake carbon cost based on root biomass and available soil nitrogen; for nitrogen fixers both costs are compared to a carbon cost of fixation dependent on soil temperature. The NPP is then allocated to optimize growth while maintaining the C:N ratio. The model outputs are total plant nitrogen uptake, remaining NPP available for growth, carbon respired to the soil and updated available soil nitrogen content. We test and validate the model (called FUN: Fixation and Uptake of Nitrogen) against data from the UK, Germany and Peru, and run the model under simplified scenarios of primary succession and climate change. FUN is suitable for incorporation into a land surface scheme of a General Circulation Model and will be coupled with a soil model and dynamic global vegetation model as part of a land surface model (JULES).

[Effects of cotton straw returning on soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potas-sium contents in soil aggregates].

PubMed

Wang, Shuang Lei; Liu, Yan Hui; Song, Xian Liang; Wei, Shao Bin; Li, Jin Pu; Nie, Jun Jun; Qin, Du Lin; Sun, Xue Zhen

2016-12-01

To clarify the effects of cotton straw returning on the composition and contents of nu-trients in different particle sizes of aggregates, two treatments with or without cotton straw returning were tested in continuous three years. After three years straw treatments, we collected undisturbed soil within 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm soil layers, and to measure the composition, soil organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in different particle sizes of aggregates classified using dry sieving. Returning cotton straw into the field significantly increased particle contents of 2-5 mm and >5 mm aggregates in 0-5 cm soil layer, while the content of <0.25 mm micro-aggregates was decreased. Cotton straw returning significantly improved soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and potassium contents by 19.2%, 14.2% and 17.3%, respectively, compared to no returning control. In 5-10 cm soil layer, cotton straw returning increased the contents of 2-5 mm and >5 mm aggregates, reduced the content of <0.25 mm micro-aggregate, but significantly increased contents of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen and potassium by 19.6%, 12.6% and 23.4%, compared to no straw returning control. In 10-20 cm soil layer, cotton straw returning significantly reduced the content of <0.25 mm micro-aggregates, and significantly enhanced soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and potassium contents by 8.4%, 10.9% and 11.5%, compared to the control. However, in 20-30 cm soil layer, cotton straw returning only increased soil available potassium content by 12.0%, while there were no significant changes in particle size, organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents. We concluded that cotton straw returning could significantly improve the structure of surface soil by increasing the number of macro-aggregates, contents of organic carbon, available nitrogen and potassium in aggregates, while decreasing micro-aggregate content. The enhancement of the contribution of macro-aggregates to soil fertility by returning cotton straw could improve soil physical structure, fertility and then increase cotton yield.

Study on Hyperspectral Estimation Model of Total Nitrogen Content in Soil of Shaanxi Province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jinbao; Dong, Zhenyu; Chen, Xi

2018-01-01

The development of hyperspectral remote sensing technology has been widely used in soil nutrient prediction. The soil is the representative soil type in Shaanxi Province. In this study, the soil total nitrogen content in Shaanxi soil was used as the research target, and the soil samples were measured by reflectance spectroscopy using ASD method. Pre-treatment, the first order differential, second order differential and reflectance logarithmic transformation of the reflected spectrum after pre-treatment, and the hyperspectral estimation model is established by using the least squares regression method and the principal component regression method. The results show that the correlation between the reflectance spectrum and the total nitrogen content of the soil is significantly improved. The correlation coefficient between the original reflectance and soil total nitrogen content is in the range of 350 ~ 2500nm. The correlation coefficient of soil total nitrogen content and first deviation of reflectance is more than 0.5 at 142nm, 1963nm, 2204nm and 2307nm, the second deviation has a significant positive correlation at 1114nm, 1470nm, 1967nm, 2372nm and 2402nm, respectively. After the reciprocal logarithmic transformation of the reflectance with the total nitrogen content of the correlation analysis found that the effect is not obvious. Rc2 = 0.7102, RMSEC = 0.0788; Rv2 = 0.8480, RMSEP = 0.0663, which can achieve the rapid prediction of the total nitrogen content in the region. The results show that the principal component regression model is the best.

Reducing the CP content in broiler feeds: impact on animal performance, meat quality and nitrogen utilization.

PubMed

Belloir, P; Méda, B; Lambert, W; Corrent, E; Juin, H; Lessire, M; Tesseraud, S

2017-11-01

Reducing the dietary CP content is an efficient way to limit nitrogen excretion in broilers but, as reported in the literature, it often reduces performance, probably because of an inadequate provision in amino acids (AA). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of decreasing the CP content in the diet on animal performance, meat quality and nitrogen utilization in growing-finishing broilers using an optimized dietary AA profile based on the ideal protein concept. Two experiments (1 and 2) were performed using 1-day-old PM3 Ross male broilers (1520 and 912 for experiments 1 and 2, respectively) using the minimum AA:Lys ratios proposed by Mack et al. with modifications for Thr and Arg. The digestible Thr (dThr): dLys ratio was increased from 63% to 68% and the dArg:dLys ratio was decreased from 112% to 108%. In experiment 1, the reduction of dietary CP from 19% to 15% (five treatments) did not alter feed intake or BW, but the feed conversion ratio was increased for the 16% and 15% CP diets (+2.4% and +3.6%, respectively), while in experiment 2 (three treatments: 19%, 17.5% and 16% CP) there was no effect of dietary CP on performance. In both experiments, dietary CP content did not affect breast meat yield. However, abdominal fat content (expressed as a percentage of BW) was increased by the decrease in CP content (up to +0.5 and +0.2 percentage point, in experiments 1 and 2, respectively). In experiment 2, meat quality traits responded to dietary CP content with a higher ultimate pH and lower lightness and drip loss values for the low CP diets. Nitrogen retention efficiency increased when reducing CP content in both experiments (+3.5 points/CP percentage point). The main consequence of this higher efficiency was a decrease in nitrogen excretion (-2.5 g N/kg BW gain) and volatilization (expressed as a percentage of excretion: -5 points/CP percentage point). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that with an adapted AA profile, it is possible to reduce dietary CP content to at least 17% in growing-finishing male broilers, without altering animal performance and meat quality. Such a feeding strategy could therefore help improving the sustainability of broiler production as it is an efficient way to reduce environmental burden associated with nitrogen excretion.

[Impact of short-term grazing disturbance on nitrogen accumulation of biological soil crusts in the hilly Loess Plateau region, China].

PubMed

Wang, Shan Shan; Zhao, Yun Ge; Shi, Ya Fang; Gao, Li Qian; Yang, Qiao Yun

2017-12-01

The variations of total nitrogen, available nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen caused by simulated grazing disturbance were investigated in the sixth and twelfth months by using field survey combined with laboratory analysis in order to reveal the sensitivity of nitrogen content in biocrustal soils to disturbance in the hilly Loess Plateau region. The results showed that nitrogen contents in biocrustal soil were sensitive to disturbance. Total nitrogen and available nitrogen in the biocrustal layers were decreased by 0.17-0.39 g·kg -1 and 1.78-5.65 mg·kg -1 during the first half-year compared to the undisturbed treatment, and they were found respectively decreased by 0.13-0.40 g·kg -1 and 11.45-32.68 mg·kg -1 one year later since disturbance. The content of microbial biomass nitrogen in the biocrustal layer was reduced by 69.99-330.97 mg·kg -1 , whereas the content was increased by 25.51-352.17 mg·kg -1 in soil of 0-2 cm layer. The induction of nitrogen accumulation depended on the intensity of disturbance. Slight variation was observed in the nitrogen accumulation in biocrustal layer under 20% and 30% disturbance, while significant reduction was found in the 40% and 50% disturbance. Significant reduction was detected only in nitrogen accumulation in the biocrustal layers, whereas no significant influence was found in the top 5 cm soil layer.

Global sensitivity analysis for identifying important parameters of nitrogen nitrification and denitrification under model uncertainty and scenario uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhuowei; Shi, Liangsheng; Ye, Ming; Zhu, Yan; Yang, Jinzhong

2018-06-01

Nitrogen reactive transport modeling is subject to uncertainty in model parameters, structures, and scenarios. By using a new variance-based global sensitivity analysis method, this paper identifies important parameters for nitrogen reactive transport with simultaneous consideration of these three uncertainties. A combination of three scenarios of soil temperature and two scenarios of soil moisture creates a total of six scenarios. Four alternative models describing the effect of soil temperature and moisture content are used to evaluate the reduction functions used for calculating actual reaction rates. The results show that for nitrogen reactive transport problem, parameter importance varies substantially among different models and scenarios. Denitrification and nitrification process is sensitive to soil moisture content status rather than to the moisture function parameter. Nitrification process becomes more important at low moisture content and low temperature. However, the changing importance of nitrification activity with respect to temperature change highly relies on the selected model. Model-averaging is suggested to assess the nitrification (or denitrification) contribution by reducing the possible model error. Despite the introduction of biochemical heterogeneity or not, fairly consistent parameter importance rank is obtained in this study: optimal denitrification rate (Kden) is the most important parameter; reference temperature (Tr) is more important than temperature coefficient (Q10); empirical constant in moisture response function (m) is the least important one. Vertical distribution of soil moisture but not temperature plays predominant role controlling nitrogen reaction. This study provides insight into the nitrogen reactive transport modeling and demonstrates an effective strategy of selecting the important parameters when future temperature and soil moisture carry uncertainties or when modelers face with multiple ways of establishing nitrogen models.

21 CFR 176.170 - Components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... average nitrogen content of 14.9 percent such that a 1 percent by weight aqueous solution has a minimum... sulfate having a nitrogen content of 22.5-25.0 percent (Kjeldahl dry basis) and containing no more than 0... polymer with styrene, reaction product with ethylenediamine acetate, having a nitrogen content of 7.4-8.3...

Can melamine-based wood primers help in understanding bonded wood durability?

Treesearch

Charles R. Frihart; Jermal G. Chandler

2006-01-01

Melamine–formaldehyde adhesives form wood bonds with exterior durability, and the melamine is more easily studied because of its significant nitrogen content (compared with the lack of nitrogen in wood components). In addition, some melamine–formaldehyde chemicals reduce wood swelling [6], enter into wood cell walls [7], and strengthen them [8]. This information led to...

Humus and nitrogen in soddy-podzolic soils of different agricultural lands in Perm region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zav'yalova, N. E.

2016-11-01

Heavy loamy soddy-podzolic soils (Eutric Albic Retisols (Abruptic, Loamic, Cutanic)) under a mixed forest, a grass-herb meadow, a perennial legume crop (fodder galega, Galéga orientalis), and an eightcourse crop rotation (treatment without fertilization) have been characterized by the main fertility parameters. Differences have been revealed in the contents of humus and essential nutrients in the 0- to 20- and 20- to 40-cm layers of soils of the studied agricultural lands. The medium acid reaction and the high content of ash elements and nitrogen in stubble-root residues of legume grasses favor the accumulation of humic acids in the humus of soil under fodder galega; the CHA/CFA ratio is 0.95 in the 0- to 20-cm layer and 0.81 in the 20- to 40-cm layer (under forest, 0.61 and 0.41, respectively). The nitrogen pool in the upper horizon of the studied soddy-podzolic soil includes 61-76% nonhydrolyzable nitrogen and 17-25% difficultly hydrolyzable nitrogen. The content of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen varies depending on the type of agricultural land from 6% in the soil under mixed forest to 10% under crop rotation; the content of mineral nitrogen varies from 0.9 to 1.9%, respectively. The long-term use of plowland in crop rotation and the cultivation of perennial legume crop have increased the content of hydrolyzable nitrogen forms but have not changed the proportions of nitrogen fractions characteristic of this soil type.

Nitrogen-doped graphene: effect of graphite oxide precursors and nitrogen content on the electrochemical sensing properties.

PubMed

Megawati, Monica; Chua, Chun Kiang; Sofer, Zdenek; Klímová, Kateřina; Pumera, Martin

2017-06-21

Graphene, produced via chemical methods, has been widely applied for electrochemical sensing due to its structural and electrochemical properties as well as its ease of production in large quantity. While nitrogen-doped graphenes are widely studied materials, the literature showing an effect of graphene oxide preparation methods on nitrogen quantity and chemical states as well as on defects and, in turn, on electrochemical sensing is non-existent. In this study, the properties of nitrogen-doped graphene materials, prepared via hydrothermal synthesis using graphite oxide produced by various classical methods using permanganate or chlorate oxidants Staudenmaier, Hummers, Hofmann and Brodie oxidation methods, were studied; the resulting nitrogen-doped graphene oxides were labeled as ST-GO, HU-GO, HO-GO and BR-GO, respectively. The electrochemical oxidation of biomolecules, such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, nicotinamide adenine nucleotide and DNA free bases, was carried out using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The nitrogen content in doped graphene oxides increased in the order ST-GO < BR-GO < HO-GO < HU-GO. In the same way, the pyridinic form of nitrogen increased and the electrocatalytic effect of N-doped graphene followed this trend, as shown in the cyclic voltammograms. This is a very important finding that provides insight into the electrocatalytic effect of N-doped graphene. The nitrogen-doped graphene materials exhibited improved sensitivity over bare glassy carbon for ascorbic acid, uric acid and dopamine detection. These studies will enhance our understanding of the effects of graphite oxide precursors on the electrochemical sensing properties of nitrogen-doped graphene materials.

Effect of Nitrogen on Cellular Production and Release of the Neurotoxin Anatoxin-A in a Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium

PubMed Central

Gagnon, Alexis; Pick, Frances R.

2012-01-01

Anatoxin-a (ANTX) is a neurotoxin produced by several freshwater cyanobacteria and implicated in lethal poisonings of domesticated animals and wildlife. The factors leading to its production in nature and in culture are not well understood. Resource availability may influence its cellular production as suggested by the carbon-nutrient hypothesis, which links the amount of secondary metabolites produced by plants or microbes to the relative abundance of nutrients. We tested the effects of nitrogen supply (as 1, 5, and 100% N of standard cyanobacterial medium corresponding to 15, 75, and 1500 mg L−1 of NaNO3 respectively) on ANTX production and release in a toxic strain of the planktonic cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon issatschenkoi (Nostocales). We hypothesized that nitrogen deficiency might constrain the production of ANTX. However, the total concentration and more significantly the cellular content of anatoxin-a peaked (max. 146 μg/L and 1683 μg g−1 dry weight) at intermediate levels of nitrogen supply when N-deficiency was evident based on phycocyanin to chlorophyll a and carbon to nitrogen ratios. The results suggest that the cellular production of anatoxin-a may be stimulated by moderate nitrogen stress. Maximal cellular contents of other cyanotoxins have recently been reported under severe stress conditions in another Nostocales species. PMID:22701451

Effect of fiber source on cecal fermentation and nitrogen recycled through cecotrophy in rabbits.

PubMed

García, J; Carabaño, R; Pérez-Alba, L; de Blas, J C

2000-03-01

The influence of fiber source on fiber digestion in rabbits was investigated. Six fibrous feedstuffs with wide differences in chemical composition and particle size were selected: paprika meal, olive leaves, alfalfa hay, soybean hulls, sodium hydroxide-treated barley straw, and sunflower hulls. Six diets were formulated to contain one of these ingredients as the sole source of fiber. To avoid nutrient imbalances, fiber sources were supplemented with different proportions of a fiber-free concentrate, based on soy protein isolate, wheat flour, lard, and a vitamin and mineral mix, to obtain diets containing at least 3% nitrogen and 5% starch. Daily soft feces excretion, and its NDF, and total and microbial nitrogen content were determined in 60 fattening rabbits (10 per diet). Seven days after the last cecotrophy control, the same animals were used to determine weight of stomach, cecum and their contents, and cecal fermentation traits (pH, VFA and ammonia concentrations, and buffer properties of cecal contents). Stepwise regression analysis showed a positive effect (P < .001) on soft feces excretion, total and microbial nitrogen concentrations in soft feces, cecal acidity, and total VFA in the cecum of dietary pectic constituents (2.9, 3.5, 2.5, .9, and 6.6%) and proportion of fine particles (< .315 mm) (1.8, .9, 1.3, .15, and .9%) per each increment of one percentage unit of the independent variables. Proportion of fine particles also increased weight of cecal contents (P < .001). Soft feces excretion and weight of stomach and of its contents increased (P < .001) by 5.2, 2.8, and 10.2% per each percentage unit increment of proportion of large particles (> 1.25 mm). Degree of lignification of NDF decreased total nitrogen concentration in soft feces and cecal VFA concentration (P < .001). Source of fiber affected cecal pH not only by its influence on the cecal concentrations of the final products of fermentation, but also through its effect on the pH of dry cecal contents (P < .001). The latter was negatively correlated with dietary proportion of fine particles, degree of lignification of NDF, and base-buffering capacity of dry cecal contents (r = -.52, -.37, and -.49, respectively). From these results, we conclude that pectic constituent concentration, degree of lignification of NDF, and particle size are the variables that best characterize the influence of the source of fiber on soft feces excretion and cecal fermentation traits in rabbits.

Pulsation-based method for reduction of nitrogen oxides content in torch combustion products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, I. A.; Porshnev, S. V.; Oshchepkova, V. Y.; Kit, M.

2018-01-01

Out of all ways to fuel bum the torch combustion systems is used most often. Even though the processes in the steam boiler are stochastic, the system can be controlled rather easily by changing the flowrate of the air pumped into it and - in case of balanced flue units - exhausters load. Advantages offered by torch-based combustion systems are offset by a disadvantage resulted in oxidation of nitrogen contained in the air. This paper provides rationale for an NOx content reduction method that employs pulsation mode of fuel combustion; it also describes combustion control and monitoring system employed for implementation of this method. Described methodology can be used not only for pulsation combustion studies but also for studies of torches formed by conventional burning systems. The outcome of the experimental study supports the assumption that it is possible to create conditions for NOx content reduction in flue gases by means of cycling the fuel supply on/off valve at the rate of 6 Hz.

Leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning differ among subtropical forest plants in response to canopy addition of nitrogen treatments.

PubMed

Liu, Nan; Wu, Shuhua; Guo, Qinfeng; Wang, Jiaxin; Cao, Ce; Wang, Jun

2018-05-12

Global increases in nitrogen deposition may alter forest structure and function by interfering with plant nitrogen metabolism (e.g., assimilation and partitioning) and subsequent carbon assimilation, but it is unclear how these responses to nitrogen deposition differ among species. In this study, we conducted a 2-year experiment to investigate the effects of canopy addition of nitrogen (CAN) on leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning in three subtropical forest plants (Castanea henryi, Ardisia quinquegona, and Blastus cochinchinensis). We hypothesized that responses of leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning to CAN differ among subtropical forest plants. CAN increased leaf nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll contents but reduced leaf maximum photosynthetic rate (A max ), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) activity, and metabolic protein content of an overstory tree species C. henryi. In an understory tree A. quinquegona, CAN increased NR activity and glutamine synthetase activity and therefore increased metabolic protein synthesis (e.g., Rubisco) in leaves. In the shrub B. cochinchinensis, CAN increased A max , PNUE, Rubisco content, metabolic protein content, and Rubisco activity in leaves. Leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning results indicated that A. quinquegona and B. cochinchinensis may better acclimate to CAN than C. henryi and that the acclimation mechanism differs among the species. Results from this study suggest that long-term elevated atmospheric nitrogen deposition has contributed to the ongoing transformation of subtropical forests into communities dominated by small trees and shrubs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Global scale environmental control of plant photosynthetic capacity

DOE PAGES

Ali, Ashehad; Xu, Chonggang; Rogers, Alistair; ...

2015-12-01

Photosynthetic capacity, determined by light harvesting and carboxylation reactions, is a key plant trait that determines the rate of photosynthesis; however, in Earth System Models (ESMs) at a reference temperature, it is either a fixed value for a given plant functional type or derived from a linear function of leaf nitrogen content. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis that considered correlations of environmental factors with photosynthetic capacity as determined by maximum carboxylation (V c,m) rate scaled to 25°C (i.e., V c,25; μmol CO 2·m –2·s –1) and maximum electron transport rate (Jmax) scaled to 25°C (i.e., J 25;more » μmol electron·m –2·s –1) at the global scale. Our results showed that the percentage of variation in observed Vc,25 and J25 explained jointly by the environmental factors (i.e., day length, radiation, temperature, and humidity) were 2–2.5 times and 6–9 times of that explained by area-based leaf nitrogen content, respectively. Environmental factors influenced photosynthetic capacity mainly through photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, rather than through leaf nitrogen content. The combination of leaf nitrogen content and environmental factors was able to explain ~56% and ~66% of the variation in V c,25 and J 25 at the global scale, respectively. As a result, our analyses suggest that model projections of plant photosynthetic capacity and hence land–atmosphere exchange under changing climatic conditions could be substantially improved if environmental factors are incorporated into algorithms used to parameterize photosynthetic capacity in ESMs.« less

[Effects of different mulching materials on nitrate metabolism in soil of apple root-zone in summer and autumn.

PubMed

Zhang, Rui Xue; Yang, Hong Qiang; Xu, Ying; Lyu, Ting Wen; Cao, Hui; Ning, Liu Fang; Zhou, Chun Ran; Fan, Wei Guo

2016-08-01

This study explored the effects of mulching straw mat, agricultural carpet, transparent-plastic film and horticultural fabric on nitrification-denitrification, nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), ammonium, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen in root-zone soil grown with three-year old apple trees (Malus domestica cv. Starkrimson) during summer and autumn. Results showed that the four treatments decreased nitrification intensity in summer soil, NiR activity in summer-autumn soil and the variation coefficient of nitrification-denitrification intensity and NR in both summer and autumn soil. The treatments increased the denitrification intensity, NR activity, ammonium nitrogen contents in summer-autumn soil and ammonium nitrogen contents in autumn soil. Straw mat treatment increased denitrification intensity and nitrate nitrogen contents in both summer and autumn soil and decreased the activity of NR and NiR in summer soil. The coefficient of variation of nitrification-denitrification intensity and NR activity treated by mulching straw mat was lower than those in the other treatments in both summer and autumn soil. Agricultural carpet increased the NR and NiR activity in summer soil, the nitrate nitrogen contents in summer-autumn soil and the denitrification intensity in autumn soil and decreased denitrification intensity in summer soil. Transparent-plastic film increased the nitrite nitrogen contents in summer soil, the contents of nitrate nitrogen in summer-autumn soil, the nitrification intensity and NiR activity in autumn soil, and decreased nitrate nitrogen contents in summer soil. Horticultural fabric increased denitrification intensity in summer soil, nitrification intensity in summer-autumn and autumn soil and the nitrate nitrogen contents in autumn soil. The four mulching treatments all promoted plant growth. In the four mulching treatments, the new shoot and trunk thickening growth were more under straw mat and horticultural fabric treatments. The four mulching treatments had different effects on nitrate metabolism in summer and autumn soil, but they were able to stabilize the soil nitrate metabolism and transformation. Among the treatments, straw mat had the best stable effect.

[Screening, identification and phosphate-solubilizing characteristics of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria strain D2 (Pantoea sp.)in rhizosphere of Pinus tabuliformis in iron tailings yard.

PubMed

Wang, Jun Juan; Yan, Ai Hua; Wang, Wei; Li, Ji Quan; Li, Yu Ling

2016-11-18

Two strains of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of Pinus tabuliformis in iron tailings vegetation restoration areas in Malan Town, Qianan City, Hebei Pro-vince. The bacterial strain D2 with strong phosphate-solubilizing capacity was obtained via screening with plate and shake flask. Based on the morphology, physiology and biochemistry, and the sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, the D2 was identified as a member of Pantoea sp. A fermentation experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on the phosphate-solubilizing capacity of the strain D2; under different nitrogen sources, the organic acids in liquid culture, as well as their types and contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the strain D2 was capable of efficiently solubilizing tricalcium phosphate, and the highest value of available phosphorus was up to 392.13 mg·L -1 in liquid culture. The strain D2 displayed the strongest phosphate-solubilizing capability when glucose and ammonium sulfate were used as carbon and nitrogen sources in the culture media, respectively. Under varied nitrogen sources, the resulting organic acids and their types and contents were different. When the nitrogen source in culture media was ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate, all four organic acids, including oxalic acid, formic acid, acetic acid and citric acid, were produced. In addition, malic acid was uniquely produced when ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride or ammonium nitrate was used as the nitrogen source. By Pearson's correlation analysis, a significant positive correlation between the acetic acid content and the available phosphorus content was found (r=0.886, P<0.05), suggesting that acetic acid produced by strain D2 played an important role in promoting inorganic phosphorus dissolution, which was most likely to be one of the important phosphate-solubilizing mechanisms of the strain.

Nutrient content of some winter grouse foods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Treichler, R.R.; Stow, R.W.; Nelson, A.L.

1946-01-01

Seventeen preferred grouse foods were collected during the late winter and analyzed for nutrient content. The results include moisture, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, nitrogenfree extract, ash, calcium, phosphorus, and gross energy content expressed both on moisture free and fresh bases.....The preferred winter foods of grouse are characterized by a high content of dry substance and of nitrogen-free extract......On the basis of nutrient content, the foods examined are well qualified as sources of energy and other essential nutrients required for maintenance of grouse during the winter season.

Low light intensity and nitrogen starvation modulate the chlorophyll content of Scenedesmus dimorphus.

PubMed

Ferreira, V S; Pinto, R F; Sant'Anna, C

2016-03-01

Chlorophyll is a photosynthetic pigment found in plants and algal organisms and is a bioproduct with human health benefits and a great potential for use in the food industry. The chlorophyll content in microalgae strains varies in response to environmental factors. In this work, we assessed the effect of nitrogen depletion and low light intensity on the chlorophyll content of the Scenedesmus dimorphus microalga. The growth of S. dimorphus under low light intensity led to a reduction in cell growth and volume as well as increased cellular chlorophyll content. Nitrogen starvation led to a reduction in cell growth and the chlorophyll content, changes in the yield and productivity of chlorophylls a and b. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the ultrastructural changes in the S. dimorphus exposed to nitrogen and light deficiency. In contrast to nitrogen depletion, low light availability was an effective mean for increasing the total chlorophyll content of green microalga S. dimorphus. The findings acquired in this work are of great biotechnological importance to extend knowledge of choosing the right culture condition to stimulate the effectiveness of microalgae strains for chlorophyll production purposes. © 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Highly nitrogen-doped porous carbon derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 for CO2 capture.

PubMed

Ma, Xiancheng; Li, Liqing; Chen, Ruofei; Wang, Chunhao; Li, Haoyang; Li, Hailong

2018-05-18

CO2 adsorption capacity of nitrogen-doped porous carbon depends to a large nitrogen doping levels and high surface area in previous studies. However, it seems difficult to incorporate large amounts of nitrogen while maintaining a high surface area and pore structure. Here we have reported porous carbon having a nitrogen content of up to 25.52% and specific surface area of 948 m2 g-1, which is prepared by pyrolyzing the nitrogen-containing zeolite imidazole framework-8 and urea composite at 650 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. ZNC650 exhibits a superior CO2 uptake of 3.7 mmol g-1 at 25 ℃ and 1 bar. Experimental and theoretical results indicate that the nitrogen-containing functional groups can enhance CO2 uptake electrostatic interactions, Lewis acid-base interactions and hydrogen-bonding interactions, which are elucidated by density functional theory calculations. As CO2 adsorbent materials, these carbons have excellent adsorption capacity. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

[Effects of seasonal snow cover on soil nitrogen transformation in alpine ecosystem: a review].

PubMed

Liu, Lin; Wu, Yan; He, Yi-xin; Wu, Ning; Sun, Geng; Zhang, Lin; Xu, Jun-jun

2011-08-01

Seasonal snow cover has pronounced effects on the soil nitrogen concentration and transformation in alpine ecosystem. Snowfall is an important form of nitrogen deposition, which directly affects the content of soil available nitrogen. Different depths and different duration of snow cover caused by snowfall may lead the heterogeneity of abiotic factors (soil temperature and moisture) and biotic factors (soil microbes, alpine plants, and alpine animals), and further, produce complicated effects on the mineralization and immobilization of soil nitrogen. This paper introduced in emphasis the inherent mechanisms of soil nitrogen mineralization and leaching under the effects of frequent freeze-thaw events during the durative melting of snow cover, and summarized the main research results of field in situ experiments about the effects of seasonal snow cover on soil nitrogen in alpine ecosystem based on the possible changes in snow cover in the future. Some suggestions with regard to the effects of seasonal snow cover on soil nitrogen were put forward.

Estimating biophysical properties of coffee (Coffea canephora) plants with above-canopy field measurements, using CropSpec®

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Putra, Bayu T. Widjaja; Soni, Peeyush; Morimoto, Eiji; Pujiyanto, Pujiyanto

2018-04-01

Remote sensing technologies have been applied to many crops, but tree crops like Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) under shade conditions require additional attention while making above-canopy measurements. The objective of this study was to determine how well chlorophyll and nitrogen status of Robusta coffee plants can be estimated with the laser-based (CropSpec®) active sensor. This study also identified appropriate vegetation indices for estimating Nitrogen content by above-canopy measurement, using near-infra red and red-edge bands. Varying light intensity and different background of the plants were considered in developing the indices. Field experiments were conducted involving different non-destructive tools (CropSpec® and SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter). Subsequently, Kjeldahl laboratory analyses were performed to determine the actual Nitrogen content of the plants with different ages and field conditions used in the non-destructive previous stage. Measurements were undertaken for assessing the biophysical properties of tree plant. The usefulness of near-infrared and red-edge bands from these sensors in measuring critical nitrogen levels of coffee plants by above-canopy measurement are investigated in this study.

Influence of shielding gas on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of DP-GMA-welded 5083-H321 aluminum alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koushki, Amin Reza; Goodarzi, Massoud; Paidar, Moslem

2016-12-01

In the present research, 6-mm-thick 5083-H321 aluminum alloy was joined by the double-pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) process. The objective was to investigate the influence of the shielding gas composition on the microstructure and properties of GMA welds. A macrostructural study indicated that the addition of nitrogen and oxygen to the argon shielding gas resulted in better weld penetration. Furthermore, the tensile strength and bending strength of the welds were improved when oxygen and nitrogen (at concentrations as high as approximately 0.1vol%) were added to the shielding gas; however, these properties were adversely affected when the oxygen and nitrogen contents were increased further. This behavior was attributed to the formation of excessive brown and black oxide films on the bead surface, the formation of intermetallic compounds in the weld metal, and the formation of thicker oxide layers on the bead surface with increasing nitrogen and oxygen contents in the argon-based shielding gas. Analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that most of these compounds are nitrides or oxides.

[Effect of DMPP on inorganic nitrogen runoff loss from vegetable soil].

PubMed

Yu, Qiao-Gang; Fu, Jian-Rong; Ma, Jun-Wei; Ye, Jing; Ye, Xue-Zhu

2009-03-15

The effect of urea with 1% 3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on inorganic nitrogen runoff loss from agriculture field was determined in an undisturbed vegetable soil by using the simulated artificial rainfall method. The results show that, during the three simulated artificial rainfall period, the ammonium nitrogen content in the runoff water is increased 1.42, 2.82 and 1.95 times with the DMPP application treatment compared to regular urea treatment, respectively. In the urea with DMPP addition treatment, the nitrate nitrogen content is decreased 70.2%, 59.7% and 52.1% in the three simulated artificial rainfall runoff water, respectively. The nitrite nitrogen content is also decreased 98.7%, 90.6% and 85.6% in the three simulated artificial rainfall runoff water, respectively. The nitrate nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen runoff loss are greatly declined with the DMPP addition in the urea. Especially the nitrite nitrogen is in a significant low level and is near to the treatment with no fertilizer application. The inorganic nitrogen runoff loss is declined by 39.0% to 44.8% in the urea with DMPP addition treatment. So DMPP could be used as an effective nitrification inhibitor to control the soil ammonium oxidation, decline the nitrogen runoff loss, lower the nitrogen transformation risk to the waterbody and be beneficial for the ecological environment.

High nitrogen availability reduces polyphenol content in Sphagnum peat.

PubMed

Bragazza, Luca; Freeman, Chris

2007-05-15

Peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum constitute the bulk of living and dead biomass in bogs. These plants contain peculiar polyphenols which hamper litter peat decomposition through their inhibitory activity on microbial breakdown. In the light of the increasing availability of biologically active nitrogen in natural ecosystems, litter derived from Sphagnum mosses is an ideal substrate to test the potential effects of increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition on polyphenol content in litter peat. To this aim, we measured total nitrogen and soluble polyphenol concentration in Sphagnum litter peat collected in 11 European bogs under a chronic gradient of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Our results demonstrate that increasing nitrogen concentration in Sphagnum litter, as a consequence of increased exogenous nitrogen availability, is accompanied by a decreasing concentration of polyphenols. This inverse relationship is consistent with reports that in Sphagnum mosses, polyphenol and protein biosynthesis compete for the same precursor. Our observation of modified Sphagnum litter chemistry under chronic nitrogen eutrophication has implications in the context of the global carbon balance, because a lower content of decay-inhibiting polyphenols would accelerate litter peat decomposition.

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of Foliar Nitrogen Content

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knyazikhin, Yuri; Schull, Mitchell A.; Stenberg, Pauline; Moettus, Matti; Rautiainen, Miina; Yang, Yan; Marshak, Alexander; Carmona, Pedro Latorre; Kaufmann, Robert K.; Lewis, Philip;

[Influences of tide on silicon and nitrogen contents in soil and porewater in the Minjiang Ri-ver estuary, Southeast China].

PubMed

Hou, Guan Yun; Zhai, Shui Jing; Le, Xiao Qing; Tong, Chuan

2017-01-01

Taking Shanyuntan wetland in the Minjiang River estuary as test object, the dissolved silicates (DSi) and inorganic nitrogen contents in porewater and the biogenic silica (BSi) and total nitrogen contents in surface soil of the Phragmites australis wetland, Cyperus malaccensis wetland and Spartina alterniflora wetland were measured in October 2014 (spring tide month) and April 2015 (neap tide month), respectively, to illuminate the influence of tide on silicon and nitrogen contents in soil and porewater of estuarine wetland. Results showed that the DSi content in porewater and the BSi content in surface soil in spring tide month were slightly higher than those in neap tide month, with the highest being observed on neap tide day and the lowest occurring on spring tide day. In contrast, the BSi content in surface soil on spring tide day showed an opposite trend with that on neap tide day. The contents of NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N in porewater of different wetland soils in spring tide month were higher than those in neap tide month, while the content of NH 4 + -N on spring tide day was significantly higher than that on neap tide day (P<0.05). The study found that hydrological conditions such as flooding duration and drying-wetting alternation caused by tide had great influences on silicon and nitrogen contents in porewater and surface soil, and vegetation types also showed great influences on their distributions in intertidal wetland of the Minjiang River estuary.

Genetic and agronomic assessment of cob traits in corn under low and normal nitrogen management conditions.

PubMed

Jansen, Constantin; Zhang, Yongzhong; Liu, Hongjun; Gonzalez-Portilla, Pedro J; Lauter, Nick; Kumar, Bharath; Trucillo-Silva, Ignacio; Martin, Juan Pablo San; Lee, Michael; Simcox, Kevin; Schussler, Jeff; Dhugga, Kanwarpal; Lübberstedt, Thomas

2015-07-01

Exploring and understanding the genetic basis of cob biomass in relation to grain yield under varying nitrogen management regimes will help breeders to develop dual-purpose maize. With rising energy demands and costs for fossil fuels, alternative energy from renewable sources such as maize cobs will become competitive. Maize cobs have beneficial characteristics for utilization as feedstock including compact tissue, high cellulose content, and low ash and nitrogen content. Nitrogen is quantitatively the most important nutrient for plant growth. However, the influence of nitrogen fertilization on maize cob production is unclear. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been analyzed for cob morphological traits such as cob weight, volume, length, diameter and cob tissue density, and grain yield under normal and low nitrogen regimes. 213 doubled-haploid lines of the intermated B73 × Mo17 (IBM) Syn10 population have been resequenced for 8575 bins, based on SNP markers. A total of 138 QTL were found for six traits across six trials using composite interval mapping with ten cofactors and empirical comparison-wise thresholds (P = 0.001). Despite moderate to high repeatabilities across trials, few QTL were consistent across trials and overall levels of explained phenotypic variance were lower than expected some of the cob trait × trial combinations (R (2) = 7.3-43.1 %). Variation for cob traits was less affected by nitrogen conditions than by grain yield. Thus, the economics of cob usage under low nitrogen regimes is promising.

Distinctive Responses of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase and Carbonic Anhydrase in Wheat Leaves to Nitrogen Nutrition and their Possible Relationships to CO2-Transfer Resistance 1

PubMed Central

Makino, Amane; Sakashita, Hiroshi; Hidema, Jun; Mae, Tadahiko; Ojima, Kunihiko; Osmond, Barry

1992-01-01

The amounts of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), total chlorophyll (Chl), and total leaf nitrogen were measured in fully expanded, young leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.). In addition, the activities of whole-chain electron transport and carbonic anhydrase were measured. All plants were grown hydroponically at different nitrogen concentrations. Although a greater than proportional increase in Rubisco content relative to leaf nitrogen content and Chl was found with increasing nitrogen supply for rice, spinach, bean, and pea, the ratio of Rubisco to total leaf nitrogen or Chl in wheat was essentially independent of nitrogen treatment. In addition, the ratio of Rubisco to electron transport activities remained constant only in wheat. Nevertheless, gas-exchange analysis showed that the in vivo balance between the capacities of Rubisco and electron transport in wheat, rice, and spinach remained almost constant, irrespective of nitrogen treatment. The in vitro carbonic anhydrase activity in wheat was very low and strongly responsive to increasing nitrogen content. Such a response was not found for the other C3 plants examined, which had 10- to 30-fold higher carbonic anhydrase activity than wheat at any leaf-nitrogen content. These distinctive responses of carbonic anhydrase activity in wheat were discussed in relation to CO2-transfer resistance and the in vivo balance between the capacities of Rubisco and electron transport. PMID:16653191

Effects of low nitrogen supply on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit yield and quality with special emphasis on sugars, acids, ascorbate, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds.

PubMed

Bénard, Camille; Gautier, Hélène; Bourgaud, Frédéric; Grasselly, Dominique; Navez, Brigitte; Caris-Veyrat, Catherine; Weiss, Marie; Génard, Michel

2009-05-27

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of lowering nitrogen supply from 12 to 6 or 4 mM NO(3)(-) on tomato fruit yield and quality during the growing season. Lowering nitrogen supply had a low impact on fruit commercial yield (-7.5%), but it reduced plant vegetative growth and increased fruit dry matter content, improving consequently fruit quality. Fruit quality was improved due to lower acid (10-16%) and increased soluble sugar content (5-17%). The content of some phenolic compounds (rutin, a caffeic acid glycoside, and a caffeic acid derivate) and total ascorbic acid tended to be higher in fruit with the lowest nitrogen supply, but differences were significant in only a few cases (trusses). With regard to carotenoids, data did not show significant and univocal differences related to different levels of nitrogen supply. Thus, reducing nitrogen fertilization limited environmental pollution, on the one hand, and may improve, on the other hand, both growers' profits, by limiting nitrogen inputs, and fruit quality for consumers, by increasing tomato sugars content. It was concluded that primary and secondary metabolites could be affected as a result of a specific response to low nitrogen, combined with a lower degree of vegetative development, increasing fruit irradiance, and therefore modifying fruit composition.

Contribution of yeast and base wine supplementation to sparkling wine composition.

PubMed

Martí-Raga, Maria; Martín, Valentina; Gil, Mariona; Sancho, Marta; Zamora, Fernando; Mas, Albert; Beltran, Gemma

2016-12-01

The differential characteristic of sparkling wine is the formation of foam, which is dependent, among other factors, on yeast autolysis, aging and oenological practices. In this study, we analyzed the effects of yeast strain, nutrient supplementation to the base wine and aging process on the sparkling wine composition and its foamability. We determined that the addition of inorganic nitrogen promoted nitrogen liberation to the extracellular medium, while the addition of inactive dry yeast to the base wine caused an increase in the polysaccharide concentration and foaming properties of the sparkling wine. The use of synthetic and natural base wines allowed us to discriminate that the differences in high-molecular-weight polysaccharides and oligosaccharides could be attributed to the yeast cells and that the higher nitrogen content in the natural wine could be due to external proteolysis. The practices of nitrogen addition and supplementation of inactive dry yeast could modulate the main characteristics of the sparkling wine and be a critical element for the design of this kind of wine. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nitrogen removal from landfill leachate using single or combined processes.

PubMed

He, P J; Shao, L M; Guo, H D; Li, G J; Lee, D J

2005-04-01

The municipal solids waste (MSW) collected at Shanghai includes a high proportion of food waste, which is easily hydrolyzed to generate ammonia-nitrogen in leachate. This study investigated the efficiency of nitrogen removal from landfill leachate employing four different treatment processes. The simulated rainfall and direct leachate recycling produced strong leachate with high ammonia-nitrogen content, and resulted in the removal of only a small amount of nitrogen. Although pretreating the leachate using an aerobic reactor removed some nitrogen, most of which was transformed to biomass because of the high organic loading applied. Using the three-compartment system, which comprises a landfill column with fresh MSW, a column with well-decomposed refuse layer as the methane generator, and a nitrifier, the ammonia-nitrogen was converted into nitrogen gas and hence removed. Experimental results demonstrated the feasibility of adopting the three-compartment system for managing nitrogen in landfill leachate generated from high-nitrogen-content MSW.

Prediction of sweetness and amino acid content in soybean crops from hyperspectral imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteiro, Sildomar Takahashi; Minekawa, Yohei; Kosugi, Yukio; Akazawa, Tsuneya; Oda, Kunio

Hyperspectral image data provides a powerful tool for non-destructive crop analysis. This paper investigates a hyperspectral image data-processing method to predict the sweetness and amino acid content of soybean crops. Regression models based on artificial neural networks were developed in order to calculate the level of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and nitrogen concentrations, which can be related to the sweetness and amino acid content of vegetables. A performance analysis was conducted comparing regression models obtained using different preprocessing methods, namely, raw reflectance, second derivative, and principal components analysis. This method is demonstrated using high-resolution hyperspectral data of wavelengths ranging from the visible to the near infrared acquired from an experimental field of green vegetable soybeans. The best predictions were achieved using a nonlinear regression model of the second derivative transformed dataset. Glucose could be predicted with greater accuracy, followed by sucrose, fructose and nitrogen. The proposed method provides the possibility to provide relatively accurate maps predicting the chemical content of soybean crop fields.

Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factors for Three Edible Insects: Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobius diaperinus, and Hermetia illucens.

PubMed

Janssen, Renske H; Vincken, Jean-Paul; van den Broek, Lambertus A M; Fogliano, Vincenzo; Lakemond, Catriona M M

2017-03-22

Insects are considered a nutritionally valuable source of alternative proteins, and their efficient protein extraction is a prerequisite for large-scale use. The protein content is usually calculated from total nitrogen using the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor (Kp) of 6.25. This factor overestimates the protein content, due to the presence of nonprotein nitrogen in insects. In this paper, a specific Kp of 4.76 ± 0.09 was calculated for larvae from Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobius diaperinus, and Hermetia illucens, using amino acid analysis. After protein extraction and purification, a Kp factor of 5.60 ± 0.39 was found for the larvae of three insect species studied. We propose to adopt these Kp values for determining protein content of insects to avoid overestimation of the protein content.

Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factors for Three Edible Insects: Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobius diaperinus, and Hermetia illucens

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Insects are considered a nutritionally valuable source of alternative proteins, and their efficient protein extraction is a prerequisite for large-scale use. The protein content is usually calculated from total nitrogen using the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor (Kp) of 6.25. This factor overestimates the protein content, due to the presence of nonprotein nitrogen in insects. In this paper, a specific Kp of 4.76 ± 0.09 was calculated for larvae from Tenebrio molitor, Alphitobius diaperinus, and Hermetia illucens, using amino acid analysis. After protein extraction and purification, a Kp factor of 5.60 ± 0.39 was found for the larvae of three insect species studied. We propose to adopt these Kp values for determining protein content of insects to avoid overestimation of the protein content. PMID:28252948

Alterations in nitrogen metabolites after putrescine treatment in alfalfa under drought stress.

PubMed

Zeid, I M; Shedeed, Z A

2007-05-01

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa, Siwa 1) seeds were subjected to drought stress during germination by using polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) for studying the changes in some enzyme activities involved in nitrogen metabolism and the content of nitrogenous compounds during the first four days of growth after putrescine (Put) treatment. Decreasing the external water potential reduced activities of glutamate-pyruvate transferase (GPT), glutamate-oxaloacetate transferase (GOT) and RNase. Some free amino acids such as proline and glycine increased, while alanine and aspartic acid decreased. Nucleic acids content also decreased. Polyamines e.g., spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) increased at the water potential -0.4 MPa. Put treatment increased activities of GOT, GPT and RNase. Furthermore, Put treatment increased nucleic acids content and the endogenous polyamines under drought stress. Drought stress was imposed during seedling stage by decreasing soil moisture content. GOT, GPT and RNase activities increased in leaves of alfalfa seedlings under drought stress. Soluble nitrogenous compounds accumulated under drought stress, while nucleic acids content decreased. Except glutamic acid, all free amino acids detected increased under drought stress. Put treatment decreased activities of GOT, GPT and RNase, as well as reduced the accumulation of the total soluble nitrogenous compounds, but increased DNA, RNA and protein contents.

Consumer-resource stoichiometry in detritus-based streams

Treesearch

Wyatt F. Cross; Jonathan P. Benstead; Amy D. Rosemond; J. Bruce Wallace

2003-01-01

Stoichiometric relationships between consumers and resources in detritus-based ecosystems have received little attention, despite the importance of detritus in most food webs. We analysed carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) content of invertebrate consumers, and basal food resources in two forested headwater streams (one reference and the other nutrient-...

Fluorescently tuned nitrogen-doped carbon dots from carbon source with different content of carboxyl groups

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Hao; Wang, Yun; Dai, Xiao

2015-08-01

In this study, fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) were tuned via varying the sources with different number of carboxyl groups. Owing to the interaction between amino and carboxyl, more amino groups conjugate the surface of the NCDs by the source with more carboxyl groups. Fluorescent NCDs were tuned via varying the sources with different content of carboxyl groups. Correspondingly, the nitrogen content, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetime of NCDs increases with the content of carboxyl groups from the source. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assay and cell imaging test indicate that the resultant NCDs possess low cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility.

[Nitrogen and protein content analysis of human milk, diurnality vs nocturnality].

PubMed

Sánchez López, C L; Hernández, A; Rodríguez, A B; Rivero, M; Barriga, C; Cubero, J

2011-01-01

Breast milk is changing with the progression of lactation and during a 24-h period. To determine the effect of diurnality or nocturnality on total nitrogen and protein content of the breast milk. We collected human milk samples from health mothers living throughout Community of Extremadura (Spain) from January 2008 to December 2008 with less than two months of lactation. We divided the samples in three groups: calostral group (1-5 days postpartum), transitional group (6-15 days postpartum) and mature group (> 15 days postpartum). All samples were stored in a freezer at -80 ºC. We considered as day period between 08:00-20:00 h and night period 20:00-08:00 h. Analysis of the human milk samples was based on the Kjeldahl method. Protein contents were calculated from total nitrogen x 6,25. The statistical analysis of the data was descriptive (mean ± standard deviation) and inferential (T-Student test). No differences (P > 0,05) were found to exist among the contents of individual human milk samples. The mean contents of each component were as follows: Total nitrogen of calostral, transitional and mature group was 0,30 ± 0,06 g/dL (night period), 0,29 ± 0,05 g/dL (day period); 0,26 ± 0,04 g/dL (night period), 0,25 ± 0,04 g/dL (day period); 0,22 ± 0,05 g/dL (night period), 0,20 ± 0,04 g/dL (day period) respectively, in this mature group with a statistical variation (P < 0,05). Protein content of calostral, transitional and mature group was 1,88 ± 0,4 g/dL (night period), 1,81 ± 0,3 g/dL (day period); 1,62 ± 0,3 g/dL (night period), 1,59 ± 0,3 g/dL (day period); 1,35 ± 0,3 g/dL (night period), 1,26 ± 0,3 g/dL (day period) respectively, in this mature group with a statistical variation (P < 0,05). Although we observed differences in the nitrogen and protein content during the individual stages of lactation, it is just in the population of mature lactating women, where the components analyzed varied significantly between day and night.

Mapping of Biophysical Parameters of Rice Agriculture System from Hyperspectral Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moharana, Shreedevi; Duta, Subashisa

2017-04-01

Chlorophyll, nitrogen and leaf water content are the most essential parameters for paddy crop growth. Ground hyperspectral observations were collected at canopy level during critical growth period of rice by using hand held Spectroradiometer. Chemical analysis was carried out to quantify the total chlorophyll, nitrogen and leaf water content. By exploiting the in-situ hyperspectral measurements, regression models were established between each of the crop growth parameters and the spectral indices specifically designed for chlorophyll, nitrogen and water stress. Narrow band vegetation index models were developed for mapping these parameters from Hyperion imagery in an agriculture system. It was inferred that the modified simple ratio (SR) and leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) predictive index models, which followed a linear and nonlinear relationship respectively, produced satisfactory results in predicting rice nitrogen content from hyperspectral imagery. The presently developed model was compared with other models proposed by researchers. It was ascertained that, nitrogen content varied widely from 1-4 percentage and only 2-3 percentage for paddy crop using present modified index models and well-known predicted Tian et al. (2011) model respectively. The modified present LNC index model performed better than the established Tian et al. (2011) model as far as the estimated nitrogen content from Hyperion imagery was concerned. Moreover, within the observed chlorophyll range attained from the rice genotypes cultivated in the studied rice agriculture system, the index models (LNC, OASVI, Gitelson, mSR and MTCI) accomplished satisfactory results in the spatial distribution of rice chlorophyll content from Hyperion imagery. Spatial distribution of total chlorophyll content widely varied from 1.77-5.81 mg/g (LNC), 3.0-13 mg/g (OASVI) and 2.90-5.40 mg/g (MTCI). Following the similar guideline, it was found that normalized difference water index (NDWI) and normalized difference infrared index (NDII) predictive models demonstrated the spatial variability of leaf water content from 40 percentage to 90 percentage in the same rice agriculture system which has a good agreement with observed in-situ leaf water measurements. The spatial information of these parameters will be useful for crop nutrient management and yield forecasting, and will serve as inputs to various crop-forecasting models for developing a precision rice agriculture system. Key words: Rice agriculture system, nitrogen, chlorophyll, leaf water content, vegetation index

Seasonal variations of leaf and canopy properties tracked by ground-based NDVI imagery in a temperate forest.

PubMed

Yang, Hualei; Yang, Xi; Heskel, Mary; Sun, Shucun; Tang, Jianwu

2017-04-28

Changes in plant phenology affect the carbon flux of terrestrial forest ecosystems due to the link between the growing season length and vegetation productivity. Digital camera imagery, which can be acquired frequently, has been used to monitor seasonal and annual changes in forest canopy phenology and track critical phenological events. However, quantitative assessment of the structural and biochemical controls of the phenological patterns in camera images has rarely been done. In this study, we used an NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) camera to monitor daily variations of vegetation reflectance at visible and near-infrared (NIR) bands with high spatial and temporal resolutions, and found that the infrared camera based NDVI (camera-NDVI) agreed well with the leaf expansion process that was measured by independent manual observations at Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, USA. We also measured the seasonality of canopy structural (leaf area index, LAI) and biochemical properties (leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content). We found significant linear relationships between camera-NDVI and leaf chlorophyll concentration, and between camera-NDVI and leaf nitrogen content, though weaker relationships between camera-NDVI and LAI. Therefore, we recommend ground-based camera-NDVI as a powerful tool for long-term, near surface observations to monitor canopy development and to estimate leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen status, and LAI.

NPK NMR Sensor: Online Monitoring of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in Animal Slurry.

PubMed

Sørensen, Morten K; Jensen, Ole; Bakharev, Oleg N; Nyord, Tavs; Nielsen, Niels Chr

2015-07-07

Knowledge of the actual content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) in animal slurry is highly important to optimize crop production and avoid environmental pollution when slurry is spread on agricultural fields. Here, we present a mobile, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor suitable for online monitoring of the NPK content in animal slurry as an alternative to crude estimates or tedious nonspecific, off-site laboratory analysis. The sensor is based on (14)N, (17)O, (31)P, and (39)K NMR in a digital NMR instrument equipped with a 1.5 T Halbach magnet for direct detection of ammonium N, total P, and K and indirect evaluation of the organic N content, covering all practical components of NPK in animal slurry. In correlation studies, the obtained NMR measurements show good agreement with reference measurements from commercial laboratories.

Synthesis, characterization and hydrolytic degradation study of polyetheresteramide copolymers based on epsilon-caprolactone, 6-aminocaproic acid, and poly(ethylene glycol).

PubMed

Liu, CaiBing; Qian, ZhiYong; Jia, WenJuan; Huang, MeiJuan; Chao, GuoTao; Gong, ChangYang; Deng, HongXin; Wen, YanJun; Yang, JinLiang; Gou, MaLing; Tu, MingJing

2007-10-01

In this paper, a new kind of biodegradable aliphatic polyetheresteramide copolymers (PEEA) based on epsilon-caprolactone, 6-aminocaproic acid, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized by melt polymerization method. The obtained copolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR. The thermal properties of PEEA copolymers were studied by DSC and TGA/DTA under nitrogen atmosphere. The water absorption and hydrolytic degradation behavior was also studied in detail. With the increase in PEG content or the decrease in caprolactone content, the water absorption of the copolymers increased accordingly. For the hydrolytic degradation behavior, with the increase in PEG content or caprolactone content, the degradation rate increased then.

Effects of replacing groundnut cake with rumen content supplemented with or without enzyme in the diet of weaner rabbits.

PubMed

Adeniji, A A; Rumak, S; Oluwafemi, R A

2015-12-18

Rabbits are also herbivores which efficiently convert fodder to food. They are prolific and converter of plant proteins of little or no use to people as food into high-value animal protein. Rabbit meat is high in protein, low in calories and low in fat and cholesterol contents, being considered as a delicacy and a healthy food product. Feeding rabbits with concentrates is expensive and therefore in order to reduce cost of production, hence the use of rumen content in this study as alternative feedstuff without competition. A total of thirty six (36) weaner rabbits (oryctalagus cuniculus) of different body weight and age where use in this experiment to determine the effects of replacing rumen content with or without enzyme supplementation for groundnut cake. This feeding trial which lasted for 8 weeks was carried out in order to determine the replacement value of groundnut cake with rumen content with or without enzyme in the diet of weaner rabbit. A 3x2 factorial experiment was adopted such that there where three (3) replacement level of rumen content (0, 25 and 50 %) for groundnut cake by two supplemental level (no enzyme and enzyme supplement). The results showed that increased inclusion level of rumen content has significant effects (p < 0.05) on daily feed intake, rate of weight gain, feed to gain ratio, nitrogen retention, faecal nitrogen, total nitrogen output and nitrogen digestibility. The weight gained by rabbits fed on 0, 25 and 50 % were all comparable (p > 0.05) with weight gained value of 7.62,7.44 and 7.36 g respectively. Similarly there was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of supplement added on the body weight gain of the experimental animals. There was significant effect (p < 0.05) of the diet on the obtained feed to gain ratio. However, there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of the treatment on urinary nitrogen. Significant (p < 0.05) effects of supplementation was observed on the feed intake, weight gain, feed to gain ratio, faecal nitrogen, nitrogen retention and nitrogen digestibility but there was no significant effects (p > 0.05) of the supplementation on the nitrogen intake. The interaction between the varying levels of rumen content supplementation had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the feacal nitrogen, feed intake and feed to gain ratio but no significant (p < 0.05) effects on interaction of nitrogen intake. In conclusion, since the results from this study showed no negative effects on the performance of the experimental animals, the test ingredient can be used as alternative feedstuff at a lower inclusion level so as to reduce production cost and expand rabbit production.

Effect of nitrogen sources on biomass, lipid and docosahexanoic acid production by Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auma, Khairunnisa; Hamid, Aidil Abdul; Yusoff, Wan Mohtar Wan

2018-04-01

A local isolate, Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1 has been verified to have high content of docosahexanoic acid (DHA). However, the effect of different nitrogen sources on biomass, lipid concentration and DHA content in Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1 is still unknown. Hence, this study is focused in using six different organic and inorganic nitrogen sources to grow Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1 in optimized Burja medium. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) gave the highest biomass concentration of 15.97 g/L followed by ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) with 13.37 g/L at 96 hr. These two nitrogen sources had significant effect on the biomass concentration (p<0.05). The highest lipid accumulated was obtained using MSG that reached 79.6% in biomass concentration. DHA content in lipid showed cultivation using MSG reached 47.9% (4.95 g/L). Statistical analysis using least significant difference (LSD) showed significant lipid production (p<0.05) when cultivated in MSG compared to other five nitrogen sources. The highest DHA productivity (0.052 g/L hr-1) was obtained in medium containing MSG. This study proves that nitrogen component in the medium significantly affects the biomass concentration, lipid and DHA content.

Effects of late-stage nitrogen fertilizer application on the starch structure and cooking quality of rice.

PubMed

Cao, XianMei; Sun, HuiYan; Wang, ChunGe; Ren, XiaoJia; Liu, HongFei; Zhang, ZuJian

2018-04-01

With the rapid development of modern agriculture, high-quality rice production and consumption has become the current urgent demand for the development of rice production. In this paper, the effects of late-stage nitrogen fertilizer application on rice quality were studied under the same genetic background. Wx near-isogenic lines were used as test materials to study the starch composition, amylopectin structure and cooking quality of rice. Results showed that rice amylose content and gel consistency significantly differed when different Wx genes were tranformed into waxy rice. The law of apparent amylose content in rice is Wx a > Wx in > Wx b > wx at the same nitrogen level, while the trend of gel consistency was opposite to that of apparent amylose content, presenting obvious characteristics of Indica and Japonica varieties. As the amount of fertilizer application increased, apparent amylose content increased, gel consistency decreased, breakdown and peak viscosities dropped and setback viscosity and peak time increased. Moreover, the cooking quality of rice significantly decreased with the use of nitrogen fertilizer, especially under low-level nitrogen fertilizer application. Amylopectin structure varied significantly in different genotypes of the Wx gene, and the degree of branching was as follows: wx > Wx b > Wx in > Wx a . This result indicated that the closer to Indica rice, the fewer short chains of amylopectin. Starch crystallinity and swelling potential were negatively correlated with amylose content but significantly positively correlated with amylopectin branching degree, decreasing with the increase of late-stage nitrogen fertilization. Late-stage nitrogen fertilization reduced the cooking quality of rice by increasing amylose content and reducing amylopectin branching degree, which decreased starch crystallinity and aggravated pasting properties. Obviously, controlling late nitrogen application is essential to optimize rice quality. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analyses of Small Punch Creep Deformation Behavior of 316LN Stainless Steel Having Different Nitrogen Contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganesh Kumar, J.; Laha, K.; Ganesan, V.; Prasad Reddy, G. V.

2018-05-01

The small punch creep (SPC) behavior of 316LN stainless steel (SS) containing 0.07, 0.11 and 0.14 wt.% nitrogen has been investigated at 923 K. The transient and tertiary SPC deformation of 316LN SS with various nitrogen contents have been analyzed according to the equation proposed for SPC deflection, δ = δ0 + δT (1 - e^{ - κ t} ) + \\dot{δ }s t + δ3 e^{[ φ( {t - tr } )} ]. The relationships among the rate of exhaustion of transient creep ( κ), steady-state deflection rate (\\dot{δ }s) and the rate of acceleration of tertiary creep ( φ) revealed the interrelationships among the three stages of SPC curve. The first-order reaction rate theory was found to be applicable to SPC deformation throughout the transient as well as tertiary region, in all the investigated steels. The initial and final creep deflection rates were decreased, whereas time to attain steady-state deflection rate increased with the increase in nitrogen content. By increasing the nitrogen content in 316LN SS from 0.07 to 0.14 wt.%, each stage of SPC was prolonged, and consequently, the values of κ, \\dot{δ }s and φ were lowered. Using the above parameters, the master curves for both transient and tertiary SPC deflections were constructed for 316LN SS containing different nitrogen contents.

Analyses of Small Punch Creep Deformation Behavior of 316LN Stainless Steel Having Different Nitrogen Contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganesh Kumar, J.; Laha, K.; Ganesan, V.; Prasad Reddy, G. V.

2018-04-01

The small punch creep (SPC) behavior of 316LN stainless steel (SS) containing 0.07, 0.11 and 0.14 wt.% nitrogen has been investigated at 923 K. The transient and tertiary SPC deformation of 316LN SS with various nitrogen contents have been analyzed according to the equation proposed for SPC deflection, δ = δ0 + δT (1 - e^{ - κ t} ) + \\dot{δ }s t + δ3 e^[ φ( t - tr ) ]. The relationships among the rate of exhaustion of transient creep (κ), steady-state deflection rate (\\dot{δ }s ) and the rate of acceleration of tertiary creep (φ) revealed the interrelationships among the three stages of SPC curve. The first-order reaction rate theory was found to be applicable to SPC deformation throughout the transient as well as tertiary region, in all the investigated steels. The initial and final creep deflection rates were decreased, whereas time to attain steady-state deflection rate increased with the increase in nitrogen content. By increasing the nitrogen content in 316LN SS from 0.07 to 0.14 wt.%, each stage of SPC was prolonged, and consequently, the values of κ, \\dot{δ }s and φ were lowered. Using the above parameters, the master curves for both transient and tertiary SPC deflections were constructed for 316LN SS containing different nitrogen contents.

Biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: potential uses and limitations.

PubMed

Díaz-Álvarez, Edison A; Lindig-Cisneros, Roberto; de la Barrera, Erick

2018-01-01

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is the third largest cause of global biodiversity loss, with rates that have more than doubled over the past century. This is especially threatening for tropical regions where the deposition may soon exceed 25 kg of N ha -1 year -1 , well above the threshold for physiological damage of 12-20 kg of N ha -1 year -1 , depending on plant species and nitrogenous compound. It is thus urgent to monitor these regions where the most diverse biotas occur. However, most studies have been conducted in Europe, the USA and recently in China. This review presents the case for the potential use of biological organisms to monitor nitrogen deposition, with emphasis on tropical plants. We first present an overview of atmospheric chemistry and the nitrogen metabolism of potential biomonitors, followed by a framework for monitoring nitrogen deposition based on the simultaneous use of various functional groups. In particular, the tissue nitrogen content responds to the rate of deposition, especially for mosses, whose nitrogen content increases by 1‰ per kilogram of N ha -1 year -1 . The isotopic signature, δ 15 N, is a useful indicator of the nitrogen source, as the slightly negative values (e.g. 5‰) of plants from natural environments can become very negative (-11.2‰) in sites with agricultural and husbandry activities, but very positive (13.3‰) in urban environments with high vehicular activity. Mosses are good biomonitors for wet deposition and atmospheric epiphytes for dry deposition. In turn, the nitrogen saturation of ecosystems can be monitored with trees whose isotopic values increase with saturation. Although given ecophysiological limitations of different organisms, particular studies should be conducted in each area of interest to determine the most suitable biomonitors. Overall, biomonitors can provide an integrative approach for characterizing nitrogen deposition in regions where the deployment of automated instruments or passive monitoring is not feasible or can be complementary.

Biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: potential uses and limitations

PubMed Central

Díaz-Álvarez, Edison A; Lindig-Cisneros, Roberto

2018-01-01

Abstract Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is the third largest cause of global biodiversity loss, with rates that have more than doubled over the past century. This is especially threatening for tropical regions where the deposition may soon exceed 25 kg of N ha−1 year−1, well above the threshold for physiological damage of 12–20 kg of N ha−1 year−1, depending on plant species and nitrogenous compound. It is thus urgent to monitor these regions where the most diverse biotas occur. However, most studies have been conducted in Europe, the USA and recently in China. This review presents the case for the potential use of biological organisms to monitor nitrogen deposition, with emphasis on tropical plants. We first present an overview of atmospheric chemistry and the nitrogen metabolism of potential biomonitors, followed by a framework for monitoring nitrogen deposition based on the simultaneous use of various functional groups. In particular, the tissue nitrogen content responds to the rate of deposition, especially for mosses, whose nitrogen content increases by 1‰ per kilogram of N ha−1 year−1. The isotopic signature, δ15N, is a useful indicator of the nitrogen source, as the slightly negative values (e.g. 5‰) of plants from natural environments can become very negative (−11.2‰) in sites with agricultural and husbandry activities, but very positive (13.3‰) in urban environments with high vehicular activity. Mosses are good biomonitors for wet deposition and atmospheric epiphytes for dry deposition. In turn, the nitrogen saturation of ecosystems can be monitored with trees whose isotopic values increase with saturation. Although given ecophysiological limitations of different organisms, particular studies should be conducted in each area of interest to determine the most suitable biomonitors. Overall, biomonitors can provide an integrative approach for characterizing nitrogen deposition in regions where the deployment of automated instruments or passive monitoring is not feasible or can be complementary. PMID:29564134

Soil-based treatment of partially treated liquid swine manure.

PubMed

Yang, H; Xiao, J; El-Din, M Gamal; Buchanan, I D; Bromley, D; Ikehata, K

2007-01-01

A soil-column system was tested for the removal of soluble organics and nutrients from partially treated liquid swine manure. The liquid manure was applied to the 900 mm deep (300 mm of local topsoil and 600 mm of local subsoil) soil columns continuously for an eight-week period, and leachate as well as soil samples were analysed. An effective liquid manure application rate of 17 mm d(-1) was determined based on a preliminary liquid manure soil-based treatment experiment. It was found that more than 90% of five-day biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total Kjeldahl and ammonia nitrogen, and total phosphorus could be effectively removed from the liquid manure by the soil system. Nitrogen contents accumulated in the soil matrix mostly within the 0 to 300 mm depth, while no significant increase was observed in sub soils. Soil analyses indicated the occurrence of nitrification and denitrification in the soil columns. Nitrogen balance showed that about 42% of the applied nitrogen was lost from the system during the liquid manure soil-based treatment experiment, suggesting the emission of ammonia and other gaseous nitrogen generated through nitrification and denitrification. The leachate of the soil treatment system was used to irrigate Bermuda grass. No negative effect of leachate was observed on the plant growth.

Soil Microbial Communities and Gas Dynamics Contribute to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Nitrogen Uptake and Transfer to Plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hestrin, R.; Harrison, M. J.; Lehmann, J.

2016-12-01

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associate with most terrestrial plants and influence ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry. There is evidence that AMF play a role in soil nitrogen cycling, in part by taking up nitrogen and transferring it to plants. However, many aspects of this process are poorly understood, including the factors that control fungal access to nitrogen stored in soil organic matter. In this study, we used stable isotopes and root exclusion to track nitrogen movement from organic matter into AMF and host plants. AMF significantly increased total plant biomass and nitrogen content, but both AMF and other soil microbes seemed to compete with plants for nitrogen. Surprisingly, gaseous nitrogen species also contributed significantly to plant nitrogen content under alkaline soil conditions. Our current experiments investigate whether free-living microbial communities that have evolved under a soil nitrogen gradient influence AMF access to soil organic nitrogen and subsequent nitrogen transfer to plants. This research links interactions between plants, mycorrhizal symbionts, and free-living microbes with terrestrial carbon and nitrogen dynamics.

[Changes of soil nutrient contents after prescribed burning of forestland in Heshan City, Guangdong Province].

PubMed

Sun, Yu-xin; Wu, Jian-ping; Zhou, Li-xia; Lin, Yong-biao; Fu, Sheng-lei

2009-03-01

A comparative study was conducted to analyze the changes of soil nutrient contents in Eucalyptus forestland and in shrubland after three years of prescribed burning. In Eucalyptus forestland, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium contents and soil pH decreased significantly; soil available phosphorus and exchangeable magnesium contents, net nitrogen mineralization rate and ammonification rate also decreased but showed no significant difference. In shrubland, soil exchangeable calcium content increased significantly, but the contents of other nutrients had no significant change. The main reason of the lower soil net nitrogen mineralization rate in Eucalyptus forest could be the decrease of available substrates and the uptake of larger amount of soil nutrients by the fast growth of Eucalyptus. The soil nutrients in shrubland had a quick restoration rate after burning.

[Progress in inversion of vegetation nitrogen concentration by hyperspectral remote sensing].

PubMed

Wang, Li-Wen; Wei, Ya-Xing

2013-10-01

Nitrogen is the necessary element in life activity of vegetation, which takes important function in biosynthesis of protein, nucleic acid, chlorophyll, and enzyme etc, and plays a key role in vegetation photosynthesis. The technology about inversion of vegetation nitrogen concentration by hyperspectral remote sensing has been the research hotspot since the 70s of last century. With the development of hyperspectral remote sensing technology in recent years, the advantage of spectral bands subdivision in a certain spectral region provides the powerful technology measure for correlative spectral characteristic research on vegetation nitrogen. In the present paper, combined with the newest research production about monitoring vegetation nitrogen concentration by hyperspectral remote sensing published in main geography science literature in recent several years, the principle and correlated problem about monitoring vegetation nitrogen concentration by hyperspectral remote sensing were introduced. From four aspects including vegetation nitrogen spectral index, vegetation nitrogen content inversion based on chlorophyll index, regression model, and eliminating influence factors to inversion of vegetation nitrogen concentration, main technology methods about inversion of vegetation nitrogen concentration by hyperspectral remote sensing were detailedly introduced. Correlative research conclusions were summarized and analyzed, and research development trend was discussed.

Effect of nitrogenous bases on the thermal stability of jet fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Englin, B. A.; Alekseyeva, M. P.; Gasanova, Z. I.; Isaev, A. V.; Skovorodin, G. B.; Borisova, S. M.

1977-01-01

Fuels from naphthenic petroleums were evaluated, and it was found that they had more N bases than those paraffinic ones (0.00024 and 0.000009% N, respectively). The removal of the N bases improved significantly the thermal stability and reduced the residue formation during oxidation of the fuel. The improvement depended on both content and composition of the bases. Thus, fuels with similar content of N bases (0.00058% N) and thermal stability had oxidation residues of 17.5 and 5.6 and sol. gum of 13 and 1.5 mg/100 ml, before and after removing the N bases, respectively.

Ultrathin nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon shell encapsulating CoRu bimetallic nanoparticles for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

PubMed

Xu, You; Li, Yinghao; Yin, Shuli; Yu, Hongjie; Xue, Hairong; Li, Xiaonian; Wang, Hongjing; Wang, Liang

2018-06-01

Design of highly active and cost-effective electrocatalysts is very important for the generation of hydrogen by electrochemical water-splitting. Herein, we report the fabrication of ultrathin nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon shell encapsulating CoRu bimetallic nanoparticles (CoRu@NCs) and demonstrate their promising feasibility for efficiently catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) over a wide pH range. The resultant CoRu@NC nanohybrids possess an alloy-carbon core-shell structure with encapsulated low-ruthenium-content CoRu bimetallic alloy nanoparticles (10-30 nm) as the core and ultrathin nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon layers (2-6 layers) as the shell. Remarkably, the optimized catalyst (CoRu@NC-2 sample) with a Ru content as low as 2.04 wt% shows superior catalytic activity and excellent durability for HER in acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions. This work offers a new method for the design and synthesis of non-platium-based electrocatalysts for HER in all-pH.

Ultrathin nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon shell encapsulating CoRu bimetallic nanoparticles for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, You; Li, Yinghao; Yin, Shuli; Yu, Hongjie; Xue, Hairong; Li, Xiaonian; Wang, Hongjing; Wang, Liang

2018-06-01

Design of highly active and cost-effective electrocatalysts is very important for the generation of hydrogen by electrochemical water-splitting. Herein, we report the fabrication of ultrathin nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon shell encapsulating CoRu bimetallic nanoparticles (CoRu@NCs) and demonstrate their promising feasibility for efficiently catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) over a wide pH range. The resultant CoRu@NC nanohybrids possess an alloy–carbon core–shell structure with encapsulated low-ruthenium-content CoRu bimetallic alloy nanoparticles (10–30 nm) as the core and ultrathin nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon layers (2–6 layers) as the shell. Remarkably, the optimized catalyst (CoRu@NC-2 sample) with a Ru content as low as 2.04 wt% shows superior catalytic activity and excellent durability for HER in acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions. This work offers a new method for the design and synthesis of non-platium-based electrocatalysts for HER in all-pH.

Carbon fiber content measurement in composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qiushi

Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) have been widely used in various structural applications in industries such as aerospace and automotive because of their high specific stiffness and specific strength. Their mechanical properties are strongly influenced by the carbon fiber content in the composites. Measurement of the carbon fiber content in CFRPs is essential for product quality control and process optimization. In this work, a novel carbonization-in-nitrogen method (CIN) is developed to characterize the fiber content in carbon fiber reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic composites. In this method, a carbon fiber composite sample is carbonized in a nitrogen environment at elevated temperatures, alongside a neat resin sample. The carbon fibers are protected from oxidization while the resin (the neat resin and the resin matrix in the composite sample) is carbonized under the nitrogen environment. The residue of the carbonized neat resin sample is used to calibrate the resin carbonization rate and calculate the amount of the resin matrix in the composite sample. The new method has been validated on several thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems and found to yield an accurate measurement of fiber content in carbon fiber polymer composites. In order to further understand the thermal degradation behavior of the high temperature thermoplastic polymer during the carbonization process, the mechanism and the kinetic model of thermal degradation behavior of carbon fiber reinforced poly (phenylene sulfide) (CPPS) are studied using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The CPPS is subjected to TGA in an air and nitrogen atmosphere at heating rates from 5 to 40°C min--1. The TGA curves obtained in air are different from those in nitrogen. This demonstrates that weight loss occurs in a single stage in nitrogen but in two stages in air. To elucidate this difference, thermal decomposition kinetics is analyzed by applying the Kissinger, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Coat-Redfern and Malek methods. The activation energy (Ea) of the solid-state process is determined to be 202 kJ mol--1 in an oxidative atmosphere using Kissinger's method, which is 10-15 kJ mol--1 more than the results calculated in a nitrogen atmosphere. The value of the activation energy obtained using Ozawa-Flynn methods is in agreement with that using the Kissinger method. Different degradation mechanisms are used to compare with this value. Based on the analytical result, the actual thermal degradation mechanism of the CPPS is a Dn deceleration type. The carbonization temperature range of the CPPS is the same as pure PPS resin.

Tungsten nitride coatings obtained by HiPIMS as plasma facing materials for fusion applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiron, Vasile; Velicu, Ioana-Laura; Porosnicu, Corneliu; Burducea, Ion; Dinca, Paul; Malinský, Petr

2017-09-01

In this work, tungsten nitride coatings with nitrogen content in the range of 19-50 at% were prepared by reactive multi-pulse high power impulse magnetron sputtering as a function of the argon and nitrogen mixture and further exposed to a deuterium plasma jet. The elemental composition, morphological properties and physical structure of the samples were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Deuterium implantation was performed using a deuterium plasma jet and its retention in nitrogen containing tungsten films was investigated using thermal desorption spectrometry. Deuterium retention and release behaviour strongly depend on the nitrogen content in the coatings and the films microstructure. All nitride coatings have a polycrystalline structure and retain a lower deuterium level than the pure tungsten sample. Nitrogen content in the films acts as a diffusion barrier for deuterium and leads to a higher desorption temperature, therefore to a higher binding energy.

Plasticity in mesophyll volume fraction modulates light-acclimation in needle photosynthesis in two pines.

PubMed

Niinemets, Ulo; Lukjanova, Aljona; Turnbull, Matthew H; Sparrow, Ashley D

2007-08-01

Acclimation potential of needle photosynthetic capacity varies greatly among pine species, but the underlying chemical, anatomical and morphological controls are not entirely understood. We investigated the light-dependent variation in needle characteristics in individuals of Pinus patula Schlect. & Cham., which has 19-31-cm long pendulous needles, and individuals of P. radiata D. Don., which has shorter (8-17-cm-long) stiffer needles. Needle nitrogen and carbon contents, mesophyll and structural tissue volume fractions, needle dry mass per unit total area (M(A)) and its components, volume to total area ratio (V/A(T)) and needle density (D = M(A)/(V/A(T))), and maximum carboxylase activity of Rubisco (V(cmax)) and capacity of photosynthetic electron transport (J(max)) were investigated in relation to seasonal mean integrated irradiance (Q(int)). Increases in Q(int) from canopy bottom to top resulted in proportional increases in both needle thickness and width such that needle total to projected surface area ratio, characterizing the efficiency of light interception, was independent of Q(int). Increased light availability also led to larger M(A) and nitrogen content per unit area (N(A)). Light-dependent modifications in M(A) resulted from increases in both V/A(T) and D, whereas N(A) changed because of increases in both M(A) and mass-based nitrogen content (N(M)) (N(A) = N(M)M(A)). Overall, the volume fraction of mesophyll cells increased with increasing irradiance and V/A(T) as the fraction of hypodermis and epidermis decreased with increasing needle thickness. Increases in M(A) and N(A) resulted in enhanced J(max) and V(cmax) per unit area in both species, but mass-based photosynthetic capacity increased only in P. patula. In addition, J(max) and V(cmax) showed greater plasticity in response to light in P. patula. Species differences in mesophyll volume fraction explained most of the variation in mass-based needle photosynthetic capacity between species, demonstrating that differences in plastic adjustments in mass-based photosynthetic activities among these representative individuals were mainly associated with contrasting investments in mesophyll cells. Greater area-based photosynthetic plasticity in P. patula relative to P. radiata was associated with larger increases in M(A) and mesophyll volume fraction with increasing irradiance. These data collectively demonstrate that light-dependent increases in mass-based nitrogen contents and photosynthetic activities were associated with an increased mesophyll volume fraction in needles at higher irradiances. They also emphasize the importance of light-dependent anatomical modifications in determining needle photosynthetic capacity.

Nitrate, ascorbic acid, mineral and antioxidant activities of Cosmos caudatus in response to organic and mineral-based fertilizer rates.

PubMed

Hassan, Siti Aishah; Mijin, Salumiah; Yusoff, Umi Kalsom; Ding, Phebe; Wahab, Puteri Edaroyati Megat

2012-06-28

The source and quantity of nutrients available to plants can affect the quality of leafy herbs. A study was conducted to compare quality of Cosmos caudatus in response to rates of organic and mineral-based fertilizers. Organic based fertilizer GOBI (8% N:8% P₂O₅:8% K₂O) and inorganic fertilizer (15% N, 15% P₂O₅, 15% K₂O) were evaluated based on N element rates at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg h⁻¹. Application of organic based fertilizer reduced nitrate, improved vitamin C, antioxidant activity as well as nitrogen and calcium nutrients content. Antioxidant activity and chlorophyll content were significantly higher with increased fertilizer application. Fertilization appeared to enhance vitamin C content, however for the maximum ascorbic acid content, regardless of fertilizer sources, plants did not require high amounts of fertilizer.

Ozone and nitrogen dioxide above the northern Tien Shan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arefev, Vladimir N.; Volkovitsky, Oleg A.; Kamenogradsky, Nikita E.; Semyonov, Vladimir K.; Sinyakov, Valery P.

1994-01-01

The results of systematic perennial measurements of the total ozone (since 1979) and nitrogen dioxide column (since 1983) in the atmosphere in the European-Asian continent center above the mountainmass of the Tien Shan are given. This region is distinguished by a great number of sunny days during a year. The observation station is at the Northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake (42.56 N 77.04 E 1650 m above the sea level). The measurement results are presented as the monthly averaged atmospheric total ozone and NO2 stratospheric column abundances (morning and evening). The peculiarities of seasonal variations of ozone and nitrogen dioxide atmospheric contents, their regular variances with a quasi-biennial cycles and trends have been noticed. Irregular variances of ozone and nitrogen dioxide atmospheric contents, i.e. their positive and negative anomalies in the monthly averaged contents relative to the perennial averaged monthly means, have been analyzed. The synchronous and opposite in phase anomalies in variations of ozone and nitrogen dioxide atmospheric contents were explained by the transport and zonal circulation in the stratosphere (Kamenogradsky et al., 1990).

Foliar nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in trees in environmentally toxic plastic industry area.

PubMed

Sett, Rupnarayan; Soni, Bhawna

2013-04-01

In plants, nitrogen deficiency causes stunted growth and chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves due to decreased levels of chlorophyll, while excess nitrogen uptake may cause dark green overly vigorous foliage which may have increased susceptibility to disease and insect attacks. Phosphorus is an important nutrient in crop production, since many soils in their native state do not have sufficient available phosphorus to maximize crop yield. Potassium deficiency may cause necrosis or interveinal chlorosis. Plastics are synthetic or semi-synthetic moldable organic solids that are organic polymers of high molecular mass, most commonly derived from petrochemicals; these polymers are based on chains of carbon atoms alone or with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen. Plastic is a non- biodegradable major toxic pollutant. It pollutes earth and leads to air pollution and water pollution. Merely there is any safe way to dispose the hazardous plastic wastes. The study was targeted to estimate foliar level of NPK content of three plant species, viz. Cassia tora (Herb), Ailanthus excelsa (Tree) and Dalbergia sissoo (Tree) from polluted areas associated to polythene-industries as well as control areas having least pollution, where all the parameters were found to be higher than the control experiments.

Roostocks/Scion/Nitrogen Interactions Affect Secondary Metabolism in the Grape Berry

PubMed Central

Habran, Aude; Commisso, Mauro; Helwi, Pierre; Hilbert, Ghislaine; Negri, Stefano; Ollat, Nathalie; Gomès, Eric; van Leeuwen, Cornelis; Guzzo, Flavia; Delrot, Serge

2016-01-01

The present work investigates the interactions between soil content, rootstock, and scion by focusing on the effects of roostocks and nitrogen supply on grape berry content. Scions of Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and Pinot Noir (PN) varieties were grafted either on Riparia Gloire de Montpellier (RGM) or 110 Richter (110R) rootstock. The 4 rooststock/scion combinations were fertilized with 3 different levels of nitrogen after fruit set. Both in 2013 and 2014, N supply increased N uptake by the plants, and N content both in vegetative and reproductory organs. Rootstock, variety and year affected berry weight at harvest, while nitrogen did not affect significantly this parameter. Grafting on RGM consistently increased berry weight compared to 110R. PN consistently produced bigger berries than CS. CS berries were heavier in 2014 than in 2013, but the year effect was less marked for PN berries. The berries were collected between veraison and maturity, separated in skin and pulp, and their content was analyzed by conventional analytical procedures and untargeted metabolomics. For anthocyanins, the relative quantitation was fairly comparable with both LC-MS determination and HPLC-DAD, which is a fully quantitative technique. The data show complex responses of the metabolite content (sugars, organic acids, amino acids, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols/procyanidins, stilbenes, hydroxycinnamic, and hydroxybenzoic acids) that depend on the rootstock, the scion, the vintage, the nitrogen level, the berry compartment. This opens a wide range of possibilities to adjust the content of these compounds through the choice of the roostock, variety and nitrogen fertilization. PMID:27555847

Roostocks/Scion/Nitrogen Interactions Affect Secondary Metabolism in the Grape Berry.

PubMed

Habran, Aude; Commisso, Mauro; Helwi, Pierre; Hilbert, Ghislaine; Negri, Stefano; Ollat, Nathalie; Gomès, Eric; van Leeuwen, Cornelis; Guzzo, Flavia; Delrot, Serge

2016-01-01

The present work investigates the interactions between soil content, rootstock, and scion by focusing on the effects of roostocks and nitrogen supply on grape berry content. Scions of Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and Pinot Noir (PN) varieties were grafted either on Riparia Gloire de Montpellier (RGM) or 110 Richter (110R) rootstock. The 4 rooststock/scion combinations were fertilized with 3 different levels of nitrogen after fruit set. Both in 2013 and 2014, N supply increased N uptake by the plants, and N content both in vegetative and reproductory organs. Rootstock, variety and year affected berry weight at harvest, while nitrogen did not affect significantly this parameter. Grafting on RGM consistently increased berry weight compared to 110R. PN consistently produced bigger berries than CS. CS berries were heavier in 2014 than in 2013, but the year effect was less marked for PN berries. The berries were collected between veraison and maturity, separated in skin and pulp, and their content was analyzed by conventional analytical procedures and untargeted metabolomics. For anthocyanins, the relative quantitation was fairly comparable with both LC-MS determination and HPLC-DAD, which is a fully quantitative technique. The data show complex responses of the metabolite content (sugars, organic acids, amino acids, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols/procyanidins, stilbenes, hydroxycinnamic, and hydroxybenzoic acids) that depend on the rootstock, the scion, the vintage, the nitrogen level, the berry compartment. This opens a wide range of possibilities to adjust the content of these compounds through the choice of the roostock, variety and nitrogen fertilization.

Decreasing the NO3 and increasing the vitamin C contents in spinach by a nitrogen deprivation method.

PubMed

Mozafar, A

1996-02-01

Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers is known to increase the NO3 and reduce the vitamin C contents in fruits and vegetables. We investigated the concentration of these compounds in spinach leaves when plants were transferred to nitrogen-free media prior to their harvest. It was noted that a pre-harvest transfer of spinach to N-free media reduces the NO3 and increases the vitamin C content of the leaves by a substantial amount in a 2-3 day period. It is suggested that this technique may be suited to produce spinach or other leafy vegetables with low NO3 and high vitamin C contents under commercial hydroponic conditions.

Release of dissolved nitrogen from water during depressurization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simoneau, R. J.

1978-01-01

Experiments were run to study depressurization of water containing various concentrations of dissolved nitrogen gas, the primary case being room temperature water saturated with nitrogen at 4 MPa. In a static depressurization experiment, water with very high nitrogen content was depressurized at rates from 0.09 to 0.50 MPa per second and photographed with high speed movies. The pictures showed that the bubble population at a given pressure increased strongly with decreasing depressurization rate. Flow experiments were performed in an axisymmetric converging-diverging nozzle and in a two-dimensional converging nozzle with glass sidewalls. Depressurization gradients were roughly 500 to 1200 MPa per second. Both nozzles exhibited choked flow behavior even at nitrogen concentration levels as low as 4 percent of saturated. The flow rates were independent of concentration level and could be computed as incompressible water flow based on the difference between stagnation and throat pressures; however, the throat pressures were significantly different between the two nozzles.

Nitrogen oxides from burning forest fuels examined by thermogravimetry and evolved gas analysis

Treesearch

H.B. Clements; Charles K. McMahon

1980-01-01

Abstract. Twelve forest fuels that varied widely in nitrogen content were burned in a thermogravimetric system, and nitrogen oxide production was analyzed by chemiluminescence. The effects of fuel nitrogen concentration, available oxygen, flow rate, and heating rate on nitrogen oxide production were examined.Results show that fuel nitrogen is an...

Biocrusts role on nitrogen cycle and microbial communities from underlying soils in drylands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anguita-Maeso, Manuel; Miralles*, Isabel; van Wesemael, Bas; Lázaro, Roberto; Ortega, Raúl; Garcia-Salcedo, José Antonio; Soriano**, Miguel

2017-04-01

Biocrusts are distributed in arid areas widely covering most of the soil surface and playing an essential role in the functioning of nitrogen cycle. The absence of biocrust coverage might affect the soil nitrogen content and the quantity and diversity of microbial communities in underlying biocrust soils. To analyse this mater, we have collected three underlying soils biocrusts samples dominated by the lichen Diploschistes diacapsis and Squamarina lentigera from Tabernas desert (southeast of Spain) at two extremes of its spatial distribution range: one with a high percentage of biocrust coverage and other with a huge degradation and low percentage of biocrust coverage in order to determine differences on the total nitrogen content and microbial communities from these underlying soils. DNA from these samples was isolated though a commercial kit and it was used as template for metagenomic analysis. We accomplished a sequencing of the amplicons V4-V5 of the 16S rRNA gene with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Illumina MiSeq platform and a relative quantity of bacteria (rRNA 16S) and fungi (ITS1-5.8S) were conducted by quantitative qPCR. Total nitrogen was measured by the Kjeldahl method. Statistical analyses were based on ANOVAs, heatmap and Generalized Linear Models (GLM). The results showed 1.89E+09 bacteria per gram of soil in the high biocrust coverage position while 6.98E+08 microorganisms per gram of soil were found in the less favourable position according to the lower percentage of biocrust coverage. Similarly, 1.19E+12 was the amount of fungi per gram of soil located in the favourable position with higher biocrust coverage and 7.62E+11 was found in the unfavourable position. Furthermore, the soil under high percentage of biocrust coverage showed the greatest total nitrogen content (1.1 g kg-1) whereas the soil sampled under depressed percentage of biocrust coverage displayed the fewest quantity of total nitrogen content (0.9 g kg-1). Metagenomic and statistical analysis exhibited different bacteria communities according to underlying soils with unlike percentage of biocrust coverage. Opitutus and Adhaeribacter predominated in soil under high biocrust coverage percentage whereas Chelatococcus was found as prevalent bacteria community in soils under low biocrust coverage percentage. Our data illustrate that the percentage of biocrust coverage influence the total nitrogen content in underlying biocrust soils and also affects the amount and the variety of bacteria communities in these underlying soils. (*) Financial support by Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship (FP7-577 PEOPLE-2013-IEF, Proposal n° 623393) and (**) by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) cofinanced with FEDER funds (project CGL2015-71709-R) is acknowledged.

Synergistic Effect of Nitrogen and Refractory Material on TiN Formation and Equiaxed Grain Structure of Ferritic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Mun Hyung; Park, Joo Hyun

2018-06-01

The effect of nitrogen content on the formation of an equiaxed solidification structure of Fe-16Cr steel was investigated. Moreover, two different kinds of refractory materials, i.e., alumina and magnesia, were employed to control the type of oxide inclusion. The characteristics of TiN(-oxide) inclusions were quantitatively analyzed in both molten steel and solidified samples. When the melting was carried out in the alumina refractory, the grain size continuously decreased with increasing nitrogen content. However, a minimum grain size was observed at a specific nitrogen content (approx. 150 ppm) when the steel was melted in the magnesia refractory. Most of the single TiN particles had a cuboidal shape and fine irregularly shaped particles were located along the grain boundary due to the microsegregation of Ti at the grain boundary during solidification. The type of TiN-oxide hybrid inclusion was strongly affected by the refractory material where Al2O3-TiN and MgAl2O4-TiN hybrid-type inclusions were obtained in the alumina and magnesia refractory experiments, respectively. The formation of oxide inclusions was well predicted by thermochemical computations and it was commonly found that oxide particles were initially formed, followed by the nucleation and growth of TiN. When the nitrogen content increased, the number density of TiN linearly increased in the alumina refractory experiments. However, the number of TiN exhibits a maximum at about [N] = 150 ppm, at which a minimum grain size was obtained in the magnesia refractory experiments. Therefore, the larger the number density of TiN, the smaller the primary grain size after solidification. The number density of TiN in the steel melted in the magnesia refractory was greater than that in the steel melted in the alumina refractory at given Ti and N contents, which was due to the lower planar lattice disregistry of MgAl2O4-TiN interface rather than that of Al2O3-TiN interface. When Δ T TiN (= difference between the TiN precipitation temperature and the liquidus of the steel) was 20 K to 40 K, the number density of effective TiN was maximized and thus, the grain size was minimized after solidification. Finally, although most of the TiN particles were smaller than 1 μm in the molten steel samples irrespective of the nitrogen content, TiN particles larger than 10 μm were observed in the solidified samples when the nitrogen content was greater than 150 ppm. The growth of TiN particles during melting and solidification was well predicted by the combinatorial simulation of the `Ostwald ripening model' based on the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory in conjunction with the `Diffusion controlled model' using Ohnaka's microsegregation equation.

Synergistic Effect of Nitrogen and Refractory Material on TiN Formation and Equiaxed Grain Structure of Ferritic Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Mun Hyung; Park, Joo Hyun

2018-03-01

The effect of nitrogen content on the formation of an equiaxed solidification structure of Fe-16Cr steel was investigated. Moreover, two different kinds of refractory materials, i.e., alumina and magnesia, were employed to control the type of oxide inclusion. The characteristics of TiN(-oxide) inclusions were quantitatively analyzed in both molten steel and solidified samples. When the melting was carried out in the alumina refractory, the grain size continuously decreased with increasing nitrogen content. However, a minimum grain size was observed at a specific nitrogen content (approx. 150 ppm) when the steel was melted in the magnesia refractory. Most of the single TiN particles had a cuboidal shape and fine irregularly shaped particles were located along the grain boundary due to the microsegregation of Ti at the grain boundary during solidification. The type of TiN-oxide hybrid inclusion was strongly affected by the refractory material where Al2O3-TiN and MgAl2O4-TiN hybrid-type inclusions were obtained in the alumina and magnesia refractory experiments, respectively. The formation of oxide inclusions was well predicted by thermochemical computations and it was commonly found that oxide particles were initially formed, followed by the nucleation and growth of TiN. When the nitrogen content increased, the number density of TiN linearly increased in the alumina refractory experiments. However, the number of TiN exhibits a maximum at about [N] = 150 ppm, at which a minimum grain size was obtained in the magnesia refractory experiments. Therefore, the larger the number density of TiN, the smaller the primary grain size after solidification. The number density of TiN in the steel melted in the magnesia refractory was greater than that in the steel melted in the alumina refractory at given Ti and N contents, which was due to the lower planar lattice disregistry of MgAl2O4-TiN interface rather than that of Al2O3-TiN interface. When ΔT TiN (= difference between the TiN precipitation temperature and the liquidus of the steel) was 20 K to 40 K, the number density of effective TiN was maximized and thus, the grain size was minimized after solidification. Finally, although most of the TiN particles were smaller than 1 μm in the molten steel samples irrespective of the nitrogen content, TiN particles larger than 10 μm were observed in the solidified samples when the nitrogen content was greater than 150 ppm. The growth of TiN particles during melting and solidification was well predicted by the combinatorial simulation of the `Ostwald ripening model' based on the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory in conjunction with the `Diffusion controlled model' using Ohnaka's microsegregation equation.

Further contributions to the understanding of nitrogen removal in waste stabilization ponds.

PubMed

Bastos, R K X; Rios, E N; Sánchez, I A

2018-06-01

A set of experiments were conducted in Brazil in a pilot-scale waste stabilization pond (WSP) system (a four-maturation-pond series) treating an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor effluent. Over a year and a half the pond series was monitored under two flow rate conditions, hence also different hydraulic retention times and surface loading rates. On-site and laboratory trials were carried out to assess: (i) ammonia losses by volatilization using acrylic capture chambers placed at the surface of the ponds; (ii) organic nitrogen sedimentation rates using metal buckets placed at the bottom of the ponds for collecting settled particulate matter; (iii) nitrogen removal by algal uptake based on the nitrogen content of the suspended particulate matter in samples from the ponds' water column. In addition, nitrification and denitrification rates were measured in laboratory-based experiments using pond water and sediment samples. The pond system achieved high nitrogen removal (69% total nitrogen and 92% ammonia removal). The average total nitrogen removal rates varied from 10,098 to 3,849 g N/ha·d in the first and the last ponds, respectively, with the following fractions associated with the various removal pathways: (i) 23.5-45.6% sedimentation of organic nitrogen; (ii) 13.1-27.8% algal uptake; (iii) 1.2-3.1% ammonia volatilization; and (iv) 0.15-0.34% nitrification-denitrification.

Organic carbon and nitrogen content associated with colloids and suspended particulates from the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rostad, C.E.; Leenheer, J.A.; Daniel, S.R.

1997-01-01

Suspended material samples were collected at 16 sites along the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries during July-August 1991, October-November 1991, and April-May 1992, and separated into colloid and particulate fractions to determine the organic carbon content of these two fractions of suspended material. Sample collection involved centrifugation to isolate the suspended particulate fraction and ultrafiltration to isolate the colloid fraction. For the first time, particulate and colloid concentrations and organic carbon and nitrogen content were investigated along the entire reach of the Mississippi River from above Minneapolis, Minnesota, to below New Orleans, Louisiana. Organic carbon content of the colloid (15.2 percent) was much higher than organic carbon content of the particulate material (4.8 percent). Carbon/nitrogen ratios of colloid and particulate phases were more similar to ratios for microorganisms than to ratios for soils, humic materials, or plants.Suspended material samples were collected at 16 sites along the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries during July-August 1991, October-November 1991, and April-May 1992, and separated into colloid and particulate fractions to determine the organic carbon content of these two fractions of suspended material. Sample collection involved centrifugation to isolate the suspended particulate fraction and ultrafiltration to isolate the colloid fraction. For the first time, particulate and colloid concentrations and organic carbon and nitrogen content were investigated along the entire reach of the Mississippi River from above Minneapolis, Minnesota, to below New Orleans, Louisiana. Organic carbon content of the colloid (15.2 percent) was much higher than organic carbon content of the particulate material (4.8 percent). Carbon/nitrogen ratios of colloid and particulate phases were more similar to ratios for microorganisms than to ratios for soils, humic materials, or plants.

Performance evaluation of the UV/H2O2 process on selected nitrogenous organic compounds: reductions of organic contents vs. corresponding C-, N-DBPs formations.

PubMed

Chen, Huei-Wen; Chen, Chia-Yang; Wang, Gen-Shuh

2011-10-01

The presence of various organic contaminants in water sources is of concern due to their direct threats to human health and potential to react with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids and nitrosamines in finished water. This study applied both medium-pressure and low-pressure ultraviolet light coupled with hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) to evaluate its efficacy for degradation of selected nitrogenous organic compounds and corresponding disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation. Six organic compounds were chosen as target precursors based on their nitrogen contents and molecular structures. The results showed that higher oxidation capacity resulted in better reduction of organic matters and DBP formation potentials (DBPFPs). However, insufficient contact time and oxidant doses could lead to a rise of DBPFPs in the early stages of UV/H2O2 reactions. A greater percentage removal was achieved for organic carbon than organic nitrogen after UV/H2O2 treatment, especially for compounds with complicated structure such as diltiazem. During the UV/H2O2 treatment, the intermediate products include tertiary amine, dimethyl amine (DMA) or DMA-like structures, which are N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors after chlorination or chloramination. Furthermore, it was observed that using dissolved organic nitrogen and DMA to predict NDMAFP could lead to biased conclusions because of the complex nature of nitrogenous matters in aqueous environments. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dendrochemical response to soil fertilization

Treesearch

David R. DeWalle; Jeffrey S. Tepp; Bryan R. Swistock; Pamela J. Edwards; William E. Sharpe; Mary Beth Adams; James N. Kochenderfer

2003-01-01

Use of chemical element content of tree rings to detect soil acid or base changes was tested at 13 sites of former forest fertilization trials in the eastern United States and Canada. Ammonium sulfate or nitrogen fertilization was the typical acidification treatment, while lime added with or without other fertilizer was the typical base treatment. Molar ratios of...

Manipulation of Contents of Nitrate, Phenolic Acids, Chlorophylls, and Carotenoids in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) via Contrasting Responses to Nitrogen Fertilizer When Grown in a Controlled Environment.

PubMed

Qadir, Othman; Siervo, Mario; Seal, Chris J; Brandt, Kirsten

2017-11-22

This study aimed to use different nitrogen fertilizer regimes to produce Butterhead lettuce with such large differences in nitrate content that they could be used as treatment and placebo to study the effect of inorganic nitrate on human health. Plants were grown under controlled conditions at 27/23 °C day/night with a relatively low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 150 μmol m -2 s -1 for 14 h day -1 and nitrogen supplies ranging from 26 to 154 ppm of N as ammonium nitrate in the fertigation solution. This resulted in contrasting high (∼1078 mg nitrate 100 g -1 FW) or low (∼6 mg 100 g -1 ) nitrate contents in the leaves. Contents of carotenoids and chlorophylls in fresh weight did not differ significantly between the highest and the lowest N-supply levels. However, increased nitrogen supply reduced contents of phenolic compounds from 154 to 22 mg 100 g -1 FW, dry matter content from 8.9% to 4.6%, and fresh weight per plant from 108.52 to 47.57 g/plant FW (all P < 0.001). Thus, while fertilizer treatments can provide lettuce with substantially different nitrate contents, maintaining similar pigment contents (color), they also strongly influence the contents of phenolic acids and flavones.

[Effects of supplemental irrigation by monitoring soil moisture on the'water-nitrogen utilization of wheat and soil NO3(-)-N leaching].

PubMed

Shi, Yu; Yu, Zhen-wen; He, Jian-ning; Zhang, Yong-li

2016-02-01

Field experiments were conducted during 2012-2014 wheat growing seasons. With no irrigation in the whole stage (WO) treatment as control, three supplemental irrigation treatments were designed based on average relative soil moisture contents at 0-140-cm layer, at jointing and anthesis stages (65% for treatment W1 ; 70% for treatment W2; 75% for treatment W3; respectively), to examine effects of supplemental irrigation on nitrogen accumulation and translocation, grain yield, water use efficiency, and soil nitrate nitrogen leaching in wheat field., Soil water consumption amount, the percentage of soil water consumption and water irrigation to total water consumption in W2 were higher, and soil water consumption of W2 in 100-140 cm soil layer was also higher. The nitrogen accumulation before anthesis and after anthesis were presented as W2, W3>W1>W0, the nitrogen accumulation in vegetative organs at maturity as W3>W2>Wl>W0, and the nitrogen translocation from vegetative organs to grain and the nitrogen accumulation in grain at maturity as W2> W3>W1>W0. At maturity, soil NO3(-)-N content in 0-60 cm soil layer was presented. as W0>W1>W2>W3, that in 80-140 cm soil layer was significantly higher in W3 than in the other treatments, and no significant difference was found in 140-200 cm soil layer among all treatments. W treatment obtained the highest grain yield, water use efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency and partial productivity of applied nitrogen. As far as grain yield, water use efficiency, nitrogen uptake efficiency and soil NO3(1)-N leaching were concerned, the W2 regime was the optimal irrigation treatment in this experiment.

A spectroscopy-based detector to monitor tomato growth condition in greenhouse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ce; Li, Minzan; Cui, Di

2008-12-01

A spectroscopy-based detector is developed to measure the nitrogen and chlorophyll content of tomato leaves and then to predict the growth condition of tomato plants in greenhouse. The detector uses two wavebands, 527 nm and 762 nm, since it is proved that these wavebands are sensitive to nitrogen and chlorophyll content in plant leaves by previous field test. The detector contains: A Y-type optic fiber, two silicon photocells, a signal processing unit, and a MCU. Light reflection from tomato leaves is transmitted by the Y-type optic fiber to the surface of the silicon photo cells, which transfer optical signal into electrical signal. Then the analog signal is amplified to conform to the TTL level signal standard and finally converted to digital signal by MAX186. After that, the MCU carries on a series of actions, including data calculating, displaying and storage. Using the measured data, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is calculated to estimate the nitrogen and chlorophyll content in plant leaves. The result is directly displayed on an LCD screen. Users have an option in saving data, either into a USB-memory stick or into a database over the PC serial port. The detector is portable, inexpensive, and convenient, which make it meet farmers' need in China. The performance test shows that the growth model works very well, and the device has high accuracy in predicting the growth condition of tomato plants in greenhouse.

Nitrogen content of Letharia vulpina tissue from forests of the Sierra Nevada, California: geographic patterns and relationships to ammonia estimates and climate

Treesearch

Sarah Jovan; Tom Carlberg

2007-01-01

Nitrogen (N) pollution is a growing concern in forests of the greater Sierra Nevada, which lie downwind of the highly populated and agricultural Central Valley. Nitrogen content of Letharia vulpina tissue was analyzed from 38 sites using total Kjeldahl analysis to provide a preliminary assessment of N deposition patterns. Collections were co-located with plots where...

Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of 316LN Stainless Steel Alloyed with Varying Nitrogen Content. Part II: Fatigue Life and Fracture Behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad Reddy, G. V.; Sandhya, R.; Sankaran, S.; Mathew, M. D.

2014-10-01

Influence of nitrogen content on low cycle fatigue life and fracture behavior of 316LN stainless steel (SS) alloyed with 0.07 to 0.22 wt pct nitrogen is presented in this paper over a range of total strain amplitudes ( ±0.25 to 1.0 pct) in the temperature range from 773 K to 873 K (500 °C to 600 °C). The combined effect of nitrogen and strain amplitude on fatigue life is observed to be complex i.e., fatigue life either decreases/increases with increase in nitrogen content or saturates/peaks at 0.14 wt pct N depending on strain amplitude and temperature. Coffin-Manson plots (CMPs) revealed both single-slope and dual-slope strain-life curves depending on the test temperature and nitrogen content. 316LN SS containing 0.07 and 0.22 wt pct N showed nearly single-slope CMP at all test temperatures, while 316LN SS with 0.11 and 0.14 wt pct N exhibited marked dual-slope behavior at 773 K (500 °C) that changes to single-slope behavior at 873 K (600 °C). The changes in slope of CMP are found to be in good correlation with deformation substructural changes.

Nitrogen-doped carbon monolith for alkaline supercapacitors and understanding nitrogen-induced redox transitions.

PubMed

Wang, Da-Wei; Li, Feng; Yin, Li-Chang; Lu, Xu; Chen, Zhi-Gang; Gentle, Ian R; Lu, Gao Qing; Cheng, Hui-Ming

2012-04-23

A nitrogen-doped porous carbon monolith was synthesized as a pseudo-capacitive electrode for use in alkaline supercapacitors. Ammonia-assisted carbonization was used to dope the surface with nitrogen heteroatoms in a way that replaced carbon atoms but kept the oxygen content constant. Ammonia treatment expanded the micropore size-distributions and increased the specific surface area from 383 m(2) g(-1) to 679 m(2) g(-1). The nitrogen-containing porous carbon material showed a higher capacitance (246 F g(-1)) in comparison with the nitrogen-free one (186 F g(-1)). Ex situ electrochemical spectroscopy was used to investigate the evolution of the nitrogen-containing functional groups on the surface of the N-doped carbon electrodes in a three-electrode cell. In addition, first-principles calculations were explored regarding the electronic structures of different nitrogen groups to determine their relative redox potentials. We proposed possible redox reaction pathways based on the calculated redox affinity of different groups and surface analysis, which involved the reversible attachment/detachment of hydroxy groups between pyridone and pyridine. The oxidation of nitrogen atoms in pyridine was also suggested as a possible reaction pathway. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Nutritional evaluation of former food products (ex-food) intended for pig nutrition.

PubMed

Giromini, C; Ottoboni, M; Tretola, M; Marchis, D; Gottardo, D; Caprarulo, V; Baldi, A; Pinotti, L

2017-08-01

Ex-food or former food products (FFPs) have been proposed as one of the categories with great promise as alternative feed ingredients. FFPs' nutritional potential is not yet fully exploited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a nutritional evaluation of selected FFPs. In particular, six samples of mixed FFPs, all based on bakery products, were analysed for moisture, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, starch and ash. Nitrogen-free extractives and non-structural carbohydrate were also determined. Based on FFPs' composition data, estimation of digestible energy and metabolisable energy values for pigs were calculated. Further, the in vitro digestibility values of FFPs were investigated using a multi-step enzymatic technique. A wheat sample was included as a control feed ingredient in the study. All data were reported on dry matter basis. FFPs have shown a nutrient composition comparable with cereal grains. In the tested FFPs, the average protein content was 10.0% and the average starch content was 52.4%. Nitrogen-free extractive ranged from 61.2% to 74.7%, whereas non-structural carbohydrate ranged from 58.5% to 79.3%. Compared with wheat, FFPs were characterised by a relative high fat content, averaging about 10.1%. The relatively high nitrogen-free extractive/non-structural carbohydrate/starch and fat concentration designated FFPs as valuable energy sources. Digestible energy and metabolisable energy averages were 17.2 and 16.9 MJ kg -1 , respectively. The average in vitro digestibility value of FFPs samples was 88.2% ± 5.8%, comparable with that of wheat (90.6% ± 1.6%). FFPs are a fat-fortified version of common cereals grains. The high energy content and digestibility values elect FFPs as promising non-traditional ingredients for swine.

Nitrogen losses and chemical parameters during co-composting of solid wastes and liquid pig manure.

PubMed

Vázquez, M A; de la Varga, D; Plana, R; Soto, M

2017-07-04

The aim of this research was to study nitrogen losses during the treatment of the liquid fraction (LF) of pig manure by co-composting and to establish the best conditions for compost production with higher nitrogen and low heavy metal contents. Windrows were constituted with the solid fraction (SF) of pig manure, different organic waste (SF of pig manure, sawdust and grape bagasse) as co-substrate and Populus spp. wood chips as bulking material and watered intensely with the LF. Results show that nitrogen losses ranged from 30% to 66% of initial nitrogen and were mainly governed by substrate to bulking mass ratio and liquid fraction to substrate (LF/S) ratio, and only secondarily by operational parameters. Nitrogen losses decreased from 55-65% at low LF/S ratios (1.7-1.9 m 3 /t total solids (TS)) to 30-39% at high LF/S ratios (4.4-4.7 m 3 /t TS). Therefore, integrating the LF in the composting process at high LF/S ratios favoured nitrogen recovery and conservation. Nitrogen in the fine fraction (ranging from 27% to 48% of initial nitrogen) was governed by operational parameters, namely pH and temperature. Final compost showed low content in most heavy metals, but Zn was higher than the limits for compost use in agriculture. Zn content in the obtained compost varied from 1863 to 3269 mg/kg dm, depending on several factors. The options for obtaining better quality composts from the LF of pig manure are selecting co-substrates with low heavy metal content and using them instead of the SF of pig manure.

Flame tube parametric studies for control of fuel bound nitrogen using rich-lean two-stage combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schultz, D. F.; Wolfbrandt, G.

1980-01-01

An experimental parametric study of rich-lean two-stage combustion in a flame tube is described and approaches for minimizing the conversion of fuel-bound nitrogen to nitrogen oxides in a premixed, homogeneous combustion system are evaluated. Air at 672 K and 0.48 MPa was premixed with fuel blends of propane, toluene, and pyridine at primary equivalence ratios ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 and secondary equivalence ratios of 0.5 to 0.7. Distillates of SRC-II, a coal syncrude, were also tested. The blended fuels were proportioned to vary fuel hydrogen composition from 9.0 to 18.3 weight percent and fuel nitrogen composition from zero to 1.5 weight percent. Rich-lean combustion proved effective in reducing fuel nitrogen to NO sub x conversion; conversion rates up to 10 times lower than those normally produced by single-stage combustion were achieved. The optimum primary equivalence ratio, where the least NO sub x was produced and combustion efficiency was acceptable, shifted between 1.4 and 1.7 with changes in fuel nitrogen content and fuel hydrogen content. Increasing levels of fuel nitrogen content lowered the conversion rate, but not enough to avoid higher NO sub x emissions as fuel nitrogen increased.

Quality Evaluation of Biscuits Supplemented with Alfalfa Seed Flour

PubMed Central

Ullah, Fahim; Ahmad, Sajjad; Wahab, Said; Zeb, Alam; Khan Khattak, Mansoor; Khan, Saleem; Kang, Min

2016-01-01

The effect of alfalfa seed flour supplementation on the quality characteristics of refined wheat flour-based biscuits was studied. The proximate composition of refined wheat flour and alfalfa seed flour was determined. Refined wheat flour contained 12.43% moisture, 11.52% crude protein, 1.61% crude fat, 0.71% crude fiber, 1.43% ash and 70.83% nitrogen free extract, while alfalfa seed flour contained 5.79%, 29.49%, 12.71%, 5.53%, 4.80% and 41.73% moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash and nitrogen free extract correspondingly. Alfalfa seed flour at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% supplementation levels was incorporated in refined wheat flour to produce composite flour. The biscuits prepared were subjected to quality evaluation. Physical analysis of biscuits disclosed that supplementation of alfalfa seed flour decreased the width from 47.25 to 42 mm and the spread factor from 62.7 to 53.12, while it increased the thickness from 7.53 to 8.10 mm. Supplementation of refined wheat flour–based biscuits with alfalfa seed flour at different inclusion levels significantly (p < 0.05) increased the crude protein content from 10.19% to 15.30%, the crude fiber content from 0.73% to 1.62%, the crude fat content from 17.46% to 21.59% and the ash content from 1.37% to 1.92%, whereas it decreased the moisture content from 3.57% to 3.26% and the nitrogen free extract from 66.90% to 59.32%. The effect of supplementation on the mineral contents of biscuits was also significant (p < 0.05). Potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc contents increased from 105.30, 14.65, 43.91, 3.74 and 0.94 to 145.00, 26.64, 79.60, 7.93 and 1.60 mg/100 g, respectively. Sensory evaluation revealed that the quality score of biscuits in terms of color, taste, texture and overall acceptability decreased with increased supplementation. The present research work confirmed that a maximum of 10% alfalfa seed flour supplementation in refined wheat flour could produce acceptable biscuits with an appropriate nutritional profile. PMID:28231168

[Contents of nutrient elements in NH4(+)-N fertilizer and urea].

PubMed

Wang, Zheng-Rui; Qu, Gui-Qin; Rui, Yu-Kui; Shen, Jian-Bo; Zhang, Fu-Suo

2009-03-01

Fertilizer contains not only one compound or one element, so it is important to determine the contents of other elements necessitous and beneficial to plant. All the other nutrient elements for plant, including necessitous elements and beneficial elements in ammonia nitrogen fertilizer ((NH4)2SO4) and CO(NH2)2, were analyzed by method of ICP-MS. The results showed that ammonia nitrogen fertilizer ((NH4)2SO4) and CO(NH2)2 both contain many necessitous elements, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mo, thereinto the contents of Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn and Fe were on microg x g(-1) the level, and Ni, Cu, Zn and Mo were on the ng x g(-1) level; compared with CO(NH2)2, ammonia nitrogen fertilizer ((NH4)2SO4) contains more necessitous elements and beneficial elements except Mo and Si. All the above elements could influence the results of nitrogen fertilizer efficiency experiments, so pure fertilizer should be used in the future nitrogen fertilizer efficiency experiments and the comparative experiments of different form nitrogen fertilizer.

Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transport by world rivers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meybeck, M.

1982-04-01

The various forms (dissolved and particulate, organic and inorganic) of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in world rivers are reviewed from literature data. Natural levels are based mainly on major rivers for the subarctic and tropical zones which are still unpolluted and on smaller streams for the temperate zone. Atmospheric fallout is also reviewed. Natural contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are mainly dependent on environmental conditions: DOC varies from 1 mg 1/sup -1/ in the mountainous alpine environments to 20 mg 1/sup -1/ in some taiga rivers. The world DOC average is 5.75 mg l/sup -1/. Nitrogen forms include dissolvedmore » organic nitrogen (DON), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN = N - NH/sub 4//sup +/ + N - NO/sub 3//sup -/ + N - NO/sub 2//sup -/), and particulate organic nitrogen (PON). Natural levels are very low: DIN = 120 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ of which only 15 percent is present as ammonia, and 1 percent as nitrite. Phosphorus is naturally present in very low amounts: around 10 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ for P-PO/sub 4//sup 3/ and 25 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/ for total dissolved phosphorus (TDP which includes the organic form). The average nutrient content of rains has been estimated with a set of unpolluted stations: P - PO/sub 4/ = 5 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/, TDP = 10, N - NO/sub 2/ = 5, N - NH/sub 4/ = 225, DON = 225, and N - NO/sub 3/ = 175 ..mu..g 1/sup -1/. TOC levels are probably around several mg 1/sup -1/. These contents are very similar to those found in unpolluted rivers. Man's influence on surface waters has now greatly increased natural nutrient levels. Total dissolved P and N have globally increased by a factor of two and locally (Western Europe, North America) by factors of 10 to 50. These increases were found to be directly proportional to the watershed population and to its energy consumption.« less

Study on pyrolysis characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass impregnated with ammonia source.

PubMed

Li, Kai; Zhu, Changpeng; Zhang, Liqiang; Zhu, Xifeng

2016-06-01

The current study presents the pyrolysis characteristics of rice husk impregnated with different kinds of ammonia source (ammonium acetate, urea, ammonium sulfate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate) in a fixed bed reactor. The introduction of ammonia source in pyrolysis process achieved the conversation from carbonyl compounds to nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds. The liquid product of urea-impregnated biomass has higher content of nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds (8.35%) and phenols (30.4%). For ammonium sulfate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate-impregnated biomass, the quantity of compounds in liquid products reduces remarkably, and the gas products are rich in CO and H2. All the solid products of pyrolysis have great potential application in biochar-based fertilizer and activated carbon for their high N content. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the combined effects of lanthanum and acid rain, and their mechanisms, on nitrate reductase transcription in plants.

PubMed

Xia, Binxin; Sun, Zhaoguo; Wang, Lihong; Zhou, Qing; Huang, Xiaohua

2017-04-01

Rare earth element (REE) pollution and acid rain are major global environmental concerns, and their spatial distributions overlap. Thus, both forms of pollution combine to act on plants. Nitrogen is important for plant growth, and nitrate reductase (NR) is a key plant enzyme that catalyzes nitrogen assimilation. Studying the combined effects of REEs and acid rain on plant nitrogen-based nutrients has important environmental significance. Here, soybean (Glycine max) plants, commonly used for toxicological studies, were exposed to lanthanum (La), a REE, and acid rain to study the NR activities and NR transcriptional levels in the roots. To explain how the pollution affected the NR transcriptional level, we simultaneously observed the contents of intracellular La and nutrient elements, protoplast morphology, membrane lipid peroxidation and intracellular pH. A combined treatment of 0.08mmol/L La and pH 4.5 acid rain increased the NR activity, decreased the NR transcriptional level, increased the intracellular nutrient elements' contents and caused deformations in membrane structures. Other combined treatments significantly decreased the aforementioned parameters and caused serious damage to the membrane structures. The variation in the amplitudes of combined treatments was greater than those of individual treatments. Compared with the control and individual treatments, combined treatments increased membrane permeability, the malondialdehyde content, and intracellular H + and La contents, and with an increasing La concentration or acid strength, the change in amplitude increased. Thus, the combined effects on NR gene transcription in soybean seedling roots were related to the intracellular nutrient elements' contents, protoplast morphology, membranous lipid peroxidation, intracellular pH and La content. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolites reveals an essential role of metabolic flux in starch accumulation under nitrogen starvation in duckweed.

PubMed

Yu, Changjiang; Zhao, Xiaowen; Qi, Guang; Bai, Zetao; Wang, Yu; Wang, Shumin; Ma, Yubin; Liu, Qian; Hu, Ruibo; Zhou, Gongke

2017-01-01

Duckweed is considered a promising source of energy due to its high starch content and rapid growth rate. Starch accumulation in duckweed involves complex processes that depend on the balanced expression of genes controlled by various environmental and endogenous factors. Previous studies showed that nitrogen starvation induces a global stress response and results in the accumulation of starch in duckweed. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms underlying the regulation of starch accumulation under conditions of nitrogen starvation. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing technology to examine the transcriptome responses of Lemna aequinoctialis 6000 at three stages (0, 3, and 7 days) during nitrogen starvation in the presence of exogenously applied sucrose. Overall, 2522, 628, and 1832 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) were discovered for the treated and control samples. Clustering and enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed several biological processes occurring under nitrogen starvation. Genes involved in nitrogen metabolism showed the earliest responses to nitrogen starvation, whereas genes involved in carbohydrate biosynthesis were responded subsequently. The expression of genes encoding nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase was down-regulated under nitrogen starvation. The expression of unigenes encoding enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis was up-regulated, while the majority of unigenes involved in glycolysis were down-regulated. The metabolite results showed that more ADP-Glc was accumulated and lower levels of UDP-Glc were accumulated under nitrogen starvation, the activity of AGPase was significantly increased while the activity of UGPase was dramatically decreased. These changes in metabolite levels under nitrogen starvation are roughly consistent with the gene expression changes in the transcriptome. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the increase of ADP-glucose and starch contents under nitrogen starvation is a consequence of increased output from the gluconeogenesis and TCA pathways, accompanied with the reduction of lipids and pectin biosynthesis. The results provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of starch accumulation during nitrogen starvation, which provide a foundation for the improvement of advanced bioethanol production in duckweed.

Seasonal variations of leaf and canopy properties tracked by ground-based NDVI imagery in a temperate forest

DOE PAGES

Yang, Hualei; Yang, Xi; Heskel, Mary; ...

2017-04-28

Changes in plant phenology affect the carbon flux of terrestrial forest ecosystems due to the link between the growing season length and vegetation productivity. Digital camera imagery, which can be acquired frequently, has been used to monitor seasonal and annual changes in forest canopy phenology and track critical phenological events. However, quantitative assessment of the structural and biochemical controls of the phenological patterns in camera images has rarely been done. In this study, we used an NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) camera to monitor daily variations of vegetation reflectance at visible and near-infrared (NIR) bands with high spatial and temporalmore » resolutions, and found that the infrared camera based NDVI (camera-NDVI) agreed well with the leaf expansion process that was measured by independent manual observations at Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, USA. We also measured the seasonality of canopy structural (leaf area index, LAI) and biochemical properties (leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content). Here we found significant linear relationships between camera-NDVI and leaf chlorophyll concentration, and between camera-NDVI and leaf nitrogen content, though weaker relationships between camera-NDVI and LAI. Therefore, we recommend ground-based camera-NDVI as a powerful tool for long-term, near surface observations to monitor canopy development and to estimate leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen status, and LAI.« less

Seasonal variations of leaf and canopy properties tracked by ground-based NDVI imagery in a temperate forest

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Hualei; Yang, Xi; Heskel, Mary

Changes in plant phenology affect the carbon flux of terrestrial forest ecosystems due to the link between the growing season length and vegetation productivity. Digital camera imagery, which can be acquired frequently, has been used to monitor seasonal and annual changes in forest canopy phenology and track critical phenological events. However, quantitative assessment of the structural and biochemical controls of the phenological patterns in camera images has rarely been done. In this study, we used an NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) camera to monitor daily variations of vegetation reflectance at visible and near-infrared (NIR) bands with high spatial and temporalmore » resolutions, and found that the infrared camera based NDVI (camera-NDVI) agreed well with the leaf expansion process that was measured by independent manual observations at Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, USA. We also measured the seasonality of canopy structural (leaf area index, LAI) and biochemical properties (leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen content). Here we found significant linear relationships between camera-NDVI and leaf chlorophyll concentration, and between camera-NDVI and leaf nitrogen content, though weaker relationships between camera-NDVI and LAI. Therefore, we recommend ground-based camera-NDVI as a powerful tool for long-term, near surface observations to monitor canopy development and to estimate leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen status, and LAI.« less

Chemiluminescence of nitrogen-rich quantum dots in diperiodatoargentate(III) solution and its application in ferulic acid analysis.

PubMed

Fu, Zhaofu; Li, Gongke; Hu, Yufei

2016-12-01

A novel chemiluminescence (CL) system based on the reaction of fluorescent water-soluble nitrogen-rich quantum dots (N-dots) and diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) was developed. The prepared N-dots have a small size (≤10 nm) and high percentage of nitrogen (39.9 %), which exceeds the content of carbon in the same N-dots. The N-dots exhibit characteristic blue fluorescence under UV light and up-conversion luminescence. The relatively intense CL emission is based on the direct oxidation of N-dots by DPA. The CL emission may be attributed to the high nitrogen content and the special structure of the N-dots. The CL mechanism of N-dots and DPA was investigated by using CL, UV-Vis absorption, IR, fluorescence, and radical scavenging experiments. This investigation provides a way to study the optical properties of N-dots. The analytical applicability of the N-dots and DPA CL system in the determination of ferulic acid (FA) was explored. The CL intensity was linearly proportional to the concentration of ferulic acid from 3.0 × 10 -7 to 1.0 × 10 -5 g mL -1 with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10 -8 g mL -1 (3σ); the relative standard deviation was 2.4 % for 4.0 × 10 -7 g mL -1 FA (n = 9). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis. The study provides valuable insight into the role of nitrogen-rich quantum dots in CL.

Influence of the nitrogen content on the optical properties of CNx films.

PubMed

Abd El-Kader, F H; Moharram, M A; Khafagia, M G; Mamdouh, Fathia

2012-11-01

Polycrystalline carbon nitride thin films were prepared by electrolysis of methanol-urea solution at different concentrations of urea to methanol and applied voltage 800 volts for 10h. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) revealed that the crystalline structure of carbon nitride films at moderate nitrogen content changed from amorphous phase to polycrystalline α-C(3)N(4), and β-C(3)N(4) phases. The optical transmission analysis of the films revealed that the band gap value for indirect allowed transitions increased with increasing nitrogen content, while the associated phonon energy value showed the opposite behavior. The refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the samples deposited with different concentrations were determined as a function of wavelength. The refractive index decreases with increasing both nitrogen content and crystallinity. The refractive index dispersion for the investigated samples is discussed in terms of the single oscillator model and oscillator parameters. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Nitrogen extraction potential of wild and cultured bivalves harvested from nearshore waters of Cape Cod, USA.

PubMed

Reitsma, Joshua; Murphy, Diane C; Archer, Abigail F; York, Richard H

2017-03-15

As nitrogen entering coastal waters continues to be an issue, much attention has been generated to identify potential options that may help alleviate this stressor to estuaries, including the propagation of bivalves to remove excess nitrogen. Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria) from numerous Cape Cod, MA, (USA) sources were analyzed for nitrogen content stored in tissues that would represent a net removal of nitrogen from a water body if harvested. Results showed local oysters average 0.69% nitrogen by total dry weight (mean 0.28gN/animal) and quahogs average 0.67% nitrogen by total dry weight (mean 0.22gN/animal); however, these values did vary by season and to a lesser extent by location or grow-out method. The differences in nitrogen content were largely related to the mass of shell or soft tissue. Nitrogen isotope data indicate shellfish from certain water bodies in the region are incorporating significant amounts of nitrogen from anthropogenic sources. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

[Dynamics of carbon and nitrogen storage of Cupressus chengiana plantations in the arid valley of Minjiang River, Southwest China].

PubMed

Luo, Da; Feng, Qiu-hong; Shi, Zuo-min; Li, Dong-sheng; Yang, Chang-xu; Liu, Qian-li; He, Jian-she

2015-04-01

The carbon and nitrogen storage and distribution patterns of Cupressus chengiana plantation ecosystems with different stand ages in the arid valley of Minjiang River were studied. The results showed that carbon contents in different organs of C. chengiana were relatively stable, while nitrogen contents were closely related to different organs, and soil organic carbon and nitrogen contents increased with the stand age. Carbon and nitrogen storage in vegetation layer, soil layer, and the whole ecosystem of the plantation increased with the stand age. The values of total carbon storage in the 13-, 11-, 8-, 6- and 4-year-old C. chengiana plantation ecosystems were 190.90, 165.91, 144.57, 119.44, and 113.49 t x hm(-2), and the values of total nitrogen storage were 19.09, 17.97, 13.82, 13.42, and 12.26 t x hm(-2), respectively. Most of carbon and nitrogen were stored in the 0-60 cm soil layer in the plantation ecosystems and occupied 92.8% and 98.8%, respectively, and the amounts of carbon and nitrogen stored in the top 0-20 cm soil layer, accounted for 54.4% and 48.9% of those in the 0-60 cm soil layer, respectively. Difference in distribution of carbon and nitrogen storage was observed in the vegetation layer. The percentage of carbon storage in tree layer (3.7%) were higher than that in understory vegetation (3.5%), while the percentage of nitrogen storage in tree layer (0.5%) was lower than that in understory (0.7%). The carbon and nitrogen storage and distribution patterns in the plantations varied obviously with the stand age, and the plantation ecosystems at these age stages could accumulate organic carbon and nitrogen continuously.

[Satellite remote sensing retrieval of canopy nitrogen nutritional status of apple trees at blossom stage].

PubMed

Wang, Ling; Zhao, Geng-Xing; Zhu, Xi-Cun; Wang, Rui-Yan; Chang, Chun-Yan

2013-10-01

Taking Qixia City of Shandong, China as the study area, and based on the Landsat-5 TM and ALOS AVNIR-2 images, the canopy retrieval reflectance of apple trees at blossom stage was acquired. In combining with the measured reflectance of sample trees, the nitrogen-sensitive spectral indices were constructed and selected. By using the sensitive spectral indices as the independent variables, the nitrogen retrieval models were established, and the model with the best accuracy was used for spatial retrieve. The correlations between the spectral indices and the nitrogen nutritional status were in the order of canopy > leaf > flower. The sensitive indices were mainly composed of green, red, and near infrared bands. The accuracy of the retrieval models was in the order of support vector regression > multi-variable stepwise regression > one-variable regression. The retrieval results based on different images were similar, and showed that the leaf nitrogen content was mainly of grades 3-4 (27-33 g x kg(-1)), and the canopy nitrogen nutrient indices were mainly of grades 2-4 (TM: 38-47 g x kg(-1); ALOS: 32-41 g x kg(-1)). The spatial distribution of the retrieval nitrogen nutritional status based on different images also showed the similar trend, i. e., the nitrogen nutritional status was higher in the north and south than that in the middle part of the study area, and the areas with the high grades of leaf nitrogen and canopy nitrogen were mainly located in Sujiadian Town and Songshan subdistrict in the northwest, Zangjiazhuang Town and Tingkou Town in the northeast, and Shewopo Town in the south, which were consistent with the distribution of the key towns for apple production in Qixia City. This study provided a feasible method for the acquisition of nitrogen nutritional status of apple trees on macroscopic scale, and also, provided reference for other similar remote sensing retrievals.

Analyzing the contribution of climate change to long-term variations in sediment nitrogen sources for reservoirs/lakes.

PubMed

Xia, Xinghui; Wu, Qiong; Zhu, Baotong; Zhao, Pujun; Zhang, Shangwei; Yang, Lingyan

2015-08-01

We applied a mixing model based on stable isotopic δ(13)C, δ(15)N, and C:N ratios to estimate the contributions of multiple sources to sediment nitrogen. We also developed a conceptual model describing and analyzing the impacts of climate change on nitrogen enrichment. These two models were conducted in Miyun Reservoir to analyze the contribution of climate change to the variations in sediment nitrogen sources based on two (210)Pb and (137)Cs dated sediment cores. The results showed that during the past 50years, average contributions of soil and fertilizer, submerged macrophytes, N2-fixing phytoplankton, and non-N2-fixing phytoplankton were 40.7%, 40.3%, 11.8%, and 7.2%, respectively. In addition, total nitrogen (TN) contents in sediment showed significant increasing trends from 1960 to 2010, and sediment nitrogen of both submerged macrophytes and phytoplankton sources exhibited significant increasing trends during the past 50years. In contrast, soil and fertilizer sources showed a significant decreasing trend from 1990 to 2010. According to the changing trend of N2-fixing phytoplankton, changes of temperature and sunshine duration accounted for at least 43% of the trend in the sediment nitrogen enrichment over the past 50years. Regression analysis of the climatic factors on nitrogen sources showed that the contributions of precipitation, temperature, and sunshine duration to the variations in sediment nitrogen sources ranged from 18.5% to 60.3%. The study demonstrates that the mixing model provides a robust method for calculating the contribution of multiple nitrogen sources in sediment, and this study also suggests that N2-fixing phytoplankton could be regarded as an important response factor for assessing the impacts of climate change on nitrogen enrichment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Cropland Water and Nitrogen Balance from Climate Change in Korea Peninsular

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, C. H.; Song, C.; Kim, T.; Lee, W. K.; Jeon, S. W.

2015-12-01

If crop growth is based on cropland productivity, the changes are due to changes in water and nitrogen balance from climate. In this study, order to estimation the change in cropland water and nitrogen balance in Korea peninsular using meteorological data observed last 30 years(1984-2013y). And we used soil, topography and management data about cropland. So as to estimating water and nitrogen variables, we used to the GIS based EPIC model that is major crop model in agro-ecosystem modelling field. Among the much of water and nitrogen variables, we selected to evapotranspiration, runoff, precipitation, nitrification, N lost, N contents and denitrification for this analysis. This selected variables associate with cropland water and nitrogen balance.First result, we can found the water balance changes in Korea peninsular, especially South Korea better condition than North Korea. In North Korea, evapotranspiration and precipitation result were lower than South Korea, but runoff result was bigger than South Korea. And we got a result about nitrogen balance changes in Korea peninsular from climate. In spatially, South and North Korea showed to similar condition on nitrogen balance in whole period. But in temporally, showed negative trends as time goes on, it caused by climate change. Overall condition of water and nitrogen balance on last 30 years in Korea peninsular, South Korea showed better condition than North Korea. Water and nitrogen balance change means have to be changed on agriculture management action, such as irrigation and fertilizer. In future period, climate change will cause a large effect to cropland water and nitrogen balance in mid-latitude area, so we have to prepare the change of this field for wise adaptation by climate change.

Study of the effects of proline, phenylalanine, and urea foliar application to Tempranillo vineyards on grape amino acid content. Comparison with commercial nitrogen fertilisers.

PubMed

Garde-Cerdán, T; López, R; Portu, J; González-Arenzana, L; López-Alfaro, I; Santamaría, P

2014-11-15

The aim of this work was to study the influence of foliar application of different nitrogen sources on grape amino acid content. The nitrogen sources applied to Tempranillo grapevines were proline, phenylalanine, urea, and two commercial nitrogen fertilisers, both without and with amino acids in their formulations. All treatments were applied at veraison and one week later. Proline treatment did not affect the must nitrogen composition. However, phenylalanine and urea foliar application enhanced the plants' synthesis of most of the amino acids, producing similar effects. In addition, the spray of commercial nitrogen fertilisers over leaves also induced a rise in grape amino acid concentrations regardless of the presence or absence of amino acids in their formulation. The most effective treatments were phenylalanine and urea followed by nitrogen fertilisers. This finding is of oenological interest for improved must nitrogen composition, ensuring better fermentation kinetics and most likely enhancing wine quality. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Application of titration methods for measuring the contents of ammonium nitrogen and volatile fatty acids in agricultural biogas plants.

PubMed

Piątek, Michał; Lisowski, Aleksander; Lisowska, Barbara

2017-12-20

The aim of our research was to assess a relatively new method of estimating ammonium nitrogen concentration in anaerobic digestion of plant substrates. We analysed our own data, received from the anaerobic digestion of maize silage (PM), as well as data published by Purser et al. (2014) who measured energy crops and slurry (ECS), and food waste (FW). In our study, the process was monitored for VFA content that was determined by gas chromatography, and for the content of ammonium nitrogen determined using the HACH LANGE LCK 303 cuvette test. We created polynomial regression models that bind the content of ammonium nitrogen with the volume of H 2 SO 4 used to titrate the sample from initial pH to pH 5. To estimate parameters of model, the PM dataset was used. The obtained models were positively validated using ECS and FW datasets. Our results confirmed the effectiveness of the Purser et al. method with an average absolute error of less than 223mgl -1 of the VFA concentration, which was approximately 20-times less than the level that caused inhibition. In conclusion, we can affirm the suitability of using titration methods to assess the ammonium nitrogen content of bioreactors with a stable composition. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship of nitrogen use efficiency with the activities of enzymes involved in nitrogen uptake and assimilation of finger millet genotypes grown under different nitrogen inputs.

PubMed

Gupta, Nidhi; Gupta, Atul K; Gaur, Vikram S; Kumar, Anil

2012-01-01

Nitrogen responsiveness of three-finger millet genotypes (differing in their seed coat colour) PRM-1 (brown), PRM-701 (golden), and PRM-801 (white) grown under different nitrogen doses was determined by analyzing the growth, yield parameters and activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase; GOGAT, and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) at different developmental stages. High nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen utilization efficiency were observed in PRM-1 genotype, whereas high nitrogen uptake efficiency was observed in PRM-801 genotype. At grain filling nitrogen uptake efficiency in PRM-1 negatively correlated with NR, GS, GOGAT activities whereas it was positively correlated in PRM-701 and PRM-801, however, GDH showed a negative correlation. Growth and yield parameters indicated that PRM-1 responds well at high nitrogen conditions while PRM-701 and PRM-801 respond well at normal and low nitrogen conditions respectively. The study indicates that PRM-1 is high nitrogen responsive and has high nitrogen use efficiency, whereas golden PRM-701 and white PRM-801 are low nitrogen responsive genotypes and have low nitrogen use efficiency. However, the crude grain protein content was higher in PRM-801 genotype followed by PRM-701 and PRM-1, indicating negative correlation of nitrogen use efficiency with source to sink relationship in terms of seed protein content.

Cobalt ion-coordinated self-assembly synthesis of nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon nanosheets for efficiently catalyzing oxygen reduction.

PubMed

Wang, Haitao; Wang, Wei; Asif, Muhammad; Yu, Yang; Wang, Zhengyun; Wang, Junlei; Liu, Hongfang; Xiao, Junwu

2017-10-19

The design and synthesis of a promising porous carbon-based electrocatalyst with an ordered and uninterrupted porous structure for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still a significant challenge. Herein, an efficient catalyst based on cobalt-embedded nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon nanosheets (Co/N-OMCNS) is successfully prepared through a two-step procedure (cobalt ion-coordinated self-assembly and carbonization process) using 3-aminophenol as a nitrogen source, cobalt acetate as a cobalt source and Pluronic F127 as a mesoporous template. This work indicates that the formation of a two dimensional nanosheet structure is directly related to the extent of the cobalt ion coordination interaction. Moreover, the critical roles of pyrolysis temperature in nitrogen doping and ORR catalytic activity are also investigated. Benefiting from the high surface area and graphitic degree, high contents of graphitic N and pyridinic N, ordered interconnected mesoporous carbon framework, as well as synergetic interaction between the cobalt nanoparticles and protective nitrogen doped graphitic carbon layer, the resultant optimal catalyst Co/N-OMCNS-800 (pyrolyzed at 800 °C) exhibits comparable ORR catalytic activity to Pt/C, superior tolerance to methanol crossover and stability.

An optical-density-based feedback feeding method for ammonium concentration control in Spirulina platensis cultivation.

PubMed

Bao, Yilu; Wen, Shumei; Cong, Wei; Wu, Xia; Ning, Zhengxiang

2012-07-01

Cultivation of Spirulina platensis using ammonium salts or wastewater containing ammonium as alternative nitrogen sources is considered as a commercial way to reduce the production cost. In this research, by analyzing the relationship between biomass production and ammonium- N consumption in the fed-batch culture of Spirulina platensis using ammonium bicarbonate as a nitrogen nutrient source, an online adaptive control strategy based on optical density (OD) measurements for controlling ammonium feeding was presented. The ammonium concentration was successfully controlled between the cell growth inhibitory and limiting concentrations using this OD-based feedback feeding method. As a result, the maximum biomass concentration (2.98 g/l), productivity (0.237 g/l·d), nitrogen-to-cell conversion factor (7.32 gX/gN), and contents of protein (64.1%) and chlorophyll (13.4 mg/g) obtained by using the OD-based feedback feeding method were higher than those using the constant and variable feeding methods. The OD-based feedback feeding method could be recognized as an applicable way to control ammonium feeding and a benefit for Spirulina platensis cultivations.

Influence of Substrate Heating and Nitrogen Flow on the Composition, Morphological and Mechanical Properties of SiNx Coatings Aimed for Joint Replacements

PubMed Central

Skjöldebrand, Charlotte; Schmidt, Susann; Vuong, Vicky; Pettersson, Maria; Grandfield, Kathryn; Högberg, Hans; Engqvist, Håkan; Persson, Cecilia

2017-01-01

Silicon nitride (SiNx) coatings are promising for joint replacement applications due to their high wear resistance and biocompatibility. For such coatings, a higher nitrogen content, obtained through an increased nitrogen gas supply, has been found to be beneficial in terms of a decreased dissolution rate of the coatings. The substrate temperature has also been found to affect the composition as well as the microstructure of similar coatings. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the substrate temperature and nitrogen flow on the coating composition, microstructure and mechanical properties. SiNx coatings were deposited onto CoCrMo discs using reactive high power impulse magnetron sputtering. During deposition, the substrate temperatures were set to 200 °C, 350 °C or 430 °C, with nitrogen-to-argon flow ratios of 0.06, 0.17 or 0.30. Scanning and transmission electron spectroscopy revealed that the coatings were homogenous and amorphous. The coatings displayed a nitrogen content of 23–48 at.% (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The surface roughness was similar to uncoated CoCrMo (p = 0.25) (vertical scanning interferometry). The hardness and Young’s modulus, as determined from nanoindentation, scaled with the nitrogen content of the coatings, with the hardness ranging from 12 ± 1 GPa to 26 ± 2 GPa and the Young’s moduli ranging from 173 ± 8 GPa to 293 ± 18 GPa, when the nitrogen content increased from 23% to 48%. The low surface roughness and high nano-hardness are promising for applications exposed to wear, such as joint implants. PMID:28772532

[Vertical Distribution Characteristics of Typical Forest Soil Organic Nitrogen in Dawei Mountain].

PubMed

Ding, Xian-qing; Ma, Hui-jing; Zhu, Xiao-long; Chen, Shan; Hou, Hong-bo; Peng, Pei-qin

2015-10-01

To clarify altitudinal gradient of subtropical forest soil total nitrogen and organic nitrogen, soil samples were collected per 10 cm on soil profile (0-100 cm) in Dawei Mountain, researched the variation of soil organic nitrogen and correlation with soil physical and chemical properties. The results showed that: (1) Total nitrogen, acid hydrolysable organic nitrogen and soluble organic nitrogen decreased with the increase of depth, content of each component in mountain granite yellow-brown soils was much higher affected by altitude; (2) The average percentage of soil organic nitrogen to total nitrogen was 97.39% ± 1.17%, and soil acid hydrolysable organic nitrogen was 64.38% ± 10.68%, each component decreased with the increase of soil depth; (3) Soil soluble organic nitrogen content was 9.92- 23.45 mg x kg(-1), free amino acids (1.62 - 12.02 mg x kg(-1)) accounted for about 27.36% ± 9.95% of soluble organic nitrogen; (4) Soil acid hydrolysable organic nitrogen and soluble organic nitrogen were significantly positively correlated with total nitrogen, total soluble nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen (P < 0.05), were highly significantly correlated with soil bulk density, organic carbon, and total phosphorus (P < 0.01). Organic nitrogen was the main body of soil nitrogen in typical subtropical forest, each component showed a downward trend increase with soil depth affected by altitude and soil physical and chemical properties. There was a close conversion relationship between soil organic nitrogen and other nitrogen forms, the characteristics of soil organic nitrogen will have profound impact on nitrogen cycling of forest ecological system.

Soil nitrogen patterns induced by colonization of Polygonum cuspidatum on Mt. Fuji.

PubMed

Hirose, T; Tateno, M

1984-02-01

The spatial pattern of soil nitrogen was analyzed for a patchy vegetation formed by the colonization of Polygonum cuspidatum in a volcanic "desert" on Mt. Fuji. Soils were sampled radially from the bare ground to the center of the patch, and analyses were done for bulk density, water content, soil acidity, organic matter, organic nitrogen, and ammonium and nitrate nitrogen. The soils matured with succession from the bare ground through P. cuspidatum to Miscanthus oligostachyus and Aster ageratoides sites: bulk density decreased, and water content, organic matter, organic nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen increased. Nitrate nitrogen showed the highest values at the P. cuspidatum site. Application of principal component analysis to the soil data discriminated two component factors which control the variation of soil characteristics: the first factor is related to soil formation and the second factor to nitrogen mineralization and nitrification. The effect of soil formation on nitrogen mineralization and nitrification was analyzed with a first-order kinetic model. The decreasing trends with soil formation in the ratios of mineral to organic nitrogen and of nitrate to ammonium nitrogen could be accounted for by the higher activity of immobilization by microorganisms and uptake by plants in the more mature ecosystem.

Oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere and its impact on the evolution of nitrogen-based metabolisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papineau, D.; Mojzsis, S. J.

2002-12-01

The evolution of metabolic pathways is closely linked to the evolution of the redox state of the terrestrial atmosphere. Nitrogen has been an essential biological element since the emergence of life when reduced nitrogen compounds (e.g. ammonia) were utilized in the prebiotic synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. The nitrogen isotopic composition of sediments has been used to trace the origin of sedimentary organic matter in the rock record. Nitrogen is therefore suitable as a biosignature to trace the emergence of life on Earth or other planetary bodies as well as to follow the subsequent evolution of the biosphere in response to global redox changes. Evidence is strong that biological nitrogen fixation evolved very early in the history of life. The Last Common Ancestor (LCA) on Earth was most likely capable of nitrogen fixation as seen from the phylogenetic distribution of nitrogen-fixing organisms in both the domains of Bacteria and Archaea. Phylogenetic trees plotted with nitrogen-fixing gene (Nif) sequences from lineages of Bacteria and Archaea suggest that the Nif genes originated in a common ancestor of the two domains. Other phylogenetic analyses have also demonstrated that the paralogous duplication of the nifDK and nifEN operons, central to nitrogen fixation, predated the divergence of Archaea from Bacteria and therefore occurred prior to the emergence of the LCA. Although the same may be true for denitrification, this metabolic pathway probably did not become dominant until atmospheric pO2 increased between ~2.4 to 1.9 Ga during the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE). Recent work has shown a general depletion in 15N content of Archean (pre-2.5 Ga) relative to Phanerozoic (<540 Ma) kerogens. Studies have shown that the distribution of the δ15N values in kerogens shift from negative values in the Early Archean (from -6 to +6‰ with an average near 0‰ ) to approximately contemporary positive values (from +2 to +10‰ with an average at +6‰ ) by the Early Proterozoic. In the anoxic Archean atmosphere, the nitrogen cycle must have been different and the instability of oxidized nitrogen species such as NO3- under low pO2 must have limited its availability. Therefore nitrogen fixation probably was the dominant nitrogen-based metabolic pathway during the Archean until the rise of oxygen in the atmosphere in the Early Proterozoic, which resulted in more favorable conditions for denitrification to become the dominant nitrogen-based metabolism. Stable isotopic ratios can be used to detect denitrification (which positively fractionates δ15N) and nitrogen fixation (which negatively fractionates δ15N) in K+-containing minerals such as biotite and muscovite. In an effort to characterize the transition from the essentially anoxic Archean atmosphere to the modern oxidizing atmosphere, we are investigating sedimentary rocks spanning 2.4 to 1.9 Ga from Rovaniemi, Finland. Structural NH4+ in minerals is characterized by μFTIR spectroscopy. Our new μFTIR measurements of Early Proterozoic metasediments spanning the 2.4 - 1.9 Ga time interval (and focused on the well-represented 2.2 - 1.9 Ga time interval from Rovaniemi) provide a high-resolution record of ammonium content during the GOE as a prelude to future detailed δ15N measurements by laser mass spectrometry. This work traces the evolution of nitrogen fixation in the biosphere, its response to changes in global redox and provides a tool for the investigation of biosignatures in samples returned from other ancient planetary surfaces.

76 FR 3060 - Call for Information: Information Related to the Development of Emission-Estimating Methodologies...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-19

... approach that incorporates ``mass balance'' constraints to determine emissions from AFOs. Unfortunately... ventilation rate of the monitored confinement structure. Nitrogen content of process inputs and outputs (e.g., feed, water, bedding, eggs, milk). Nitrogen content of manure excreted. Description of any control...

Genetic and agronomic assessment of cob traits in corn under low and normal nitrogen management conditions

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

With rising energy demands and costs for fossil fuels, alternative energy from renewable sources such as maize cobs will become competitive. Maize cobs have beneficial characteristics for utilization as feedstock including compact tissue, high cellulose content, and low ash and nitrogen content. Nit...

Effects of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers plus nitrification inhibitor DMPP on nitrogen runoff loss in vegetable soils.

PubMed

Yu, Qiaogang; Ma, Junwei; Zou, Ping; Lin, Hui; Sun, Wanchun; Yin, Jianzhen; Fu, Jianrong

2015-01-01

The application of nitrogen fertilizers leads to various ecological problems such as large amounts of nitrogen runoff loss causing water body eutrophication. The proposal that nitrification inhibitors could be used as nitrogen runoff loss retardants has been suggested in many countries. In this study, simulated artificial rainfall was used to illustrate the effect of the nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate) on nitrogen loss from vegetable fields under combined organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer application. The results showed that during the three-time simulated artificial rainfall period, the ammonium nitrogen content in the surface runoff water collected from the DMPP application treatment increased by 1.05, 1.13, and 1.10 times compared to regular organic and inorganic combined fertilization treatment, respectively. In the organic and inorganic combined fertilization with DMPP addition treatment, the nitrate nitrogen content decreased by 38.8, 43.0, and 30.1% in the three simulated artificial rainfall runoff water, respectively. Besides, the nitrite nitrogen content decreased by 95.4, 96.7, and 94.1% in the three-time simulated artificial rainfall runoff water, respectively. A robust decline in the nitrate and nitrite nitrogen surface runoff loss could be observed in the treatments after the DMPP addition. The nitrite nitrogen in DMPP addition treatment exhibited a significant low level, which is near to the no fertilizer application treatment. Compared to only organic and inorganic combined fertilizer treatment, the total inorganic nitrogen runoff loss declined by 22.0 to 45.3% in the organic and inorganic combined fertilizers with DMPP addition treatment. Therefore, DMPP could be used as an effective nitrification inhibitor to control the soil ammonium oxidation in agriculture and decline the nitrogen runoff loss, minimizing the nitrogen transformation risk to the water body and being beneficial for the ecological environment.

Dynamics of nitrogen in subtropical wetland and its uptake and storage by Pistia stratiotes.

PubMed

Irfan, Sufia; Shardendu

2009-11-01

The paper describes the dynamics of nitrogen in different components (water, soil and plants) of Kabar wetland situated in Begusarai district of Bihar. Contents of nitrogen in the natural components were determined and were compared with the rate of uptake and accumulation under the experimental conditions. Physico-chemical characteristics of natural water and of test basins were quite similar. The trend of seasonal variation of NO3(-)-N in water and total N in soil and P. stratiotes tissue was almost similar but content of nitrogen differed significantly in the different components. The accumulation of nitrogen in the tissues of P. stratiotes was 5 to 15 fold higher than the concentration of nitrogen in the water and 2 to 3 fold higher than the nitrogen content measured in the soil. Maximum accumulation of nitrogen in P. stratiotes was 15.25 mg g(-1) when the concentration of NO3(-)-N in water was 0.86 mg l(-1). Under experimental conditions six different nitrogen concentrations were supplied and determined the uptake and accumulation of nitrogen in P. stratiotes. Maximum uptake and accumulation was 82.87 g m(-2) at the end of 60 days after starting the experiment but still the rate of accumulation was in rising trend. In another part of experiment no nitrogen was left in the basins of low concentrations (0.5 and 5 mg N l(-1)) at the end of 60 days of experiment but at higher concentrations (50 and 65 mg N l(-1)) significant amount of N was left in the test basin. The biomass enhancement was parallel with nitrogen supply till 15 mg N l(-1). This was opposite to the relationship between the nitrogen accumulation in the tissues and nitrogen supply in the experimental basins. Though, potassium was added as an essential growth nutrient but its accumulation was 95g m(-2) at 5 mg l(-1).

Development of a technique using MCNPX code for determination of nitrogen content of explosive materials using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasrabadi, M. N.; Bakhshi, F.; Jalali, M.; Mohammadi, A.

2011-12-01

Nuclear-based explosive detection methods can detect explosives by identifying their elemental components, especially nitrogen. Thermal neutron capture reactions have been used for detecting prompt gamma 10.8 MeV following radioactive neutron capture by 14N nuclei. We aimed to study the feasibility of using field-portable prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) along with improved nuclear equipment to detect and identify explosives, illicit substances or landmines. A 252Cf radio-isotopic source was embedded in a cylinder made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and the cylinder was then placed in another cylindrical container filled with water. Measurements were performed on high nitrogen content compounds such as melamine (C3H6N6). Melamine powder in a HDPE bottle was placed underneath the vessel containing water and the neutron source. Gamma rays were detected using two NaI(Tl) crystals. The results were simulated with MCNP4c code calculations. The theoretical calculations and experimental measurements were in good agreement indicating that this method can be used for detection of explosives and illicit drugs.

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures and nitrogen profile to identify adulteration in organic fertilizers.

PubMed

Verenitch, Sergei; Mazumder, Asit

2012-08-29

Recently it has been shown that stable isotopes of nitrogen can be used to discriminate between organic and synthetic fertilizers, but the robustness of the approach is questionable. This work developed a comprehensive method that is far more robust in identifying an adulteration of organic nitrogen fertilizers. Organic fertilizers of various types (manures, composts, blood meal, bone meal, fish meal, products of poultry and plant productions, molasses and seaweed based, and others) available on the North American market were analyzed to reveal the most sensitive criteria as well as their quantitative ranges, which can be used in their authentication. Organic nitrogen fertilizers of known origins with a wide δ(15)N range between -0.55 and 28.85‰ (n = 1258) were characterized for C and N content, δ(13)C, δ(15)N, viscosity, pH, and nitrogen profile (urea, ammonia, organic N, water insoluble N, and NO3). A statistically significant data set of characterized unique organic nitrogen fertilizers (n = 335) of various known origins has been assembled. Deliberately adulterated samples of different types of organic fertilizers mixed with synthetic fertilizers at a wide range of proportions have been used to develop the quantitative critical characteristics of organic fertilizers as the key indicators of their adulteration. Statistical analysis based on the discriminant functions of the quantitative critical characteristics of organic nitrogen fertilizers from 14 different source materials revealed a very high average rate of correct classification. The developed methodology has been successfully used as a source identification tool for numerous commercial nitrogen fertilizers available on the North American market.

Effects of high CO2 on growth and metabolism of Arabidopsis seedlings during growth with a constantly limited supply of nitrogen.

PubMed

Takatani, Nobuyuki; Ito, Takuro; Kiba, Takatoshi; Mori, Marie; Miyamoto, Tetsuro; Maeda, Shin-Ichi; Omata, Tatsuo

2014-02-01

Elevated CO2 has been reported to stimulate plant growth under nitrogen-sufficient conditions, but the effects of CO2 on growth in a constantly nitrogen-limited state, which is relevant to most natural habitats of plants, remain unclear. Here, we maintained Arabidopsis seedlings under such conditions by growing a mutant with reduced nitrate uptake activity on a medium containing nitrate as the sole nitrogen source. Under nitrogen-sufficient conditions (i.e. in the presence of ammonium), growth of shoots and roots of both the wild type (WT) and the mutant was increased approximately 2-fold by elevated CO2. Growth stimulation of shoots and roots by elevated CO2 was observed in the WT growing with nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, but in the mutant grown with nitrate, the high-CO2 conditions stimulated only the growth of roots. In the mutant, elevated CO2 caused well-known symptoms of nitrogen-starved plants, including decreased shoot/root ratio, reduced nitrate content and accumulation of anthocyanin, but also had an increased Chl content in the shoot, which was contradictory to the known effect of nitrogen depletion. A high-CO2-responsive change specific to the mutant was not observed in the levels of the major metabolites, although CO2 responses were observed in the WT and the mutant. These results indicated that elevated CO2 causes nitrogen limitation in the seedlings grown with a constantly limited supply of nitrogen, but the Chl content and the root biomass of the plant increase to enhance the activities of both photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake, while maintaining normal metabolism and response to high CO2.

[Effects of controlled release blend bulk urea on soil nitrogen and soil enzyme activity in wheat and rice fields].

PubMed

Zhang, Jing Sheng; Wang, Chang Quan; Li, Bing; Liang, Jing Yue; He, Jie; Xiang, Hao; Yin, Bin; Luo, Jing

2017-06-18

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) combined with urea (UR) on the soil fertility and environment in wheat-rice rotation system. Changes in four forms of nitrogen (total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and microbial biomass nitrogen) and in activities of three soil enzymes participating in nitrogen transformation (urease, protease, and nitrate reductase) were measured in seven fertilization treatments (no fertilization, routine fertilization, 10%CRF+90%UR, 20%CRF+80%UR, 40%CRF+60%UR, 80%CRF+20%UR, and 100%CRF). The results showed that soil total nitrogen was stable in the whole growth period of wheat and rice. There was no significant difference among the treatments of over 20% CRF in soil total nitrogen content of wheat and rice. The soil inorganic nitrogen content was increased dramatically in treatments of 40% or above CRF during the mid-late growing stages of wheat and rice. With the advance of the growth period, conventional fertilization significantly decreased soil microbial biomass nitrogen, but the treatments of 40% and above CRF increased the soil microbial biomass nitrogen significantly. The soil enzyme activities were increased with over 40% of CRF in the mid-late growing stage of wheat and rice. By increasing the CRF ratio, the soil protease activity and nitrate reductase activity were improved gradually, and peaked in 100% CRF. The treatments of above 20% CRF could decrease the urease activity in tillering stage of rice and delay the peak of ammonium nitrogen, which would benefit nitrogen loss reduction. The treatments of 40% and above CRF were beneficial to improving soil nitrogen supply and enhancing soil urease and protease activities, which could promote the effectiveness of nitrogen during the later growth stages of wheat and rice. The 100% CRF treatment improved the nitrate reductase activity significantly during the later stage of wheat and rice. Compared with the treatments of 40%-80% CRF, 100% CRF reduced the soil nitrate content of 20-40 cm soil layer in wheat significantly suggesting it could reduce the loss of nitrogen.

A Nanopore-Structured Nitrogen-Doped Biocarbon Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction from Two-Step Carbonization of Lemna minor Biomass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Chaozhong; Li, Zhongbin; Niu, Lidan; Liao, Wenli; Sun, Lingtao; Wen, Bixia; Nie, Yunqing; Cheng, Jing; Chen, Changguo

2016-05-01

So far, the development of highly active and stable carbon-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to replace commercial Pt/C catalyst is a hot topic. In this study, a new nanoporous nitrogen-doped carbon material was facilely designed by two-step pyrolysis of the renewable Lemna minor enriched in crude protein under a nitrogen atmosphere. Electrochemical measurements show that the onset potential for ORR on this carbon material is around 0.93 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode), slightly lower than that on the Pt/C catalyst, but its cycling stability is higher compared to the Pt/C catalyst in an alkaline medium. Besides, the ORR at this catalyst approaches to a four-electron transfer pathway. The obtained ORR performance can be basically attributed to the formation of high contents of pyridinic and graphitic nitrogen atoms inside this catalyst. Thus, this work opens up the path in the ORR catalysis for the design of nitrogen-doped carbon materials utilizing aquatic plants as starting precursors.

Magneto-Sensitive Adsorbents Modified by Functional Nitrogen-Containing Groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnyk, Inna V.; Gdula, Karolina; Dąbrowski, Andrzej; Zub, Yuriy L.

2016-02-01

In order to obtain amino-functionalized silica materials with magnetic core, one-step synthesis was carried out. Several materials, differ in number and structure of amino groups, were synthesized on the basis of sol-gel method. The synthesized materials were examined by several analytical techniques. The presence and content of amino groups were measured by using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy and acid-base titration, respectively. Specific surface areas were measured by nitrogen/adsorption desorption isotherms. It was proved that sol-gel approach leads to obtain materials with high content of amino groups built into their surfaces (in the range 1.6-2.7 mmol/g). As-obtained materials were tested as potential adsorbents for copper(II) ions. The received maximum adsorption capacities were in the range 0.4-0.7 mmol/g.

Solvent-induced synthesis of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres with tunable surface morphology for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Feng; Yuan, Ren-Lu; Zhang, Ning; Ke, Chang-Ce; Ma, Shao-Xia; Zhang, Ru-Liang; Liu, Lei

2018-04-01

Nitrogen doped hollow carbon spheres (NHCSs) with tunable surface morphology have been prepared through one-pot carbonization method by using melamine-formaldehyde spheres as template and resorcinol-based resin as carbon precursor in ethanol-water solution. Well-dispersed NHCSs with particle size of 800 nm were obtained and the surface of NHCSs turn from smooth to tough, wrinkled, and finally concave by increasing the ethanol concentration. The fabricated NHCSs possessed high nitrogen content (3.99-4.83%) and hierarchical micro-dual mesoporous structure with surface area range of 265-405 m2 g-1 and total pore volume of 0.18-0.29 cm3 g-1, which contributed to high specific capacitance, excellent rate capability and long cycle life.

Effect of two doses of urea foliar application on leaves and grape nitrogen composition during two vintages.

PubMed

Pérez-Álvarez, Eva P; Garde-Cerdán, Teresa; García-Escudero, Enrique; Martínez-Vidaurre, José María

2017-06-01

Nitrogen affects grapevine growth and also yeast metabolism, which have a direct influence on fermentation kinetics and the formation of different volatile compounds. Throughout the grapevine cycle, soil nitrogen availability and grape nitrogen composition can vary because of different factors. Nitrogen foliar applications can contribute toward enhancing grapevine nitrogen status and minimize the problem of leaching that traditional nitrogen-soil applications can provoke. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of urea foliar applications on grapevine nitrogen status and grape amino acid content. Accordingly, two different doses of urea were applied over the leaves of a 'Tempranillo' vineyard. The highest urea doses affected nitrogen content on blade leaf tissues after veraison. Must amino acid profiles were modified by urea application and some of the compounds increased their concentrations. The effect of year on the increase of must total amino acid concentrations was more important than the effect of the doses applied. Urea foliar applications can be an interesting tool for decreasing grapevine nitrogen deficiencies. This method of nitrogen implementation in the vineyard could avoid sluggish fermentation problems during winemaking, enhance must nitrogen composition, and contribute to improving wine quality. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Influence of long-term fertilization on soil physicochemical properties in a brown soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dongdong; Luo, Peiyu; Han, Xiaori; Yang, Jinfeng

2018-01-01

This study aims to explore the influence on soil physicochemical properties under a 38-y long-term fertilization in a brown soil. Soil samples (0-20 cm)were taken from the six treatments of the long-term fertilization trial in October 2016:no fertilizer (CK), N1(mineral nitrogen fertilizer), N1P (mineral nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer), N1PK (mineral nitrogen, phosphate and potassic fertilizer), pig manure (M2), M2N1P (pig manure, mineral nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer).The results showed thatthe long-term application of chemical fertilizers reduced soil pH value, while the application of organic fertilizers increased pH value. Fertilization significantly increased the content of AHN, TN and SOM. Compared with the CK treatment and chemical fertilizer treatments, organic fertilizer treatments significantly increased the content of AP and TP. The content of AK and TK were no significant difference in different treatment.

Effects of nitrogen source availability and bioreactor operating strategies on lutein production with Scenedesmus obliquus FSP-3.

PubMed

Ho, Shih-Hsin; Xie, Youping; Chan, Ming-Chang; Liu, Chen-Chun; Chen, Chun-Yen; Lee, Duu-Jong; Huang, Chieh-Chen; Chang, Jo-Shu

2015-05-01

In this study, the effects of the type and concentration of nitrogen sources on the cell growth and lutein content of an isolated microalga Scenedesmus obliquus FSP-3 were investigated. With batch culture, the highest lutein content (4.61 mg/g) and lutein productivity (4.35 mg/L/day) were obtained when using 8.0 mM calcium nitrate as the nitrogen source. With this best nitrogen source condition, the microalgae cultivation was performed using two bioreactor strategies (namely, semi-continuous and two-stage operations) to further enhance the lutein content and productivity. Using semi-continuous operation with a 10% medium replacement ratio could obtain the highest biomass productivity (1304.8 mg/L/day) and lutein productivity (6.01 mg/L/day). This performance is better than most related studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Heavily Graphitic-Nitrogen Self-doped High-porosity Carbon for the Electrocatalysis of Oxygen Reduction Reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Tong; Liao, Wenli; Li, Zhongbin; Sun, Lingtao; Shi, Dongping; Guo, Chaozhong; Huang, Yu; Wang, Yi; Cheng, Jing; Li, Yanrong; Diao, Qizhi

2017-11-01

Large-scale production of active and stable porous carbon catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from protein-rich biomass became a hot topic in fuel cell technology. Here, we report a facile strategy for synthesis of nitrogen-doped porous nanocarbons by means of a simple two-step pyrolysis process combined with the activation of zinc chloride and acid-treatment process, in which kidney bean via low-temperature carbonization was preferentially adopted as the only carbon-nitrogen sources. The results show that this carbon material exhibits excellent ORR electrocatalytic activity, and higher durability and methanol-tolerant property compared to the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst for the ORR, which can be mainly attributed to high graphitic-nitrogen content, high specific surface area, and porous characteristics. Our results can encourage the synthesis of high-performance carbon-based ORR electrocatalysts derived from widely-existed natural biomass.

In situ Analysis of North American Diamond: Implications for Diamond Growth Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulze, D. J.; Van Rythoven, A. D.; Hauri, E.; Wang, J.

2014-12-01

Diamond crystals from three North American kimberlite occurrences were investigated with cathodoluminescence (CL) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to determine their growth history, carbon isotope composition and nitrogen content. Samples analyzed include sixteen from Lynx (Quebec), twelve from Kelsey Lake (Colorado) and eighteen from A154 South (Diavik mine, Northwest Territories). Growth histories for the samples vary from simple to highly complex based on their CL images and depending on the individual stone. Deformation lamellae are evident in CL images of the Lynx crystals which typically are brownish in color. Two to five points per diamond were analyzed by SIMS for carbon isotope composition (δ13CPDB) and three to seven points for nitrogen content. The results for the A154 South (δ13CPDB = -6.76 to -1.68 ‰) and Kelsey Lake (δ13CPDB = -11.81 to -2.43 ‰) stones (mixed peridotitic and eclogitic suites) are similar to earlier reported values. The Lynx kimberlite stones have anomalously high carbon isotope ratios and range from -3.58 to +1.74 ‰. The Lynx diamond suite is almost entirely peridotitic. The unusually high (i.e. >-5‰) δ13C values of the Lynx diamonds, as well as those from Wawa, Ontario and Renard, Quebec, may indicate an anomalous carbon reservoir for the Superior cratonic mantle relative to other cratons. In addition to the heavier carbon isotope values, the Lynx samples have very low nitrogen contents (<100 ppm). Nitrogen contents for Kelsey Lake and Diavik samples are more typical and range to ~1100 ppm. Comparison of observed core to rim variations in nitrogen content and carbon isotopes with modeled Rayleigh fractionation trends for published diamond growth mechanisms allows for evaluation of carbon speciation and other parent fluid conditions. Observed trends that closely follow modeled data are rare, but appear to suggest diamond growth from carbonate-bearing fluids at Lynx and Diavik, and growth from a methane-bearing fluid at Kelsey Lake. However the majority of crystals appear to have very complex growth histories that are clearly the result of multiple growth and resorption events. Trends observed in most of the samples from this study are chaotic and no consistent patterns are seen.

Effects of epiphytic algae on biomass and physiology of Myriophyllum spicatum L. with the increase of nitrogen and phosphorus availability in the water body.

PubMed

Song, Yu-Zhi; Wang, Jin-Qi; Gao, Yong-Xia

2017-04-01

The disappearance of submerged vascular macrophytes in shallow eutrophic lakes is a common phenomenon in the world. To explore the mechanism of the decline in submerged macrophyte abundance due to the growth of epiphytic algae along a nutrient gradient in eutrophic water, a 2 × 3 factorial experiment was performed over 4 weeks with the submerged macrophyte (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) by determining the plant's biomass and some physiological indexes, such as chlorophyll (Chl) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves of M. spicatum L. on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, which are based on three groups of nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the water body (N-P [mg L -1 ]: NP1 0.5-0.05, NP2 2.5-0.25, NP3 4.5-0.45) and two levels of epiphytic algae (the epiphytic algae group and the control group). Epiphytic algal biomass was also assayed. The results indicated that epiphytic algal biomass remarkably enhanced in the course of the experiment with elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. Under the same level of nutrient condition, plants' biomass accumulation and Chl content were higher in the control group than that in the epiphytic algae group, respectively, while MDA content and SOD activity in the former were lower than that in the latter. The influences of epiphytic algae on the biomass accumulation and Chl content and MDA content became greater and greater with elevated levels of nutrients. In general, in this experiment, water nutrients promoted the growth of both epiphytic algae and submerged plants, while the growth of epiphytic algae hindered submerged macrophytes' growth by reducing Chl content and promoting peroxidation of membrane lipids in plants.

Climate controls photosynthetic capacity more than leaf nitrogen contents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, A. A.; Xu, C.; McDowell, N. G.

2013-12-01

Global vegetation models continue to lack the ability to make reliable predictions because the photosynthetic capacity varies a lot with growth conditions, season and among species. It is likely that vegetation models link photosynthetic capacity to concurrent changes in leaf nitrogen content only. To improve the predictions of the vegetation models, there is an urgent need to review species growth conditions and their seasonal response to changing climate. We sampled the global distribution of the Vcmax (maximum carboxylation rates) data of various species across different environmental gradients from the literature and standardized its value to 25 degree Celcius. We found that species explained the largest variation in (1) the photosynthetic capacity and (2) the proportion of nitrogen allocated for rubisco (PNcb). Surprisingly, climate variables explained more variations in photosynthetic capacity as well as PNcb than leaf nitrogen content and/or specific leaf area. The chief climate variables that explain variation in photosynthesis and PNcb were radiation, temperature and daylength. Our analysis suggests that species have the greatest control over photosynthesis and PNcb. Further, compared to leaf nitrogen content and/or specific leaf area, climate variables have more control over photosynthesis and PNcb. Therefore, climate variables should be incorporated in the global vegetation models when making predictions about the photosynthetic capacity.

Synthesis of boron, nitrogen co-doped porous carbon from asphaltene for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Ying; Wang, Dao-Long; Wang, Chun-Lei; Jin, Xin-Xin; Qiu, Jie-Shan

2014-08-01

Oxidized asphaltene (OA), a thermosetting material with plenty of functional groups, is synthesized from asphaltene (A) using HNO3/H2SO4 as the oxidizing agent. Boron, nitrogen co-doped porous carbon (BNC—OA) is prepared by carbonization of the mixture of boric acid and OA at 1173 K in an argon atmosphere. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization reveals that the BNC—OA has a nitrogen content of 3.26 at.% and a boron content of 1.31 at.%, while its oxidation-free counterpart (BNC—SA) has a nitrogen content of 1.61 at.% and a boron content of 3.02 at.%. The specific surface area and total pore volume of BNC—OA are 1103 m2·g-1 and 0.921 cm3·g-1, respectively. At a current density of 0.1 A·g-1, the specific capacitance of BNC-OA is 335 F·g-1 and the capacitance retention can still reach 83% at 1 A·g-1. The analysis shows that the superior electrochemical performance of the BNC—OA is attributed to the pseudocapacitance behavior of surface heteroatom functional groups and an abundant pore-structure. Boron, nitrogen co-doped porous carbon is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.

Changes in Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen as a Result of Cultivation

DOE Data Explorer

Post, Wilfred M [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Mann, L. K. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

2005-01-01

We assembed and analyzed a data base of soil organic carbon and nitrogen information from over 1100 profiles in order to explore factors related to the changes in storage of soil organic matter resulting from land conversion. The relationship between cultivated and uncultivated organic carbon and nitrogen storage in soils can be described by regression lines with uncultivated storage on the abscissa, and cultivated storage on the ordinate. The slope of the regression lines is less than 1 indicating that the amount of carbon or nitrogen lost is an increasing fraction of the intial amount stored in the soil. Average carbon loss for soils with high initial carbon is 23% for 1-meter depth. Average nitrogen loss for the same depth is 6%. In addition, for soils with very low uncultivated carbon or nitrogen storage, cultivation results in increases in storage. In soils with the same uncultivated carbon contents, profiles with higher C:N ratios lost more carbon than those with low C:N ratios, suggesting that decomposition of organic matter may, in general, be more limited by microbial ability to break carbon bonds than by nitrogen deficiency.

Effects of floodgates operation on nitrogen transformation in a lake based on structural equation modeling analysis.

PubMed

Zhu, Longji; Zhou, Haixuan; Xie, Xinyu; Li, Xueke; Zhang, Duoying; Jia, Liming; Wei, Qingbin; Zhao, Yue; Wei, Zimin; Ma, Yingying

2018-08-01

Floodgates operation is one of the primary means of flood control in lake development. However, knowledge on the linkages between floodgates operation and nitrogen transformation during the flood season is limited. In this study, water samples from six sampling sites along Lake Xingkai watershed were collected before and after floodgates operation. The causal relationships between environmental factors, bacterioplankton community composition and nitrogen fractions were determined during flood season. We found that concentrations of nitrogen fractions decreased significantly when the floodgates were opened, while the concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and NO 3 - increased when the floodgates had been shut for a period. Further, we proposed a possible mechanism that the influence of floodgates operation on nitrogen transformation was largely mediated through changes in dissolved organic matter, dissolved oxygen and bacterioplankton community composition as revealed by structural equation modeling (SEM). We conclude that floodgates operation has a high risk for future eutrophication of downstream watershed, although it can reduce nitrogen content temporarily. Therefore, the environmental impacts of floodgates operation should be carefully evaluated before the floodwaters were discharged into downstream watershed. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Nodulation and Delayed Nodule Senescence: Strategies of Two Bradyrhizobium Japonicum Isolates with High Capacity to Fix Nitrogen.

PubMed

López, Silvina M Y; Sánchez, Ma Dolores Molina; Pastorino, Graciela N; Franco, Mario E E; García, Nicolás Toro; Balatti, Pedro A

2018-03-15

The purpose of this work was to study further two Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains with high nitrogen-fixing capacity that were identified within a collection of approximately 200 isolates from the soils of Argentina. Nodulation and nitrogen-fixing capacity and the level of expression of regulatory as well as structural genes of nitrogen fixation and the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase gene of the isolates were compared with that of E109-inoculated plants. Both isolates of B. japonicum, 163 and 366, were highly efficient to fix nitrogen compared to commercial strain E109. Isolate 366 developed a higher number and larger biomass of nodules and because of this fixed more nitrogen. Isolate 163 developed the same number and nodule biomass than E109. However, nodules developed by isolate 163 had red interiors for a longer period, had a higher leghemoglobin content, and presented high levels of expression of acdS gene, that codes for an ACC deaminase. In conclusion, naturalized rhizobia of the soils of Argentina hold a diverse population that might be the source of highly active nitrogen-fixing rhizobia, a process that appears to be based on different strategies.

[Interactions of straw, nitrogen fertilizer and bacterivorous nematodes on soil labile carbon and nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions].

PubMed

Zhang, Teng-Hao; Wang, Nan; Liu, Man-Qiang; Li, Fang-Hui; Zhu, Kang-Li; Li, Hui-Xin; Hu, Feng

2014-11-01

A 3 x 2 factorial design of microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of straw, nitrogen fertilizer and bacterivorous nematodes on soil microbial biomass carbon (C(mic)) and nitrogen (N(mic)), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), mineral nitrogen (NH(4+)-N and NO(3-)-N), and greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O and CH4) emissions. Results showed that straw amendment remarkably increased the numbers of bacterivorous nematodes and the contents of Cmic and Nmic, but Cmic and Nmic decreased with the increasing dose of nitrogen fertilization. The effects of bacterivorous nematodes strongly depended on either straw or nitrogen fertilization. The interactions of straw, nitrogen fertilization and bacterivorous nematodes on soil DOC, DON and mineral nitrogen were strong. Straw and nitrogen fertilization increased DOC and mineral nitrogen contents, but their influences on DON depended on the bacterivorous nematodes. The DOC and mineral nitrogen were negatively and positively influenced by the bacterivorous nematodes, re- spectively. Straw significantly promoted CO2 and N2O emissions but inhibited CH4 emission, while interactions between nematodes and nitrogen fertilization on emissions of greenhouse gases were obvious. In the presence of straw, nematodes increased cumulative CO2 emissions with low nitrogen fertilization, but decreased CO2 and N2O emissions with high nitrogen fertilization on the 56th day after incubation. In summary, mechanical understanding the soil ecological process would inevitably needs to consider the roles of soil microfauna.

Genotypic and environmental effects on cottonseed oil, nitrogen, and gossypol contents in eighteen years Regional High Quality tests

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Determination of environmental influence on seed traits is critical for genetic improvement of seed quality in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The objective of this study was to analyze the relative contribution of environment and genotype (G) for seed oil, nitrogen (N), and gossypol content...

Glutamine synthetase in durum wheat: Genotypic variation and relationship with grain protein content

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE), one of the most valuable indicators for nitrogen use in crops, both in terms of yield and final grain protein content (GPC), is a very complex trait. The identification of wheat varieties with high NUE, as well as the characterization of central enzymes involved in th...

Nutrient homeostasis, C:N:S ratios, protein, and oil content in Cuphea seed

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Macro- and micro-nutrient densities, carbon:nitrogen (C:N), nitrogen:sulphur (N:S), protein, and oil contents and interrelationships were assessed during a 3-year study in seeds of the indeterminate Cuphea germplasm line PSR23 selected from an inter-specific cross between two species of the Lythrace...

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium effects on biomass yield and flavonoid content of American Skullcap (Scutellaria Lateriflora)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Information on optimum dosage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer for high dry matter yield and flavonoid yield of American Skullcap is lacking. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of N, P and K fertilizer on biomass yield and flavonoid content of...

Effects of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing functional groups of activated carbon nanotubes on the electrochemical performance in supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haiyan; Song, Huaihe; Chen, Xiaohong; Zhang, Su; Zhou, Jisheng; Ma, Zhaokun

2015-07-01

A kind of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing activated carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) has been prepared by carbonization and activation of polyaniline nanotubes obtained by rapidly mixed reaction. The ACNTs show oxygen content of 15.7% and nitrogen content of 2.97% (atomic ratio). The ACNTs perform high capacitance and good rate capability (327 F g-1 at the current density of 10 A g-1) when used as the electrode materials for supercapacitors. Hydrogen reduction has been further used to investigate the effects of surface functional groups on the electrochemical performance. The changes for both structural component and electrochemical performance reveal that the quinone oxygen, pyridinic nitrogen, and pyrrolic nitrogen of carbon have the most obvious influence on the capacitive property because of their pseudocapacitive contributions.

The surface area of soil organic matter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chiou, C.T.; Lee, J.-F.; Boyd, S.A.

1990-01-01

The previously reported surface area for soil organic matter (SOM) of 560-800 m2/g as determined by the ethylene glycol (EG) retention method was reexamined by the standard BET method based on nitrogen adsorption at liquid nitrogen temperature. Test samples consisted of two high organic content soils, a freeze-dried soil humic acid, and an oven-dried soil humic acid. The measured BET areas for these samples were less than 1 m2/g, except for the freeze-dried humic acid. The results suggest that surface adsorption of nonionic organic compounds by SOM is practically insignificant in comparison to uptake by partition. The discrepancy between the surface areas of SOM obtained by BET and EG methods was explained in terms of the 'free surface area' and the 'apparent surface area' associated with these measurements.The previously reported surface area for soil organic matter (SOM) of 560-800 m2/g as determined by the ethylene glycol (EG) retention method was reexamined by the standard BET method based on nitrogen adsorption at liquid nitrogen temperature. Test samples consisted of two high organic content soils, a freeze-dried soil humic acid, and an oven-dried soil humic acid. The measured BET areas for these samples were less than 1 m2/g, except for the freeze-dried humic acid. The results suggest that surface adsorption of nonionic organic compounds by SOM is practically insignificant in comparison to uptake by partition. The discrepancy between the surface areas of SOM obtained by BET and EG methods was explained in terms of the 'free surface area' and the 'apparent surface area' associated with these measurements.

Influence of abscisic acid on growth, biomass and lipid yield of Scenedesmus quadricauda under nitrogen starved condition.

PubMed

Sulochana, Sujitha Balakrishnan; Arumugam, Muthu

2016-08-01

Scenedesmus quadricauda, accumulated more lipid but with a drastic reduction in biomass yield during nitrogen starvation. Abscisic acid (ABA) being a stress responsible hormone, its effect on growth and biomass with sustainable lipid yield during nitrogen depletion was studied. The result revealed that the ABA level shoots up at 24h (27.21pmol/L) during the onset of nitrogen starvation followed by a sharp decline. The external supplemented ABA showed a positive effect on growth pattern (38×10(6)cells/ml) at a lower concentration. The dry biomass yield is also increasing up to 2.1 fold compared to nitrogen deficient S. quadricauda. The lipid content sustains in 1 and 2μM concentration of ABA under nitrogen-deficient condition. The fatty acid composition of ABA treated S. quadricauda cultures with respect to nitrogen-starved cells showed 11.17% increment in saturated fatty acid content, the desired lipid composition for biofuel application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of irrigation and timing and type of nitrogen application on the biochemical composition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay and Syrah grapeberries.

PubMed

Canoura, Carolina; Kelly, Mary T; Ojeda, Hernan

2018-02-15

This study reports the effect of different doses of nitrogen applied to soil and/or leaves of Syrah and Chardonnay grapevines in the Languedoc-Roussillon (France) over two years. In 2011, nitrogen treatment involved both foliar urea sprayings and soil application at two different levels, with two controls - irrigated without nitrogen and no irrigation nor nitrogen. In 2012, the same grapevines received either soil or foliar nitrogen using the same controls. Results showed that foliar application increased the amino acid content to a greater extent than soil application, but that a combination of both was the most effective. For the first time, significantly elevated proline levels in response to drought were demonstrated for the grapevine. Increased contents of aromatic compounds and glycosylated precursors closely mirrored the applied nitrogen dose. Wines produced from N-fertilized Syrah grapes in 2011 showed a statistically significant effect of irrigation and fertilization on positive sensorial perception. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leaf Stable Isotope and Nutrient Status of Temperate Mangroves As Ecological Indicators to Assess Anthropogenic Activity and Recovery from Eutrophication

PubMed Central

Gritcan, Iana; Duxbury, Mark; Leuzinger, Sebastian; Alfaro, Andrea C.

2016-01-01

We measured nitrogen stable isotope values (δ15N), and total phosphorus (%P) and total nitrogen (%N) contents in leaves of the temperate mangrove (Avicennia marina sp. australasica) from three coastal ecosystems exposed to various levels of human impact (Manukau, high; Mangawhai, low; and Waitemata, intermediate) in northern New Zealand. We measured δ15N values around 10‰ in environments where the major terrestrial water inputs are sewage. The highest average total nitrogen contents and δ15N values were found in the Auckland city region (Manukau Harbour) at 2.2%N and 9.9‰, respectively. The lowest values were found in Mangawhai Harbour, situated about 80 km north of Auckland city, at 2.0%N and 5.2‰, respectively. In the Waitemata Harbour, also located in Auckland city but with less exposure to human derived sewage inputs, both parameters were intermediate, at 2.1%N and 6.4‰. Total phosphorus contents did not vary significantly. Additionally, analysis of historical mangrove leaf herbarium samples obtained from the Auckland War Memorial Museum indicated that a reduction in both leaf total nitrogen and δ15N content has occurred over the past 100 years in Auckland’s harbors. Collectively, these results suggest that anthropogenically derived nitrogen has had a significant impact on mangrove nutrient status in Auckland harbors over the last 100 years. The observed decrease in nitrogenous nutrients probably occurred due to sewage system improvements. We suggest that mangrove plant physiological response to nutrient excess could be used as an indicator of long-term eutrophication trends. Monitoring leaf nutrient status in mangroves can be used to assess environmental stress (sewage, eutrophication) on coastal ecosystems heavily impacted by human activities. Moreover, nitrogen and phosphorus leaf contents can be used to assess levels of available nutrients in the surrounding environments. PMID:28066477

Seasonal distribution of nutrients in plants of seven browse species in Louisiana

Treesearch

R.M. Blair; E.A. Epps

1969-01-01

Contents of dry matter, protein, ether extract, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, ash, calcium, and phosphorus were determined for 2 years in leaves, twig tips, and twig bases. Species studied were American beautyberry, sweetgum, blackgum, common greenbrier, yellow jessamine, loblolly pine, and common sweetleaf.

Linking organic carbon, water content and nitrous oxide emission in a reclaimed coal mine soil

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Manure-based organic amendments can restore soil quality and allow for intensive sustained biomass production on degraded lands. However the large quantities of nitrogen and organic carbon added with such amendments could create soil conditions favorable for nitrous oxide production and emissions. T...

Increase in Dry Weight and Total Nitrogen Content in Zea mays and Setaria italica Associated with Nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum spp. 1

PubMed Central

Cohen, Efraim; Okon, Yaacov; Kigel, Jaime; Nur, Israel; Henis, Yigal

1980-01-01

The association between nitrogen-fixing bacteria from the genus Azospirillum and the grasses Zea mays and Setaria italica was investigated in sterilized Leonard-jar assemblies. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from Cynodon dactylon roots in Israel and Azospirillum brasilense (Sp-7, Sp-80, and Cd) were examined. C2H2 reduction activity was detected in systems containing 0.0 to 0.08 but not in those containing 0.16 gram per liter NH4NO3. The organisms tested significantly increased plant dry weight (50-100%), total N content of leaves (50-100%) and C2H4 production (300-1000 nanomoles C2H4 per plant per hour). Highest C2H2 reduction activities were obtained above 30 C and with high light intensities. Significant increases in S. italica dry weight (DW) and nitrogen (N) content were observed in sand (DW = 80%, N = 150%), sandy loam soil (DW = 80%, N = 75%) and loess (DW = 37%, N = 25%). The results obtained in this work clearly demonstrate the potential benefit of inoculating grasses with Azospirillum. PMID:16661514

HydroCrowd: a citizen science snapshot to assess the spatial control of nitrogen solutes in surface waters

PubMed Central

Breuer, Lutz; Hiery, Noreen; Kraft, Philipp; Bach, Martin; Aubert, Alice H.; Frede, Hans-Georg

2015-01-01

We organized a crowdsourcing experiment in the form of a snapshot sampling campaign to assess the spatial distribution of nitrogen solutes, namely, nitrate, ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), in German surface waters. In particular, we investigated (i) whether crowdsourcing is a reasonable sampling method in hydrology and (ii) what the effects of population density, soil humus content and arable land were on actual nitrogen solute concentrations and surface water quality. The statistical analyses revealed a significant correlation between nitrate and arable land (0.46), as well as soil humus content (0.37) but a weak correlation with population density (0.12). DON correlations were weak but significant with humus content (0.14) and arable land (0.13). The mean contribution of DON to total dissolved nitrogen was 22%. Samples were classified as water quality class II or above, following the European Water Framework Directive for nitrate and ammonium (53% and 82%, respectively). Crowdsourcing turned out to be a useful method to assess the spatial distribution of stream solutes, as considerable amounts of samples were collected with comparatively little effort. PMID:26561200

Ammonia stress on nitrogen metabolism in tolerant aquatic plant-Myriophyllum aquaticum.

PubMed

Zhou, Qingyang; Gao, Jingqing; Zhang, Ruimin; Zhang, Ruiqin

2017-09-01

Ammonia has been a major reason of macrophyte decline in the water environment, and ammonium ion toxicity should be seen as universal, even in species frequently labeled as "NH 4 + specialists". To study the effects of high NH 4 + -N stress of ammonium ion nitrogen on tolerant submerged macrophytes and investigate the pathways of nitrogen assimilation in different organisms, Myriophyllum aquaticum was selected and treated with various concentrations of ammonium ions at different times. Increasing of ammonium concentration leads to an overall increase in incipient ammonia content in leaves and stems of plants. In middle and later stages, high concentrations of NH 4 + ion nitrogen taken up by M. aquaticum decreased, whereas the content of NO 3 - ion nitrogen increased. Moreover, in M. aquaticum, the activities of the enzymes nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and asparagine synthetase changed remarkably in the process of alleviating NH 4 + toxicity and deficiency. The results of the present study may support the studies on detoxification of high ammonium ion content in NH 4 + -tolerant submerged macrophytes and exploration of tissue-specific expression systems. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Soil biochemical properties of grassland ecosystems under anthropogenic emission of nitrogen compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudrevatykh, Irina; Ivashchenko, Kristina; Ananyeva, Nadezhda

2016-04-01

Inflow of pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems nowadays increases dramatically, that might be led to disturbance of natural biogeochemical cycles and landscapes structure. Production of nitrogen fertilizers is one of the air pollution sources, namely by nitrogen compounds (NH4+, NO3-, NO2-). Air pollution by nitrogen compounds of terrestrial ecosystems might be affected on soil biochemical properties, which results increasing mineral nitrogen content in soil, changing soil P/N and Al/Ca ratios, and, finally, the deterioration of soil microbial community functioning. The research is focused on the assessment of anthropogenic emission of nitrogen compounds on soil properties of grassland ecosystems in European Russia. Soil samples (Voronic Chernozem Pachic, upper 10 cm mineral layer, totally 10) were taken from grassland ecosystem: near (5-10 m) nitrogen fertilizer factory (NFF), and far from it (20-30 km, served as a control) in Tula region. In soil samples the NH4+ and NO3- (Kudeyarov's photocolorimetric method), P, Ca, Al (X-ray fluorescence method) contents were measured. Soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) was analyzed by substrate-induced respiration method. Soil microbial respiration (MR) was assessed by CO2 rate production. Soil microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2) was calculated as MR/Cmic ratio. Near NFF the soil ammonium and nitrate nitrogen contents were a strongly varied, variation coefficient (CV) was 42 and 86This study was supported by Russian Foundation of Basic Research Grant No. 14-04-00098, 15-44-03220, 15-04-00915.

Respiration , nitrogen fixation, and mineralizable nitrogen spatial and temporal patterns within two Oregon Douglas-fir stands.

Treesearch

Sharon M. Hope; Ching-Yan. Li

1997-01-01

Substrate respiration, mineralizable nitrogen, and nitrogen fixation rates, substrate moisture,content, and temperature were measured in trenched and undisturbed plots within two western Oregon Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) stands. The stands represent two different environments and ages. Woods Creek, the site of the lower...

Investigation of nitrogen and phosphorus contents in water in the tributaries of Danjiangkou Reservoir

PubMed Central

Liu, Yan; Zhu, Yuanyuan; Qiao, Xiaocui; Chang, Sheng; Fu, Qing

2018-01-01

As part of the efforts to ensure adequate supply of quality water from Danjiangkou Reservoir to Beijing, surface water samples were taken from the tributaries of Danjiangkou Reservoir in the normal (May), flood (August) and dry (December) seasons of 2014, and characterized for nitrogen and phosphorus contents as specified in the applicable standards. Test results indicated that (i) the organic pollution in the Sihe and Shendinghe rivers was more serious than those in other tributaries, and the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus favoured the growth of most algae; (ii) total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) were in the forms of dissolved phosphorus (DTP), dissolved nitrogen (DTN) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), respectively, in these seasons; (iii) compared with nitrogen, phosphorus was more likely to block an overrun of phytoplankton; (iv) TN, TP, permanganate index (CODMn) and other ions were positively correlated. These findings are helpful for the government to develop effective measures to protect the source water in Danjingkou Reservoir from pollution. PMID:29410793

Chlorination of humic materials: Byproduct formation and chemical interpretations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reckhow, D.A.; Singer, P.C.; Malcolm, R.L.

1990-01-01

Ten aquatic humic and fulvic acids were isolated and studied with respect to their reaction with chlorine. Yields of TOX, chloroform, trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetonitrile, and 1,1,1-trichloropropanone were measured at pH 7 and 12. Humic acids produced higher concentrations than their corresponding fulvic acids of all byproducts except 1,1,1-trichloropropanone. Chlorine consumption and byproduct formation were related to fundamental chemical characteristics of the humic materials. A statistical model was proposed for activated aromatic content based on 13C NMR and base titration data. The values estimated from this model were found to be well correlated with chlorine consumption. Specific byproduct formation was related to UV absorbance, nitrogen content, or the activated aromatic content. ?? 1990 American Chemical Society.

[Effects of N application on wheat powdery mildew occurrence, nitrogen accumulation and allocation in intercropping system].

PubMed

Zhu, Jin Hui; Dong, Yan; Xiao, Jing Xiu; Zheng, Yi; Tang, Li

2017-12-01

The main objective of this field experiment was to study the effects of wheat and faba bean intercropping on occurrence of wheat powdery mildew, nitrogen content, accumulation and allocation of wheat plant at 4 nitrogen levels of N 0 (0 kg·hm -2 ), N 1 (112.5 kg·hm -2 ), N 2 (225 kg·hm -2 ), N 3 (337.5 kg·hm -2 ), and to explore the relationship between N content, accumulation, allocation and the occurrence of wheat powdery mildew. The results showed that both monocropped and intercropped wheat yields increased with nitrogen application, with the highest yields of monocropped and intercropped wheat being 4146 kg·hm -2 and 4679 kg·hm -2 at N 2 le-vel, respectively. The occurrence and development of wheat powdery mildew become more severe with the increase of N application and area under disease progression curve (AUDPC) were averagely increased by 39.6%-55.6%(calculated with disease incidence, DI) and 92.5%-217.0% (calculated with disease severity index, DSI) with N 1 , N 2 and N 3 treatments. The disease severity index was more affected by nitrogen regulation than by disease incidence. The nitrogen content and accumulation of wheat plant were significantly increased by 8.4%-51.6% and 19.7%-133.7% with nitrogen application, but there was no significant effect on N allocation ratio. Compared with monocropped wheat, yield of intercropped wheat was averagely increased by 12%, whereas, the AUDPC(DI) and AUDPC(DSI) of intercropped wheat were averagely decreased by 11.5% and 30.7%, respectively. The control effect of the disease severity index by intercropping was better than disease incidence. The nitrogen content, accumulation and nitrogen allocation ratio in intercropped wheat leaves were significantly decreased by 6.6%-12.5%, 1.4%-6.9% and 9.0%-15.5% respectively at the peak infection stage of powdery mildew. Overall findings showed that the maximum rate of nitrogen application for wheat should not exceed 225 kg·hm -2 when taking into account both disease control and yield effect.

The stable isotope composition of nitrogen and carbon and elemental contents in modern and fossil seabird guano from Northern Chile - Marine sources and diagenetic effects.

PubMed

Lucassen, Friedrich; Pritzkow, Wolfgang; Rosner, Martin; Sepúlveda, Fernando; Vásquez, Paulina; Wilke, Hans; Kasemann, Simone A

2017-01-01

Seabird excrements (guano) have been preserved in the arid climate of Northern Chile since at least the Pliocene. The deposits of marine organic material in coastal areas potentially open a window into the present and past composition of the coastal ocean and its food web. We use the stable isotope composition of nitrogen and carbon as well as element contents to compare the principal prey of the birds, the Peruvian anchovy, with the composition of modern guano. We also investigate the impact of diagenetic changes on the isotopic composition and elemental contents of the pure ornithogenic sediments, starting with modern stratified deposits and extending to fossil guano. Where possible, 14C systematics is used for age information. The nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition of the marine prey (Peruvian anchovy) of the birds is complex as it shows strong systematic variations with latitude. The detailed study of a modern profile that represents a few years of guano deposition up to present reveals systematic changes in nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition towards heavier values that increase with age, i.e. depth. Only the uppermost, youngest layers of modern guano show compositional affinity to the prey of the birds. In the profile, the simultaneous loss of nitrogen and carbon occurs by degassing, and non-volatile elements like phosphorous and calcium are passively enriched in the residual guano. Fossil guano deposits are very low in nitrogen and low in carbon contents, and show very heavy nitrogen isotopic compositions. One result of the study is that the use of guano for tracing nitrogen and carbon isotopic and elemental composition in the marine food web of the birds is restricted to fresh material. Despite systematic changes during diagenesis, there is little promise to retrieve reliable values of marine nitrogen and carbon signatures from older guano. However, the changes in isotopic composition from primary marine nitrogen isotopic signatures towards very heavy values generate a compositionally unique material. These compositions trace the presence of guano in natural ecosystems and its use as fertilizer in present and past agriculture.

The stable isotope composition of nitrogen and carbon and elemental contents in modern and fossil seabird guano from Northern Chile – Marine sources and diagenetic effects

PubMed Central

Pritzkow, Wolfgang; Rosner, Martin; Sepúlveda, Fernando; Vásquez, Paulina; Wilke, Hans; Kasemann, Simone A.

2017-01-01

Seabird excrements (guano) have been preserved in the arid climate of Northern Chile since at least the Pliocene. The deposits of marine organic material in coastal areas potentially open a window into the present and past composition of the coastal ocean and its food web. We use the stable isotope composition of nitrogen and carbon as well as element contents to compare the principal prey of the birds, the Peruvian anchovy, with the composition of modern guano. We also investigate the impact of diagenetic changes on the isotopic composition and elemental contents of the pure ornithogenic sediments, starting with modern stratified deposits and extending to fossil guano. Where possible, 14C systematics is used for age information. The nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition of the marine prey (Peruvian anchovy) of the birds is complex as it shows strong systematic variations with latitude. The detailed study of a modern profile that represents a few years of guano deposition up to present reveals systematic changes in nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition towards heavier values that increase with age, i.e. depth. Only the uppermost, youngest layers of modern guano show compositional affinity to the prey of the birds. In the profile, the simultaneous loss of nitrogen and carbon occurs by degassing, and non-volatile elements like phosphorous and calcium are passively enriched in the residual guano. Fossil guano deposits are very low in nitrogen and low in carbon contents, and show very heavy nitrogen isotopic compositions. One result of the study is that the use of guano for tracing nitrogen and carbon isotopic and elemental composition in the marine food web of the birds is restricted to fresh material. Despite systematic changes during diagenesis, there is little promise to retrieve reliable values of marine nitrogen and carbon signatures from older guano. However, the changes in isotopic composition from primary marine nitrogen isotopic signatures towards very heavy values generate a compositionally unique material. These compositions trace the presence of guano in natural ecosystems and its use as fertilizer in present and past agriculture. PMID:28594902

Diamonds from Orapa Mine show a clear subduction signature in SIMS stable isotope data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chinn, Ingrid L.; Perritt, Samantha H.; Stiefenhofer, Johann; Stern, Richard A.

2018-05-01

Spatially resolved analyses reveal considerable isotopic heterogeneity within and among diamonds ranging in size from 0.15 to 4.75 mm from the Orapa Mine, Botswana. The isotopic data are interpreted in conjunction with nitrogen aggregation state data and growth zone relationships from cathodoluminescence images. The integrated information confirms that a distinct diamond growth event (with low IaAB nitrogen aggregation states, moderately high nitrogen contents and δ13C and δ15N values compatible with average mantle values) is younger than the dominant population(s) of Type IaAB diamonds and cores of composite diamonds with more negative and positive δ13C and δ15N values, respectively. A significant proportion of the older diamond generation has high nitrogen contents, well outside the limit sector relationship, and these diamonds are likely to reflect derivation from subducted organic matter. Diamonds with low δ13C values combined with high nitrogen contents and positive δ15N values have not been previously widely recognised, even in studies of diamonds from Orapa. This may have been caused by prior analytical bias towards inclusion-bearing diamonds that are not necessarily representative of the entire range of diamond populations, and because of average measurements from heterogeneous diamonds measured by bulk combustion methods. Two distinct low nitrogen/Type II microdiamond populations were recognised that do not appear to continue into the macrodiamond sizes in the samples studied. Other populations, e.g. those containing residual singly-substituted nitrogen defects, range in size from small microdiamonds to large macrodiamonds. The total diamond content of the Orapa kimberlite thus reflects a complex assortment of multiple diamond populations.

NEMA, a functional-structural model of nitrogen economy within wheat culms after flowering. II. Evaluation and sensitivity analysis.

PubMed

Bertheloot, Jessica; Wu, Qiongli; Cournède, Paul-Henry; Andrieu, Bruno

2011-10-01

Simulating nitrogen economy in crop plants requires formalizing the interactions between soil nitrogen availability, root nitrogen acquisition, distribution between vegetative organs and remobilization towards grains. This study evaluates and analyses the functional-structural and mechanistic model of nitrogen economy, NEMA (Nitrogen Economy Model within plant Architecture), developed for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) after flowering. NEMA was calibrated for field plants under three nitrogen fertilization treatments at flowering. Model behaviour was investigated and sensitivity to parameter values was analysed. Nitrogen content of all photosynthetic organs and in particular nitrogen vertical distribution along the stem and remobilization patterns in response to fertilization were simulated accurately by the model, from Rubisco turnover modulated by light intercepted by the organ and a mobile nitrogen pool. This pool proved to be a reliable indicator of plant nitrogen status, allowing efficient regulation of nitrogen acquisition by roots, remobilization from vegetative organs and accumulation in grains in response to nitrogen treatments. In our simulations, root capacity to import carbon, rather than carbon availability, limited nitrogen acquisition and ultimately nitrogen accumulation in grains, while Rubisco turnover intensity mostly affected dry matter accumulation in grains. NEMA enabled interpretation of several key patterns usually observed in field conditions and the identification of plausible processes limiting for grain yield, protein content and root nitrogen acquisition that could be targets for plant breeding; however, further understanding requires more mechanistic formalization of carbon metabolism. Its strong physiological basis and its realistic behaviour support its use to gain insights into nitrogen economy after flowering.

Synthesis of kenaf cellulose carbamate using microwave irradiation for preparation of cellulose membrane.

PubMed

Gan, Sinyee; Zakaria, Sarani; Chia, Chin Hua; Kaco, Hatika; Padzil, Farah Nadia Mohammad

2014-06-15

Cellulose carbamate (CCs) was produced from kenaf core pulp (KCP) using microwave reactor-assisted method. The effects of urea concentration and reaction time on the formation of nitrogen content in CCs were investigated. The CCs' solubility in LiOH/urea system was determined and its membranes were characterized. As the urea content and reaction time increased, the nitrogen content form in CCs increased which enhanced the CCs' solubility. The formation of CCs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nitrogen content analysis. The CCs' morphology was examined using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cellulose II and crystallinity index of the membranes were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pore size of the membrane displayed upward trend with respect to the urea content observed under Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). This investigation provides a simple and efficient procedure of CCs determination which is useful in producing environmental friendly regenerated CCs. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Restoration of soils affected by oil exploitation activities based in functional diversity studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villacis, Jaime; Casanoves, Fernando; Hang, Susana; Armas, Cristina

2017-04-01

The functional characteristics of 25 forest species used in the restoration of areas affected by oil extraction activities were determined and species functional groups were constructed. Subsequently, the functional characteristics of the groups were related with performance variables of the species obtained in complementary studies, to make use recommendations. Three functional groups of species with similar responses and / or performance were characterized that showed significant differences between them for quantitative and qualitative traits. The first group formed by all shrubs and the rest of trees, most do not fix nitrogen, have single leaves and all species are evergreen and characterized by having lower values of specific foliar area, foliar nitrogen, dry matter leaf content and wood density, was denominated as intermediate acquisitions. The second group composed only for trees that do not fix nitrogen and with deciduous leaves and characterized by having the highest values of dry matter leaf content and foliar tensile force and intermediate values of specific foliar area and foliar nitrogen, was denominated as low conservative. Finally the third group formed only by trees that fix nitrogen, composed of leaves and mostly evergreen and characterized by having higher values of specific foliar area, foliar nitrogen, foliar phosphorus and lower foliar tensile force, was denominated as acquisitive. The intermediary acquisitions species Apeiba membranacea, Myrcia aff. fallax and Zygia longifolia, and the acquisitive species Cedrelinga cateniformis, Inga densiflora, Myroxylon balsamum, Piptadenia pteroclada and Platymiscium pinnatum, which showed excellent performance in nursery and / or field, represent the most suitable species to be used in reforestation programs of the sites affected by oil extraction activities in the Amazon region of Ecuador, because they have greater potential to protect soil and recycle nutrients in the initial stages of planting.

Isotopic Determination of Region of Origin in Modern Peoples: Applications for Identification of U.S. War-Dead From the Vietnam Conflict

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

corn increased, but corn -based snacks such as popcorn, chips, and sodas/colas sweetened with high - fructose corn syrup are essentially a staple of...Identification Laboratory (JPAC-CIL). The identification of unknown remains believed to be missing U.S. service personnel is frequently hampered by high ...the collagen in dentin, because of its high nitrogen content, primarily mirrors the protein content of the diet (van der Merwe 1982, Harrison and

Populations of Pratylenchus penetrans Relative to Decomposing Nitrogenous Soil Amendments

PubMed Central

Walker, J. T.

1971-01-01

Populations of Pratylenchus penetrans decreased in soil following addition of 70 and 700 ppm N in the form of nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen, or ammonium compounds. Nitrate was less effective than other nitrogen carriers. Population reduction is principally attributed to ammonification during decomposition. This hypothesis is supported by chromatographic analyses of soil atmospheres, survival of nematodes in pure CO₂ and N₂, inverse relationship of CO₂, content in amended soils to nematode populations, and direct relationship of NH₃-N content of amended soils to nematode populations. PMID:19322339

Growth temperature modulates the spatial variability of leaf morphology and chemical elements within crowns of climatically divergent Acer rubrum genotypes.

PubMed

Shahba, Mohamed A; Bauerle, William L

2009-07-01

Our understanding of leaf acclimation in relation to temperature of fully grown or juvenile tree crowns is mainly based on research involving spatially uncontrolled growth temperature. In this study, we test the hypothesis that leaf morphology and chemical elements are modulated by within-crown growth temperature differences. We ask whether within-species variation can influence acclimation to elevated temperatures. Within-crown temperature dependence of leaf morphology, carbon and nitrogen was examined in two genotypes of Acer rubrum L. (red maple) from different latitudes, where the mean annual temperature varies between 7.2 and 19.4 degrees C. Crown sections were grown in temperature-controlled chambers at three daytime growth temperatures (25, 33 and 38 degrees C). Leaf growth and resource acquisition were measured at regular intervals over long-term (50 days) controlled daytime growth temperatures. We found significant intraspecific variation in temperature dependence of leaf carbon and nitrogen accumulation between genotypes. Additionally, there was evidence that leaf morphology depended on inherited adaptation. Leaf dry matter and nitrogen content decreased as growth temperature was elevated above 25 degrees C in the genotype native to the cooler climate, whereas they remained fairly constant in response to temperature in the genotype native to the warmer climate. Specific leaf area (SLA) was correlated positively to leaf nitrogen content in both genotypes. The SLA and the relative leaf dry matter content (LM), on the other hand, were correlated negatively to leaf thickness. However, intraspecific variation in SLA and LM versus leaf thickness was highly significant. Intraspecific differences in leaf temperature response between climatically divergent genotypes yielded important implications for convergent evolution of leaf adaptation. Comparison of our results with those of previous studies showed that leaf carbon allocation along a vertical temperature gradient was modulated by growth temperature in the genotype native to the cooler climate. This indicates that within-crown temperature-induced variations in leaf morphology and chemical content should be accounted for in forest ecosystem models.

Growth, gas exchange, foliar nitrogen content, and water use of subirrigated and overhead irrigated Populus tremuloides Michx. seedlings

Treesearch

Anthony S. Davis; Matthew M. Aghai; Jeremiah R. Pinto; Kent G. Apostal

2011-01-01

Because limitations on water used by container nurseries has become commonplace, nursery growers will have to improve irrigation management. Subirrigation systems may provide an alternative to overhead irrigation systems by mitigating groundwater pollution and excessive water consumption. Seedling growth, gas exchange, leaf nitrogen (N) content, and water use were...

Proximate biochemical composition and caloric content calculated from elemental CHN analysis: a stoichiometric concept.

PubMed

Gnaiger, E; Bitterlich, G

1984-06-01

Carbohydrate, lipid, and protein compositions are stoichiometrically related to organic CHN (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen) contents. Elemental CHN analyses of total biomass and ash, therefore, provide a basis for the calculation of proximate biochemical composition and bomb caloric value. The classical nitrogen to protein conversion factor (6.25) should be replaced by 5.8±0.13. A linear relation exists between the mass fraction of non-protein carbon and the carbohydrate and lipid content. Residual water in dry organic matter can be estimated with the additional information derived from hydrogen measurements.The stoichiometric CHN method and direct biochemical analysis agreed within 10% of ash-free dry biomass (for muscle, liver and fat tissue of silver carp; gut contents composed of detritus and algae; commercial fish food). The detrital material, however, had to be corrected for non-protein nitrogen.A linear relationship between bomb caloric value and organic carbon fractions was derived on the basis of thermodynamic and stoichiometric principles, in agreement with experimental data published for bacteria, algae, protozoa and invertebrates. The highly automatic stoichiometric CHN method for the separation of nutrient contents in biomass extends existing ecophysiological concepts for the construction of balanced carbon and nitrogen, as well as biochemical and energy budgets.

Toward a mechanistic modeling of nitrogen limitation on vegetation dynamics.

PubMed

Xu, Chonggang; Fisher, Rosie; Wullschleger, Stan D; Wilson, Cathy J; Cai, Michael; McDowell, Nate G

2012-01-01

Nitrogen is a dominant regulator of vegetation dynamics, net primary production, and terrestrial carbon cycles; however, most ecosystem models use a rather simplistic relationship between leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity. Such an approach does not consider how patterns of nitrogen allocation may change with differences in light intensity, growing-season temperature and CO(2) concentration. To account for this known variability in nitrogen-photosynthesis relationships, we develop a mechanistic nitrogen allocation model based on a trade-off of nitrogen allocated between growth and storage, and an optimization of nitrogen allocated among light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, and respiration. The developed model is able to predict the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to changes in CO(2) concentration, temperature, and radiation when evaluated against published data of V(c,max) (maximum carboxylation rate) and J(max) (maximum electron transport rate). A sensitivity analysis of the model for herbaceous plants, deciduous and evergreen trees implies that elevated CO(2) concentrations lead to lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation but higher allocation to storage. Higher growing-season temperatures cause lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation, due to higher nitrogen requirements for light capture pigments and for storage. Lower levels of radiation have a much stronger effect on allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation for herbaceous plants than for trees, resulting from higher nitrogen requirements for light capture for herbaceous plants. As far as we know, this is the first model of complete nitrogen allocation that simultaneously considers nitrogen allocation to light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, respiration and storage, and the responses of each to altered environmental conditions. We expect this model could potentially improve our confidence in simulations of carbon-nitrogen interactions and the vegetation feedbacks to climate in Earth system models.

Toward a Mechanistic Modeling of Nitrogen Limitation on Vegetation Dynamics

PubMed Central

Xu, Chonggang; Fisher, Rosie; Wullschleger, Stan D.; Wilson, Cathy J.; Cai, Michael; McDowell, Nate G.

2012-01-01

Nitrogen is a dominant regulator of vegetation dynamics, net primary production, and terrestrial carbon cycles; however, most ecosystem models use a rather simplistic relationship between leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity. Such an approach does not consider how patterns of nitrogen allocation may change with differences in light intensity, growing-season temperature and CO2 concentration. To account for this known variability in nitrogen-photosynthesis relationships, we develop a mechanistic nitrogen allocation model based on a trade-off of nitrogen allocated between growth and storage, and an optimization of nitrogen allocated among light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, and respiration. The developed model is able to predict the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to changes in CO2 concentration, temperature, and radiation when evaluated against published data of Vc,max (maximum carboxylation rate) and Jmax (maximum electron transport rate). A sensitivity analysis of the model for herbaceous plants, deciduous and evergreen trees implies that elevated CO2 concentrations lead to lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation but higher allocation to storage. Higher growing-season temperatures cause lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation, due to higher nitrogen requirements for light capture pigments and for storage. Lower levels of radiation have a much stronger effect on allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation for herbaceous plants than for trees, resulting from higher nitrogen requirements for light capture for herbaceous plants. As far as we know, this is the first model of complete nitrogen allocation that simultaneously considers nitrogen allocation to light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, respiration and storage, and the responses of each to altered environmental conditions. We expect this model could potentially improve our confidence in simulations of carbon-nitrogen interactions and the vegetation feedbacks to climate in Earth system models. PMID:22649564

Net nitrogen mineralization in natural ecosystems across the conterminous US

Treesearch

LeeAnna Y. Chapman; Steven G. McNulty; Ge Sun; Yang Zhang

2013-01-01

Nitrogen is the primary nutrient limiting ecosystem productivity over most of the US. Although soil nitrogen content is important, knowledge about its spatial extent at the continental scale is limited. The objective of this study was to estimate net nitrogen mineralization for the conterminous US (CONUS) using an empirical modeling approach by scaling up site level...

Growth and foliar nitrogen concentrations of interplanted native woody legumes and pecan

Treesearch

J.W. Van Sambeek; Nadia E. Navarrete-Tindall; Kenneth L. Hunt

2008-01-01

The interplanting and underplanting of nodulated nitrogen-fixing plants in tree plantings can increase early growth and foliage nitrogen content of hardwoods, especially black walnut and pecan. Recent studies have demonstrated that some non-nodulated woody legumes may be capable of fixing significant levels of atmospheric nitrogen. The following nine nurse crop...

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Yield and Fruit Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) at Two Levels of Nitrogen Application

PubMed Central

Sun, Peng; Mantri, Nitin; Lou, Heqiang; Hu, Ya; Sun, Dan; Zhu, Yueqing; Dong, Tingting; Lu, Hongfei

2012-01-01

We investigated if elevated CO2 could alleviate the negative effect of high temperature on fruit yield of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Toyonoka) at different levels of nitrogen and also tested the combined effects of CO2, temperature and nitrogen on fruit quality of plants cultivated in controlled growth chambers. Results show that elevated CO2 and high temperature caused a further 12% and 35% decrease in fruit yield at low and high nitrogen, respectively. The fewer inflorescences and smaller umbel size during flower induction caused the reduction of fruit yield at elevated CO2 and high temperature. Interestingly, nitrogen application has no beneficial effect on fruit yield, and this may be because of decreased sucrose export to the shoot apical meristem at floral transition. Moreover, elevated CO2 increased the levels of dry matter-content, fructose, glucose, total sugar and sweetness index per dry matter, but decreased fruit nitrogen content, total antioxidant capacity and all antioxidant compounds per dry matter in strawberry fruit. The reduction of fruit nitrogen content and antioxidant activity was mainly caused by the dilution effect of accumulated non-structural carbohydrates sourced from the increased net photosynthetic rate at elevated CO2. Thus, the quality of strawberry fruit would increase because of the increased sweetness and the similar amount of fruit nitrogen content, antioxidant activity per fresh matter at elevated CO2. Overall, we found that elevated CO2 improved the production of strawberry (including yield and quality) at low temperature, but decreased it at high temperature. The dramatic fluctuation in strawberry yield between low and high temperature at elevated CO2 implies that more attention should be paid to the process of flower induction under climate change, especially in fruits that require winter chilling for reproductive growth. PMID:22911728

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on the phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).

PubMed

Nguyen, Phuong M; Niemeyer, Emily D

2008-09-24

Many herbs and spices have been shown to contain high levels of polyphenolic compounds with potent antioxidant properties. In the present study, we explore how nutrient availability, specifically nitrogen fertilization, affects the production of polyphenolic compounds in three cultivars (Dark Opal, Genovese, and Sweet Thai) of the culinary herb, basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.). Nitrogen fertilization was found to have a significant effect on total phenolic levels in Dark Opal ( p < 0.001) and Genovese ( p < 0.001) basil with statistically higher phenolic contents observed when nutrient availability was limited at the lowest (0.1 mM) applied nitrogen treatment. Similarly, basil treated at the lowest nitrogen fertilization level generally contained significantly higher rosmarinic ( p = 0.001) and caffeic ( p = 0.001) acid concentrations than basil treated at other nitrogen levels. Nitrogen fertilization also affected antioxidant activity ( p = 0.002) with basil treated at the highest applied nitrogen level, 5.0 mM, exhibiting lower antioxidant activity than all other nitrogen treatments. The anthocyanin content of Dark Opal basil was not affected by applied nitrogen level, but anthocyanin concentrations were significantly impacted by growing season ( p = 0.001). Basil cultivar was also determined to have a statistically significant effect on total phenolic levels, rosmarinic and caffeic acid concentrations, and antioxidant activities.

Fullerene C60 for enhancing phytoremediation of urea plant wastewater by timber plants.

PubMed

Yavari, Sara; Malakahmad, Amirhossein; Sapari, Nasiman B; Yavari, Saba

2018-04-01

Phytoremediation has been applied as a promising and cost-effective technique for removing nutrient pollutants from wastewater. In this study, the effect of fullerene C60 was assessed on enhancing the phytoremediation efficiency of teak plants over a period of 1 month. Teak plants were supplied with fullerene C60 (0, 25, or 50 mg L -1 ) and fed daily with two types of urea plant wastewater (with and without adding optimum ratio of phosphorus and potassium). The required volume of wastewater by the teak plants, nitrogen removal percentage, plant growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, leaf surface area, and dry biomass), and nutrient content was recorded throughout the study. The results showed that addition of 25 mg L -1 fullerene C60 to urea plant wastewater could increase water uptake and nitrogen recovery of the teak plants. Plant growth and nutrient contents of teak plants were also increased in the presence of 25 mg L -1 fullerene C60. However, addition of 50 mg L -1 fullerene C60 to the wastewater decreased the values for water uptake and nitrogen recovery. The findings indicated that addition of proper amount of fullerene C60 to the teak-based remediation system can increase the efficiency of the plants for nitrogen removal.

The effect of seaweed Ecklonia maxima extract and mineral nitrogen on fodder grass chemical composition.

PubMed

Ciepiela, Grażyna Anna; Godlewska, Agnieszka; Jankowska, Jolanta

2016-02-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the biostimulant Kelpak and different nitrogen rates on cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents as well as non-structural carbohydrates in orchard grass and Braun's festulolium. The experiment was a split-plot arrangement with three replicates. It was set up at the experimental facility of the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Siedlce, in late April 2009. The following factors were examined: biostimulant with the trade name Kelpak SL applied at 2 dm(3) ha(-1) and a control-no biostimulant; nitrogen application rates 50 and 150 kg ha(-1) and a control (0 kg ha(-1)); pure stands of grass species grown in monoculture--orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), cv. Amila,-Braun's festulolium (Festulolium braunii), cv. Felopa. Kelpak significantly increased non-structural carbohydrates, and increasing nitrogen rates reduced the concentration of these components in plants. Increasing nitrogen rates significantly decreased cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and non-structural carbohydrate contents. Compared with orchard grass, Braun's festulolium proved to be of a higher nutritional value due to lower cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents and more non-structural carbohydrates. The aforementioned contents in the grasses differed significantly depending on the cut. Most cellulose and non-structural carbohydrates were determined in second-cut grass whereas most hemicellulose and lignin in second-cut grass.

[Key techniques for precision cultivation of nitrogenous fertilizer of pollution-free ginseng].

PubMed

Guo, Li-Li; Guo, Shuai; Dong, Lin-Lin; Shen, Liang; Li, Xi-Wen; Xu, Jiang; Chen, Shi-Lin

2018-04-01

Planting pollution-free farmland is the main mode of industrialization of ginseng cultivation, fine management of nitrogen fertilizer ginseng pollution-free farmland cultivation technology system is one of the key factors. In order to investigate the effect of nitrogenous fertilizer on the accumulation of ginseng biomass and saponins synthesis in vegetative growth stage, two-years-old ginsengs were used as test materials in this study. The test materials were cultivated by Hoagland medium with different nitrogen concentration (0，10，20，40 mg·L⁻¹) for 40 days. During the cultivation, photosynthetic rate was measured four times. After 40 days cultivation, chlorophyll content, stem diameter and the spatiotemporal expression of saponin synthesis related genes PgHMGR and PgSQE were tested. The results showed that there were significant differences in the photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content among different nitrogen concentrations. The relative expression level of PgHMGR gene and PgSQE gene in root, stem and leaves of ginseng were different. Ginseng seedlings cultivated by 20 mg·L⁻¹ nitrogen possess the highest photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content, while PgHMGR and PgSE showed the highest gene expression level. The optimal nitrogen concentration for the growth of 2-years-old ginseng might be 20 mg·L⁻¹ with 57.14 g ammonium nitrate each plant or pure 20.00 mg nitrogen each plant. It is concluded that this concentration is the most suitable concentration for the ginsenoside synthesis. Pollution-free ginseng with fine nitrogen fertilizer cultivation is conducive to the production of high quality and efficient ginseng medicinal materials. It lays a theoretical foundation for the rational fertilization and environment-friendly sustainable ecological ginseng planting industry. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Overexpression of the autophagy-related gene SiATG8a from foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) confers tolerance to both nitrogen starvation and drought stress in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Li, Wei-wei; Chen, Ming; Zhong, Li; Liu, Jia-ming; Xu, Zhao-shi; Li, Lian-cheng; Zhou, Yong-Bin; Guo, Chang-Hong; Ma, You-Zhi

2015-12-25

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved biological process in all eukaryotes for the degradation of intracellular components for nutrient recycling. Autophagy is known to be involved in responses to low nitrogen stress in Arabidopsis. Foxtail millet has strong abiotic stress resistance to both low nutrient and drought stress. However, to date, there have only been a few genes reported to be related with abiotic stress resistance in foxtail millet. In this study, we identified an autophagy-related gene, SiATG8a, from foxtail millet. SiATG8a is mainly expressed in stems and its expression was dramatically induced by drought stress and nitrogen starvation treatments. SiATG8a was localized in the membrane and cytoplasm of foxtail millet. Overexpression of SiATG8a in Arabidopsis conferred tolerance to both nitrogen starvation and to drought stress. Under nitrogen starvation conditions, the SiATG8a transgenic plants had larger root and leaf areas and accumulated more total nitrogen than wild-type plants. The transgenic plants had lower total protein concentrations than did the WT plants. Under drought stress, the SiATG8a transgenic plants had higher survival rates, chlorophyll content, and proline content, but had lower MDA content than wild type plants. Taken together, our results represent the first identified case where overexpression of autophagy related gene can simultaneously improve plant resistance to low nitrogen and drought stresses. These findings implicate plant autophagy in plant stress responses to low nitrogen and drought and should be helpful in efforts to improve stresses resistance to nitrogen starvation and drought of crops by genetic transformation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NEMA, a functional-structural model of nitrogen economy within wheat culms after flowering. I. Model description.

PubMed

Bertheloot, Jessica; Cournède, Paul-Henry; Andrieu, Bruno

2011-10-01

Models simulating nitrogen use by plants are potentially efficient tools to optimize the use of fertilizers in agriculture. Most crop models assume that a target nitrogen concentration can be defined for plant tissues and formalize a demand for nitrogen, depending on the difference between the target and actual nitrogen concentrations. However, the teleonomic nature of the approach has been criticized. This paper proposes a mechanistic model of nitrogen economy, NEMA (Nitrogen Economy Model within plant Architecture), which links nitrogen fluxes to nitrogen concentration and physiological processes. A functional-structural approach is used: plant aerial parts are described in a botanically realistic way and physiological processes are expressed at the scale of each aerial organ or root compartment as a function of local conditions (light and resources). NEMA was developed for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) after flowering. The model simulates the nitrogen (N) content of each photosynthetic organ as regulated by Rubisco turnover, which depends on intercepted light and a mobile N pool shared by all organs. This pool is enriched by N acquisition from the soil and N release from vegetative organs, and is depleted by grain uptake and protein synthesis in vegetative organs; NEMA accounts for the negative feedback from circulating N on N acquisition from the soil, which is supposed to follow the activities of nitrate transport systems. Organ N content and intercepted light determine dry matter production via photosynthesis, which is distributed between organs according to a demand-driven approach. NEMA integrates the main feedbacks known to regulate plant N economy. Other novel features are the simulation of N for all photosynthetic tissues and the use of an explicit description of the plant that allows how the local environment of tissues regulates their N content to be taken into account. We believe this represents an appropriate frame for modelling nitrogen in functional-structural plant models. A companion paper will present model evaluation and analysis.

Fiber source and inclusion level affects characteristics of excreta from growing pigs

PubMed Central

Ndou, Saymore Petros; Bakare, Archibold Garikayi

2018-01-01

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the influence of varying fibrous diets on fecal characteristics of growing pigs. Methods A total of 104 pigs (initial weight 18±2.0 kg) were used in the study. They were housed in individual pens and fed on diets containing maize cob, grass hay, lucerne hay, maize stover, and sunflower husk. These fibers were included at 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 g/kg. Fecal and urine samples were collected. Results Fecal output was largest amongst pigs fed on diets containing grass hay and maize stover (p<0.05). Nitrogen content was highest in feces from pigs fed on sunflower husk (p< 0.05). Pigs fed on diets containing maize stover and maize cobs produced the largest concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Acetate concentration was high in feces of pigs fed maize stover than those fed grass hay and lucerne hay (p<0.05). As the level of fiber inclusion increased, fecal consistency and nitrogen content increased linearly (p<0.05). Urea nitrogen decreased as the inclusion level increased across all the fibers (p<0.05), with maize cobs containing the largest content of urea nitrogen. As dietary fiber content increased, fecal nitrogen content also increased (p<0.05). Conclusion It was concluded that different fiber sources influence fecal characteristics, thereby having different implications on pig waste management. It is vital to monitor fiber inclusion thresholds so as to easily manage environmental pollutants such as butyrate that contribute to odors. PMID:26954189

Template-free synthesis of nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons for CO2 adsorption and supercapacitor electrodes.

PubMed

Bing, Xuefeng; Wei, Yanju; Wang, Mei; Xu, Sheng; Long, Donghui; Wang, Jitong; Qiao, Wenming; Ling, Licheng

2017-02-15

Nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons (NHPCs) with controllable nitrogen content were prepared via a template-free method by direct carbonization of melamine-resorcinol-terephthaldehyde networks. The synthetic approach is facile and gentle, resulting in a hierarchical pore structure with modest micropores and well-developed meso-/macropores, and allowing the easy adjusting of the nitrogen content in the carbon framework. The micropore structure was generated within the highly cross-linked networks of polymer chains, while the mesopore and macropore structure were formed from the interconnected 3D gel network. The as-prepared NHPC has a large specific surface area of 1150m 2 ·g -1 , and a high nitrogen content of 14.5wt.%. CO 2 adsorption performances were measured between 0°C and 75°C, and a high adsorption capacity of 3.96mmol·g -1 was achieved at 1bar and 0°C. Moreover, these nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons exhibit a great potential to act as electrode materials for supercapacitors, which could deliver high specific capacitance of 214.0F·g -1 with an excellent rate capability of 74.7% from 0.1 to 10 A·g -1 . The appropriate nitrogen doping and well-developed hierarchical porosity could accelerate the ion diffusion and the frequency response for excellent capacitive performance. This kind of new nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbons with controllable hierarchical porosity and chemical composition may have a good potential in the future applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of mineral phosphates on growth and nitrogen fixation of diazotrophic cyanobacteria Anabaena variabilis and Westiellopsis prolifica.

PubMed

Yandigeri, Mahesh S; Yadav, Arvind K; Meena, Kamlesh Kumar; Pabbi, Sunil

2010-03-01

The nitrogen fixing cyanobacterial strains namely Anabaena variabilis (Nostocales, Nostocaceae) and Westiellopsis prolifica (Nostocales, Hapalosiphonaceae) were evaluated for their nitrogen fixation and growth potential in response to different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 mg P) of the alternate insoluble P-sources Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate. Distinct and significant intergeneric differences were observed with respect to nitrogen fixation measured as Acetylene Reduction Activity (ARA) and growth potential as soluble proteins, total carbohydrate content, dry weight and total chlorophyll content in response to different concentrations of Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate. Both the strains showed higher soluble protein content at 20 mg P (Mussorie Rock Phosphate) that increased with time of incubation in A. variabilis. Both cyanobacteria recorded maximum Acetylene Reduction Activity at 20 mg P (Tricalcium Phosphate) followed by activity in presence of soluble phosphate (K2HPO4). The mean activity at all concentrations of insoluble phosphate (Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate) was more than in the presence of soluble phosphate.

[Effects of nitrogen application level on soil nitrate accumulation and ammonia volatilization in high-yielding wheat field].

PubMed

Wang, Dong; Yu, Zhenwen; Yu, Wenming; Shi, Yu; Zhou, Zhongxin

2006-09-01

The study showed that during the period from sowing to pre-wintering, the soil nitrate in high-yielding wheat field moved down to deeper layers, and accumulated in the layers below 140 cm. An application rate of 96-168 kg N x hm(-2) increased the nitrate content in 0-60 cm soil layer and the wheat grain yield and its protein content, and decreased the proportion of apparent N loss to applied N and the ammonia volatilization loss from basal nitrogen. Applying 240 kg N x hm(-2) promoted the downward movement of soil nitrate and its accumulation in deeper layers, increased the proportion of apparent N loss to applied N and the ammonia volatilization loss from basal nitrogen, had no significant effect on the protein content of wheat grain, but decreased the grain yield. The appropriate application rate of nitrogen on high-yielding wheat field was 132-204 kg N x hm(-2).

Nitrogen-enriched hierarchically porous carbons prepared from polybenzoxazine for high-performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Wan, Liu; Wang, Jianlong; Xie, Lijing; Sun, Yahui; Li, Kaixi

2014-09-10

Nitrogen-enriched hierarchically porous carbons (HPCs) were synthesized from a novel nitrile-functionalized benzoxazine based on benzoxazine chemistry using a soft-templating method and a potassium hydroxide (KOH) chemical activation method and used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The textural and chemical properties could be easily tuned by adding a soft template and changing the activation temperature. The introduction of the soft-templating agent (surfactant F127) resulted in the formation of mesopores, which facilitated fast ionic diffusion and reduced the internal resistance. The micropores of HPCs were extensively developed by KOH activation to provide large electrochemical double-layer capacitance. As the activation temperature increased from 600 to 800 °C, the specific surface area of nitrogen-enriched carbons increased dramatically, micropores were enlarged, and more meso/macropores were developed, but the nitrogen and oxygen content decreased, which affected the electrochemical performance. The sample HPC-800 activated at 800 °C possesses a high specific surface area (1555.4 m(2) g(-1)), high oxygen (10.61 wt %) and nitrogen (3.64 wt %) contents, a hierarchical pore structure, a high graphitization degree, and good electrical conductivity. It shows great pseudocapacitance and the largest specific capacitance of 641.6 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1) in a 6 mol L(-1) KOH aqueous electrolyte when measured in a three-electrode system. Furthermore, the HPC-800 electrode exhibits excellent rate capability (443.0 F g(-1) remained at 40 A g(-1)) and good cycling stability (94.3% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles).

Removing organic and nitrogen content from a highly saline municipal wastewater reverse osmosis concentrate by UV/H2O2-BAC treatment.

PubMed

Pradhan, Shovana; Fan, Linhua; Roddick, Felicity A

2015-10-01

Reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate (ROC) streams generated from RO-based municipal wastewater reclamation processes pose potential health and environmental risks on their disposal to confined water bodies such as bays. A UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process followed by a biological activated carbon (BAC) treatment was evaluated at lab-scale for the removal of organic and nutrient content from a highly saline ROC (TDS 16 g L(-1), EC 23.5 mS cm(-1)) for its safe disposal to the receiving environment. Over the 230-day operation of the UV/H2O2-BAC process, the colour and UV absorbance (254 nm) of the ROC were reduced to well below those of the influent to the reclamation process. The concentrations of DOC and total nitrogen (TN) were reduced by approximately 60% at an empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 60 min. The reduction in ammonia nitrogen by the BAC remained high under all conditions tested (>90%). Further investigation confirmed that the presence of residual peroxide in the UV/H2O2 treated ROC was beneficial for DOC removal, but markedly inhibited the activities of the nitrifying bacteria (i.e., nitrite oxidising bacteria) in the BAC system and hence compromised total nitrogen removal. This work demonstrated that the BAC treatment could be acclimated to the very high salinity environment, and could be used as a robust method for the removal of organic matter and nitrogen from the pre-oxidised ROC under optimised conditions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of leaf color chart observations with digital photographs and spectral measurements for estimating maize leaf chlorophyll content

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Crop nitrogen management is important world-wide, as much for small fields as it is for large operations. Developed as a non-destructive aid for estimating nitrogen content in rice crops, leaf color charts (LCC) are a numbered series of plastic panels that range from yellowgreen to dark green. By vi...

Effect of dietary crude protein and forage contents on enteric methane emissions and nitrogen excretion from dairy cows simultaneously

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The study aimed to examine, simultaneously, the effects of changing dietary forage and crude protein (CP) contents on methane (CH4) emissions and nitrogen (N) excretion from lactating dairy cows. Twelve post-peak lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 4 treatments from a 2×2 factorial arr...

Effect of attrition milling on the reaction sintering of silicon nitride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herbell, T. P.; Glasgow, T. K.; Yeh, H. C.

1978-01-01

Silicon powder was ground in a steel attrition mill under nitrogen. Air exposed powder was compacted, prefired in helium, and reaction sintered in nitrogen-4 v/o hydrogen. For longer grinding times, oxygen content, surface area and compactability of the powder increased; and both alpha/beta ratio and degreee of nitridation during sintering increased. Iron content remained constant.

Effect of attrition milling on the reaction sintering of silicon nitride

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herbell, T. P.; Glasgow, T. K.; Yeh, H. C.

1978-01-01

Silicon powder was ground in a steel attrition mill under nitrogen. Air-exposed powder was compacted, prefired in helium, and reaction-sintered in nitrogen-4 v/o hydrogen. For longer grinding times, oxygen content, surface area and compactability of the powder increased; and both alpha/beta ratio and degree of nitridation during sintering increased. Iron content remained constant.

Effect of nitrogen on high temperature low cycle fatigue behaviors in type 316L stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dae Whan; Ryu, Woo-Seog; Hong, Jun Hwa; Choi, Si-Kyung

1998-04-01

Strain-controlled low cycle fatigue (LCF) tests were conducted in the temperature range of RT-600°C and air atmosphere to investigate the nitrogen effect on LCF behavior of type 316L stainless steels with different nitrogen contents (0.04-0.15%). The waveform of LCF was a symmetrical triangle with a strain amplitude of ±0.5% and a constant strain rate of 2×10 -3/s was employed for most tests. Cyclic stress response of the alloys exhibited a gradual cyclic softening at RT, but a cyclic hardening at an early stage of fatigue life at 300-600°C. The hardening at high temperature was attributed to dynamic strain aging (DSA). Nitrogen addition decreased hardening magnitude (maximum cyclic stress — first cyclic stress) because nitrogen retarded DSA for these conditions. The dislocation structures were changed from cell to planar structure with increasing temperature and nitrogen addition by DSA and short range order (SRO). Fatigue life was a maximum at 0.1% nitrogen content, which was attributed to the balance between DSA and SRO.

Biological treatment of closed landfill leachate treatment by using Brevibacillus panacihumi strain ZB1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Er, X. Y.; Seow, T. W.; Lim, C. K.; Ibrahim, Z.; Mat Sarip, S. H.

2018-04-01

Landfills are widely used for solid waste disposal due to cost effectiveness and ease of operation. Poor landfill management generally accompanied with production of toxic leachate. Leachate refers to heavily polluted liquid produced due to waste decomposition and rainwater percolation. Direct discharge of untreated leachate into the environment will lead to environmental degradation and health hazards. The aim of this study was to study the efficiency of leachate biological treatment by B. panacihumi strain ZB1. In this study, leachate wastewater was treated by B. panacihumi strain ZB1 via 42-days anaerobic-aerobic treatment. Leachate characterization of both raw and treated samples was carried out based on ammonia nitrogen content, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and heavy metal content. Through leachate characterization, raw leachate carried high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (1977 mg/L), COD (5320 mg/L) and certain heavy metals exceeding discharge standard. From this study, B. panacihumi strain ZB1 able to remove COD nearly 40%, ammonia nitrogen nearly 50% and different degrees of heavy metals from the leachate sample after combined anaerobic-aerobic treatment. As a result, B. panacihumi strain ZB1was expected to treat the leachate wastewater with certain treatment efficiency via combined anaerobic-aerobic treatment.

Pseudocapacitive Effects of N-Doped Carbon Nanotube Electrodes in Supercapacitors

PubMed Central

Yun, Young Soo; Park, Hyun Ho; Jin, Hyoung-Joon

2012-01-01

Nitrogen- and micropore-containing carbon nanotubes (NMCNTs) were prepared by carbonization of nitrogen-enriched, polymer-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the electrochemical performances of the NMCNTs with different heteroatom contents were investigated. NMCNTs-700 containing 9.1 wt% nitrogen atoms had a capacitance of 190.8 F/g, which was much higher than that of pristine CNTs (48.4 F/g), despite the similar surface area of the two CNTs, and was also higher than that of activated CNTs (151.7 F/g) with a surface area of 778 m2/g and a nitrogen atom content of 1.2 wt%. These results showed that pseudocapacitive effects play an important role in the electrochemical performance of supercapacitor electrodes.

Response of Soil Inorganic Nitrogen to Land Use and Topographic Position in the Cofre de Perote Volcano (Mexico)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campos C., Adolfo

2010-08-01

This study addressed the effects of land use and slope position on soil inorganic nitrogen and was conducted in small watersheds. The study covered three land use types: tropical cloud forest, grassland, and coffee crop. To conduct this research, typical slope small watersheds were chosen in each land use type. Slopes were divided into three positions: shoulder, backslope, and footslope. At the center of each slope position, soil sampling was carried out. Soil inorganic nitrogen was measured monthly during a period of 14 months (July 2005-August 2006) with 11 observations. Significant differences in soil NH4 +-N and NO3 --N content were detected for both land use and sampling date effects, as well as for interactions. A significant slope position-by-sampling date interaction was found only in coffee crop for NO3 --N content. In tropical cloud forest and grassland, high soil NH4 +-N and low NO3 --N content were recorded, while soil NO3 --N content was high in coffee crop. Low NO3 --N contents could mean a substantial microbial assimilation of NO3 --N, constituting an important mechanism for nitrogen retention. Across the entire land use set, the relationship between soil temperature and soil inorganic N concentration was described by an exponential decay function ( N = 33 + 2459exp-0.23T, R 2 = 0.44, P < 0.0001). This study also showed that together, soil temperature and gravimetric soil water content explained more variation in soil inorganic N concentration than gravimetric soil water content alone.

Tri-party underground symbiosis between a weevil, bacteria and a desert plant.

PubMed

Shelef, Oren; Helman, Yael; Friedman, Ariel-Leib-Leonid; Behar, Adi; Rachmilevitch, Shimon

2013-01-01

Inhabitants of arid ecosystems face severe nitrogen and water limitations. Inventive adaptations by organisms occupying such habitats are essential for survival. This study describes a tri-party symbiotic interaction between a plant (Salsola inermis), a beetle (Conorhynchus pistor), and a bacterium (Klebsiella pneumonia). The weevil survives by living within a mud structure affixed to the plant roots, thus benefiting from increased carbon and water, and refuge from predators and parasites. Active nitrogen-fixing bacteria harbored within the weevil's gut mediate this interaction, by supplying nitrogen to the system, which eventually promotes seed development. We studied the correlation between the weevil's existence and (i) root carbon and nitrogen content, (ii) soil water content and (iii) seed weight. Roots hosting weevils contained more nitrogen, heavier seeds and less carbon. In addition, water content was higher around the roots than in open spaces a short distance from the plant stem. Bacterial studies and nitrogen-fixation analyses, including molecular and chemical assays, indicated atmospheric nitrogen fixation in the larval stage and identified the bacterium. The coexistence of weevil and bacterial behavior coinciding with the plant's life cycle was revealed here by a long period of field observations. Out of over 60,000 known weevils, this is the only report of a weevil living most of its life underground without harming plants. The unique tri-party interaction described herein shows the important ecological role of desert plant roots and provides an example of a sustainable consortium of living organisms coping with the challenging desert environment.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tan, Guoqiang; Bao, Wurigumula; Yuan, Yifei

To spread lithium ion batteries into large-scale energy storage technologies, high ener-gy/power densities and long cycling life of carbon-based anodes must be achieved. This re-quires revolutionary design of the anode’s architectures that can facilitate the fast electronic and ionic transport, as well as accommodate the electrode structural instability. Here we re-port a thin-film electrode design and demonstrate its use in flexible, and large-area carbon-based anode assemblies. The fabrication of electrodes is realized by sputtering a graphite tar-get in the high-purity nitrogen atmosphere, then highly-defect nitrogen-doped carbon nano-fibers are deposited vertically onto copper substrates with a thin film configuration. The high-ly-defectmore » nitrogen-doping enhances the lithium storage and transport, the orientation grown mechanism improves the charge transfer, and the compact configuration makes the high tap density possible. As a result, the thin films exhibit high specific capacities of ~ 500 mAh g-1, namely a volume capacity of ~ 100 mAh cm-3. They also exhibit stable cycle performance (400 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles) and good rate capability (450 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 rate). This work opens up a new carbon-based anode design by using sputtering technology for effec-tively incorporating high content nitrogen into carbon matrices. Such electrode architecture significantly improves the electrochemical performance of carbon-based materials.« less

A Nanopore-Structured Nitrogen-Doped Biocarbon Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction from Two-Step Carbonization of Lemna minor Biomass.

PubMed

Guo, Chaozhong; Li, Zhongbin; Niu, Lidan; Liao, Wenli; Sun, Lingtao; Wen, Bixia; Nie, Yunqing; Cheng, Jing; Chen, Changguo

2016-12-01

So far, the development of highly active and stable carbon-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to replace commercial Pt/C catalyst is a hot topic. In this study, a new nanoporous nitrogen-doped carbon material was facilely designed by two-step pyrolysis of the renewable Lemna minor enriched in crude protein under a nitrogen atmosphere. Electrochemical measurements show that the onset potential for ORR on this carbon material is around 0.93 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode), slightly lower than that on the Pt/C catalyst, but its cycling stability is higher compared to the Pt/C catalyst in an alkaline medium. Besides, the ORR at this catalyst approaches to a four-electron transfer pathway. The obtained ORR performance can be basically attributed to the formation of high contents of pyridinic and graphitic nitrogen atoms inside this catalyst. Thus, this work opens up the path in the ORR catalysis for the design of nitrogen-doped carbon materials utilizing aquatic plants as starting precursors.

Vertical distribution of total carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in sediments of Drug Spring Lake, Wudalianchi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Ying; Yang, Chen

2018-02-01

The content of total organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus in sediments of Drug Spring Lake was detected and their vertical distribution characteristic was analysed. Results showed that there were significant changes to the content of total organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus in different depth of the columnar sediments. Their highest content both appeared in the interval of 10cm to 25cm corresponding to the period of 1980s to 1990s, when the tourism of Wudalianchi scenic area began to develop. It reflected the impact of human activities on the Drug Spring Lake. That means the regulation was still not enough, although a series of pollution control measures adopted by the government in recent years had initial success.

Response of nitrogen-fixing water fern Azolla biofertilization to rice crop.

PubMed

Bhuvaneshwari, K; Singh, Pawan Kumar

2015-08-01

The water fern Azolla harbors nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena azollae as symbiont in its dorsal leaves and is known as potent N 2 fixer. Present investigation was carried out to study the influence of fresh Azolla when used as basal incorporation in soil and as dual cropped with rice variety Mahsoori separately and together with and without chemical nitrogen fertilizer in pots kept under net house conditions. Results showed that use of Azolla as basal or dual or basal plus dual influenced the rice crop positively where use of fern as basal plus dual was superior and served the nitrogen requirement of rice. There was marked increase in plant height, number of effective tillers, dry mass and nitrogen content of rice plants with the use of Azolla and N-fertilizers alone and other combinations. The use of Azolla also increased organic matter and potassium contents of the soil.

Wet Oxidation as a Waste Treatment Method in Closed Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onisko, B. L.; Wydeven, T.

1982-01-01

The chemistry of the wet oxidation process was investigated in relation to production of plant nutrients from plant and human waste materials as required for a closed life support system. Hydroponically grown lettuce plants were used as a model plant waste, and oxygen gas was used as an oxidant. Organic nitrogen content was decreased 88-100%, depending on feed material. Production of ammonia and nitrogen gas accounted for all of the observed decrease in organic nitrogen content. No nitrous oxide (N2O) was detected. The implications of these results for closed life support systems are discussed.

Wet oxidation as a waste treatment in closed systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onisko, B. L.; Wydeven, T.

1981-01-01

The chemistry of the wet oxidation process has been investigated in relation to production of plant nutrients from plant and human waste materials as required for a closed life-support system. Hydroponically grown lettuce plants were used as a model plant waste and oxygen gas was used as oxidant. Organic nitrogen content was decreased 88-100% depending on feed material. Production of ammonia and nitrogen gas account for all of the observed decrease in organic nitrogen content. No nitrous oxide (N2O) was detected. The implications of these results for closed life-support systems are discussed.

Remote analysis of biological invasion and biogeochemical change

PubMed Central

Asner, Gregory P.; Vitousek, Peter M.

2005-01-01

We used airborne imaging spectroscopy and photon transport modeling to determine how biological invasion altered the chemistry of forest canopies across a Hawaiian montane rain forest landscape. The nitrogen-fixing tree Myrica faya doubled canopy nitrogen concentrations and water content as it replaced native forest, whereas the understory herb Hedychium gardnerianum reduced nitrogen concentrations in the forest overstory and substantially increased aboveground water content. This remote sensing approach indicates the geographic extent, intensity, and biogeochemical impacts of two distinct invaders; its wider application could enhance the role of remote sensing in ecosystem analysis and management. PMID:15761055

Response of enzymes involved in the processes of antioxidation towards benthiocarb and methylparathion in cyanobacteria Nostoc muscorum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bhunia, A.K.; Roy, D.; Basu, N.K.

1991-08-01

Recently, it has been observed in the authors' laboratory that growth, nitrogen fixation, protein content of cyanobacteria Nostoc muscorum were reduced by methylparathion and benthiocarb treatment. Though many works on toxicity of pesticides on cyanobacteria, specially on growth, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation are available, the effects of pesticides on antioxidant enzyme levels is still unclear. In this communication, studies have been presented on the effects of organophosphate insecticide methyl-parathione and carbamate herbicide benthiocarb, on glutathione content, glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of filamentous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria Nostoc muscorum.

Measurement of nitrogen content in a gas mixture by transforming the nitrogen into a substance detectable with nondispersive infrared detection

DOEpatents

Owen, Thomas E.; Miller, Michael A.

2010-08-24

A method of determining the amount of nitrogen in a gas mixture. The constituent gases of the mixture are dissociated and transformed to create a substance that may measured using nondispersive infrared adsorption techniques.

Measurement of nitrogen content in a gas mixture by transforming the nitrogen into a substance detectable with nondispersive infrared detection

DOEpatents

Owen, Thomas E.; Miller, Michael A.

2007-03-13

A method of determining the amount of nitrogen in a gas mixture. The constituent gases of the mixture are dissociated and transformed to create a substance that may measured using nondispersive infrared adsorption techniques.

Analyzer for measurement of nitrogen oxide concentration by ozone content reduction in gas using solid state chemiluminescent sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chelibanov, V. P.; Ishanin, G. G.; Isaev, L. N.

2014-05-01

Role of nitrogen oxide in ambient air is described and analyzed. New method of nitrogen oxide concentration measurement in gas phase is suggested based on ozone concentration measurement with titration by nitrogen oxide. Research of chemiluminescent sensor composition is carried out on experimental stand. The sensor produced on the base of solid state non-activated chemiluminescent composition is applied as ozone sensor. Composition is put on the surface of polymer matrix with developed surface. Sensor compositions includes gallic acid with addition of rodamine-6G. Model of interaction process between sensor composition and ozone has been developed, main products appeared during reaction are identified. The product determining the speed of luminescense appearance is found. This product belongs to quinone class. Then new structure of chemiluminescent composition was suggested, with absence of activation period and with high stability of operation. Experimental model of gas analyzer was constructed and operation algorithm was developed. It was demonstrated that developed NO measuring instrument would be applied for monitoring purposes of ambient air. This work was partially financially supported by Government of Russian Federation, Grant 074-U01

Nitrogen doped silicon-carbon multilayer protective coatings on carbon obtained by TVA method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciupina, Victor; Vasile, Eugeniu; Porosnicu, Corneliu; Lungu, Cristian P.; Vladoiu, Rodica; Jepu, Ionut; Mandes, Aurelia; Dinca, Virginia; Caraiane, Aureliana; Nicolescu, Virginia; Cupsa, Ovidiu; Dinca, Paul; Zaharia, Agripina

2017-08-01

Protective nitrogen doped Si-C multilayer coatings on carbon, used to improve the oxidation resistance of carbon, were obtained by Thermionic Vacuum Arc (TVA) method. The initial carbon layer having a thickness of 100nm has been deposed on a silicon substrate in the absence of nitrogen, and then a 3nm Si thin film to cover carbon layer was deposed. Further, seven Si and C layers were alternatively deposed in the presence of nitrogen ions, each having a thickness of 40nm. In order to form silicon carbide at the interface between silicon and carbon layers, all carbon, silicon and nitrogen ions energy has increased up to 150eV . The characterization of microstructure and electrical properties of as-prepared N-Si-C multilayer structures were done using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM, STEM) techniques, Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS) and electrical measurements. Oxidation protection of carbon is based on the reaction between oxygen and silicon carbide, resulting in SiO2, SiO and CO2, and also by reaction involving N, O and Si, resulting in silicon oxynitride (SiNxOy) with a continuously variable composition, and on the other hand, since nitrogen acts as a trapping barrier for oxygen. To perform electrical measurements, 80% silver filled two-component epoxy-based glue ohmic contacts were attached on the N-Si-C samples. Electrical conductivity was measured in constant current mode. The experimental data show the increase of conductivity with the increase of the nitrogen content. To explain the temperature behavior of electrical conductivity we assumed a thermally activated electric transport mechanism.

Physiological characters of soybean cultivars with application of nitrogen sources under dry land conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasanah, Y.; Nisa, T. C.; Hapsoh; Hanum, H.

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nutrient N management on physiological characteristics of three different soybean cultivars under dry land conditions. The study was conducted under dry lands of Desa Sambirejo (Langkat Regency) in the dry season. The study was conducted with a Randomize Block Design with two factors and three replication. The research was used a randomized block design with 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor was soybean cultivars (Anjasmoro, Wilis, Sinabung). The second factor was N source, with Urea (50 kg/ha), Bradyrhizobium sp., farmyard manure (10 ton/ha), a combination of Bradyrhizobium sp. + farmyard manure (5 ton/ha) and a control with no N. The parameter observed in this study was the content of root N, shoot Nitrogen, shoot Phosphor, shoot Potassium and total of chlorophyll content. The results suggest that Anjasmoro and Sinabung cultivars had higher physiological characteristics (root N, shoot P and shoot K) compared to Wilis. Nitrogen source of Urea gave a higher physiological characteristics (content of root N, shoot Phosphor and shoot Potassium) compared to different treatment of N source in this study. The interaction between Anjasmoro cultivar and Urea gave the highest of content of shoot Phosphor and shoot Potassium, otherwise the interaction between Sinabung cultivar and Bradyrhizobium sp. gave the highest of content of shoot Nitrogen.

Bottle gourd rootstock-grafting affects nitrogen metabolism in NaCl-stressed watermelon leaves and enhances short-term salt tolerance.

PubMed

Yang, Yanjuan; Lu, Xiaomin; Yan, Bei; Li, Bin; Sun, Jin; Guo, Shirong; Tezuka, Takafumi

2013-05-01

The plant growth, nitrogen absorption, and assimilation in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Mansf.) were investigated in self-grafted and grafted seedlings using the salt-tolerant bottle gourd rootstock Chaofeng Kangshengwang (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) exposed to 100mM NaCl for 3d. The biomass and NO3(-) uptake rate were significantly increased by rootstock while these values were remarkably decreased by salt stress. However, compared with self-grafted plants, rootstock-grafted plants showed higher salt tolerance with higher biomass and NO3(-) uptake rate under salt stress. Salinity induced strong accumulation of nitrate, ammonium and protein contents and a significant decrease of nitrogen content and the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) in leaves of self-grafted seedlings. In contrast, salt stress caused a remarkable decrease in nitrate content and the activities of GS and GOGAT, and a significant increase of ammonium, protein, and nitrogen contents and NR activity, in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings. Compared with that of self-grafted seedlings, the ammonium content in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings was much lower under salt stress. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was notably enhanced in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings, whereas it was significantly inhibited in leaves of self-grafted seedlings, under salinity stress. Three GDH isozymes were isolated by native gel electrophoresis and their expressions were greatly enhanced in leaves of rootstock-grafted seedlings than those of self-grafted seedlings under both normal and salt-stress conditions. These results indicated that the salt tolerance of rootstock-grafted seedlings might (be enhanced) owing to the higher nitrogen absorption and the higher activities of enzymes for nitrogen assimilation induced by the rootstock. Furthermore, the detoxification of ammonium by GDH when the GS/GOGAT pathway was inhibited under salt stress might play an important role in the release of salt stress in rootstock-grafted seedlings. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Title: Potassium application regulates nitrogen metabolism and osmotic adjustment in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) functional leaf under drought stress.

PubMed

Zahoor, Rizwan; Zhao, Wenqing; Abid, Muhammad; Dong, Haoran; Zhou, Zhiguo

2017-08-01

To evaluate the role of potassium (K) in maintaining nitrogen metabolism and osmotic adjustment development of cotton functional leaves to sustain growth under soil drought and rewatering conditions, the plants of two cotton cultivars Siza 3 (low-K sensitive) and Simian 3 (low-K tolerant), were grown under three different K rates (K0, K1, and K2; 0, 150, and 300kgK 2 Oha -1 , respectively) and exposed to drought stress with 40±5% soil relative water content (SRWC). The drought stress was applied at flowering stage by withholding water for eight days followed by rewatering to a well-watered level (75±5% SRWC). The results showed that drought-stressed plants of both cultivars showed a decrease in leaf relative water content (RWC) and osmotic potential in the functional leaves and developed osmotic adjustment with an increase in the contents of free amino acids, soluble sugars, inorganic K, and nitrate as compared to well-watered plants. In drought-stressed plants, nitrogen-metabolizing enzyme activities of nitrogen reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) were diminished significantly (P≤0.05) along with decreased chlorophyll content and soluble proteins. However, drought-stressed plants under K application not only exhibited higher osmotic adjustment with greater accumulation of osmolytes but also regulated nitrogen metabolism by maintaining higher enzyme activities, soluble proteins, and chlorophyll content in functional leaves as compared to the plants without K application. Siza 3 showed better stability in enzyme activities and resulted in 89% higher seed cotton yield under K2 as compared to K0 in drought-stressed plants, whereas this increase was 53% in the case of Simian 3. The results of the study suggested that K application enhances cotton plants' potential for sustaining high nitrogen-metabolizing enzyme activities and related components to supplement osmotic adjustment under soil drought conditions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Contrasting soil microbial community functional structures in two major landscapes of the Tibetan alpine meadow

DOE PAGES

Chu, Houjuan; Wang, Shiping; Yue, Haowei; ...

2014-07-07

The grassland and shrubland are two major landscapes of the Tibetan alpine meadow, a region very sensitive to the impact of global warming and anthropogenic perturbation. Herein, we report a study showing that a majority of differences in soil microbial community functional structures, measured by a functional gene array named GeoChip 4.0, in two adjacent shrubland and grassland areas, were explainable by environmental properties, suggesting that the harsh environments in the alpine grassland rendered niche adaptation important. Furthermore, genes involved in labile carbon degradation were more abundant in the shrubland than those of the grassland but genes involved in recalcitrantmore » carbon degradation were less abundant, which was conducive to long-term carbon storage and sequestration in the shrubland despite low soil organic carbon content. In addition, genes of anerobic nitrogen cycling processes such as denitrification and dissimilatory nitrogen reduction were more abundant, shifting soil nitrogen cycling toward ammonium biosynthesis and consequently leading to higher soil ammonium contents. In conclusion, we also noted higher abundances of stress genes responsive to nitrogen limitation and oxygen limitation, which might be attributed to low total nitrogen and higher water contents in the shrubland. Together, these results provide mechanistic knowledge about microbial linkages to soil carbon and nitrogen storage and potential consequences of vegetation shifts in the Tibetan alpine meadow.« less

Magnetization enhancement due to incorporation of non-magnetic nitrogen content in (Co{sub 84}Zr{sub 16})N{sub x} nano-composite films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Jitendra, E-mail: jitendra@ceeri.ernet.in; Akhtar, Jamil; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi 110001

We report the magnetic, electronic, and structural properties of nano-composite (Co{sub 84}Zr{sub 16})N{sub x} or CZN films prepared by reactive co-sputter deposition method. As-deposited CZN films have shown enhancement in magnetization (M{sub s}) with incorporation of nitrogen content, which is related to the evolution of nano-composite phase. X-ray diffraction study has confirmed poly-crystalline growth of CZN films with fcc(331) and fcc(422) phases. High-resolution transmission electron microscope study reveals that CZN films are composed of ordered and crystalline ferromagnetic Co nano-clusters, which are embedded in the nano-composite matrix. Photoemission measurements show the change in the intensity near the Fermi level mostmore » likely due to defects and shift in the core-levels binding energy with nitrogen concentration. Raman spectroscopy data show an increase in the intensity of the Raman lines with nitrogen concentration upto 20%. However, the intensity is significantly lower for 30% sample. This indicates that less nitrogen or defect states are being substituted into the lattice above 20% and is consistent with the observed magnetic behavior. Our studies indicate that defects induced due to the incorporation of non-magnetic nitrogen content play a key role to enhance the magnetization.« less

Potential Energy Surfaces and Dynamics of High Energy Species

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-13

explored include ionic liquids and a range of high-nitrogen content and nitrogen-oxygen content species. Polyhedral oligomeric silisesquioxanes are...Approved for Public Release 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Several papers on ionic liquids have been published or submitted as a result of this...in energetic ionic liquids . These are variously substituted triazolium, tertazolium, and pentazolium cations. The heats of formation of all species

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gordon, John Howard

A method for removing sulfur, nitrogen or metals from an oil feedstock. The method involves reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and a radical capping substance. The alkali metal reacts with the metal, sulfur or nitrogen content to form one or more inorganic products and the radical capping substance reacts with the carbon and hydrogen content to form a hydrocarbon phase. The inorganic products may then be separated out from the hydrocarbon phase.

[Characteristics of soil microorganisms and soil nutrients in different sand-fixation shrub plantations in Kubuqi Desert, China].

PubMed

Zhang, Li-Xin; Duan, Yu Xi; Wang, Bo; Wang, Wei Feng; Li, Xiao Jing; Liu, Jin Jie

2017-12-01

Three types of sand-fixation shrub plantations, including Artemisia ordosica + Hedysarum fruticosum, Caragana korshinskii and Salix psammophila, were selected in the eastern area of Kubuqi Desert to study the changes in soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), quantities of soil microorganisms, contents of soil nutrients and the relations among these variables under the different plantation types and shifting sandy land. The restoration effects of each plantation type on soil quality were assessed by synthetic index method. The results showed that the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and phosphorus, and available nitrogen and phosphorus under different plantations were all significantly greater than those under shifting sandy land, and the order of increase was A. ordosica + H. fruticosum ＞ C. korshinskii ＞ S. psammophila. The soil nutrient contents decreased with the increase of soil depth under all plantation types. The quantities of soil microorganisms and the contents of soil MBC and MBN under the plantations were higher at different degrees than those under shifting sandy land. MBC, MBN and the relative numbers of bacteria under A. ordosica+H. fruticosum plantation were higher than those under C. korshinskii plantation and S. psammophila plantation. The relative numbers of fungi and actinobacteria decreased in the order of C. korshinskii ＞ S. psammophila ＞ A. ordosica + H. fruticosum. The relative number of bacteria, MBC and MBN under the plantations were mainly affected by the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, as well as C/N, and the relative numbers of actinobacteria and fungi were primarily affected by the contents of soil total phosphorus, available nitrogen and available phosphorus. Soil quality was ranked in the order of A. ordosica + H. fruticosum ＞ C. korshinskii ＞ S. psammophila ＞ shifting sandy land. These results demonstrated that different sand-fixation shrub plantations could improve the quality of the desert soil and the A. ordosica + H. fruticosum plantation was the best for soil restoration and quality improvement in the desert.

Preparation of nitrogen-doped biomass-derived carbon nanofibers/graphene aerogel as a binder-free electrode for high performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yimei; Wang, Fei; Zhu, Hao; Zhou, Lincheng; Zheng, Xinliang; Li, Xinghua; Chen, Zhuang; Wang, Yue; Zhang, Dandan; Pan, Duo

2017-12-01

Carbon materials derived from various biomasses have aroused forceful interest from scientific community based on their abundant resource, low cost, environment friendly and easy fabrication. Herein, the method has been developed to prepare nitrogen-doped biomass-derived carbon nanofibers/graphene aerogel (NCGA) as the binder-free electrode for supercapacitors. Ethylenediamine (EDA) is select as nitrogen source for its high nitrogen content and strong interaction with graphene oxide (GO) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) via hydrothermal self-assembly method to form hybrid hydrogel, and finally converts to NCGA by freeze-drying and carbonization. After carbonization the insulated CNFs converted to high conductivity carbon nanofibers. The NCGA electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 289 F g-1 at 5 mV s-1 and high stability of 90.5% capacitance retention ratio after 5000 cycles at 3 A g-1. This novel biomass electrode could be potential candidate for high performance supercapacitors.

Effect of lambda cyhalothrin on Calothrix sp. (GUEco 1001), an autochthonous cyanobacterium of rice fields of Brahmaputra floodplain.

PubMed

Gupta, Kiran; Baruah, P P

2015-12-01

Pesticide contamination in the rice fields has manifested into a serious global environmental concern. Application of pesticides in the rice fields has deleterious effects on non-target organisms including nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria which help to maintain the rice field fertility. In the present research endeavor, the effect of lambda cyhalothrin (5% EC), a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, has been studied on the growth and pigments content of Calothrix sp. (GUEco 1001), an indigenous strain isolated from rice grown areas of Brahmaputra floodplain. To study the toxic effect of lambda cyhalothrin, the test organism was exposed to varying concentrations of the insecticide i.e., 20 ppm, 40 ppm, 80 ppm, and 160 ppm based upon the determination of LC50 for a period of 20 days. The result obtained in the laboratory showed a progressive decrease in the growth and pigments content by the test organism with increasing concentrations of the lambda cyhalothrin against time dose-dependent manner. At high dose (160 ppm), the test organism showed significant decrease in dry weight biomass (54.5%), chlorophyll-a (68%), carotenoids (38%), phycocyanin (80%), and nitrogen contents (55%) over the control. A little but insignificant stimulatory effect on growth and chlorophyll-a contents was recorded in 20 ppm treatment of the insecticide that, however, was reversed in case of carotenoids and phycocyanin contents.

Nitrogen removal from natural gas using two types of membranes

DOEpatents

Baker, Richard W.; Lokhandwala, Kaaeid A.; Wijmans, Johannes G.; Da Costa, Andre R.

2003-10-07

A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen. The invention relies on two-stage membrane separation, using methane-selective membranes for the first stage and nitrogen-selective membranes for the second stage. The process enables the nitrogen content of the gas to be substantially reduced, without requiring the membranes to be operated at very low temperatures.

40 CFR 60.46b - Compliance and performance test methods and procedures for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... and procedures for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. 60.46b Section 60.46b Protection of... nitrogen oxides. (a) The PM emission standards and opacity limits under § 60.43b apply at all times except... oil having a nitrogen content greater than 0.30 weight percent shall determine compliance with the NOX...

40 CFR 60.46b - Compliance and performance test methods and procedures for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... and procedures for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. 60.46b Section 60.46b Protection of... nitrogen oxides. (a) The PM emission standards and opacity limits under § 60.43b apply at all times except... oil having a nitrogen content greater than 0.30 weight percent shall determine compliance with the NOX...

Estimating the leaf nitrogen content of paddy rice by using the combined reflectance and laser-induced fluorescence spectra.

PubMed

Yang, Jian; Du, Lin; Sun, Jia; Zhang, Zhenbing; Chen, Biwu; Shi, Shuo; Gong, Wei; Song, Shalei

2016-08-22

Paddy rice is one of the most important crops in China, and leaf nitrogen content (LNC) serves as a significant indictor for monitoring crop status. A reliable method is needed for precise and fast quantification of LNC. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technology and reflectance spectra of crops are widely used to monitor leaf biochemical content. However, comparison between the fluorescence and reflectance spectra has been rarely investigated in the monitoring of LNC. In this study, the performance of the fluorescence and reflectance spectra for LNC estimation was discussed based on principal component analysis (PCA) and back-propagation neural network (BPNN). The combination of fluorescence and reflectance spectra was also proposed to monitor paddy rice LNC. The fluorescence and reflectance spectra exhibited a high degree of multi-collinearity. About 95.38%, and 97.76% of the total variance included in the spectra were efficiently extracted by using the first three PCs in PCA. The BPNN was implemented for LNC prediction based on new variables calculated using PCA. The experimental results demonstrated that the fluorescence spectra (R² = 0.810, 0.804 for 2014 and 2015, respectively) are superior to the reflectance spectra (R² = 0.721, 0.671 for 2014 and 2015, respectively) for estimating LNC based on the PCA-BPNN model. The proposed combination of fluorescence and reflectance spectra can greatly improve the accuracy of LNC estimation (R² = 0.912, 0.890 for 2014 and 2015, respectively).

Diamond growth from oxidized carbon sources beneath the Northern Slave Craton, Canada: A δ 13C-N study of eclogite-hosted diamonds from the Jericho kimberlite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smart, Katie A.; Chacko, Thomas; Stachel, Thomas; Muehlenbachs, Karlis; Stern, Richard A.; Heaman, Larry M.

2011-10-01

Diamonds from high- and low-MgO groups of eclogite xenoliths from the Jericho kimberlite, Slave Craton, Canada were analyzed for carbon isotope compositions and nitrogen contents. Diamonds extracted from the two groups show remarkably different nitrogen abundances and δ 13C values. While diamonds from high-MgO eclogites have low nitrogen contents (5-82 ppm) and extremely low δ 13C values clustering at ˜-40‰, diamonds from the low-MgO eclogites have high nitrogen contents (>1200 ppm) and δ 13C values from -3.5‰ to -5.3‰. Coupled cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging and SIMS analysis of the Jericho diamonds provides insight into diamond growth processes. Diamonds from the high-MgO eclogites display little CL structure and generally have constant δ 13C values and nitrogen contents. Some of these diamonds have secondary rims with increasing δ 13C values from -40‰ to ˜-34‰, which suggests secondary diamond growth occurred from an oxidized growth medium. The extreme negative δ 13C values of the high-MgO eclogite diamonds cannot be produced by Rayleigh isotopic fractionation of average mantle-derived carbon (-5‰) or carbon derived from typical organic matter (˜-25‰). However, excursions in δ 13C values to -60‰ are known in the organic sedimentary record at ca. 2.7 and 2.0 Ga, such that diamonds from the high-MgO eclogites could have formed from similar organic matter brought into the Slave lithospheric mantle by subduction. SIMS analyses of a diamond from a low-MgO eclogite show an outer core with systematic rimwards increases in δ 13C values coupled with decreases in nitrogen contents, and a rim with pronounced alternating growth zones. The coupled δ 13C-nitrogen data suggest that the diamond precipitated during fractional crystallization from an oxidized fluid/melt from which nitrogen was progressively depleted during growth. Model calculations of the co-variation of δ 13C-N yielded a partition coefficient ( KN) value of 5, indicating that nitrogen is strongly compatible in diamond relative to the growth medium. δ 13C values of diamond cores (-4‰) dictate the growth medium had higher δ 13C values than primary mantle-derived carbon. Therefore, possible carbon sources for the low-MgO eclogite diamonds include oxidized mantle-derived (e.g. protokimberlite or carbonatite) fluids/melts that underwent some fractionation during migration or, devolatilized subducted carbonates.

Seed and Foliar Application of Amino Acids Improve Variables of Nitrogen Metabolism and Productivity in Soybean Crop.

PubMed

Teixeira, Walquíria F; Fagan, Evandro B; Soares, Luis H; Soares, Jérssica N; Reichardt, Klaus; Neto, Durval D

2018-01-01

The application of amino acids in crops has been a common practice in recent years, although most of the time they are associated with products based on algae extracts or on fermented animal or vegetable wastes. However, little is known about the isolated effect of amino acids on the development of crops. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the application of isolated amino acids on the in some steps of the soybean nitrogen metabolism and on productivity. Experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in the field with the application of the amino acids glutamate (Glu), phenylalanine (Phe), cysteine (Cys) and glycine (Gly) and as a set (Glu+Phe+Cys+Gly), as seed treatment (ST), as foliar application (FA) and both (ST+FA), at the V 4 growth stage. Evaluations consisted of nitrate reductase and urease activities, nitrate, ureide, total amino acids and total nitrogen content in leaves, and productivity. The application of Glu to leaves, Cys as ST and a mixture of Glu+Cys+Phe+Gly as ST+FA in the greenhouse experiment increased the total amino acids content. In the field experiment all treatments increased the amino acid content in leaves. At the V 6 stage in the field experiment, all modes of Gly application, Glu as ST and FA, Cys and Phe as ST+FA and Glu+Cys+Phe+Gly as FA increased the nitrate content in leaves. In the greenhouse, application of Cys and Phe as ST increased the production of soybean plants by at least 21%. The isolated application of Cys, Phe, Gly, Glu and the set of these amino acids as ST increased the productivity of soybean plants in the field experiment by at least 22%.

Seed and Foliar Application of Amino Acids Improve Variables of Nitrogen Metabolism and Productivity in Soybean Crop

PubMed Central

Teixeira, Walquíria F.; Fagan, Evandro B.; Soares, Luis H.; Soares, Jérssica N.; Reichardt, Klaus; Neto, Durval D.

2018-01-01

The application of amino acids in crops has been a common practice in recent years, although most of the time they are associated with products based on algae extracts or on fermented animal or vegetable wastes. However, little is known about the isolated effect of amino acids on the development of crops. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the application of isolated amino acids on the in some steps of the soybean nitrogen metabolism and on productivity. Experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in the field with the application of the amino acids glutamate (Glu), phenylalanine (Phe), cysteine (Cys) and glycine (Gly) and as a set (Glu+Phe+Cys+Gly), as seed treatment (ST), as foliar application (FA) and both (ST+FA), at the V4 growth stage. Evaluations consisted of nitrate reductase and urease activities, nitrate, ureide, total amino acids and total nitrogen content in leaves, and productivity. The application of Glu to leaves, Cys as ST and a mixture of Glu+Cys+Phe+Gly as ST+FA in the greenhouse experiment increased the total amino acids content. In the field experiment all treatments increased the amino acid content in leaves. At the V6 stage in the field experiment, all modes of Gly application, Glu as ST and FA, Cys and Phe as ST+FA and Glu+Cys+Phe+Gly as FA increased the nitrate content in leaves. In the greenhouse, application of Cys and Phe as ST increased the production of soybean plants by at least 21%. The isolated application of Cys, Phe, Gly, Glu and the set of these amino acids as ST increased the productivity of soybean plants in the field experiment by at least 22%. PMID:29643860

The influences of four types of soil on the growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Lycoris aurea (L’ Her.) Herb

PubMed Central

Quan, Miaohua; Liang, Juan

2017-01-01

Based on the characteristics of Lycoris aurea (L. aurea) natural distribution and local soil types, we selected four representative types of soil, including humus soil, sandy soil, garden soil and yellow-brown soil, for conducting the cultivation experiments to investigate key soil factors influencing its growth and development and to select the soil types suitable for cultivating it. We found that there existed significant differences in the contents of mineral elements and the activities of soil enzymes (urease, phosphatase, sucrase and catalase) etc. Among which, the contents of organic matters, alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, Ca and Mg as well as the activities of soil enzymes in humus soil were the highest ones. In yellow-brown soil, except for Fe, the values of all the other items were the lowest ones. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn), biomass and lycorine content in humus soil were all the highest ones, which were increased by 31.02, 69.39 and 55.79%, respectively, as compared to those of yellow-brown soil. Stepwise multiple regression analysis and path analysis indicated that alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, and Ca etc. were key soil factors influencing Pn, biomass and lycorine content of L. aurea. Thus, humus soil can be used as medium suitable for artificial cultivation of L. aurea. PMID:28240308

Comparison of APSIM and DNDC simulations of nitrogen transformations and N2O emissions.

PubMed

Vogeler, I; Giltrap, D; Cichota, R

2013-11-01

Various models have been developed to better understand nitrogen (N) cycling in soils, which is governed by a complex interaction of physical, chemical and biological factors. Two process-based models, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) and DeNitrification DeComposition (DNDC), were used to simulate nitrification, denitrification and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soils following N input from either fertiliser or excreta deposition. The effect of environmental conditions on N transformations as simulated by the two different models was compared. Temperature had a larger effect in APSIM on nitrification, whereas in DNDC, water content produced a larger response. In contrast, simulated denitrification showed a larger response to temperature and also organic carbon content in DNDC. And while denitrification in DNDC is triggered by rainfall ≥5mm/h, in APSIM, the driving factor is soil water content, with a trigger point at water content at field capacity. The two models also showed different responses to N load, with nearly linearly increasing N2O emission rates with N load simulated by DNDC, and a lower rate by APSIM. Increasing rainfall intensity decreased APSIM-simulated N2O emissions but increased those simulated by DNDC. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influences of four types of soil on the growth, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Lycoris aurea (L' Her.) Herb.

PubMed

Quan, Miaohua; Liang, Juan

2017-02-27

Based on the characteristics of Lycoris aurea (L. aurea) natural distribution and local soil types, we selected four representative types of soil, including humus soil, sandy soil, garden soil and yellow-brown soil, for conducting the cultivation experiments to investigate key soil factors influencing its growth and development and to select the soil types suitable for cultivating it. We found that there existed significant differences in the contents of mineral elements and the activities of soil enzymes (urease, phosphatase, sucrase and catalase) etc. Among which, the contents of organic matters, alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, Ca and Mg as well as the activities of soil enzymes in humus soil were the highest ones. In yellow-brown soil, except for Fe, the values of all the other items were the lowest ones. Net photosynthetic rate (P n ), biomass and lycorine content in humus soil were all the highest ones, which were increased by 31.02, 69.39 and 55.79%, respectively, as compared to those of yellow-brown soil. Stepwise multiple regression analysis and path analysis indicated that alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, and Ca etc. were key soil factors influencing P n , biomass and lycorine content of L. aurea. Thus, humus soil can be used as medium suitable for artificial cultivation of L. aurea.

Development of advanced high strength tantalum base alloys. Part 1: Screening investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buckman, R. W., Jr.

1971-01-01

Five experimental tantalum alloy compositions containing 13-18% W+Re+Hf solid solution solute additions with dispersed phase strengthening achieved by carbon or nitrogen additions were prepared as 1.4 inch diameter ingot processed to 3/8 inch diameter rod and evaluated. Elevated temperature tensile and creep strength increased monotonically with increasing solute content. Room temperature elongation decreased for 20% to less than 2% as the solute content was increased above 16%. Phase identification indicated that the precipitating phase in the carbide containing alloys was Ta2C.

[Effects of nitrogen management on yield, quality, nitrogen accumulation and its transportation of watermelon in gravel-mulched field].

PubMed

Ma, Zhong-ming; Du, Shao-ping; Xue, Liang

2015-11-01

The effects of nitrogen management on yield, quality, nitrogen and dry matter accumulation and transportation of watermelon in sand field were studied based on a field experiment. The results showed that too low or too high basal nitrogen fertilzation was unfavorable to seedling growth of watermelon in sand field, and no nitrogen application at vine extension or fruiting stages limited the formation of 'source' or 'sink'. At the same nitrogen rate, compared with the traditional T1 treatment (30% basal N fertilizer + 70% N fertilizer in vine extension), the nitrogen and dry matter accumulation of vegetative organs of T4 treatment (30% basal N fertilizer + 30% N fertilizer in vine extension + 40% N fertilizer in fruiting) and T6 treatment (100% basal N fertilizer + NAM) were reduced significantly, but the nitrogen and dry matter accumulation of fruit were increased significantly in the flushing period. The nitrogen transportation ratio and nitrogen contribution ratio of T4 were 33.6% and 12.0%, respectively. Compared to T1, the nitrogen harvest index, nitrogen fertilizer partial factor productivity and nitrogen fertilizer recovery efficiency of T4 and T6 treatments increased by 14.1% and 12.7%, 11.6% and 12.5%, 5.3% and 8.7%, respectively, and yield of watermelon increased by 11.6% and 12.5%, the soluble sugar, effective acid, the ratio of sugar and acid, Vc content increased by 16.5% and 11.7%, 4.5% and 2.8%, 19.4% and 13.4%, 35.6% and 19.0%, respectively. Therefore, T4 and T6 treatments were the optimal nitrogen fertilizer management mode which could not only achieve high yield and quality but also obtain high nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency in sand field. T6 treatment was the best nitrogen fertilizer management mode considering reduction of fertilizing labor intensity and extending service time of gravel-mulched field.

[Development and test of a wheat chlorophyll, nitrogen and water content meter].

PubMed

Yu, Bo; Sun, Ming; Han, Shu-Qing; Xia, Jin-Wen

2011-08-01

A portable meter was developed which can detect chlorophyll, nitrogen and moisture content of wheat leaf simultaneously, and can supply enough data for guiding fertilization and irrigation. This meter is composed of light path and electronic circuit. And this meter uses 660, 940 and 1450 nm LED together with narrow band filters as the active light source. The hardware circuit consists of micro-controller, LED drive circuit, detector, communication circuit, keyboard and LCD circuit. The meter was tested in the field and performed well with good repeatability and accuracy. The relative errors of chlorophyll and nitrogen test were about 10%, relative error for water content was 4%. The coefficients of variation of the three indices were all below 1.5%. All of these prove that the meter can be applied under the field condition to guide the wheat production.

[Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of shrubland plants in the rocky desertification area of Southwestern Hunan, China.

PubMed

Jing, Yi Ran; Deng, Xiang Wen; Wei, Hui; Li, Yan Qiong; Deng, Dong Hua; Liu, Hao Jian; Xiang, Wen Hua

2017-02-01

In this paper, we took the leaves of shrubland plants in rocky desertification area in Southwestern Hunan as the research object to analyze the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry characteristics for different functional groups and different grades of rocky desertification, i.e., light rocky desertification (LRD), moderate rocky desertification (MRD) and intense rocky desertification (IRD). The results showed that the average contents of N and P were 12.89 and 1.19 g·kg -1 , respectively, and N/P was 11.24 in common shrubland plants in the study area, which indicated that the growth of most plants were mainly limited by N. The content of N was declined in order of deciduous shrubs > evergreen shrubs > annual herbs > perennial herbs. The content of P and N/P were higher in deciduous shrubs than in perennial herbs. Significant differences were found among the main families of plants in terms of the contents of N, P and N/P in the study sites. The plants of Gramineae had the lowest contents of N and P, andtheir growth was mostly restricted by N, while Leguminosae had the highest content of N and N/P, and their productivity was majorly controlled by P. The contents of N and P in the leaves were significantly higher in dicotyledon plants and C3 plants than in monocotyledon plants and C4 plants, but the N/P was not significantly diffe-rent between these two plant categories. The nitrogen-fixing plants had higher content of N and N/P than the non-nitrogen-fixing plants, but the P content was not significantly different between these two plant groups. There were significant correlations between contents of N and P, N/P and N in all study plots. No significant correlation was found between N/P and P content in the examined rocky desertification sites, except for that in MRD. There were no significant differences of the contents of N, P and N/P under different grades of rocky desertification.

Method of removing nitrogen monoxide from a nitrogen monoxide-containing gas using a water-soluble iron ion-dithiocarbamate, xanthate or thioxanthate

DOEpatents

Liu, D. Kwok-Keung; Chang, Shih-Ger

1987-08-25

The present invention relates to a method of removing of nitrogen monoxide from a nitrogen monoxide-containing gas which method comprises contacting a nitrogen oxide-containing gas with an aqueous solution of water soluble organic compound-iron ion chelate complex. The NO absorption efficiency of ferrous urea-dithiocarbamate and ferrous diethanolamine-xanthate as a function of time, oxygen content and solution ph is presented. 3 figs., 1 tab.

[Effects of nitrogen-supply levels on leaf senescence and characteristics of distribution and utilization of 13C and 15N in Fuji 3 apple grafted on different stocks].

PubMed

Chen, Qian; Ding, Ning; Zhu, Zhan Ling; Peng, Ling; Ge, Shun Feng; Jiang, Yuan Mao

2017-07-18

Two-year-old potted Fuji 3 apple trees on different rootstocks [Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin (joe), Fuji 3/M7 (semi-dwarf) and Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin (dwarf)] were used to study leaf morphology and photosynthesis and the characteristics of distribution and utilization of 13 C and 15 N at different nitrogen supply levels (0N, 25%N and 100%N, the N content in 100% N treatment was the same as that in Hoagland complete nutrient solution) under sand culture condition. The main results were as follows: At shoot growth cessation stage in autumn, the leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic rate were found the highest in Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin, followed by Fuji 3/M7, and the lowest was found in Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin under the same nitrogen stress treatments (0N and 25%N), however, under normal nitrogen treatment (100%N) Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin had the highest leaf SPAD value, photosynthetic rate and the nitrogen content, followed by Fuji 3/M7, and the lowest was found in Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin. The leaf SOD and CAT activities showed Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin > Fuji 3/M7 > Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin under the same nitrogen stress treatments, but showed Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin > Fuji 3/M7 > Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin under the normal nitrogen treatment. There were significant differences in the distributions of 15 N and 13 C in root and leaf in the 3 scion-stock combinations, and the distribution rates of 15 N and 13 C in roots were the highest under nitrogen stress treatments and in the order of Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin > Fuji 3/M7 > Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin. The distribution rates of 15 N and 13 C in leaves were the highest under the normal nitrogen treatment and in the order of Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin > Fuji 3/M7 > Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin. The 15 N utilization ratio differed significantly among the 3 scion-stock combinations under different nitrogen application levels and was in the order of Fuji 3/M. micromalus Makin (44.3%, 37.5% and 31.4%)> Fuji 3/M7 (38.8%,30.7% and 26.6%) > Fuji 3/M26/M. micromalus Makin (32.0%,27.2% and 22.5%).

Tri-Party Underground Symbiosis between a Weevil, Bacteria and a Desert Plant

PubMed Central

Shelef, Oren; Helman, Yael; Friedman, Ariel-Leib-Leonid; Behar, Adi; Rachmilevitch, Shimon

2013-01-01

Inhabitants of arid ecosystems face severe nitrogen and water limitations. Inventive adaptations by organisms occupying such habitats are essential for survival. This study describes a tri-party symbiotic interaction between a plant (Salsola inermis), a beetle (Conorhynchus pistor), and a bacterium (Klebsiella pneumonia). The weevil survives by living within a mud structure affixed to the plant roots, thus benefiting from increased carbon and water, and refuge from predators and parasites. Active nitrogen-fixing bacteria harbored within the weevil's gut mediate this interaction, by supplying nitrogen to the system, which eventually promotes seed development. We studied the correlation between the weevil's existence and (i) root carbon and nitrogen content, (ii) soil water content and (iii) seed weight. Roots hosting weevils contained more nitrogen, heavier seeds and less carbon. In addition, water content was higher around the roots than in open spaces a short distance from the plant stem. Bacterial studies and nitrogen-fixation analyses, including molecular and chemical assays, indicated atmospheric nitrogen fixation in the larval stage and identified the bacterium. The coexistence of weevil and bacterial behavior coinciding with the plant's life cycle was revealed here by a long period of field observations. Out of over 60,000 known weevils, this is the only report of a weevil living most of its life underground without harming plants. The unique tri-party interaction described herein shows the important ecological role of desert plant roots and provides an example of a sustainable consortium of living organisms coping with the challenging desert environment. PMID:24244267

Bacterial secondary production on vascular plant detritus: relationships to detritus composition and degradation rate.

PubMed Central

Moran, M A; Hodson, R E

1989-01-01

Bacterial production at the expense of vascular plant detritus was measured for three emergent plant species (Juncus effusus, Panicum hemitomon, and Typha latifolia) degrading in the littoral zone of a thermally impacted lake. Bacterial secondary production, measured as tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA, ranged from 0.01 to 0.81 microgram of bacterial C mg of detritus-1 day-1. The three plant species differed with respect to the amount of bacterial productivity they supported per milligram of detritus, in accordance with the predicted biodegradability of the plant material based on initial nitrogen content, lignin content, and C/N ratio. Bacterial production also varied throughout the 22 weeks of in situ decomposition and was positively related to the nitrogen content and lignin content of the remaining detritus, as well as to the temperature of the lake water. Over time, production was negatively related to the C/N ratio and cellulose content of the degrading plant material. Bacterial production on degrading plant material was also calculated on the basis of plant surface area and ranged from 0.17 to 1.98 micrograms of bacterial C cm-2 day-1. Surface area-based calculations did not correlate well with either initial plant composition or changing composition of the remaining detritus during decomposition. The rate of bacterial detritus degradation, calculated from measured production of surface-attached bacteria, was much lower than the actual rate of weight loss of plant material. This discrepancy may be attributable to the importance of nonbacterial organisms in the degradation and loss of plant material from litterbags or to the microbially mediated solubilization of particulate material prior to bacterial utilization, or both. PMID:2802603

Superior triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in starchless mutants of Scenedesmus obliquus: (I) mutant generation and characterization

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Microalgae are a promising platform for producing neutral lipids, to be used in the application for biofuels or commodities in the feed and food industry. A very promising candidate is the oleaginous green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus, because it accumulates up to 45% w/w triacylglycerol (TAG) under nitrogen starvation. Under these conditions, starch is accumulated as well. Starch can amount up to 38% w/w under nitrogen starvation, which is a substantial part of the total carbon captured. When aiming for optimized TAG production, blocking the formation of starch could potentially increase carbon allocation towards TAG. In an attempt to increase TAG content, productivity and yield, starchless mutants of this high potential strain were generated using UV mutagenesis. Previous studies in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have shown that blocking the starch synthesis yields higher TAG contents, although these TAG contents do not surpass those of oleaginous microalgae yet. So far no starchless mutants in oleaginous green microalgae have been isolated that result in higher TAG productivities. Results Five starchless mutants have been isolated successfully from over 3,500 mutants. The effect of the mutation on biomass and total fatty acid (TFA) and TAG productivity under nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-depleted conditions was studied. All five starchless mutants showed a decreased or completely absent starch content. In parallel, an increased TAG accumulation rate was observed for the starchless mutants and no substantial decrease in biomass productivity was perceived. The most promising mutant showed an increase in TFA productivity of 41% at 4 days after nitrogen depletion, reached a TAG content of 49.4% (% of dry weight) and had no substantial change in biomass productivity compared to the wild type. Conclusions The improved S. obliquus TAG production strains are the first starchless mutants in an oleaginous green microalga that show enhanced TAG content under photoautotrophic conditions. These results can pave the way towards a more feasible microalgae-driven TAG production platform. PMID:24920957

Near-infrared reflectance models for the rapid prediction of quality of brewing raw materials.

PubMed

Marte, Luisa; Belloni, Paolo; Genorini, Emiliano; Sileoni, Valeria; Perretti, Giuseppe; Montanari, Luigi; Marconi, Ombretta

2009-01-28

Calibration models for quickly and reliably predicting moisture content and total nitrogen, both "as is" and "dry matter" on malt, as well as moisture content and total lipids, both "as is" and "dry matter", on maize by means of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were developed. The FT-NIR spectra recorded on the finely ground cereals were correlated to the analytical data by means of the multivariate PLS algorithm. In particular, these models were developed on the raw materials, which are used by the main Italian brewing industries. Validation was carried out both by means of cross-validation and test set validation. Regression coefficients (R(2)) were higher than 97 for both malt and maize moisture content and higher than 85 and 88 for malt total nitrogen and maize total lipids, respectively. The RMSE values (both RMSECV and RMSEP) were lower than 0.1% m/m for both malt and maize moisture contents, whereas they ranged from 0.024 to 0.042% m/m for malt total nitrogen and from 0.042 to 0.055% m/m for maize total lipids. Repeatability was tested by taking into account more than one sample for each calibration and compared, when possible, to those of the standard methods. Repeatability (r(95)) ranged from 0.060 to 0.158% m/m and from 0.020 to 0.055% m/m for malt moisture and total nitrogen contents, respectively, and from 0.094 to 0.160% m/m and from 0.076 to 0.208% m/m for maize moisture and total lipids contents, respectively.

Photocurrent generation in carbon nitride and carbon nitride/conjugated polymer composites.

PubMed

Byers, Joshua C; Billon, Florence; Debiemme-Chouvy, Catherine; Deslouis, Claude; Pailleret, Alain; Semenikhin, Oleg A

2012-09-26

The semiconductor and photovoltaic properties of carbon nitride (CNx) thin films prepared using a reactive magnetron cathodic sputtering technique were investigated both individually and as composites with an organic conjugated polymer, poly(2,2'-bithiophene) (PBT). The CNx films showed an increasing thickness as the deposition power and/or nitrogen content in the gas mixture increase. At low nitrogen content and low deposition power (25-50 W), the film structure was dominated by the abundance of the graphitic sp(2) regions, whereas at higher nitrogen contents and magnetron power CNx films started to demonstrate semiconductor properties, as evidenced by the occurrence of photoconductivity and the development of a space charge region. However, CNx films alone did not show any reproducible photovoltaic properties. The situation changed, however, when CNx was deposited onto conjugated PBT substrates. In this configuration, CNx was found to function as an acceptor material improving the photocurrent generation both in solution and in solid state photovoltaic devices, with the external quantum efficiencies reaching 1% at high nitrogen contents. The occurrence of the donor-acceptor charge transfer was further evidenced by suppression of the n-doping of the PBT polymer by CNx. Nanoscale atomic force microscopy (AFM) and current-sensing AFM data suggested that CNx may form a bulk heterojunction with PBT.

Chemical Modification of Graphene Oxide by Nitrogenation: An X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy Study

DOE PAGES

Chuang, Cheng-Hao; Ray, Sekhar C.; Mazumder, Debarati; ...

2017-02-10

Nitrogen-doped graphene oxides (GO:N x) were synthesized by a partial reduction of graphene oxide (GO) using urea [CO(NH 2) 2 ]. Their electronic/bonding structures were investigated using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), valence-band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). During GO:N x synthesis, different nitrogen-bonding species, such as pyrrolic/graphitic-nitrogen, were formed by replacing of oxygen-containing functional groups. At lower N-content (2.7 at%), pyrrolic-N, owing to surface and subsurface diffusion of C, N and NH is deduced from various X-ray spectroscopies. In contrast, at higher N-content (5.0 at%) graphitic nitrogen was formed in whichmore » each N-atom trigonally bonds to three distinct sp 2 -hybridized carbons with substitution of the N-atoms for C atoms in the graphite layer. Upon nitrogen substitution, the total density of state close to Fermi level is increased to raise the valence-band maximum, as revealed by VB-PES spectra, indicating an electron donation from nitrogen, molecular bonding C/N/O coordination or/and lattice structure reorganization in GO:N x . The well-ordered chemical environments induced by nitrogen dopant are revealed by XANES and RIXS measurements.« less

A carnivorous sundew plant prefers protein over chitin as a source of nitrogen from its traps.

PubMed

Pavlovič, Andrej; Krausko, Miroslav; Adamec, Lubomír

2016-07-01

Carnivorous plants have evolved in nutrient-poor wetland habitats. They capture arthropod prey, which is an additional source of plant growth limiting nutrients. One of them is nitrogen, which occurs in the form of chitin and proteins in prey carcasses. In this study, the nutritional value of chitin and protein and their digestion traits in the carnivorous sundew Drosera capensis L. were estimated using stable nitrogen isotope abundance. Plants fed on chitin derived 49% of the leaf nitrogen from chitin, while those fed on the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) derived 70% of its leaf nitrogen from this. Moreover, leaf nitrogen content doubled in protein-fed in comparison to chitin-fed plants indicating that the proteins were digested more effectively in comparison to chitin and resulted in significantly higher chlorophyll contents. The surplus chlorophyll and absorbed nitrogen from the protein digestion were incorporated into photosynthetic proteins - the light harvesting antennae of photosystem II. The incorporation of insect nitrogen into the plant photosynthetic apparatus may explain the increased rate of photosynthesis and plant growth after feeding. This general response in many genera of carnivorous plants has been reported in many previous studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical Modification of Graphene Oxide by Nitrogenation: An X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Cheng-Hao; Ray, Sekhar C.; Mazumder, Debarati; Sharma, Surbhi; Ganguly, Abhijit; Papakonstantinou, Pagona; Chiou, Jau-Wern; Tsai, Huang-Ming; Shiu, Hung-Wei; Chen, Chia-Hao; Lin, Hong-Ji; Guo, Jinghua; Pong, Way-Faung

2017-02-01

Nitrogen-doped graphene oxides (GO:Nx) were synthesized by a partial reduction of graphene oxide (GO) using urea [CO(NH2)2]. Their electronic/bonding structures were investigated using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), valence-band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES), X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). During GO:Nx synthesis, different nitrogen-bonding species, such as pyrrolic/graphitic-nitrogen, were formed by replacing of oxygen-containing functional groups. At lower N-content (2.7 at%), pyrrolic-N, owing to surface and subsurface diffusion of C, N and NH is deduced from various X-ray spectroscopies. In contrast, at higher N-content (5.0 at%) graphitic nitrogen was formed in which each N-atom trigonally bonds to three distinct sp2-hybridized carbons with substitution of the N-atoms for C atoms in the graphite layer. Upon nitrogen substitution, the total density of state close to Fermi level is increased to raise the valence-band maximum, as revealed by VB-PES spectra, indicating an electron donation from nitrogen, molecular bonding C/N/O coordination or/and lattice structure reorganization in GO:Nx. The well-ordered chemical environments induced by nitrogen dopant are revealed by XANES and RIXS measurements.

Influence of Secondary Cyclic Hardening on the Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Nitrogen Alloyed 316LN Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad Reddy, G. V.; Sandhya, R.; Mathew, M. D.; Sankaran, S.

2013-12-01

In this article, the occurrence of secondary cyclic hardening (SCH) and its effect on high-temperature cyclic deformation and fatigue life of 316LN Stainless steel are presented. SCH is found to result from planar slip mode of deformation and enhance the degree of hardening over and above that resulted from dynamic strain aging. The occurrence of SCH is strongly governed by the applied strain amplitude, test temperature, and the nitrogen content in the 316LN SS. Under certain test conditions, SCH is noticed to decrease the low cycle fatigue life with the increasing nitrogen content.

[Spatial variability of surface soil nutrients in the landslide area of Beichuan County, South- west China, after 5 · 12 Wenchuan Earthquake].

PubMed

Mai, Ji-shan; Zhao, Ting-ning; Zheng, Jiang-kun; Shi, Chang-qing

2015-12-01

Based on grid sampling and laboratory analysis, spatial variability of surface soil nutrients was analyzed with GS⁺ and other statistics methods on the landslide area of Fenghuang Mountain, Leigu Town, Beichuan County. The results showed that except for high variability of available phosphorus, other soil nutrients exhibited moderate variability. The ratios of nugget to sill of the soil available phosphorus and soil organic carbon were 27.9% and 28.8%, respectively, showing moderate spatial correlation, while the ratios of nugget to sill of the total nitrogen (20.0%), total phosphorus (24.3%), total potassium (11.1%), available nitrogen (11.2%), and available potassium (22.7%) suggested strong spatial correlation. The total phosphorus had the maximum range (1232.7 m), followed by available nitrogen (541.27 m), total nitrogen (468.35 m), total potassium (136.0 m), available potassium (128.7 m), available phosphorus (116.6 m), and soil organic carbon (93.5 m). Soil nutrients had no significant variation with the increase of altitude, but gradually increased from the landslide area, the transition area, to the little-impacted area. The total and available phosphorus contents of the landslide area decreased by 10.3% and 79.7% compared to that of the little-impacted area, respectively. The soil nutrient contents in the transition area accounted for 31.1%-87.2% of that of the little-impacted area, with the nant reason for the spatial variability of surface soil nutrients.

Decomposition rate of peat-forming plants in the oligotrophic peatland at the first stages of destruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikonova, L. G.; Golovatskaya, E. A.; Terechshenko, N. N.

2018-03-01

The research presents quantitative estimates of the decomposition rate of plant residues at the initial stages of the decay of two plant species (Eriophorum vaginatum and Sphagnum fuscum) in a peat deposit of the oligotrophic bog in the southern taiga subzone of Western Siberia. We also studied a change in the content of total carbon and nitrogen in plant residues and the activity of microflora in the initial stages of decomposition. At the initial stage of the transformation process of peat-forming plants the losses of mass of Sph. fuscum is 2.5 times lower then E. vaginatum. The most active mass losses, as well as a decrease in the total carbon content, is observed after four months of the experiment. The most active carbon removal is characteristic for E. vaginatum. During the decomposition of plant residues, the nitrogen content decreases, and the most intense nitrogen losses were characteristic for Sph. fuscum. The microorganisms assimilating organic and mineral nitrogen are more active in August, the oligotrophic and cellulolytic microorganisms – in July.

Structural analysis of the wheat genes encoding NADH-dependent glutamine-2-oxoglutarate amidotransferases genes and correlation with grain protein content

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Nitrogen uptake and the efficient absorption and metabolism of nitrogen are essential elements in attempts to breed improved cereal cultivars for grain or silage production. One of the enzymes related to nitrogen metabolism is glutamine-2-oxoglutarate amidotransferase (GOGAT). Together with glutami...

Five Years of Nitrogen Fertilization in a Sweetgum-Oak Stand

Treesearch

W. M. Broadfoot

1966-01-01

Diameter and height growth were significantly increased in a 20-year-old sweetgum-oak stand by annual surface application of ammonium nitrate and of complete N-P-K fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the nitrogen content of foliage. With increasing nitrate application, exchangeable potassium in the soil 1 year after treatment decreased.

Effects of different nitrogen levels on the leaf chlorophyll content nutrient concentration and nutrient uptake pattern of blackgram.

PubMed

Kulsum, M U; Baque, M A; Karim, M A

2007-01-15

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of blackgram (Vigna mungo L) under various levels of nitrogen at the Agronomy Research Site of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University during March to June 2002. Two varieties of blackgram--BARI mash 3 and BINA mash 1 and six levels of nitrogen viz. 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg N ha(-1) were the treatment variables. The experiment was laid out in a RCB Design with three replications. A best-fit positive linear relationship existed between leaf chlorophyll and leaf nitrogen content with different nitrogen levels. Unexpectedly the N, P and K accumulation in the two varieties was not affected significantly. However, there was an increasing tendency of total uptake of these elements in both the varieties. N, P and K uptake increased up to 60 kg N ha(-1) then decreased with the increasing nitrogen levels. Among the varieties BARI mash 3 showed better performance than BINA mash 1 for most of the parameters.

Elicitor and nitrogen applications to Garnacha, Graciano and Tempranillo vines: effect on grape amino acid composition.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Gamboa, Gastón; Portu, Javier; López, Rosa; Santamaría, Pilar; Garde-Cerdán, Teresa

2018-04-01

Elicitors and nitrogen foliar applications to vineyards could regulate grape nitrogen composition, which has an important effect on grape and wine quality. Thus the aim of this research was to study the effect of foliar elicitor treatments, methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and yeast extract (YE), and foliar nitrogen applications, urea (Ur) and phenylalanine (Phe), to Garnacha, Graciano and Tempranillo vines on grape amino acid composition. The results showed that elicitor and nitrogen foliar applications to Garnacha and Tempranillo grapevines decreased the must amino acid concentration. However, Phe application to these two grapevines increased the must Phe content. The treatments applied to Graciano grapevines barely effected the grape amino acid content. According to the percentage of variance attributable, the variety had a higher impact on the must amino acid composition than the treatments and their interaction, except in certain amino acids such as Phe. The influence of elicitor and nitrogen foliar applications to grapevines on grape amino acid concentration was strongly conditioned by the variety. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ultrafast microwave-assisted synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbons as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction.

PubMed

Xu, Jingjing; Zhang, Ruifang; Lu, Shiyao; Liu, Huan; Li, Zhaoyang; Zhang, Xinyu; Ding, Shujiang

2018-07-27

A facile and ultrafast microwave-assisted thermolysis approach has been adopted to synthesize hierarchical nitrogen-doped carbon within a very short time. The precursor PANI@carbon felt composite was pyrolyzed in microwave oven for different time (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 s) and denoted as NC-X (X = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50). As for NC-30, nitrogen-doping content is obtained up to 3.62 at% with striking enrichment of pyridinic N as high as 45% of the total nitrogen content. Raman analysis indicates the extent graphitization level for the resultant NC-30 and the relative intensity I D /I G was 1.26. High nitrogen-doping content and graphitization level provide effective active sites and efficient electron transfer channel. The resultant NC-30 exhibits pronounced ORR activity with an onset potential of 0.94 V (versus RHE), half-wave potential of 0.80 V and diffusion limiting current density of -5.23 mA cm -2 , comparable to those of the commercial Pt/C. It also shows enhanced stability with current retention of 98.3% over 7.5 h as well as superior tolerance against methanol. The simple preparation and excellent ORR performance of NC-30 suggest its promising practical application.

[Nitrous compound content in the tissues of the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum of rats after a flight on the Kosmos-1129 biosatellite].

PubMed

Kurkina, L M; Tigranian, R A

1982-01-01

The content of ammonia, glutamine, urea, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and GABA was measured to study nitrogen metabolism. Soon after recovery (6-10 hours after recovery) the content of the above compounds in brain tissues increased, except for GABA whose content decreased. Similar but more marked changes were seen in the brain of control rats exposed to a repeated immobilization stress-effect. These changes were still greater in the flight rats exposed to a repeated immobilization stress-effect postflight. It is suggested that the postflight changes of the above parameters of nitrogen metabolism are induced by stress-agents inherent in space flight and recovery.

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen on the Growth and Production of Domoic Acid by Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries and P. australis (Bacillariophyceae) in Culture.

PubMed

Martin-Jézéquel, Véronique; Calu, Guillaume; Candela, Leo; Amzil, Zouher; Jauffrais, Thierry; Séchet, Véronique; Weigel, Pierre

2015-11-26

Over the last century, human activities have altered the global nitrogen cycle, and anthropogenic inputs of both inorganic and organic nitrogen species have increased around the world, causing significant changes to the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The increasing frequency of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in estuarine and coastal waters reinforces the need to understand better the environmental control of its growth and domoic acid (DA) production. Here, we document Pseudo-nitzschia spp. growth and toxicity on a large set of inorganic and organic nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium, urea, glutamate, glutamine, arginine and taurine). Our study focused on two species isolated from European coastal waters: P. multiseries CCL70 and P. australis PNC1. The nitrogen sources induced broad differences between the two species with respect to growth rate, biomass and cellular DA, but no specific variation could be attributed to any of the inorganic or organic nitrogen substrates. Enrichment with ammonium resulted in an enhanced growth rate and cell yield, whereas glutamate did not support the growth of P. multiseries. Arginine, glutamine and taurine enabled good growth of P. australis, but without toxin production. The highest DA content was produced when P. multiseries grew with urea and P. australis grew with glutamate. For both species, growth rate was not correlated with DA content but more toxin was produced when the nitrogen source could not sustain a high biomass. A significant negative correlation was found between cell biomass and DA content in P. australis. This study shows that Pseudo-nitzschia can readily utilize organic nitrogen in the form of amino acids, and confirms that both inorganic and organic nitrogen affect growth and DA production. Our results contribute to our understanding of the ecophysiology of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and may help to predict toxic events in the natural environment.

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen on the Growth and Production of Domoic Acid by Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries and P. australis (Bacillariophyceae) in Culture

PubMed Central

Martin-Jézéquel, Véronique; Calu, Guillaume; Candela, Leo; Amzil, Zouher; Jauffrais, Thierry; Séchet, Véronique; Weigel, Pierre

2015-01-01

Over the last century, human activities have altered the global nitrogen cycle, and anthropogenic inputs of both inorganic and organic nitrogen species have increased around the world, causing significant changes to the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The increasing frequency of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in estuarine and coastal waters reinforces the need to understand better the environmental control of its growth and domoic acid (DA) production. Here, we document Pseudo-nitzschia spp. growth and toxicity on a large set of inorganic and organic nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium, urea, glutamate, glutamine, arginine and taurine). Our study focused on two species isolated from European coastal waters: P. multiseries CCL70 and P. australis PNC1. The nitrogen sources induced broad differences between the two species with respect to growth rate, biomass and cellular DA, but no specific variation could be attributed to any of the inorganic or organic nitrogen substrates. Enrichment with ammonium resulted in an enhanced growth rate and cell yield, whereas glutamate did not support the growth of P. multiseries. Arginine, glutamine and taurine enabled good growth of P. australis, but without toxin production. The highest DA content was produced when P. multiseries grew with urea and P. australis grew with glutamate. For both species, growth rate was not correlated with DA content but more toxin was produced when the nitrogen source could not sustain a high biomass. A significant negative correlation was found between cell biomass and DA content in P. australis. This study shows that Pseudo-nitzschia can readily utilize organic nitrogen in the form of amino acids, and confirms that both inorganic and organic nitrogen affect growth and DA production. Our results contribute to our understanding of the ecophysiology of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and may help to predict toxic events in the natural environment. PMID:26703627

The discharge characteristics in nitrogen helicon plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Gao; Wang, Huihui; Si, Xinlu; Ouyang, Jiting; Chen, Qiang; Tan, Chang

2017-12-01

Discharge characteristics of helicon plasma in nitrogen and argon-nitrogen mixtures were investigated experimentally by using a Langmuir probe, a B-dot probe, and an optical emission spectrum. Helicon wave discharge is confirmed by the changes of electron density and electromagnetic signal amplitude with the increasing RF power, which shows three discharge stages in nitrogen, corresponding to E-mode, H-mode, and W-mode discharges in helicon plasma, respectively. Discharge images in the radial cross section at different discharge modes through an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) show a rapid increase in luminous intensity along with the RF power. When the nitrogen discharge is in the W-mode, the images show that the strongest luminance locates near the plasma boundary and no blue core appears in the axial center of tube, which is always observed in argon W-mode discharge. The "big blue" or blue core is a special character in helicon plasma, but it has not been observed in nitrogen helicon plasma. In nitrogen-argon mixtures, a weak blue core is observed in ICCD images since the nitrogen content is increased. The electric field turns to the periphery in the distribution of the radial field and the electron temperature decreases with the increasing nitrogen content, especially when the blue core disappears. The different behaviors of the electron impact and the energy consumption in nitrogen helicon plasma are suggested to be responsible for the decrease in electron energy and the change in the electric field distribution.

Optical Properties of Nitrogen-Substituted Strontium Titanate Thin Films Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition

PubMed Central

Marozau, Ivan; Shkabko, Andrey; Döbeli, Max; Lippert, Thomas; Logvinovich, Dimitri; Mallepell, Marc; Schneider, Christof W.; Weidenkaff, Anke; Wokaun, Alexander

2009-01-01

Perovskite-type N‑substituted SrTiO3 thin films with a preferential (001) orientation were grown by pulsed laser deposition on (001)-oriented MgO and LaAlO3 substrates. Application of N2 or ammonia using a synchronized reactive gas pulse produces SrTiO3-x:Nx films with a nitrogen content of up to 4.1 at.% if prepared with the NH3 gas pulse at a substrate temperature of 720 °C. Incorporating nitrogen in SrTiO3 results in an optical absorption at 370‑460 nm associated with localized N(2p) orbitals. The estimated energy of these levels is ≈2.7 eV below the conduction band. In addition, the optical absorption increases gradually with increasing nitrogen content.

Impact of phenylalanine and urea applications to Tempranillo and Monastrell vineyards on grape amino acid content during two consecutive vintages.

PubMed

Garde-Cerdán, Teresa; Gutiérrez-Gamboa, Gastón; Portu, Javier; Fernández-Fernández, José Ignacio; Gil-Muñoz, Rocío

2017-12-01

Nitrogen plays a key role in the fermentation and secondary metabolites formation. The aim was to study the influence of vine nitrogen applications on grape amino acid composition. Nitrogen sources applied to Tempranillo and Monastrell grapevines were phenylalanine and urea, during two seasons. Results showed that the application of these compounds had little effect on grape amino acid composition, regardless of variety and vintage. This could be due to the fact that vineyards did not present nitrogenous requirements. Thus, variety was the determining factor in Asp, Glu, Gln, Cit, Met, Gly, Gaba, Val, Ile, and Leu while season was the factor that most affected Thr, Arg, Ala, and Lys due its implication on berry ripening. The concentration of the remaining amino acids was influenced by two or three of the factors studied. Therefore, when the vineyard has adequate nitrogen nutritional status, grape amino acid content was determined by variety and vintage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Soft-Templating Synthesis of N-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Nanospheres for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

PubMed

Bayatsarmadi, Bita; Zheng, Yao; Jaroniec, Mietek; Qiao, Shi Zhang

2015-07-01

The development of ordered mesoporous carbon materials with controllable structures and improved physicochemical properties by doping heteroatoms such as nitrogen into the carbon framework has attracted a lot of attention, especially in relation to energy storage and conversion. Herein, a series of nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon spheres (NMCs) was synthesized via a facile dual soft-templating procedure by tuning the nitrogen content and carbonization temperature. Various physical and (electro)chemical properties of the NMCs have been comprehensively investigated to pave the way for a feasible design of nitrogen-containing porous carbon materials. The optimized sample showed a favorable electrocatalytic activity as evidenced by a high kinetic current and positive onset potential for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to its large surface area, high pore volume, good conductivity, and high nitrogen content, which make it a highly efficient ORR metal-free catalyst in alkaline solutions. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pullulan production by Aureobasidium pullulans grown on ethanol stillage as a nitrogen source.

PubMed

West, T P; Strohfus, B

1996-01-01

Pullulan production by Aureobasidium pullulans strain RP-1 using thin stillage from fuel ethanol production as a nitrogen source was studied in a medium using corn syrup as a carbon source. The use of 1% thin stillage as a nitrogen source instead of ammonium sulphate elevated polysaccharide production by strain RP-1 cells when grown on a concentration of up to 7.5% corn syrup, independent of yeast extract supplementation. Dry weights of cells grown in medium containing ammonium sulphate as the nitrogen source were higher than the stillage-grown cells after 7 days of growth. The viscosity of the polysaccharide on day 7 was higher for cells grown on thin stillage rather than ammonium sulphate as a nitrogen source. The pullulan content of the polysaccharide elaborated by ammonium sulphate-grown cells on day 7 was higher than the pullulan content of polysaccharide produced by stillage-grown cells regardless of whether yeast extract was added to the culture medium.

Nitrogen stress triggered biochemical and morphological changes in the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. CCNM 1077.

PubMed

Pancha, Imran; Chokshi, Kaumeel; George, Basil; Ghosh, Tonmoy; Paliwal, Chetan; Maurya, Rahulkumar; Mishra, Sandhya

2014-03-01

The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen limitation as well as sequential nitrogen starvation on morphological and biochemical changes in Scenedesmus sp. CCNM 1077. The results revealed that the nitrogen limitation and sequential nitrogen starvation conditions significantly decreases the photosynthetic activity as well as crude protein content in the organism, while dry cell weight and biomass productivity are largely unaffected up to nitrate concentration of about 30.87mg/L and 3 days nitrate limitation condition. Nitrate stress was found to have a significant effect on cell morphology of Scenedesmus sp. CCNM 1077. Total removal of nitrate from the growth medium resulted in highest lipid (27.93%) and carbohydrate content (45.74%), making it a potential feed stock for biodiesel and bio-ethanol production. This is a unique approach to understand morphological and biochemical changes in freshwater microalgae under nitrate limitation as well as sequential nitrate removal conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computational Identification and Analysis of the Key Biosorbent Characteristics for the Biosorption Process of Reactive Black 5 onto Fungal Biomass

PubMed Central

Yang, Yu-Yi; Li, Ze-Li; Wang, Guan; Zhao, Xiao-Ping; Crowley, David E.; Zhao, Yu-Hua

2012-01-01

The performances of nine biosorbents derived from dead fungal biomass were investigated for their ability to remove Reactive Black 5 from aqueous solution. The biosorption data for removal of Reactive Black 5 were readily modeled using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Kinetic analysis based on both pseudo-second-order and Weber-Morris models indicated intraparticle diffusion was the rate limiting step for biosorption of Reactive Black 5 on to the biosorbents. Sorption capacities of the biosorbents were not correlated with the initial biosorption rates. Sensitivity analysis of the factors affecting biosorption examined by an artificial neural network model showed that pH was the most important parameter, explaining 22%, followed by nitrogen content of biosorbents (16%), initial dye concentration (15%) and carbon content of biosorbents (10%). The biosorption capacities were not proportional to surface areas of the sorbents, but were instead influenced by their chemical element composition. The main functional groups contributing to dye sorption were amine, carboxylic, and alcohol moieties. The data further suggest that differences in carbon and nitrogen contents of biosorbents may be used as a selection index for identifying effective biosorbents from dead fungal biomass. PMID:22442697

Characteristics of Ampel bamboo as a biomass energy source potential in Bali

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sucipta, M.; Putra Negara, D. N. K.; Tirta Nindhia, T. G.; Surata, I. W.

2017-05-01

Currently, non-renewable fossil energy dominates utilization of the world energy need for many applications. Efforts has been developed to find alternative renewable energy sources, due to fossil energy availability is diminishing. And one of renewable energy source is from biomass. The aim of this research is to determine characteristics of the Ampel bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) as an energy potential of biomass. The Ampel bamboo’s characteristics possessed are evaluated based on its chemical composition; moisture, volatile, ash, and fixed carbon through proximate analysis; and also carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content through ultimate analysis. From the Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates that Ampel bamboo contains of about 18.10% hemicelluloses, 47.75% cellulose and 18.86% lignin. While from the ultimate analysis results in the content of carbon, hydrogen, and Nitrogen of Ampel bamboo are 39.75%, 5.75% and 0% respectively. With such characteristics, it indicates that Ampel bamboo has an attractive potential as a renewable energy source.

Investigation of grass carp by-products from a fish farm in Vojvodina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okanović, Đ.; Tasić, T.; Kormanjoš, Š.; Ikonić, P.; Šojić, B.; Pelić, M.; Ristić, M.

2017-09-01

The quantity of by-products obtained during grass carp primary processing and chemical characteristics of internal organs were investigated. The total average weight of byproducts was 783.69 g (36.99%) in relation to live body weight which was cca 2118.5 g. The by-product contributing the largest quantity to total live body weight was the head with 458.22 g (21.63% of live body weight), followed by complete internal organs and tail and fins, with weights of 198.03 g or 9.35% and 57.93 g or 2.73%, respectively. The chemical composition of internal organs from the grass carp was mostly water (65.55%), following by crude fats and crude proteins (17.47% and 13.35%, respectively). The low collagen content (13.43% of total crude protein) indicates the high nutritional quality of the protein content from internal organs. Nitrogenous complexes from the internal organs were predominantly proteins. Digestible nitrogen was approximately equal to total nitrogen (89.38%), indicating that all proteins of the internal organs had high biological value. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that carp internal organs could be important sources of proteins and fats, and thus, could be used in Serbia as a raw material for feed and technical fat production.

Mapping soil total nitrogen of cultivated land at county scale by using hyperspectral image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Xiaohe; Zhang, Li Yan; Shu, Meiyan; Yang, Guijun

2018-02-01

Monitoring total nitrogen content (TNC) in the soil of cultivated land quantitively and mastering its spatial distribution are helpful for crop growing, soil fertility adjustment and sustainable development of agriculture. The study aimed to develop a universal method to map total nitrogen content in soil of cultivated land by HSI image at county scale. Several mathematical transformations were used to improve the expression ability of HSI image. The correlations between soil TNC and the reflectivity and its mathematical transformations were analyzed. Then the susceptible bands and its transformations were screened to develop the optimizing model of map soil TNC in the Anping County based on the method of multiple linear regression. Results showed that the bands of 14th, 16th, 19th, 37th and 60th with different mathematical transformations were screened as susceptible bands. Differential transformation was helpful for reducing the noise interference to the diagnosis ability of the target spectrum. The determination coefficient of the first order differential of logarithmic transformation was biggest (0.505), while the RMSE was lowest. The study confirmed the first order differential of logarithm transformation as the optimal inversion model for soil TNC, which was used to map soil TNC of cultivated land in the study area.

Global Trophic Position Comparison of Two Dominant Mesopelagic Fish Families (Myctophidae, Stomiidae) Using Amino Acid Nitrogen Isotopic Analyses

PubMed Central

Choy, C. Anela; Davison, Peter C.; Drazen, Jeffrey C.; Flynn, Adrian; Gier, Elizabeth J.; Hoffman, Joel C.; McClain-Counts, Jennifer P.; Miller, Todd W.; Popp, Brian N.; Ross, Steve W.; Sutton, Tracey T.

2012-01-01

The δ15N values of organisms are commonly used across diverse ecosystems to estimate trophic position and infer trophic connectivity. We undertook a novel cross-basin comparison of trophic position in two ecologically well-characterized and different groups of dominant mid-water fish consumers using amino acid nitrogen isotope compositions. We found that trophic positions estimated from the δ15N values of individual amino acids are nearly uniform within both families of these fishes across five global regions despite great variability in bulk tissue δ15N values. Regional differences in the δ15N values of phenylalanine confirmed that bulk tissue δ15N values reflect region-specific water mass biogeochemistry controlling δ15N values at the base of the food web. Trophic positions calculated from amino acid isotopic analyses (AA-TP) for lanternfishes (family Myctophidae) (AA-TP ∼2.9) largely align with expectations from stomach content studies (TP ∼3.2), while AA-TPs for dragonfishes (family Stomiidae) (AA-TP ∼3.2) were lower than TPs derived from stomach content studies (TP∼4.1). We demonstrate that amino acid nitrogen isotope analysis can overcome shortcomings of bulk tissue isotope analysis across biogeochemically distinct systems to provide globally comparative information regarding marine food web structure. PMID:23209656

Global trophic position comparison of two dominant mesopelagic fish families (Myctophidae, Stomiidae) using amino acid nitrogen isotopic analyses

USGS Publications Warehouse

Choy, C. Anela; Davison, Peter C.; Drazen, Jeffrey C.; Flynn, Adrian; Gier, Elizabeth J.; Hoffman, Joel C.; McClain-Counts, Jennifer P.; Miller, Todd W.; Popp, Brian N.; Ross, Steve W.; Sutton, Tracey T.

2012-01-01

The δ15N values of organisms are commonly used across diverse ecosystems to estimate trophic position and infer trophic connectivity. We undertook a novel cross-basin comparison of trophic position in two ecologically well-characterized and different groups of dominant mid-water fish consumers using amino acid nitrogen isotope compositions. We found that trophic positions estimated from the δ15N values of individual amino acids are nearly uniform within both families of these fishes across five global regions despite great variability in bulk tissue δ15N values. Regional differences in the δ15N values of phenylalanine confirmed that bulk tissue δ15N values reflect region-specific water mass biogeochemistry controlling δ15N values at the base of the food web. Trophic positions calculated from amino acid isotopic analyses (AA-TP) for lanternfishes (family Myctophidae) (AA-TP ~2.9) largely align with expectations from stomach content studies (TP ~3.2), while AA-TPs for dragonfishes (family Stomiidae) (AA-TP ~3.2) were lower than TPs derived from stomach content studies (TP~4.1). We demonstrate that amino acid nitrogen isotope analysis can overcome shortcomings of bulk tissue isotope analysis across biogeochemically distinct systems to provide globally comparative information regarding marine food web structure.

Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-doped graphene hollow spheres as electrode material for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Kechan; Wang, Guoxu; Zhang, Hongliang; Yu, Yifeng; Liu, Lei; Chen, Aibing

2017-07-01

Recently, the rapid development of graphene industry in the world, especially in China, provides more opportunities for the further extension of the application field of graphene-based materials. Graphene has also been considered as a promising candidate for use in supercapacitors. Here, nitrogen-doped graphene hollow spheres (NGHS) have been successfully synthesized by using industrialized and pre-processed graphene oxide (GO) as raw material, SiO2 spheres as hard templates, and urea as reducing-doping agents. The results demonstrate that the content and pretreatment of GO sheets have important effect on the uniform spherical morphologies of the obtained samples. Industrialized GO and low-cost urea are used to prepare graphene hollow spheres, which can be a promising route to achieve mass production of NGHS. The obtained NGHS have a cavity of about 270 nm, specific surface area of 402.9 m2 g-1, ultrathin porous shells of 2.8 nm, and nitrogen content of 6.9 at.%. As electrode material for supercapacitors, the NGHS exhibit a specific capacitance of 159 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 in 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, the NGHS exhibit superior cycling stability with 99.24% capacitive retention after 5000 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 5 A g-1.

The carbon bonus of organic nitrogen enhances nitrogen use efficiency of plants

DOE PAGES

Franklin, Oskar; Cambui, Camila Aguetoni; Gruffman, Linda; ...

2016-06-29

The importance of organic nitrogen (N) for plant nutrition and productivity is increasingly being recognized. Here we show that it is not only the availability in the soil that matters, but also the effects on plant growth. The chemical form of N taken up, whether inorganic (such as nitrate) or organic (such as amino acids), may significantly influence plant shoot and root growth, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We analysed these effects by synthesizing results from multiple laboratory experiments on small seedlings (Arabidopsis, poplar, pine and spruce) based on a tractable plant growth model. A key point is that themore » carbon cost of assimilating organic N into proteins is lower than that of inorganic N, mainly because of its carbon content. This carbon bonus makes it more beneficial for plants to take up organic than inorganic N, even when its availability to the roots is much lower – up to 70% lower for Arabidopsis seedlings. At equal growth rate, root:shoot ratio was up to three times higher and nitrogen productivity up to 20% higher for organic than inorganic N, which both are factors that may contribute to higher NUE in crop production.« less

The carbon bonus of organic nitrogen enhances nitrogen use efficiency of plants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Franklin, Oskar; Cambui, Camila Aguetoni; Gruffman, Linda

The importance of organic nitrogen (N) for plant nutrition and productivity is increasingly being recognized. Here we show that it is not only the availability in the soil that matters, but also the effects on plant growth. The chemical form of N taken up, whether inorganic (such as nitrate) or organic (such as amino acids), may significantly influence plant shoot and root growth, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We analysed these effects by synthesizing results from multiple laboratory experiments on small seedlings (Arabidopsis, poplar, pine and spruce) based on a tractable plant growth model. A key point is that themore » carbon cost of assimilating organic N into proteins is lower than that of inorganic N, mainly because of its carbon content. This carbon bonus makes it more beneficial for plants to take up organic than inorganic N, even when its availability to the roots is much lower – up to 70% lower for Arabidopsis seedlings. At equal growth rate, root:shoot ratio was up to three times higher and nitrogen productivity up to 20% higher for organic than inorganic N, which both are factors that may contribute to higher NUE in crop production.« less

Nitrogen in chromium-manganese stainless steels: a review on the evaluation of stacking fault energy by computational thermodynamics.

PubMed

Mosecker, Linda; Saeed-Akbari, Alireza

2013-06-01

Nitrogen in austenitic stainless steels and its effect on the stacking fault energy (SFE) has been the subject of intense discussions in the literature. Until today, no generally accepted method for the SFE calculation exists that can be applied to a wide range of chemical compositions in these systems. Besides different types of models that are used from first-principle to thermodynamics-based approaches, one main reason is the general lack of experimentally measured SFE values for these steels. Moreover, in the respective studies, not only different alloying systems but also different domains of nitrogen contents were analyzed resulting in contrary conclusions on the effect of nitrogen on the SFE. This work gives a review on the current state of SFE calculation by computational thermodynamics for the Fe-Cr-Mn-N system. An assessment of the thermodynamic effective Gibbs free energy, [Formula: see text], model for the [Formula: see text] phase transformation considering existing data from different literature and commercial databases is given. Furthermore, we introduce the application of a non-constant composition-dependent interfacial energy, б γ / ε , required to consider the effect of nitrogen on SFE in these systems.

Nitrogen in chromium–manganese stainless steels: a review on the evaluation of stacking fault energy by computational thermodynamics

PubMed Central

Mosecker, Linda; Saeed-Akbari, Alireza

2013-01-01

Nitrogen in austenitic stainless steels and its effect on the stacking fault energy (SFE) has been the subject of intense discussions in the literature. Until today, no generally accepted method for the SFE calculation exists that can be applied to a wide range of chemical compositions in these systems. Besides different types of models that are used from first-principle to thermodynamics-based approaches, one main reason is the general lack of experimentally measured SFE values for these steels. Moreover, in the respective studies, not only different alloying systems but also different domains of nitrogen contents were analyzed resulting in contrary conclusions on the effect of nitrogen on the SFE. This work gives a review on the current state of SFE calculation by computational thermodynamics for the Fe–Cr–Mn–N system. An assessment of the thermodynamic effective Gibbs free energy, , model for the phase transformation considering existing data from different literature and commercial databases is given. Furthermore, we introduce the application of a non-constant composition-dependent interfacial energy, бγ/ε, required to consider the effect of nitrogen on SFE in these systems. PMID:27877573

The carbon bonus of organic nitrogen enhances nitrogen use efficiency of plants

PubMed Central

Cambui, Camila Aguetoni; Gruffman, Linda; Palmroth, Sari; Oren, Ram; Näsholm, Torgny

2016-01-01

Abstract The importance of organic nitrogen (N) for plant nutrition and productivity is increasingly being recognized. Here we show that it is not only the availability in the soil that matters, but also the effects on plant growth. The chemical form of N taken up, whether inorganic (such as nitrate) or organic (such as amino acids), may significantly influence plant shoot and root growth, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We analysed these effects by synthesizing results from multiple laboratory experiments on small seedlings (Arabidopsis, poplar, pine and spruce) based on a tractable plant growth model. A key point is that the carbon cost of assimilating organic N into proteins is lower than that of inorganic N, mainly because of its carbon content. This carbon bonus makes it more beneficial for plants to take up organic than inorganic N, even when its availability to the roots is much lower – up to 70% lower for Arabidopsis seedlings. At equal growth rate, root:shoot ratio was up to three times higher and nitrogen productivity up to 20% higher for organic than inorganic N, which both are factors that may contribute to higher NUE in crop production. PMID:27241731

Infrared spectroscopy and density functional calculations on titanium-dinitrogen complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, Hae-Wook; Choi, Changhyeok; Cho, Soo Gyeong; Jung, Yousung; Choi, Myong Yong

2018-04-01

Titanium-nitrogen complexes were generated by laser ablated titanium (Ti) atoms and N2 gas molecules in this study. These complexes were isolated on the pre-deposited solid Ar matrix on the pre-cooled KBr window (T ∼ 5.4 K), allowing infrared spectra to be measured. Laser ablation experiments with 15N2 isotope provided distinct isotopic shifts in the infrared spectra that strongly implicated the formation of titanium-nitrogen complexes, Ti(NN)x. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the molecular structures, electronic ground state, relative energies, and IR frequencies of the anticipated Ti(NN)x complexes. Based on laser ablation experiments and DFT calculations, we were able to assign multiple Ti(NN)x (x = 1-6) species. Particularly, Ti(NN)5 and Ti(NN)6, which have high nitrogen content, may serve as good precursors in preparing polynitrogens.

Effects of Soil Water Deficit on Insecticidal Protein Expression in Boll Shells of Transgenic Bt Cotton and the Mechanism.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiang; Wang, Jian; Peng, Sheng; Li, Yuan; Tian, Xiaofeng; Wang, Guangcheng; Zhang, Zhongning; Dong, Zhaodi; Chen, Yuan; Chen, Dehua

2017-01-01

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil water deficit on insecticidal protein expression in boll shells of cotton transgenic for a Bt gene. In 2014, Bt cotton cultivars Sikang 1 (a conventional cultivar) and Sikang 3 (a hybrid cultivar) were planted in pots and five soil water content treatments were imposed at peak boll stage: 15% (G1), 35% (G2), 40% (G3), 60% (G4), and 75% field capacity (CK), respectively. Four treatments (G2, G3, G4, and CK) were repeated in 2015 in the field. Results showed that the insecticidal protein content of boll shells decreased with increasing water deficit. Compared with CK, boll shell insecticidal protein content decreased significantly when soil water content was below 60% of maximum water holding capacity for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3. However, increased Bt gene expression was observed when boll shell insecticidal protein content was significantly reduced. Activity assays of key enzymes in nitrogen metabolism showed that boll shell protease and peptidase increased but nitrogen reductase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) decreased. Insecticidal protein content exhibited significant positive correlation with nitrogen reductase and GPT activities; and significant negative correlation with protease and peptidase activities. These findings suggest that the decrease of insecticidal protein content associated with increasing water deficit was a net result of decreased synthesis and increased decomposition.

Use of an inexpensive chlorophyll meter to predict Nitrogen levels in leaf tissues of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Tissue nitrogen is also an important indicator of plant health and can be a useful predictor of plant vigor and susceptibility to disease and pests. Hence, knowing nitrogen content may aid in determining establishment success of plants used in restoration programs, including those destined for aqua...

Response of Douglas-fir seedlings to nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus fertilizers.

Treesearch

M.A. Radwan; J.S. Shumway

1985-01-01

Effects of nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus fertilizers on growth and nutrient content of Douglas-fir seedlings potted in Grove and Bunker forest soils were determined. Growth was primarily stimulated with nitrogen in the Grove soil and with phosphorus in the Bunker soil. Fertilization influenced nutrient levels in the seedlings. Growth results agree with observed...

Growth, nitrogen use efficiency, and leachate comparison of subirrigated and overhead irrigated pale purple coneflower seedlings

Treesearch

Jeremy R. Pinto; Rhiannon A. Chandler; R. Kasten Dumroese

2008-01-01

Pale purple coneflower [Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt.] was grown within three container volumes (90, 105, and 340 cm3) under subirrigation and overhead irrigation treatments. Subirrigated coneflowers showed increased seedling quality with more biomass (14%), better nitrogen use efficiency (13%), greater nitrogen content (N; 11%), more height (15...

Integration of a Physically based Distributed Hydrological Model with a Model of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling: A Case Study at the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory, Puerto Rico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bastola, S.; Dialynas, Y. G.; Bras, R. L.; Arnone, E.; Noto, L. V.

2015-12-01

The dynamics of carbon and nitrogen cycles, increasingly influenced by human activities, are the key to the functioning of ecosystems. These cycles are influenced by the composition of the substrate, availability of nitrogen, the population of microorganisms, and by environmental factors. Therefore, land management and use, climate change, and nitrogen deposition patterns influence the dynamics of these macronutrients at the landscape scale. In this work a physically based distributed hydrological model, the tRIBS model, is coupled with a process-based multi-compartment model of the biogeochemical cycle to simulate the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen (CN) in the Mameyes River basin, Puerto Rico. The model includes a wide range of processes that influence the movement, production, alteration of nutrients in the landscape and factors that affect the CN cycling. The tRIBS integrates geomorphological and climatic factors that influence the cycling of CN in soil. Implementing the decomposition module into tRIBS makes the model a powerful complement to a biogeochemical observation system and a forecast tool able to analyze the influences of future changes on ecosystem services. The soil hydrologic parameters of the model were obtained using ranges of published parameters and observed streamflow data at the outlet. The parameters of the decomposition module are based on previously published data from studies conducted in the Luquillio CZO (budgets of soil organic matter and CN ratio for each of the dominant vegetation types across the landscape). Hydrological fluxes, wet depositon of nitrogen, litter fall and its corresponding CN ratio drive the decomposition model. The simulation results demonstrate a strong influence of soil moisture dynamics on the spatiotemporal distribution of nutrients at the landscape level. The carbon in the litter pool and the nitrate and ammonia pool respond quickly to soil moisture content. Moreover, the CN ratios of the plant litter have significant influence in the dynamics of CN cycling.

Recent changes in the oxidized to reduced nitrogen ratio in atmospheric precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurzyca, Iwona; Frankowski, Marcin

2017-10-01

In this study, the characteristics of precipitation in terms of various nitrogen forms (NO3-, NO2-, NH4+, Norganic, Ntotal) is presented. The samples were collected in the areas of different anthropogenic pressure (urban area vs. ecologically protected woodland area, ∼30 km distant from each other; Wielkopolska region, Poland). Based on the Nox and Nred emission profiles (Nox/Nred ratio), temporal and spatial comparison was carried out. For both sites, during a decade of observation, more than 60% of samples had higher contribution of N-NH4+ than N-NO3-, the amount of N-NO2- was negligible, and organic nitrogen amounted to 30% of total nitrogen content which varied up to 16 mg/l. The precipitation events w ith high concentration of nitrogen species were investigated in terms of possible local and remote sources of nitrogen (synoptic meteorology), to indicate the areas which can act as potential sources of N-compounds. Based on the chemometric analysis, it was found that Nred implies Nox and vice versa, due to interactions between them in the atmosphere. Taking into account the analysis of precipitation occurring simultaneously in both locations (about 50% of all rainfall episodes), it was observed that such factor as anthropogenic pressure differentiates but does not determine the chemical composition of precipitation in the investigated areas (urban vs. woodland area; distance of ∼30 km). Thermodynamics of the atmosphere had a significant impact on concentrations of N-NO3- and N-NH4+ in precipitation, as well as the circulation of air masses and remote N sources responsible for transboundary inflow of pollutants.

Factors influencing the production of stilbenes by the knotweed, Reynoutria × bohemica

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica, is known for its high growth rate, even on adverse substrates, and for containing organic substances that are beneficial to human health. Its hybrid, Reynoutria × bohemica, was described in the Czech Republic in 1983 and has been widespread ever since. We examined whether Reynoutria × bohemica as a medicinal plant providing stilbenes and emodin, can be cultivated in spoil bank substrates and hence in the coalmine spoil banks changed into arable fields. We designed a pot experiment and a field experiment to assess the effects of various factors on the growth efficiency of Reynoutria × bohemica on clayish substrates and on the production of stilbenes and emodin in this plant. Results In the pot experiment, plants were grown on different substrates that varied in organic matter and nutrient content, namely the content of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen was also introduced into the substrates by melilot, a leguminous plant with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Melilot served as a donor of mycorrhizal fungi to knotweed, which did not form any mycorrhiza when grown alone. As expected, the production of knotweed biomass was highest on high-nutrient substrates, namely compost. However, the concentration of the organic constituents studied was higher in plants grown on clayish low-nutrient substrates in the presence of melilot. The content of resveratrol including that of its derivatives, resveratrolosid, piceatannol, piceid and astringin, was significantly higher in the presence of melilot on clay, loess and clayCS. Nitrogen supplied to knotweed by melilot was correlated with the ratio of resveratrol to resveratrol glucosides, indicating that knotweed bestowed some of its glucose production upon covering part of the energy demanded for nitrogen fixation by melilot's rhizobia, and that there is an exchange of organic substances between these two plant species. The three-year field experiment confirmed the ability of Reynoutria × bohemica to grow on vast coalmine spoil banks. The production of this species reached 2.6 t of dry mass per hectare. Conclusions Relationships between nitrogen, phosphorus, emodin, and belowground knotweed biomass belong to the most interesting results of this study. Compared with melilot absence, its presence increased the number of significant relationships by introducing those of resveratrol and its derivatives, and phosphorus and nitrogen. Knotweed phosphorus was predominantly taken up from the substrate and was negatively correlated with the content of resveratrol and resveratrol derivatives, while knotweed nitrogen was mainly supplied by melilot rhizobia and was positively correlated with the content of resveratrol and resveratrol derivatives. PMID:20113506

Filler metal selection for welding a high nitrogen stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du Toit, Madeleine

2002-06-01

Cromanite is a high-strength austenitic stainless steel that contains approximately 19% chromium, 10% manganese, and 0.5% nitrogen. It can be welded successfully, but due to the high nitrogen content of the base metal, precautions have to be taken to ensure sound welds with the desired combination of properties. Although no matching filler metals are currently available, Cromanite can be welded using a range of commercially available stainless steel welding consumables. E307 stainless steel, the filler metal currently recommended for joining Cromanite, produces welds with mechanical properties that are generally inferior to those of the base metal. In wear applications, these lower strength welds would probably be acceptable, but in applications where full use is made of the high strength of Cromanite, welds with matching strength levels would be required. In this investigation, two welding consumables, ER2209 (a duplex austenitic-ferritic stainless steel) and 15CrMn (an austenitic-manganese hardfacing wire), were evaluated as substitutes for E307. When used to join Cromanite, 15CrMn produced welds displaying severe nitrogen-induced porosity, and this consumable is therefore not recommended. ER2209, however, outperformed E307, producing sound porosity-free welds with excellent mechanical properties, including high ductility and strength levels exceeding the minimum limits specified for Cromanite.

Fabrication of spherical high-nitrogen stainless steel powder alloys by mechanical alloying and thermal plasma spheroidization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razumov, Nikolay G.; Wang, Qing Sheng; Popovich, Anatoly A.; Shamshurin, Aleksey I.

2018-04-01

This paper describes the results of experimental studies on the treatment of Fe-23Cr-11Mn-1N high-nitrogen stainless steel powder alloys, synthesized by the mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental powders in the flow of a radio frequency thermal plasma. The as-milled powder with irregular particles were successfully converted into spherical high-nitrogen stainless steel powder alloy. Measurement of the residual nitrogen content in the obtained powder, shown that during the plasma spheroidization process, part of the nitrogen escapes from the alloy.

Growing Chlorella sp. on meat processing wastewater for nutrient removal and biomass production.

PubMed

Lu, Qian; Zhou, Wenguang; Min, Min; Ma, Xiaochen; Chandra, Ceria; Doan, Yen T T; Ma, Yiwei; Zheng, Hongli; Cheng, Sibo; Griffith, Richard; Chen, Paul; Chen, Chi; Urriola, Pedro E; Shurson, Gerald C; Gislerød, Hans R; Ruan, Roger

2015-12-01

In this work, Chlorella sp. (UM6151) was selected to treat meat processing wastewater for nutrient removal and biomass production. To balance the nutrient profile and improve biomass yield at low cost, an innovative algae cultivation model based on wastewater mixing was developed. The result showed that biomass yield (0.675-1.538 g/L) of algae grown on mixed wastewater was much higher than that on individual wastewater and artificial medium. Wastewater mixing eased the bottleneck for algae growth and contributed to the improved biomass yield. Furthermore, in mixed wastewater with sufficient nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen removal efficiencies (68.75-90.38%) and total nitrogen removal efficiencies (30.06-50.94%) were improved. Wastewater mixing also promoted the synthesis of protein in algal cells. Protein content of algae growing on mixed wastewater reached 60.87-68.65%, which is much higher than that of traditional protein source. Algae cultivation model based on wastewater mixing is an efficient and economical way to improve biomass yield. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High Colonization Possibility of Some Species of Weeds in Suaeda salsa Community: From an Ecological Stoichiometry Perspective

PubMed Central

Ge, Changzi; Wang, Renqing; Chai, Yanchao; Wang, Haiqing; Kan, Manman; Liu, Jian

2017-01-01

Suaeda salsa community is a vegetation type in saline-alkali areas. Weed invasion and colonization in S. salsa communities lead to fragmentationsof S. salsa communities. The colonization of invaded weeds in S. salsa communities is related to community succession of saline-alkali zones. The fragmented S. salsa community may be restored if the mechanism of invaded weed colonization in S. salsa communities is clearly elucidated. Thus, we studied the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of soils and plants in a salt marsh to explain the high colonization possibility of invaded weeds in S. salsa communities. In October 2014, soils and plants were collected from Dongfeng Salt Marsh, Jiaozhou Bay, Shandong Province, China. The ratio of Ex-N/Ex-P in soil was less than 13, which suggests a relative nitrogen limitation for the primary production in the zone. The minimum phosphorus content in plants was higher than 1 mg g-1, whereas the maximum nitrogen content in plants was less than 13 mg g-1. These results imply that phosphorus was abundant, whereas nitrogen was deficient in the area. The plants in the salt marsh may be limited by nitrogen. Given the relatively lower nitrogen contents in Cyperus glomeratus, Echinochloa crusgalli, and Aster subulatus than that in S. salsa, these three species exhibited higher competitiveness than S. salsa did when nitrogen was limited in primary production. These weed species may colonize highly in S. salsa communities. Moreover, nitrogen fertilization might be effective to maintain S. salsa community in Dongfeng Salt Marsh, whereas its effects on controlling weeds colonization in S. salsa communities need more studies to verify. PMID:28135313

High Colonization Possibility of Some Species of Weeds in Suaeda salsa Community: From an Ecological Stoichiometry Perspective.

PubMed

Ge, Changzi; Wang, Renqing; Chai, Yanchao; Wang, Haiqing; Kan, Manman; Liu, Jian

2017-01-01

Suaeda salsa community is a vegetation type in saline-alkali areas. Weed invasion and colonization in S. salsa communities lead to fragmentationsof S. salsa communities. The colonization of invaded weeds in S. salsa communities is related to community succession of saline-alkali zones. The fragmented S. salsa community may be restored if the mechanism of invaded weed colonization in S. salsa communities is clearly elucidated. Thus, we studied the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of soils and plants in a salt marsh to explain the high colonization possibility of invaded weeds in S. salsa communities. In October 2014, soils and plants were collected from Dongfeng Salt Marsh, Jiaozhou Bay, Shandong Province, China. The ratio of Ex-N/Ex-P in soil was less than 13, which suggests a relative nitrogen limitation for the primary production in the zone. The minimum phosphorus content in plants was higher than 1 mg g-1, whereas the maximum nitrogen content in plants was less than 13 mg g-1. These results imply that phosphorus was abundant, whereas nitrogen was deficient in the area. The plants in the salt marsh may be limited by nitrogen. Given the relatively lower nitrogen contents in Cyperus glomeratus, Echinochloa crusgalli, and Aster subulatus than that in S. salsa, these three species exhibited higher competitiveness than S. salsa did when nitrogen was limited in primary production. These weed species may colonize highly in S. salsa communities. Moreover, nitrogen fertilization might be effective to maintain S. salsa community in Dongfeng Salt Marsh, whereas its effects on controlling weeds colonization in S. salsa communities need more studies to verify.

Effect of nitrogen levels and nitrogen ratios on lodging resistance and yield potential of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

PubMed Central

Wang, Hui; Yi, Yuan; Ding, Jinfeng; Zhu, Min; Li, Chunyan; Guo, Wenshan; Feng, Chaonian; Zhu, Xinkai

2017-01-01

Lodging is one of the constraints that limit wheat yields and quality due to the unexpected bending or breaking stems on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production worldwide. In addition to choosing lodging resistance varieties, husbandry practices also have a significant effect on lodging. Nitrogen management is one of the most common and efficient methods. A field experiment with Yangmai 20 as research material (a widely-used variety) was conducted to study the effects of different nitrogen levels and ratios on culm morphological, anatomical characters and chemical components and to explore the nitrogen application techniques for lodging tolerance and high yield. Results showed that some index of basal internodes, such as stem wall thickness, filling degree, lignin content, cellulose content, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and WSC/N ratio, were positively and significantly correlated with culm lodging-resistant index (CLRI). As the increase of nitrogen level and basal nitrogen ratio, the basal internodes became slender and fragile with the thick stem wall, while filling degree, chemical components and the strength of the stem decreased gradually, which significantly increased the lodging risk. The response of grain yield to nitrogen doses was quadratic and grain yield reached the highest at the nitrogen ratio of 50%:10%:20%:20% (the ratio of nitrogen amount applied before sowing, at tillering stage, jointing stage and booting stage respectively, abbreviated as 5:1:2:2). These results suggested that for Yangmai 20, the planting density of 180×104ha-1, nitrogen level of 225 kg ha-1, and the ratio of 5: 1: 2: 2 effectively increased lodging resistance and grain yield. This combination of planting density and nitrogen level and ratio could effectively relieve the contradiction between high-yielding and anti-lodging. PMID:29117250

Restoration using Azolla imbricata increases nitrogen functional bacterial groups and genes in soil.

PubMed

Lu, Xiao-Ming; Lu, Peng-Zhen; Yang, Ke

2017-05-01

Microbial groups are major factors that influence soil function. Currently, there is a lack of studies on microbial functional groups. Although soil microorganisms play an important role in the nitrogen cycle, systematic studies of the effects of environmental factors on microbial populations in relation to key metabolic processes in the nitrogen cycle are seldom reported. In this study, we conducted a systematic analysis of the changes in nitrogen functional groups in mandarin orange garden soil treated with Azolla imbricata. The structures of the major functional bacterial groups and the functional gene abundances involved in key processes of the soil nitrogen cycle were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. The results indicated that returning A. imbricata had an important influence on the composition of soil nitrogen functional bacterial communities. Treatment with A. imbricata increased the diversity of the nitrogen functional bacteria. The abundances of nitrogen functional genes were significantly higher in the treated soil compared with the control soil. Both the diversity of the major nitrogen functional bacteria (nifH bacteria, nirK bacteria, and narG bacteria) and the abundances of nitrogen functional genes in the soil showed significant positive correlations with the soil pH, the organic carbon content, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N contents. Treatment with 12.5 kg fresh A. imbricata per mandarin orange tree was effective to improve the quality of the mandarin orange garden soil. This study analyzed the mechanism of the changes in functional bacterial groups and genes involved in key metabolic processes of the nitrogen cycle in soil treated by A. imbricata.

Effect of nitrogen levels and nitrogen ratios on lodging resistance and yield potential of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

PubMed

Zhang, Mingwei; Wang, Hui; Yi, Yuan; Ding, Jinfeng; Zhu, Min; Li, Chunyan; Guo, Wenshan; Feng, Chaonian; Zhu, Xinkai

2017-01-01

Lodging is one of the constraints that limit wheat yields and quality due to the unexpected bending or breaking stems on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production worldwide. In addition to choosing lodging resistance varieties, husbandry practices also have a significant effect on lodging. Nitrogen management is one of the most common and efficient methods. A field experiment with Yangmai 20 as research material (a widely-used variety) was conducted to study the effects of different nitrogen levels and ratios on culm morphological, anatomical characters and chemical components and to explore the nitrogen application techniques for lodging tolerance and high yield. Results showed that some index of basal internodes, such as stem wall thickness, filling degree, lignin content, cellulose content, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and WSC/N ratio, were positively and significantly correlated with culm lodging-resistant index (CLRI). As the increase of nitrogen level and basal nitrogen ratio, the basal internodes became slender and fragile with the thick stem wall, while filling degree, chemical components and the strength of the stem decreased gradually, which significantly increased the lodging risk. The response of grain yield to nitrogen doses was quadratic and grain yield reached the highest at the nitrogen ratio of 50%:10%:20%:20% (the ratio of nitrogen amount applied before sowing, at tillering stage, jointing stage and booting stage respectively, abbreviated as 5:1:2:2). These results suggested that for Yangmai 20, the planting density of 180×104ha-1, nitrogen level of 225 kg ha-1, and the ratio of 5: 1: 2: 2 effectively increased lodging resistance and grain yield. This combination of planting density and nitrogen level and ratio could effectively relieve the contradiction between high-yielding and anti-lodging.

The Effect of Fuel Quality on Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide Emissions, While Burning Biomass and RDF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalnacs, J.; Bendere, R.; Murasovs, A.; Arina, D.; Antipovs, A.; Kalnacs, A.; Sprince, L.

2018-02-01

The article analyses the variations in carbon dioxide emission factor depending on parameters characterising biomass and RDF (refuse-derived fuel). The influence of moisture, ash content, heat of combustion, carbon and nitrogen content on the amount of emission factors has been reviewed, by determining their average values. The options for the improvement of the fuel to result in reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide have been analysed. Systematic measurements of biomass parameters have been performed, by determining their average values, seasonal limits of variations in these parameters and their mutual relations. Typical average values of RDF parameters and limits of variations have been determined.

Impact of compost process conditions on organic micro pollutant degradation during full scale composting.

PubMed

Sadef, Yumna; Poulsen, Tjalfe Gorm; Bester, Kai

2015-06-01

Knowledge about the effects of oxygen concentration, nutrient availability and moisture content on removal of organic micro-pollutants during aerobic composting is at present very limited. Impact of oxygen concentration, readily available nitrogen content (NH4(+), NO3(-)), and moisture content on biological transformation of 15 key organic micro-pollutants during composting, was therefore investigated using bench-scale degradation experiments based on non-sterile compost samples, collected at full-scale composting facilities. In addition, the adequacy of bench-scale composting experiments for representing full-scale composting conditions, was investigated using micro-pollutant concentration measurements from both bench- and full-scale composting experiments. Results showed that lack of oxygen generally prevented transformation of organic micro-pollutants. Increasing readily available nitrogen content from about 50 mg N per 100 g compost to about 140 mg N per 100 g compost actually reduced micro-pollutant transformation, while changes in compost moisture content from 50% to 20% by weight, only had minor influence on micro-pollutant transformation. First-order micro-pollutant degradation rates for 13 organic micro-pollutants were calculated using data from both full- and bench-scale experiments. First-order degradation coefficients for both types of experiments were similar and ranged from 0.02 to 0.03 d(-1) on average, indicating that if a proper sampling strategy is employed, bench-scale experiments can be used to represent full-scale composting conditions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel approach to identify genes that determine grain protein deviation in cereals.

PubMed

Mosleth, Ellen F; Wan, Yongfang; Lysenko, Artem; Chope, Gemma A; Penson, Simon P; Shewry, Peter R; Hawkesford, Malcolm J

2015-06-01

Grain yield and protein content were determined for six wheat cultivars grown over 3 years at multiple sites and at multiple nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs. Although grain protein content was negatively correlated with yield, some grain samples had higher protein contents than expected based on their yields, a trait referred to as grain protein deviation (GPD). We used novel statistical approaches to identify gene transcripts significantly related to GPD across environments. The yield and protein content were initially adjusted for nitrogen fertilizer inputs and then adjusted for yield (to remove the negative correlation with protein content), resulting in a parameter termed corrected GPD. Significant genetic variation in corrected GPD was observed for six cultivars grown over a range of environmental conditions (a total of 584 samples). Gene transcript profiles were determined in a subset of 161 samples of developing grain to identify transcripts contributing to GPD. Principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means of scores regression (MSR) were used to identify individual principal components (PCs) correlating with GPD alone. Scores of the selected PCs, which were significantly related to GPD and protein content but not to the yield and significantly affected by cultivar, were identified as reflecting a multivariate pattern of gene expression related to genetic variation in GPD. Transcripts with consistent variation along the selected PCs were identified by an approach hereby called one-block means of scores regression (one-block MSR). © 2014 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Nitrogen fertilizer factory effects on the amino acid and nitrogen content in the needles of Scots pine.

PubMed

Kupsinskiene, E

2001-12-04

The aim of the research was to evaluate the content of amino acids in the needles of Pinus sylvestris growing in the area affected by a nitrogen fertilizer factory and to compare them with other parameters of needles, trees, and sites. Three young-age stands of Scots pine were selected at a distance of 0.5 km, 5 km, and 17 km from the factory. Examination of the current-year needles in winter of the year 2000 revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences between the site at a 0.5-km distance from the factory and the site at a 17-km distance from the factory--with the site closest to the factory showing the highest concentrations of protein (119%), total arginine (166%), total other amino acids (depending on amino acid, the effect ranged between 119 and 149%), free arginine (771%), other free amino acids (glutamic acid, threonine, serine, lysine--depending on amino acid, the effect ranged between 162 and 234%), also the longest needles, widest diameter, largest surface area, and heaviest dry weight (respectively, 133, 110, 136, and 169%). The gradient of nitrogen concentration in the needles was assessed on the selected plots over the period of 1995-2000, with the highest concentration (depending on year, 119 to 153%) documented in the site located 0.5 km from the factory. Significant correlations were determined between the total amino acid contents (r = 0.448 -0.939, p < 0.05), some free amino acid (arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, threonine, and serine) contents (r = 0.418 - 0.975, p < 0.05), and air pollutant concentration at the sites, the distance between the sites and the factory, and characteristics of the needles. No correlation was found between free or total arginine content and defoliation or retention of the needles. In conclusion, it was revealed that elevated mean monthly concentration of ammonia (26 microg m(-3)) near the nitrogen fertilizer factory caused changes in nitrogen metabolism, especially increasing (nearly eight times) concentration of free arginine in the needles of Scots pine.

Cryopreservation of Mexican fruit flies by vitrification: stage selection and avoidance of thermal stress.

PubMed

Rajamohan, A; Leopold, R A

2007-02-01

This report presents details of a vitrification methodology for the cryopreservation of embryos of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens. The overall summary of the data indicates that selecting the correct developmental stage for cryopreservation is the most important criterion. The key aspect in selection of the correct stage is to balance depletion of the gut yolk content against development of the embryonic cuticle. Embryogenesis was divided into four stages between 90 and 120 h after incubation at 21.7 degrees C. The classification was based on the intestinal yolk content and the initial development of mandibular-maxillary complex. Stages having low mid-gut yolk content and the appearance of mouth hooks were found to be the most suitable for cryopreservation. Embryos developing at 30 degrees C had premature cuticle formation relative to gut development and significantly lower hatching after cryopreservation. Vitrification of embryos by direct quenching in liquid nitrogen was less effective than quenching after annealing the samples in liquid nitrogen vapor. Quenched samples of vitrification solutions containing 1,2-ethanediol as the major component exhibited fractures. Fracturing occurred less frequently when the solutions were annealed and when containing polyethylene glycol. Hatching of vitrified embryos stored in liquid nitrogen for over 12 months was not statistically different from those held for only 15 min. Our protocol yielded normalized hatching rates that ranged as high as 61%. Selecting the exact stage for cryopreservation from a population of embryos obtained by collection from ovipositing females during a span of just 30 min resulted in nearly 80% of the embryos hatching into larvae.

Prediction of soil urea conversion and quantification of the importance degrees of influencing factors through a new combinatorial model based on cluster method and artificial neural network.

PubMed

Lei, Tao; Guo, Xianghong; Sun, Xihuan; Ma, Juanjuan; Zhang, Shaowen; Zhang, Yong

2018-05-01

Quantitative prediction of soil urea conversion is crucial in determining the mechanism of nitrogen transformation and understanding the dynamics of soil nutrients. This study aimed to establish a combinatorial prediction model (MCA-F-ANN) for soil urea conversion and quantify the relative importance degrees (RIDs) of influencing factors with the MCA-F-ANN method. Data samples were obtained from laboratory culture experiments, and soil nitrogen content and physicochemical properties were measured every other day. Results showed that when MCA-F-ANN was used, the mean-absolute-percent error values of NH 4 + -N, NO 3 - -N, and NH 3 contents were 3.180%, 2.756%, and 3.656%, respectively. MCA-F-ANN predicted urea transformation under multi-factor coupling conditions more accurately than traditional models did. The RIDs of reaction time (RT), electrical conductivity (EC), temperature (T), pH, nitrogen application rate (F), and moisture content (W) were 32.2%-36.5%, 24.0%-28.9%, 12.8%-15.2%, 9.8%-12.5%, 7.8%-11.0%, and 3.5%-6.0%, respectively. The RIDs of the influencing factors in a descending order showed the pattern RT > EC > T > pH > F > W. RT and EC were the key factors in the urea conversion process. The prediction accuracy of urea transformation process was improved, and the RIDs of the influencing factors were quantified. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality improvement on half-fin anchovy (Setipinna taty) fish sauce by Psychrobacter sp. SP-1 fermentation.

PubMed

Zheng, Bin; Liu, Yu; He, Xiaoxia; Hu, Shiwei; Li, Shijie; Chen, Meiling; Jiang, Wei

2017-10-01

A method of improving fish sauce quality during fermentation was investigated. Psychrobacter sp. SP-1, a halophilic protease-producing bacterium, was isolated from fish sauce with flavor-enhancing properties and non-biogenic amine-producing activity. The performance of Psychrobacter sp. SP-1 in Setipinna taty fish sauce fermentation was investigated further. The inoculation of Psychrobacter sp. SP-1 did not significantly affect pH or NaCl concentration changes (P > 0.05), although it significantly increased total moderately halophilic microbial count, protease activity, total soluble nitrogen content and amino acid nitrogen content, and also promoted the umami taste and meaty aroma (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the inoculation of Psychrobacter sp. SP-1 significantly decreased total volatile basic nitrogen content and biogenic amines content (P < 0.05), which were regarded as harmful compounds in foods. The results of the present study demonstrate that Psychrobacter sp. SP-1 can be used as a potential starter culture for improving fish sauce quality by fermentation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Measurement of Lipid Accumulation in Chlorella vulgaris via Flow Cytometry and Liquid-State ¹H NMR Spectroscopy for Development of an NMR-Traceable Flow Cytometry Protocol

PubMed Central

Bono Jr., Michael S.; Garcia, Ravi D.; Sri-Jayantha, Dylan V.; Ahner, Beth A.; Kirby, Brian J.

2015-01-01

In this study, we cultured Chlorella vulgaris cells with a range of lipid contents, induced via nitrogen starvation, and characterized them via flow cytometry, with BODIPY 505/515 as a fluorescent lipid label, and liquid-state 1H NMR spectroscopy. In doing so, we demonstrate the utility of calibrating flow cytometric measurements of algal lipid content using triacylglyceride (TAG, also known as triacylglycerol or triglyceride) content per cell as measured via quantitative 1H NMR. Ensemble-averaged fluorescence of BODIPY-labeled cells was highly correlated with average TAG content per cell measured by bulk NMR, with a linear regression yielding a linear fit with r 2 = 0.9974. This correlation compares favorably to previous calibrations of flow cytometry protocols to lipid content measured via extraction, and calibration by NMR avoids the time and complexity that is generally required for lipid quantitation via extraction. Flow cytometry calibrated to a direct measurement of TAG content can be used to investigate the distribution of lipid contents for cells within a culture. Our flow cytometry measurements showed that Chlorella vulgaris cells subjected to nitrogen limitation exhibited higher mean lipid content but a wider distribution of lipid content that overlapped the relatively narrow distribution of lipid content for replete cells, suggesting that nitrogen limitation induces lipid accumulation in only a subset of cells. Calibration of flow cytometry protocols using direct in situ measurement of TAG content via NMR will facilitate rapid development of more precise flow cytometry protocols, enabling investigation of algal lipid accumulation for development of more productive algal biofuel feedstocks and cultivation protocols. PMID:26267664

Measurement of lipid accumulation in Chlorella vulgaris via flow cytometry and liquid-state ¹H NMR spectroscopy for development of an NMR-traceable flow cytometry protocol.

PubMed

Bono, Michael S; Garcia, Ravi D; Sri-Jayantha, Dylan V; Ahner, Beth A; Kirby, Brian J

2015-01-01

In this study, we cultured Chlorella vulgaris cells with a range of lipid contents, induced via nitrogen starvation, and characterized them via flow cytometry, with BODIPY 505/515 as a fluorescent lipid label, and liquid-state 1H NMR spectroscopy. In doing so, we demonstrate the utility of calibrating flow cytometric measurements of algal lipid content using triacylglyceride (TAG, also known as triacylglycerol or triglyceride) content per cell as measured via quantitative 1H NMR. Ensemble-averaged fluorescence of BODIPY-labeled cells was highly correlated with average TAG content per cell measured by bulk NMR, with a linear regression yielding a linear fit with r2 = 0.9974. This correlation compares favorably to previous calibrations of flow cytometry protocols to lipid content measured via extraction, and calibration by NMR avoids the time and complexity that is generally required for lipid quantitation via extraction. Flow cytometry calibrated to a direct measurement of TAG content can be used to investigate the distribution of lipid contents for cells within a culture. Our flow cytometry measurements showed that Chlorella vulgaris cells subjected to nitrogen limitation exhibited higher mean lipid content but a wider distribution of lipid content that overlapped the relatively narrow distribution of lipid content for replete cells, suggesting that nitrogen limitation induces lipid accumulation in only a subset of cells. Calibration of flow cytometry protocols using direct in situ measurement of TAG content via NMR will facilitate rapid development of more precise flow cytometry protocols, enabling investigation of algal lipid accumulation for development of more productive algal biofuel feedstocks and cultivation protocols.

Modification of yield and chlorophyll content in leaf lettuce by HPS radiation and nitrogen treatments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitchell, Cary A.; Leakakos, Tina; Ford, Tameria L.

1991-01-01

The potential of realizing high photosynthetic photon flux from radiation by high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamp, alone or in combination with metal halide (MH) plus quartz iodide (QI) incandescent lamps, to support lettuce grow, with or without nitrogen supplement, was investigated. It was found that varying exposures to radiation from combined HPS, MH, and QI lamps influenced dry weight gain and photosynthetic pigment content of hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seedlings.

Melatonin enhances lipid production in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 under nitrogen deficiency conditions via a multi-level mechanism.

PubMed

Zhao, Yongteng; Li, Dafei; Xu, Jun-Wei; Zhao, Peng; Li, Tao; Ma, Huixian; Yu, Xuya

2018-07-01

In this study, melatonin (MT) promoted lipid accumulation in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 under nitrogen deficiency conditions. The lipid accumulation increased 1.22- and 1.36-fold compared with a nitrogen-starved medium and a normal BG-11 medium, respectively. The maximum lipid content was 51.38%. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the presence of melatonin was lower than that in the control group, likely because of the high antioxidant activities. The application of melatonin upregulated the gibberellin acid (GA) production and rbcL and accD expression levels but downregulated the abscisic acid (ABA) content and pepc expression levels. These findings demonstrated that exogenous melatonin could further improve the lipid production in Monoraphidium sp. QLY-1 by regulating antioxidant systems, signalling molecules, and lipid biosynthesis-related gene expression under nitrogen deficiency conditions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tertiary wastewater treatment in membrane photobioreactor using microalgae: Comparison of forward osmosis & microfiltration.

PubMed

Praveen, Prashant; Heng, Jonathan Yun Ping; Loh, Kai-Chee

2016-12-01

Discharge of wastewater with high nitrogen and phosphorus content is a major cause of eutrophication. In this study, a microfiltration-based membrane photobioreactor (MPBR) and forward osmosis-based osmotic membrane photobioreactor (OMPBR) have been operated with Chlorella vulgaris for continuous tertiary wastewater treatment. Both the bioreactors exhibited good biomass accumulation (over 2g/L), although the OMPBR achieved better nutrients removal due to high rejection properties of the membranes. At 2days HRT, the OMPBR achieved nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies of 86-99% and 100%, respectively, whereas the corresponding values in the MPBR were 48-97% and 46%, respectively. Based on the energy input, the total operating costs for OMPBR were 32-45% higher than that of the MPBR, and filtration cost for OMPBR was 3.5-4.5 folds higher than that of the MPBR. These results indicate that the integration of membrane filtration with photobioreactors is promising in microalgae-based tertiary wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experience of high-nitrogenous steel powder application in repairs and surface hardening of responsible parts for power equipment by plasma spraying

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolpakov, A. S.; Kardonina, N. I.

2016-02-01

The questions of the application of novel diffusion-alloying high-nitrogenous steel powders for repair and surface hardening of responsible parts of power equipment by plasma spraying are considered. The appropriateness of the method for operative repair of equipment and increasing its service life is justified. General data on the structure, properties, and manufacture of nitrogen-, aluminum-, and chromium-containing steel powders that are economically alloyed using diffusion are described. It is noted that the nitrogen release during the decomposition of iron nitrides, when heating, protects the powder particles from oxidation in the plasma jet. It is shown that the coating retains 50% of nitrogen that is contained in the powder. Plasma spraying modes for diffusion-alloying high-nitrogenous steel powders are given. The service properties of plasma coatings based on these powders are analyzed. It is shown that the high-nitrogenous steel powders to a nitrogen content of 8.9 wt % provide the necessary wear resistance and hardness of the coating and the strength of its adhesion to the substrate and corrosion resistance to typical aggressive media. It is noted that increasing the coating porosity promotes stress relaxation and increases its thickness being limited with respect to delamination conditions in comparison with dense coatings on retention of the low defectiveness of the interface and high adhesion to the substrate. The examples of the application of high-nitrogenous steel powders in power engineering during equipment repairs by service companies and overhaul subdivisions of heat power plants are given. It is noted that the plasma spraying of diffusion-alloyed high-nitrogenous steel powders is a unique opportunity to restore nitrided steel products.

Coupled effects of methane monooxygenase and nitrogen source on growth and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b.

PubMed

Zhang, Tingting; Zhou, Jiti; Wang, Xiaowei; Zhang, Yu

2017-02-01

The coupled effects of nitrogen source and methane monooxygenase (MMO) on the growth and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation capacity of methanotrophs were explored. The ammonia-supplied methanotrophs expressing soluble MMO (sMMO) grew at the highest rate, while N 2 -fixing bacteria expressing particulate MMO (pMMO) grew at the lowest rate. Further study showed that more hydroxylamine and nitrite was formed by ammonia-supplied bacteria containing pMMO, which might cause their slightly lower growth rate. The highest PHB content (51.0%) was obtained under nitrogen-limiting conditions with the inoculation of nitrate-supplied bacteria containing pMMO. Ammonia-supplied bacteria also accumulated a higher content of PHB (45.2%) with the expression of pMMO, while N 2 -fixing bacteria containing pMMO only showed low PHB production capacity (32.1%). The maximal PHB contents of bacteria expressing sMMO were low, with no significant change under different nitrogen source conditions. The low MMO activity, low cell growth rate and low PHB production capacity of methanotrophs continuously cultivated with N 2 with the expression of pMMO were greatly improved in the cyclic NO 3 - N 2 cultivation regime, indicating that long-term deficiency of nitrogen sources was detrimental to the activity of methanotrophs expressing pMMO. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Life cycle analysis on fossil energy ratio of algal biodiesel: effects of nitrogen deficiency and oil extraction technology.

PubMed

Jian, Hou; Jing, Yang; Peidong, Zhang

2015-01-01

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely used to analyze various pathways of biofuel preparation from "cradle to grave." Effects of nitrogen supply for algae cultivation and technology of algal oil extraction on life cycle fossil energy ratio of biodiesel are assessed in this study. Life cycle fossil energy ratio of Chlorella vulgaris based biodiesel is improved by growing algae under nitrogen-limited conditions, while the life cycle fossil energy ratio of biodiesel production from Phaeodactylum tricornutum grown with nitrogen deprivation decreases. Compared to extraction of oil from dried algae, extraction of lipid from wet algae with subcritical cosolvents achieves a 43.83% improvement in fossil energy ratio of algal biodiesel when oilcake drying is not considered. The outcome for sensitivity analysis indicates that the algal oil conversion rate and energy content of algae are found to have the greatest effects on the LCA results of algal biodiesel production, followed by utilization ratio of algal residue, energy demand for algae drying, capacity of water mixing, and productivity of algae.

Life Cycle Analysis on Fossil Energy Ratio of Algal Biodiesel: Effects of Nitrogen Deficiency and Oil Extraction Technology

PubMed Central

Jian, Hou; Jing, Yang; Peidong, Zhang

2015-01-01

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely used to analyze various pathways of biofuel preparation from “cradle to grave.” Effects of nitrogen supply for algae cultivation and technology of algal oil extraction on life cycle fossil energy ratio of biodiesel are assessed in this study. Life cycle fossil energy ratio of Chlorella vulgaris based biodiesel is improved by growing algae under nitrogen-limited conditions, while the life cycle fossil energy ratio of biodiesel production from Phaeodactylum tricornutum grown with nitrogen deprivation decreases. Compared to extraction of oil from dried algae, extraction of lipid from wet algae with subcritical cosolvents achieves a 43.83% improvement in fossil energy ratio of algal biodiesel when oilcake drying is not considered. The outcome for sensitivity analysis indicates that the algal oil conversion rate and energy content of algae are found to have the greatest effects on the LCA results of algal biodiesel production, followed by utilization ratio of algal residue, energy demand for algae drying, capacity of water mixing, and productivity of algae. PMID:26000338

Biofilter for removal of nitrogen oxides from contaminated gases under aerobic conditions

DOEpatents

Apel, William A.

1998-01-01

A biofilter for reducing concentrations of gaseous nitrogen oxides in a polluted gas comprises a porous organic filter bed medium disposed in a housing, the filter bed medium including a mixed culture of naturally occurring denitrifying bacteria for converting the nitrogen oxides to nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and water. A method of reducing concentrations of nitrogen oxides in polluted gas comprises conducting the polluted gas through the biofilter so that the denitrifying bacteria can degrade the nitrogen oxides. A preferred filter medium is wood compost, however composts of other organic materials are functional. Regulation of pH, moisture content, exogenous carbon sources, and temperature are described.

Alterations in leaf nitrogen metabolism indicated the structural changes of subtropical forest by canopy addition of nitrogen.

PubMed

Liu, Nan; Wang, Jiaxin; Guo, Qinfeng; Wu, Shuhua; Rao, Xingquan; Cai, Xi'an; Lin, Zhifang

2018-09-30

Globally, nitrogen deposition increment has caused forest structural changes due to imbalanced plant nitrogen metabolism and subsequent carbon assimilation. Here, a 2 consecutive-year experiment was conducted to reveal the effects of canopy addition of nitrogen (CAN) on nitrogen absorption, assimilation, and allocation in leaves of three subtropical forest woody species (Castanea henryi, Ardisia quinquegona, and Blastus cochinchinensis). We hypothesized that CAN altered leaf nitrogen absorption, assimilation and partitioning of different plants in different ways in subtropical forest. It shows that CAN increased maximum photosynthetic rate (A max ), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), and metabolic protein content of the two understory species A. quinquegona and B. cochinchinensis. By contrary, for the overstory species, C. henryi, A max , PNUE, and metabolic protein content were significantly reduced in response to CAN. We found that changes in leaf nitrogen metabolism were mainly due to the differences in enzyme (e.g. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and glutamine synthetase) activities under CAN treatment. Our results indicated that C. henryi may be more susceptible to CAN treatment, and both A. quinquegona and B. cochinchinensis could better adapt to CAN treatment but in different ways. Our findings may partially explain the ongoing degradation of subtropical forest into a community dominated by small trees and shrubs in recent decades. It is possible that persistent high levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition will lead to the steady replacement of dominant woody species in this subtropical forest. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparisons of soil nitrogen mass balances for an ombrotrophic bog and a minerotrophic fen in northern Minnesota

Treesearch

Brian H. Hill; Terri M. Jicha; LaRae L.P. Lehto; Colleen M. Elonen; Stephen D. Sebestyen; Randy Kolka

2016-01-01

Wecompared nitrogen (N) storage and flux in soils froman ombrotrophic bogwith that of a minerotrophic fen to quantify the differences in N cycling between these two peatlands types in northernMinnesota (USA). Precipitation, atmospheric deposition, and bog and fen outflowswere analyzed for nitrogen species. Upland and peatland soil sampleswere analyzed for N content,...

Infrared spectroscopic monitoring of urea addition to oriented strandboard resins

Treesearch

Chi-Leung So; Thomas L. Eberhardt; Ernest Hsu; Brian K. Via; Chung Y. Hse

2007-01-01

One of the variables in phenol formaldehyde adhesive resin formulation is the addition of urea, which allows the resin manufacturer to manipulate both product functionality and cost. Nitrogen content can be used as a measure of the level of urea addition because most of the nitrogen present is derived from urea added at the end of the preparation process. Nitrogen...

Nitrogen budgets of phloem-feeding bark beetles with and without symbiotic fungi

Treesearch

Matthew P. Ayres; Richard T. Wilkens; J. Ruel; Maria J. Lombardero; Erich Vallery

2000-01-01

The nitrogen content of plant tissue is low relative to that of herbivores; as a consequence, dietary N can limit the growth and reproduction of herbivores and select for attributes that increase N acquisition. Bark beetles face a particularly severe challenge because the phloem that they consume is very low in nitrogen and phosphorus relative to their requirements. We...

Impact of glycerol and nitrogen concentration on Enterobacter A47 growth and exopolysaccharide production.

PubMed

Torres, Cristiana A V; Marques, Rodolfo; Ferreira, Ana R V; Antunes, Sílvia; Grandfils, Christian; Freitas, Filomena; Reis, Maria A M

2014-11-01

Enterobacter A47 produces a fucose-containing exopolysaccharide (EPS) by cultivation in mineral medium supplemented with glycerol. EPS synthesis by Enterobacter A47 was shown to be influenced by both the initial glycerol and nitrogen concentrations and by the nutrients' feeding rate during the fed-batch phase. Initial nitrogen concentrations above 1.05g/L were detrimental for EPS synthesis: the productivity was reduced to 0.35-0.62g/Ld (compared to 1.89-2.04g/Ld under lower nitrogen concentrations) and the polymer had lower fucose content (14-17%mol, compared to 36-38%mol under lower nitrogen concentrations). On the other hand, EPS productivity was improved to 5.66g/Ld by increasing the glycerol and nitrogen feeding rates during the fed-batch phase. However, the EPS thus obtained had lower fucose (26%mol) and higher galactose (34%mol) contents, as well as lower average molecular weight (7.2×10(5)). The ability of Enterobacter A47 to synthesize EPS with different physico-chemical characteristics may be useful for the generation of biopolymers with distinct functional properties suitable for different applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of coastal eutrophication on growth and physiology of Spartina alterniflora Loisel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yu; Cui, Baoshan; Xie, Tian; Wang, Qing; Yan, Jiaguo

2018-02-01

Coastal eutrophication has become a driver of coastal wetlands loss. Eutrophication caused by the increase of nitrogen content was one of the most main reasons. We analyzed that exogenous ammonium nitrogen (EAN) of different concentration influenced on the growth and physiology of Spartina alterniflora Loisel (S. alterniflora) through simulated conditions. The results showed that growth of the root system largely depended on the environment conditions around S. alterniflora. Higher nitrogen concentration promoted aboveground biomass and increased plant height. On the other hand, as the increase of growth period, higher nitrogen concentration could inhibit the elongation growth of root and reduce the underground biomass. We showed that activity of POD, SOD and MDA content changed in an upward trend along with the increased nitrogen level. There was a significant positive correlation between H+ flux and NO3- flux (r = 0.601, P < 0.01), and a significant negative correlation between H+ flux and NH4+ flux (r = -0.713, P < 0.01) within 1.5 mm from the root tip of S. alterniflora. Efflux and influx of ions were associated with changes of nitrogen levels. This research will provide data supporting for coastal wetland restoration of biodiversity reduction caused by coastal eutrophication.

Organically fertilized onions (Allium cepa L.): effects of the fertilizer placement method on quercetin content and soil nitrogen dynamics.

PubMed

Mogren, Lars M; Caspersen, Siri; Olsson, Marie E; Gertsson, Ulla E

2008-01-23

Field-cured onions cv. Hyskin ( Allium cepa L.) supplied with organic nitrogen fertilizer were studied. The fertilizer was applied by broadcasting and harrowing, broadcasting and rotary cultivation, or placement between rows. Nitrogen dynamics were monitored throughout the growing season by soil sampling. Variation in quercetin content in the onion scales was analyzed by HPLC. The organically fertilized onions were compared with inorganically fertilized onions grown in the same field. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the row at sowing or during commercial transplant production was tested but did not significantly affect mycorrhizal root colonization levels in the field. Onions that received no fertilizer at all or that had fertilizer placed between rows had better establishment, probably due to more favorable soil nitrogen concentrations for seedling emergence. Broadcast application led to higher nitrogen concentration in the root zone, resulting in fewer but larger individual onions. Quercetin levels were not significantly altered as a result of nitrogen fertilizer source (inorganic or organic), application method, or mycorrhizal inoculation. However, variation between years was significant, with quercetin levels in 2004 almost twice as high as those in 2005.

Late Pleistocene climate change, nutrient cycling, and the megafaunal extinctions in North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faith, J. Tyler

2011-06-01

This study proposes an ecological mechanism for the terminal Pleistocene population collapse and subsequent extinction of North American megafauna. Observations of modern ecosystems indicate that feedback mechanisms between plant nutrient content, nitrogen cycling, and herbivore-plant interactions can vary between a nutrient accelerating mode favoring increased herbivore biomass and a nutrient decelerating mode characterized by reduced herbivore biomass. These alternate modes are determined largely by plant nitrogen content. Plant nitrogen content is known to be influenced by atmospheric CO 2 concentrations, temperature, and precipitation. It is argued that Lateglacial climate change, particularly increases in atmospheric CO 2, shifted herbivore-ecosystem dynamics from a nutrient accelerating mode to a nutrient decelerating mode at the end of the Pleistocene, leading to reduced megafaunal population densities. An examination of Sporormiella records - a proxy for megaherbivore biomass - indicates that megafaunal populations collapsed first in the east and later in the west, possibly reflecting regional differences in precipitation or vegetation structure. The fortuitous intersection of the climatically driven nitrogen sink, followed by any one or combination of subsequent anthropogenic, environmental, or extra-terrestrial mechanisms could explain why extinctions took place at the end of the Pleistocene rather than during previous glacial-interglacial cycles.

Assessment of Various Organic Matter Properties by Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy of Sediments and Filters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alaoui, G.; Leger, M.; Gagne, J.; Tremblay, L.

2009-05-01

The goal of this work was to evaluate the capability of infrared reflectance spectroscopy for a fast quantification of the elemental and molecular compositions of sedimentary and particulate organic matter (OM). A partial least-squares (PLS) regression model was used for analysis and values were compared to those obtained by traditional methods (i.e., elemental, humic and HPLC analyses). PLS tools are readily accessible from software such as GRAMS (Thermo-Fisher) used in spectroscopy. This spectroscopic-chemometric approach has several advantages including its rapidity and use of whole unaltered samples. To predict properties, a set of infrared spectra from representative samples must first be fitted to form a PLS calibration model. In this study, a large set (180) of sediments and particles on GFF filters from the St. Lawrence estuarine system were used. These samples are very heterogenous (e.g., various tributaries, terrigenous vs. marine, events such as landslides and floods) and thus represent a challenging test for PLS prediction. For sediments, the infrared spectra were obtained with a diffuse reflectance, or DRIFT, accessory. Sedimentary carbon, nitrogen, humic substance contents as well as humic substance proportions in OM and N:C ratios were predicted by PLS. The relative root mean square error of prediction (%RMSEP) for these properties were between 5.7% (humin content) and 14.1% (total humic substance yield) using the cross-validation, or leave-one out, approach. The %RMSEP calculated by PLS for carbon content was lower with the PLS model (7.6%) than with an external calibration method (11.7%) (Tremblay and Gagné, 2002, Anal. Chem., 74, 2985). Moreover, the PLS approach does not require the extraction of POM needed in external calibration. Results highlighted the importance of using a PLS calibration set representative of the unknown samples (e.g., same area). For filtered particles, the infrared spectra were obtained using a novel approach based on attenuated total reflectance, or ATR, allowing the direct analysis of the filters. In addition to carbon and nitrogen contents, amino acid and muramic acid (a bacterial biomarker) yields were predicted using PLS. Calculated %RMSEP varied from 6.4% (total amino acid content) to 18.6% (muramic acid content) with cross-validation. PLS regression modeling does not require a priori knowledge of the spectral bands associated with the properties to be predicted. In turn, the spectral regions that give good PLS predictions provided valuable information on band assignment and geochemical processes. For instance, nitrogen and humin contents were greatly determined by an absorption band caused by aluminosilicate OH group. This supports the idea that OM-clay interactions, important in humin formation and OM preservation, are mediated by nitrogen-containing groups.

Determination of the carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen contents of alanine and their uncertainties using the certified reference material L-alanine (NMIJ CRM 6011-a).

PubMed

Itoh, Nobuyasu; Sato, Ayako; Yamazaki, Taichi; Numata, Masahiko; Takatsu, Akiko

2013-01-01

The carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN) contents of alanine and their uncertainties were estimated using a CHN analyzer and the certified reference material (CRM) L-alanine. The CHN contents and their uncertainties, as measured using the single-point calibration method, were 40.36 ± 0.20% for C, 7.86 ± 0.13% for H, and 15.66 ± 0.09% for N; the results obtained using the bracket calibration method were also comparable. The method described in this study is reasonable, convenient, and meets the general requirement of having uncertainties ≤ 0.4%.

Nitrogen incorporation in carbon nitride films produced by direct and dual ion-beam sputtering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abrasonis, G.; Gago, R.; Jimenez, I.

2005-10-01

Carbon (C) and carbon nitride (CN{sub x}) films were grown on Si(100) substrates by direct ion-beam sputtering (IBS) of a carbon target at different substrate temperatures (room temperature-450 deg. C) and Ar/N{sub 2} sputtering gas mixtures. Additionally, the effect of concurrent nitrogen-ion assistance during the growth of CN{sub x} films by IBS was also investigated. The samples were analyzed by elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) and x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). The ERDA results showed that significant nitrogen amount (up to 20 at. %) was incorporated in the films, without any other nitrogen source but the N{sub 2}-containing sputtering gas.more » The nitrogen concentration is proportional to the N{sub 2} content in the sputtering beam and no saturation limit is reached under the present working conditions. The film areal density derived from ERDA revealed a decrease in the amount of deposited material at increasing growth temperature, with a correlation between the C and N losses. The XANES results indicate that N atoms are efficiently incorporated into the carbon network and can be found in different bonding environments, such as pyridinelike, nitrilelike, graphitelike, and embedded N{sub 2} molecules. The contribution of molecular and pyridinelike nitrogen decreases when the temperature increases while the contribution of the nitrilelike nitrogen increases. The concurrent nitrogen ion assistance resulted in the significant increase of the nitrogen content in the film but it induced a further reduction of the deposited material. Additionally, the assisting ions inhibited the formation of the nitrilelike configurations while promoting nitrogen environments in graphitelike positions. The nitrogen incorporation and release mechanisms are discussed in terms of film growth precursors, ion bombardment effects, and chemical sputtering.« less

Development of a forward genetic screen to isolate oil mutants in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

PubMed

Cagnon, Caroline; Mirabella, Boris; Nguyen, Hoa Mai; Beyly-Adriano, Audrey; Bouvet, Séverine; Cuiné, Stéphan; Beisson, Fred; Peltier, Gilles; Li-Beisson, Yonghua

2013-12-02

Oils produced by microalgae are precursors to biodiesel. To achieve a profitable production of biodiesel from microalgae, identification of factors governing oil synthesis and turnover is desirable. The green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is amenable to genetic analyses and has recently emerged as a model to study oil metabolism. However, a detailed method to isolate various types of oil mutants that is adapted to Chlamydomonas has not been reported. We describe here a forward genetic approach to isolate mutants altered in oil synthesis and turnover from C. reinhardtii. It consists of a three-step screening procedure: a primary screen by flow cytometry of Nile red stained transformants grown in 96-deep-well plates under three sequential conditions (presence of nitrogen, then absence of nitrogen, followed by oil remobilization); a confirmation step using Nile red stained biological triplicates; and a validation step consisting of the quantification by thin layer chromatography of oil content of selected strains. Thirty-one mutants were isolated by screening 1,800 transformants generated by random insertional mutagenesis (1.7%). Five showed increased oil accumulation under the nitrogen-replete condition and 13 had altered oil content under nitrogen-depletion. All mutants were affected in oil remobilization. This study demonstrates that various types of oil mutants can be isolated in Chlamydomonas based on the method set-up here, including mutants accumulating oil under optimal biomass growth. The strategy conceived and the protocol set-up should be applicable to other microalgal species such as Nannochloropsis and Chlorella, thus serving as a useful tool in Chlamydomonas oil research and algal biotechnology.

Recovery of olefin monomers

DOEpatents

Golden, Timothy Christoph; Weist, Jr., Edward Landis; Johnson, Charles Henry

2004-03-16

In a process for the production of a polyolefin, an olefin monomer is polymerised said polyolefin and residual monomer is recovered. A gas stream comprising the monomer and nitrogen is subjected to a PSA process in which said monomer is adsorbed on a periodically regenerated silica gel or alumina adsorbent to recover a purified gas stream containing said olefin and a nitrogen rich stream containing no less than 99% nitrogen and containing no less than 50% of the nitrogen content of the gas feed to the PSA process.

Effects of UV-B radiation on growth, photosynthesis, UV-B-absorbing compounds and NADP-malic enzyme in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown under different nitrogen conditions.

PubMed

Pinto, M E; Casati, P; Hsu, T P; Ku, M S; Edwards, G E

1999-02-01

The effects of UV-B radiation on growth, photosynthesis, UV-B-absorbing compounds and NADP-malic enzyme have been examined in different cultivars of Phaseolous vulgaris L. grown under 1 and 12 mM nitrogen. Low nitrogen nutrition reduces chlorophyll and soluble protein contents in the leaves and thus the photosynthesis rate and dry-matter accumulation. Chlorophyll, soluble protein and Rubisco contents and photosynthesis rate are not significantly altered by ambient levels of UV-B radiation (17 microW m-2, 290-320 nm, 4 h/day for one week). Comparative studies show that under high nitrogen, UV-B radiation slightly enhances leaf expansion and dry-matter accumulation in cultivar Pinto, but inhibits these parameters in Vilmorin. These results suggest that the UV-B effect on growth is mediated through leaf expansion, which is particularly sensitive to UV-B, and that Pinto is more tolerant than Vilmorin. The effect of UV-B radiation on UV-B-absorbing compounds and on NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) activity is also examined. Both UV-B radiation and low-nitrogen nutrition enhance the content of UV-B-absorbing compounds, and among the three cultivars used, Pinto exhibits the highest increases and Arroz the lowest. The same trend is observed for the specific activity and content of NADP-ME. On a leaf-area basis, the amount of UV-B-absorbing compounds is highly correlated with the enzyme activity (r2 = 0.83), suggesting that NADP-ME plays a key role in biosynthesis of these compounds. Furthermore, the higher sensitivity of Vilmorin than Pinto to UV-B radiation appears to be related to the activity of NADP-ME and the capacity of the plants to accumulate UV-B-absorbing compounds.

Improving the efficiency of feed utilization in poultry by selection. 2. Genetic parameters of excretion traits and correlations with anatomy of the gastro-intestinal tract and digestive efficiency.

PubMed

de Verdal, Hugues; Narcy, Agnès; Bastianelli, Denis; Chapuis, Hervé; Même, Nathalie; Urvoix, Séverine; Le Bihan-Duval, Elisabeth; Mignon-Grasteau, Sandrine

2011-08-17

Poultry production has been widely criticized for its negative environmental impact related to the quantity of manure produced and to its nitrogen and phosphorus content. In this study, we investigated which traits related to excretion could be used to select chickens for lower environmental pollution.The genetic parameters of several excretion traits were estimated on 630 chickens originating from 2 chicken lines divergently selected on apparent metabolisable energy corrected for zero nitrogen (AMEn) at constant body weight. The quantity of excreta relative to feed consumption (CDUDM), the nitrogen and phosphorus excreted, the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio and the water content of excreta were measured, and the consequences of such selection on performance and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) characteristics estimated. The genetic correlations between excretion, GIT and performance traits were established. Heritability estimates were high for CDUDM and the nitrogen excretion rate (0.30 and 0.29, respectively). The other excretion measurements showed low to moderate heritability estimates, ranging from 0.10 for excreta water content to 0.22 for the phosphorus excretion rate. Except for the excreta water content, the CDUDM was highly correlated with the excretion traits, ranging from -0.64 to -1.00. The genetic correlations between AMEn or CDUDM and the GIT characteristics were very similar and showed that a decrease in chicken excretion involves an increase in weight of the upper part of the GIT, and a decrease in the weight of the small intestine. In order to limit the environmental impact of chicken production, AMEn and CDUDM seem to be more suitable criteria to include in selection schemes than feed efficiency traits.

Alleviation of Nitrogen and Sulfur Deficiency and Enhancement of Photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by Overexpression of Uroporphyrinogen III Methyltransferase (UPM1)

PubMed Central

Garai, Sampurna; Tripathy, Baishnab C.

2018-01-01

Siroheme, an iron-containing tetrapyrrole, is the prosthetic group of nitrite reductase (NiR) and sulfite reductase (SiR); it is synthesized from uroporphyrinogen III, an intermediate of chlorophyll biosynthesis, and is required for nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) assimilation. Further, uroporphyrinogen III methyltransferase (UPM1), responsible for two methylation reactions to form dihydrosirohydrochlorin, diverts uroporphyrinogen III from the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway toward siroheme synthesis. AtUPM1 [At5g40850] was used to produce both sense and antisense plants of Arabidopsis thaliana in order to modulate siroheme biosynthesis. In our experiments, overexpression of AtUPM1 signaled higher NiR (NII) and SiR gene and gene product expression. Increased NII expression was found to regulate and enhance the transcript and protein abundance of nitrate reductase (NR). We suggest that elevated NiR, NR, and SiR expression must have contributed to the increased synthesis of S containing amino acids in AtUPM1overexpressors, observed in our studies. We note that due to higher N and S assimilation in these plants, total protein content had increased in these plants. Consequently, chlorophyll biosynthesis increased in these sense plants. Higher chlorophyll and protein content of plants upregulated photosynthetic electron transport and carbon assimilation in the sense plants. Further, we have observed increased plant biomass in these plants, and this must have been due to increased N, S, and C assimilation. On the other hand, in the antisense plants, the transcript abundance, and protein content of NiR, and SiR was shown to decrease, resulting in reduced total protein and chlorophyll content. This led to a decrease in photosynthetic electron transport rate, carbon assimilation and plant biomass in these antisense plants. Under nitrogen or sulfur starvation conditions, the overexpressors had higher protein content and photosynthetic electron transport rate than the wild type (WT). Conversely, the antisense plants had lower protein content and photosynthetic efficiency in N-deficient environment. Our results clearly demonstrate that upregulation of siroheme biosynthesis leads to increased nitrogen and sulfur assimilation, and this imparts tolerance to nitrogen and sulfur deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. PMID:29472934

Method to Estimate the Dissolved Air Content in Hydraulic Fluid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hauser, Daniel M.

2011-01-01

In order to verify the air content in hydraulic fluid, an instrument was needed to measure the dissolved air content before the fluid was loaded into the system. The instrument also needed to measure the dissolved air content in situ and in real time during the de-aeration process. The current methods used to measure the dissolved air content require the fluid to be drawn from the hydraulic system, and additional offline laboratory processing time is involved. During laboratory processing, there is a potential for contamination to occur, especially when subsaturated fluid is to be analyzed. A new method measures the amount of dissolved air in hydraulic fluid through the use of a dissolved oxygen meter. The device measures the dissolved air content through an in situ, real-time process that requires no additional offline laboratory processing time. The method utilizes an instrument that measures the partial pressure of oxygen in the hydraulic fluid. By using a standardized calculation procedure that relates the oxygen partial pressure to the volume of dissolved air in solution, the dissolved air content is estimated. The technique employs luminescent quenching technology to determine the partial pressure of oxygen in the hydraulic fluid. An estimated Henry s law coefficient for oxygen and nitrogen in hydraulic fluid is calculated using a standard method to estimate the solubility of gases in lubricants. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the hydraulic fluid is estimated using the Henry s solubility coefficient and the measured partial pressure of oxygen in solution. The amount of dissolved nitrogen that is in solution is estimated by assuming that the ratio of dissolved nitrogen to dissolved oxygen is equal to the ratio of the gas solubility of nitrogen to oxygen at atmospheric pressure and temperature. The technique was performed at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The technique could be theoretically carried out at higher pressures and elevated temperatures.

HIGH DENSITY NUCLEAR FUEL COMPOSITION

DOEpatents

Litton, F.B.

1962-07-17

ABS>A nuclear fuel consisting essentially of uranium monocarbide and containing 2.2 to 4.6 wt% carbon, 0.1 to 2.3 wt% oxygen, 0.05 to 2.5 wt% nitrogen, and the balance uranium was developed. The maximum oxygen content was less than one-half the carbon content by weight and the carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen are present as a single phase substituted solid solution of UC, C, O, and N. A method of preparing the fuel composition is described. (AEC)

Upgrading platform using alkali metals

DOEpatents

Gordon, John Howard

2014-09-09

A process for removing sulfur, nitrogen or metals from an oil feedstock (such as heavy oil, bitumen, shale oil, etc.) The method involves reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and a radical capping substance. The alkali metal reacts with the metal, sulfur or nitrogen content to form one or more inorganic products and the radical capping substance reacts with the carbon and hydrogen content to form a hydrocarbon phase. The inorganic products may then be separated out from the hydrocarbon phase.

A Sustainable Route from Biomass Byproduct Okara to High Content Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Sheets for Efficient Sodium Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Yang, Tingzhou; Qian, Tao; Wang, Mengfan; Shen, Xiaowei; Xu, Na; Sun, Zhouzhou; Yan, Chenglin

2016-01-20

A sustainable route from the biomass byproduct okara as a natural nitrogen fertilizer to high-content N-doped carbon sheets is demonstrated. The as-prepared unique structure exhibits high specific capacity (292 mAh g(-1) ) and extremely long cycle life (exceeding 2000 cycles). A full battery is devised for the practical use of materials with a flexible/wearable LED screen. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

[Nutrient contents and microbial populations of aeolian sandy soil in Sanjiangyuan region of Qinghai Province].

PubMed

Lin, Chao-feng; Chen, Zhan-quan; Xue, Quan-hong; Lai, Hang-xian; Chen, Lai-sheng; Zhang, Deng-shan

2007-01-01

Sanjiangyuan region (the headstream of three rivers) in Qinghai Province of China is the highest and largest inland alpine wetland in the world. The study on the nutrient contents and microbial populations of aeolian sandy soils in this region showed that soil organic matter content increased with the evolution of aeolian sand dunes from un-stabilized to stabilized state, being 5.9 and 3.8 times higher in stabilized sand dune than in mobile and semi-stabilized sand dunes, respectively. Soil nitrogen and phosphorus contents increased in line with the amount of organic matter, while potassium content and pH value varied slightly. The microbial populations changed markedly with the development of vegetation, fixing of mobile sand, and increase of soil nutrients. The quantities of soil bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were 4.0 and 2.8 times, 19.6 and 6.3 times, and 12.4 and 2.6 times higher in stabilized and semi-stabilized sand dunes than in mobile sand dune, respectively, indicating that soil microbial bio-diversity was increased with the evolution of aeolian sand dunes from mobile to stabilized state. In addition, the quantities of soil microbes were closely correlated with the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and available nitrogen and phosphorus, but not correlated with soil total phosphorus, total and available potassium, or pH value.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lincoln, D.E.

Assay procedures for analysis of four groups of allelochemicals in Artemisia tridentata, big sagebrush, were established. Growth of Artemisia under high and low light at three CO/sub 2/ levels demonstrated that this species also undegoes a ''dilution'' of the leaf nitrogen content and is useful as test species for herbivory response to CO/sub 2/ induced effects. The initiial experiment also showed that high irradiance is a necessary growth condition. Plants from a single population of A. Tridentata were grown at the Duke Phytotron in three CO/sub 2/ regimed and fed to two species of grasshoppers. Sagabrush plants grew more andmore » had lower leaf nitrogen contents as CO/sub 2/ concentration increased. However, the plants had on average lowere leaf carbon as well as lower leaf niitrogen contents with elevated CO/sub 2/. The source of the lower leaf nutritional value does not appear to be solely an increase in carbon content. Grasshopper consumption was greater on leaves from elevated future and from reduced historical CO/sub 2/ regimes, compared to the current concentration. The increased consumption of leaves from elevated CO/sub 2/ is in agreement with previous results. Grasshopper consumption was significantly related to leaf allelochemical content, but not to leaf nitrogen content. The consumption difference among CO/sub 2/ regimes appeared to result from allelochemical differences, which in turn may result from genetic variation or from CO/sub 2/ treatments. 17 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Soil Fertility Map for Food Legumes Production Areas in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ling; Yang, Tao; Redden, Robert; He, Weifeng; Zong, Xuxiao

2016-05-01

Given the limited resources of fossil energy, and the environmental risks of excess fertilizer on crops, it is time to reappraise the potential role of food legume biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) as sources of nitrogen for cropping systems in China. 150 soil samples across 17 provinces and 2 municipalities of China were collected and analyzed. A distribution map of the soil fertilities and their patterns of distribution was constructed. The pH results indicated that soils were neutral to slightly alkaline overall. The soil organic matter (SOM) and the available nitrogen (AN) content were relatively low, while the available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) contents were from moderate to high. Production areas of food legumes (faba bean, pea, adzuki bean, mung bean and common bean) were clearly separated into 4 soil fertility type clusters. In addition, regions with SOM, AN, AP and AK deficiency, high acidity and high alkalinity were listed as target areas for further soil improvement. The potential was considered for biological nitrogen fixation to substitute for the application of mineral nitrogen fertiliser.

Nitrogen-Doped Mesoporous Carbon: A Top-Down Strategy to Promote Sulfur Immobilization for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiaohui; Liu, Ying; Manuel, James; Chauhan, Ghanshyam S; Ahn, Hyo-Jun; Kim, Ki-Won; Cho, Kwon-Koo; Ahn, Jou-Hyeon

2015-10-12

The loss of active sulfur material is a challenge in the application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. To immobilize sulfur, a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (PMC) was synthesized with polyaniline (PANi) as the carbon source, which was used for development of Li-S batteries. The nitrogen content and pore system of the PMCs were modulated by varying the pyrolysis temperature to impart good electrochemical properties to the Li-S cells. As a result, the optimal capacity reversibility was obtained with the PMC synthesized at 700 °C that consisted of 12.8 % nitrogen. The enhanced cycle performance of Li-S cells was also validated at high sulfur contents up to 70 % and high C-rates up to 2 C. Furthermore, such sulfur/PMC cathodes could alleviate volume expansion during the discharge process. The results suggest that our synthesized nitrogen-doped PMCs prepared by this top-down strategy are promising materials to immobilize active sulfur in Li-S batteries. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Soil Fertility Map for Food Legumes Production Areas in China

PubMed Central

Li, Ling; Yang, Tao; Redden, Robert; He, Weifeng; Zong, Xuxiao

2016-01-01

Given the limited resources of fossil energy, and the environmental risks of excess fertilizer on crops, it is time to reappraise the potential role of food legume biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) as sources of nitrogen for cropping systems in China. 150 soil samples across 17 provinces and 2 municipalities of China were collected and analyzed. A distribution map of the soil fertilities and their patterns of distribution was constructed. The pH results indicated that soils were neutral to slightly alkaline overall. The soil organic matter (SOM) and the available nitrogen (AN) content were relatively low, while the available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) contents were from moderate to high. Production areas of food legumes (faba bean, pea, adzuki bean, mung bean and common bean) were clearly separated into 4 soil fertility type clusters. In addition, regions with SOM, AN, AP and AK deficiency, high acidity and high alkalinity were listed as target areas for further soil improvement. The potential was considered for biological nitrogen fixation to substitute for the application of mineral nitrogen fertiliser. PMID:27212262

Transforming waste biomass with an intrinsically porous network structure into porous nitrogen-doped graphene for highly efficient oxygen reduction.

PubMed

Zhou, Huang; Zhang, Jian; Amiinu, Ibrahim Saana; Zhang, Chenyu; Liu, Xiaobo; Tu, Wenmao; Pan, Mu; Mu, Shichun

2016-04-21

Porous nitrogen-doped graphene with a very high surface area (1152 m(2) g(-1)) is synthesized by a novel strategy using intrinsically porous biomass (soybean shells) as a carbon and nitrogen source via calcination and KOH activation. To redouble the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by tuning the doped-nitrogen content and type, ammonia (NH3) is injected during thermal treatment. Interestingly, this biomass-derived graphene catalyst exhibits the unique properties of mesoporosity and high pyridine-nitrogen content, which contribute to the excellent oxygen reduction performance. As a result, the onset and half-wave potentials of the new metal-free non-platinum catalyst reach -0.009 V and -0.202 V (vs. SCE), respectively, which is very close to the catalytic activity of the commercial Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media. Moreover, our catalyst has a higher ORR stability and stronger CO and CH3OH tolerance than Pt/C in alkaline media. Importantly, in acidic media, the catalyst also exhibits good ORR performance and higher ORR stability compared to Pt/C.

Nitrogen deposition alters nitrogen cycling and reduces soil carbon content in low-productivity semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems

PubMed Central

Ochoa-Hueso, Raúl; Maestre, Fernando T.; Ríos, Asunción de los; Valea, Sergio; Theobald, Mark R.; Vivanco, Marta G.; Manrique, Esteban; Bowker, Mathew A.

2015-01-01

Nitrogen (N) deposition is a threat to European Mediterranean ecosystems, but the evidence of real ecological impacts is still scarce. We combined data from a real N deposition gradient (4.3-7.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1) from semiarid portions of Spain with data from a field experiment in central Spain to evaluate N deposition effects on soil fertility, function and cyanobacteria community structure. Soil organic N did not increase along the extant deposition gradient, whereas C:N ratios decreased in most locations. Nitrogen fixation decreased along existing and experimental N deposition gradients, a result possibly related to compositional shifts in soil cyanobacteria community. Nitrogen mineralization rates were reduced by N fertilization, suggesting ecosystem N saturation. Soil organic C content and the activity of β-glucosidase decreased along the extant gradient. Our results suggest that semiarid soils in low-productivity sites are unable to store additional N inputs, and that are also unable to mitigate increasing C emissions to the atmosphere when experiencing increased N deposition. PMID:23685631

Eco-sewerage System Design for Modern Office Buildings: based on Vacuum and Source-separation Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Kangning; Wang, Chengwen; Zheng, Min; Yuan, Xin

2010-11-01

This study aimed to construct an on-site eco-sewerage system for modern office buildings in urban area based on combined innovative technologies of vacuum and source-separation. Results showed that source-separated grey water had low concentrations of pollutants, which helped the reuse of grey water. However, the system had a low separation efficiency between the yellow water and the brown water, which was caused by the plug problem in the urine collection from the urine-diverting toilets. During the storage of yellow water for liquid fertilizer production, nearly all urea nitrogen transferred to ammonium nitrogen and about 2/3 phosphorus was lost because of the struvite precipitation. Total bacteria and coliforms increased first in the storage, but then decreased to low concentrations. The anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic MBR had high elimination rates of COD, ammonium nitrogen and total nitrogen of the brown water, which were 94.2%, 98.1% and 95.1%, respectively. However, the effluent still had high contents of colority, nitrate and phosphorus, which affected the application of the effluent for flushing water. Even though, the effluent might be used as dilution water for the yellow water fertilizer. Based on the results and the assumption of an ideal operation of the vacuum source-separation system, a future plan for on-site eco-sewerage system of modern office buildings was constructed. Its sustainability was validated by the analysis of the substances flow of water and nutrients.

Biogeochemistry and nitrogen cycling in an Arctic, volcanic ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fogel, M. L.; Benning, L.; Conrad, P. G.; Eigenbrode, J.; Starke, V.

2007-12-01

As part of a study on Mars Analogue environments, the biogeochemistry of Sverrefjellet Volcano, Bocfjorden, Svalbard, was conducted and compared to surrounding glacial, thermal spring, and sedimentary environments. An understanding of how nitrogen might be distributed in a landscape that had extinct or very cold adapted, slow- growing extant organisms should be useful for detecting unknown life forms. From high elevations (900 m) to the base of the volcano (sea level), soil and rock ammonium concentrations were uniformly low, typically less than 1- 3 micrograms per gm of rock or soil. In weathered volcanic soils, reduced nitrogen concentrations were higher, and oxidized nitrogen concentrations lower. The opposite was found in a weathered Devonian sedimentary soil. Plants and lichens growing on volcanic soils have an unusually wide range in N isotopic compositions from -5 to +12‰, a range rarely measured in temperate ecosystems. Nitrogen contents and isotopic compositions of volcanic soils and rocks were strongly influenced by the presence or absence of terrestrial herbivores or marine avifauna with higher concentrations of N and elevated N isotopic compositions occurring as patches in areas immediately influenced by reindeer, Arctic fox ( Alopex lagopus), and marine birds. Because of the extreme conditions in this area, ephemeral deposition of herbivore feces results in a direct and immediate N pulses into the ecosystem. The lateral extent and distribution of marine- derived nitrogen was measured on a landscape scale surrounding an active fox den. Nitrogen was tracked from the bones of marine birds to soil to vegetation. Because of extreme cold, slow biological rates and nitrogen cycling, a mosaic of N patterns develops on the landscape scale.

Marine and Freshwater Feedstocks as a Precursor for Nitrogen-Containing Carbons: A Review

PubMed Central

Ilnicka, Anna; Lukaszewicz, Jerzy P.

2018-01-01

Marine-derived as well as freshwater feedstock offers important benefits, such as abundance, morphological and structural variety, and the presence of multiple elements, including nitrogen and carbon. Therefore, these renewal resources may be useful for obtaining N- and C-containing materials that can be manufactured by various methods, such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal processes supported by means of chemical and physical activators. However, every synthesis concept relies on an efficient transfer of nitrogen and carbon from marine/freshwater feedstock to the final product. This paper reviews the advantages of marine feedstock over synthetic and natural but non-marine resources as precursors for the manufacturing of N-doped activated carbons. The manufacturing procedure influences some crucial properties of nitrogen-doped carbon materials, such as pore structure and the chemical composition of the surface. An extensive review is given on the relationship between carbon materials manufacturing from marine feedstock and the elemental content of nitrogen, together with a description of the chemical bonding of nitrogen atoms at the surface. N-doped carbons may serve as effective adsorbents for the removal of pollutants from the gas or liquid phase. Non-recognized areas of adsorption-based applications for nitrogen-doped carbons are presented, too. The paper proves that nitrogen-doped carbon materials belong to most of the prospective electrode materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies such as fuel cells, air–metal batteries, and supercapacitors, as well as for bioimaging. The reviewed material belongs to the widely understood field of marine biotechnology in relation to marine natural products. PMID:29701697

ESR detection procedure of irradiated papaya containing high water content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Masahiro; Shimoyama, Yuhei; Ukai, Mitsuko; Kobayashi, Yasuhiko

2011-05-01

ESR signals were recorded from irradiated papaya at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), and freeze-dried irradiated papaya at room temperature (295 K). Two side peaks from the flesh at the liquid nitrogen temperature indicated a linear dose response for 3-14 days after the γ-irradiation. The line shapes recorded from the freeze-dried specimens were sharper than those at liquid nitrogen temperature.

Horizon-Specific Bacterial Community Composition of German Grassland Soils, as Revealed by Pyrosequencing-Based Analysis of 16S rRNA Genes ▿ †

PubMed Central

Will, Christiane; Thürmer, Andrea; Wollherr, Antje; Nacke, Heiko; Herold, Nadine; Schrumpf, Marion; Gutknecht, Jessica; Wubet, Tesfaye; Buscot, François; Daniel, Rolf

2010-01-01

The diversity of bacteria in soil is enormous, and soil bacterial communities can vary greatly in structure. Here, we employed a pyrosequencing-based analysis of the V2-V3 16S rRNA gene region to characterize the overall and horizon-specific (A and B horizons) bacterial community compositions in nine grassland soils, which covered three different land use types. The entire data set comprised 752,838 sequences, 600,544 of which could be classified below the domain level. The average number of sequences per horizon was 41,824. The dominant taxonomic groups present in all samples and horizons were the Acidobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Despite these overarching dominant taxa, the abundance, diversity, and composition of bacterial communities were horizon specific. In almost all cases, the estimated bacterial diversity (H′) was higher in the A horizons than in the corresponding B horizons. In addition, the H′ was positively correlated with the organic carbon content, the total nitrogen content, and the C-to-N ratio, which decreased with soil depth. It appeared that lower land use intensity results in higher bacterial diversity. The majority of sequences affiliated with the Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Fibrobacteres, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, Verrucomicrobia, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria were derived from A horizons, whereas the majority of the sequences related to Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospira, TM7, and WS3 originated from B horizons. The distribution of some bacterial phylogenetic groups and subgroups in the different horizons correlated with soil properties such as organic carbon content, total nitrogen content, or microbial biomass. PMID:20729324

[The relationship between abiotic factors and microbial activities of microbial eco-system in contaminated soil with petroleum hydrocarbons].

PubMed

Jia, Jian-li; Li, Guang-he; Zhong, Yi

2004-05-01

By means of the biostimulation and bioaugmentation in the micro-ecological environment of contaminated soil with petrochemical hydrocarbons, the biodegradation rates and mode of the contaminants were significantly improved. Based on the investigations carried out in some oilfields and petrochemical industrial area of Northern China, the relationship between the abiotic factors such as nutrient, pH, contaminants, water content, alkalinity, etc., and microbial activities was interpreted and identified in this paper. The results from the investigations and indoor and in-situ experiments conducted recent years indicated that the soils in the areas, to the extent, have been polluted by the different kinds of organic compounds composed of monoaromatic benzene, PAHs, chlorinated solvent, and alkanes, and the concentrations of the compounds mostly were elevated as compared to the background, with the highest 34,000 mg/kg dry soil. The column chromatography analysis results showed that the alkyl and aromatic compounds were accounted for more than 50% of the total hydrocarbon contents, which was readily degraded by degrading bacteria and improved the degrading microbe activities. The effective nitrogen and phosphorus encountered in the soil was less than 30 mg/kg dry soil and 10 mg/kg dry soil, only about 5% of total contents of them respectively. Based on the stoichiometric calculation and reasonable ratio of carbon to nutrient content regarding the biodegradation of organic compounds, the nutrient levels mainly composed of nitrogen and phosphorus in polluted soil as importantly limiting factors to degrading bacterial growth and activity were insufficient to the biodegradation of petrochemicals, and it is needed to add the nutrient for the bioremediation of contaminated soil. It is undoubted that the optimization of abiotic factors play significant role in increasing the microbial activity and improving the biodegradation rates.

Effect of Fusarium isolates and their filtrates on respiratory rate and chemical analysis of squash plants.

PubMed

El-Shenawy, Z; Mansour, M A; El-Behrawi, S

1978-01-01

The highly pathogenic isolate stimulated the emergence of the squash seedlings first, caused, however, the highest death rate of the seedlings finally. Fusarium isolates and their culture filtrates inhibited the respiratory rate of squash plants significantly. However, F. oxysporum isolates inhibited respiration more than F. solani isolates. Seasonal changes of respiration decline show that the respiratory rate decreased with plant growth in the case of infested soil and of plants injected with culture filtrates. However, spraying Fusarium culture filtrates on the foliage gave opposite results when the plants grew older. Fusarium solani isolates decreased nitrogen content of squash stems and leaves, while F. oxysporum isolates gave reverse results. Injecting Fusarium culture filtrate into the plant decreased nitrogen content of both stems and leaves, while spraying the foliage with the filtrates increased nitrogen content more than that of the control. Phosphorus content of the stems of squash plants, sown in infested soil, was less than in the control when the plants were treated with F. solani and higher when they were treated with F. oxysporum isolates. On the other hand, the phosphorus content of squash leaves was higher than in the control. In the case of injected plants, however, the phosphorus content in stems and leaves was equal to that of the control or less, and with sprayed plants it was higher than in the control. Infesting the soil with Fusarium isolates and spraying the foliage with their culture filtrates increased potassium content of squash stems and leaves, while injecting the filtrates into the plants decreased potassium content of both stems and leaves.

Models analyses for allelopathic effects of chicory at equivalent coupling of nitrogen supply and pH level on F. arundinacea, T. repens and M. sativa.

PubMed

Wang, Quanzhen; Xie, Bao; Wu, Chunhui; Chen, Guo; Wang, Zhengwei; Cui, Jian; Hu, Tianming; Wiatrak, Pawel

2012-01-01

Alllelopathic potential of chicory was investigated by evaluating its effect on seed germination, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the chlorophyll content of three target plants species (Festuca arundinacea, Trifolium repens and Medicago sativa). The secretion of allelochemicals was regulated by keeping the donor plant (chicory) separate from the three target plant species and using different pH and nitrogen levels. Leachates from donor pots with different pH levels and nitrogen concentrations continuously irrigated the target pots containing the seedlings. The allelopathic effects of the chicory at equivalent coupling of nitrogen supply and pH level on the three target plants species were explored via models analyses. The results suggested a positive effect of nitrogen supply and pH level on allelochemical secretion from chicory plants. The nitrogen supply and pH level were located at a rectangular area defined by 149 to 168 mg/l nitrogen supply combining 4.95 to 7.0 pH value and point located at nitrogen supply 177 mg/l, pH 6.33 when they were in equivalent coupling effects; whereas the inhibitory effects of equivalent coupling nitrogen supply and pH level were located at rectangular area defined by 125 to 131 mg/l nitrogen supply combining 6.71 to 6.88 pH value and two points respectively located at nitrogen supply 180 mg/l with pH 6.38 and nitrogen supply 166 mg/l with pH 7.59. Aqueous extracts of chicory fleshy roots and leaves accompanied by treatment at different sand pH values and nitrogen concentrations influenced germination, seedling growth, soluble sugar, MDA and chlorophyll of F. arundinacea, T. repens and M. sativa. Additionally, we determined the phenolics contents of root and leaf aqueous extracts, which were 0.104% and 0.044% on average, respectively.

Models Analyses for Allelopathic Effects of Chicory at Equivalent Coupling of Nitrogen Supply and pH Level on F. arundinacea, T. repens and M. sativa

PubMed Central

Wang, Quanzhen; Xie, Bao; Wu, Chunhui; Chen, Guo; Wang, Zhengwei; Cui, Jian; Hu, Tianming; Wiatrak, Pawel

2012-01-01

Alllelopathic potential of chicory was investigated by evaluating its effect on seed germination, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the chlorophyll content of three target plants species (Festuca arundinacea, Trifolium repens and Medicago sativa). The secretion of allelochemicals was regulated by keeping the donor plant (chicory) separate from the three target plant species and using different pH and nitrogen levels. Leachates from donor pots with different pH levels and nitrogen concentrations continuously irrigated the target pots containing the seedlings. The allelopathic effects of the chicory at equivalent coupling of nitrogen supply and pH level on the three target plants species were explored via models analyses. The results suggested a positive effect of nitrogen supply and pH level on allelochemical secretion from chicory plants. The nitrogen supply and pH level were located at a rectangular area defined by 149 to 168 mg/l nitrogen supply combining 4.95 to 7.0 pH value and point located at nitrogen supply 177 mg/l, pH 6.33 when they were in equivalent coupling effects; whereas the inhibitory effects of equivalent coupling nitrogen supply and pH level were located at rectangular area defined by 125 to 131 mg/l nitrogen supply combining 6.71 to 6.88 pH value and two points respectively located at nitrogen supply 180 mg/l with pH 6.38 and nitrogen supply 166 mg/l with pH 7.59. Aqueous extracts of chicory fleshy roots and leaves accompanied by treatment at different sand pH values and nitrogen concentrations influenced germination, seedling growth, soluble sugar, MDA and chlorophyll of F. arundinacea, T. repens and M. sativa. Additionally, we determined the phenolics contents of root and leaf aqueous extracts, which were 0.104% and 0.044% on average, respectively. PMID:22384054

Influence of crop rotation, intermediate crops, and organic fertilizers on the soil enzymatic activity and humus content in organic farming systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcinkeviciene, A.; Boguzas, V.; Balnyte, S.; Pupaliene, R.; Velicka, R.

2013-02-01

The influence of crop rotation systems with different portions of nitrogen-fixing crops, intermediate crops, and organic fertilizers on the enzymatic activity and humus content of soils in organic farming was studied. The highest activity of the urease and invertase enzymes was determined in the soil under the crop rotation with 43% nitrogen-fixing crops and with perennial grasses applied twice per rotation. The application of manure and the growing of intermediate crops for green fertilizers did not provide any significant increase in the content of humus. The activity of urease slightly correlated with the humus content ( r = 0.30 at the significance level of 0.05 and r = 0.39 at the significance level of 0.01).

Eutrophic mire, its characteristics and modern conditions of peat genesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inisheva, L. I.; Golubina, O. A.; Zaplatnikova, Yu. D.; Dubrovskaya, L. I.

2009-04-01

The study of structure functional organization of Siberian mire ecosystems is the base of after-effects influence of their reclamation on global changes of biosphere. The aim of this investigation is to study the structure functional organization of eutrophic mire ecosystem "Tagan". Peat deposit "Tagan" (West Siberia, 20 kilometers near Tomsk) is situated on the second flood-plain terrace of the river Tom of ancient flow channel. Maximum power of peat deposit is 9.3 meters. Subsoil is made up from sand, more seldom from loamy sand and loam. Eutrophic vegetation covers almost the whole mire. It is presented by woody sedge, sedge, sedge-moss and grass undershrub phytocenoses. The oligotrophic vegetation is presented by Sphagnum pine cotton-grass phytocenosis. There were organized three observation points on the mire in 2007. They watched dynamics of hydrothermic, redox, biological, hydrochemical regimes. There were studied physicochemical properties at given points. Peats with normal ash basically refer to grass, woody grass group of lowland type. They are characterized by high degree of decomposition which is increased down deposit. Group composition of organic matters of investigated peats showed that bitumen content in peat changes from 1.4 to 3.56%, and humid acids content is within the limits of 16.67 - 44.34 %. Water-soluble and hardly-hydrolyzed matters are contained in quantity of 19.04 - 49.76% of the whole dry peat mass. The overall nitrogen content changes within the limits of 1.76 - 3.52%. It is presented mainly by fraction of unhydrolyzed nitrogen (72.07 - 95.67% of the whole nitrogen). Highly-hydrolyzed nitrogen is the most available reserve of mineral compound of nitrogen and its content changes within the limits of 0.18 - 4.79 of the overall nitrogen. 2008 year is characterized as an average year at conditions of moistening and heat providing. Investigations, made during this year, revealed the following results. Bog waters were kept at a surface level of 20 - 69cm in summer. Peat deposit heating up to 10˚ C was observed at a depth of 120cm. Oxidizing conditions are traced up to 40 - 60cm deep. There is gradual change into restoring conditions deep in peat deposit. Very reduction conditions are observed at a depth of 60cm. Weather conditions of 2008 year were favorable for biological processes activation. In the result of their manifestation hydrochemical composition of bog waters was formed. First of all, one should pay attention to weak alkaline reaction of bog waters. Calcium content in bog waters changes from 70.2 to 150.9 mg/l. One may state calcium removal from peat deposit of eutrophic mire into an outfall. The latter is the river which is flowing along the mire. Magnesium concentration in bog waters changed within the limits of 8.5 - 42.5 mg/l. It is important to note high content of iron in individual months - up to 17.8 mg/l. Organic matters content in bog waters, which are presented by humid acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA), is HA 3.4 - 24.65 mg/l, FA 11.0 - 58.3 mg/l. Let's, first of all, examine dynamics of individual components in bog waters. Thus, content of calcium, water-soluble carbon, and fulvic acids naturally increased in July, when it was marked combination of high temperature and minor precipitation. Active iron in bog waters had the highest concentration in spring which had gradually decreased by September (from 18 and 8 mg/l to 0.1 mg/l). Preliminary obtained results reveal bog drainage occurring at present. It is followed also from the fact that there are favorable redox conditions in a meter layer of peat deposit and high degree of peats decomposition. The examination of dynamics of hydrothermic, biological and hydrochemical regimes also is evidence of biological processes activity in eutrophic mire "Tagan". This fact, in its turn, influences on hydrochemical compound formation of bog waters.

Effect of Epichloë gansuensis Endophyte on the Nitrogen Metabolism, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Stoichiometry of Achnatherum inebrians under Nitrogen Limitation.

PubMed

Wang, Jianfeng; Nan, Zhibiao; Christensen, Michael J; Zhang, Xingxu; Tian, Pei; Zhang, Zhixin; Niu, Xueli; Gao, Peng; Chen, Tao; Ma, Lixia

2018-04-25

The systemic fungal endophyte of the grass Achnatherum inebrians, Epichloë gansuensis, has important roles in enhancing resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this work, we first evaluated the effects of E. gansuensis on nitrogen metabolism, nitrogen use efficiency, and stoichiometry of A. inebrians under varying nitrogen concentrations. The results demonstrated that E. gansuensis significantly improved the growth of A. inebrians under low nitrogen conditions. The fresh and dry weights, nitrogen reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase activity, NO 3 - , NH 4 + , N, and P content, and also the total N accumulation, N utilization efficiency, and N uptake efficiency were all higher in leaves of A. inebrians with E. ganusensis (E+) plants than A. inebrians plants without this endophyte (E-) under low nitrogen availability. In conclusion, E. gansuensis has positive effects on improving the growth of A. inebrians under low-nitrogen conditions by modulating the enzymes of nitrogen metabolism and enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.

Over-Expression of a Tobacco Nitrate Reductase Gene in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Increases Seed Protein Content and Weight without Augmenting Nitrogen Supplying

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xiao-Qiang; Nie, Xuan-Li; Xiao, Xing-Guo

2013-01-01

Heavy nitrogen (N) application to gain higher yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) resulted in increased production cost and environment pollution. How to diminish the N supply without losing yield and/or quality remains a challenge. To meet the challenge, we integrated and expressed a tobacco nitrate reductase gene (NR) in transgenic wheat. The 35S-NR gene was transferred into two winter cultivars, “Nongda146” and “Jimai6358”, by Agrobacterium-mediation. Over-expression of the transgene remarkably enhanced T1 foliar NR activity and significantly augmented T2 seed protein content and 1000-grain weight in 63.8% and 68.1% of T1 offspring (total 67 individuals analyzed), respectively. Our results suggest that constitutive expression of foreign nitrate reductase gene(s) in wheat might improve nitrogen use efficiency and thus make it possible to increase seed protein content and weight without augmenting N supplying. PMID:24040315

Over-expression of a tobacco nitrate reductase gene in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) increases seed protein content and weight without augmenting nitrogen supplying.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiao-Qiang; Nie, Xuan-Li; Xiao, Xing-Guo

2013-01-01

Heavy nitrogen (N) application to gain higher yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) resulted in increased production cost and environment pollution. How to diminish the N supply without losing yield and/or quality remains a challenge. To meet the challenge, we integrated and expressed a tobacco nitrate reductase gene (NR) in transgenic wheat. The 35S-NR gene was transferred into two winter cultivars, "Nongda146" and "Jimai6358", by Agrobacterium-mediation. Over-expression of the transgene remarkably enhanced T1 foliar NR activity and significantly augmented T2 seed protein content and 1000-grain weight in 63.8% and 68.1% of T1 offspring (total 67 individuals analyzed), respectively. Our results suggest that constitutive expression of foreign nitrate reductase gene(s) in wheat might improve nitrogen use efficiency and thus make it possible to increase seed protein content and weight without augmenting N supplying.

Influences of urea and sodium nitrite on surface coating of plasma electrolytic oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Shang-Chun; Tsai, Dah-Shyang; Guan, Sheng-Yong; Chou, Chen-Chia

2015-11-01

Urea and sodium nitrite are generally viewed as nitridation additives in the electrolyte for plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of aluminum alloys. We study the influences of these two convenient chemicals in presence of sodium aluminate and find very different effects on film growth. Urea addition enhances the nitrogen content of PEO layer, diminishes the layer thickness, increases the porosity, interferes with the α-alumina formation, and promotes precipitation in the electrolyte. Hence, the electrolytic urea content ought to be maintained less than 45 g dm-3. On the other hand, sodium nitrite behaves like an oxidation additive, more than a nitridation additive. NaNO2 addition effectively introduces nitrogen in the PEO layer at low concentration, yet the nitrogen content of oxide layer decreases with increasing NaNO2 concentration. The effects of NaNO2, such as increasing layer thickness, reducing porosity, promoting α-alumina formation are attributed to oxidation enhancement, not because of nitridation.

Carbon sequestration and Jerusalem artichoke biomass under nitrogen applications in coastal saline zone in the northern region of Jiangsu, China.

PubMed

Niu, Li; Manxia, Chen; Xiumei, Gao; Xiaohua, Long; Hongbo, Shao; Zhaopu, Liu; Zed, Rengel

2016-10-15

Agriculture is an important source of greenhouse gases, but can also be a significant sink. Nitrogen fertilization is effective in increasing agricultural production and carbon storage. We explored the effects of different rates of nitrogen fertilization on biomass, carbon density, and carbon sequestration in fields under the cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke as well as in soil in a coastal saline zone for two years. Five nitrogen fertilization rates were tested (in guream(-2)): 4 (N1), 8 (N2), 12 (N3), 16 (N4), and 0 (control, CK). The biomass of different organs of Jerusalem artichoke during the growth cycle was significantly higher in N2 than the other treatments. Under different nitrogen treatments, carbon density in organs of Jerusalem artichoke ranged from 336 to 419gCkg(-1). Carbon sequestration in Jerusalem artichoke was higher in treatments with nitrogen fertilization compared to the CK treatment. The highest carbon sequestration was found in the N2 treatment. Soil carbon content was higher in the 0-10cm than 10-20cm layer, with nitrogen fertilization increasing carbon content in both soil layers. The highest soil carbon sequestration was measured in the N2 treatment. Carbon sequestration in both soil and Jerusalem artichoke residue was increased by nitrogen fertilization depending on the rates in the coastal saline zone studied. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Biofilter for removal of nitrogen oxides from contaminated gases under aerobic conditions

DOEpatents

Apel, W.A.

1998-08-18

A biofilter is described for reducing concentrations of gaseous nitrogen oxides in a polluted gas comprises a porous organic filter bed medium disposed in a housing, the filter bed medium including a mixed culture of naturally occurring denitrifying bacteria for converting the nitrogen oxides to nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and water. A method is described of reducing concentrations of nitrogen oxides in polluted gas comprises conducting the polluted gas through the biofilter so that the denitrifying bacteria can degrade the nitrogen oxides. A preferred filter medium is wood compost, however composts of other organic materials are functional. Regulation of pH, moisture content, exogenous carbon sources, and temperature are described. 6 figs.

Effect of Holder pasteurization and frozen storage on macronutrients and energy content of breast milk.

PubMed

García-Lara, Nadia Raquel; Vieco, Diana Escuder; De la Cruz-Bértolo, Javier; Lora-Pablos, David; Velasco, Noelia Ureta; Pallás-Alonso, Carmen Rosa

2013-09-01

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Holder pasteurization and frozen storage at -20°C after pasteurization on fat, total nitrogen, lactose, and energy content of breast milk. Both procedures are routinely practiced in human milk banks. A total of 34 samples of frozen breast milk, donated by 28 women, were collected. Once thawed, an aliquot of each sample was analyzed before pasteurization; the remaining milk was pasteurized (Holder method) and split into 8 aliquots. One aliquot was analyzed after pasteurization and the remainder frozen at -20°C and analyzed 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 days later. For every aliquot, fat, total nitrogen, lactose, and energy content were determined using the device human Milk Analyzer. We observed a significant reduction in fat (3.5%; -0.17 (-0.29; -0.04) g/dL) and energy content (2.8%; -2.03 (-3.60; -0.46) g/dL) after pasteurization. A significant decrease over time was observed for fat, lactose and energy content. No significant changes were observed for nitrogen content. Mean differences between day 0 postpasteurization and day 180 were -0.13 (-0.21; -0.06) g/dL for fat, -0.08 (-0.13; -0.03) g/dL for lactose, and -1.55 (-2.38; -0.71) kcal/dL for energy content. The relative decreases were 2.8%, 1.7%, and 2.2%, respectively. Overall (postpasteurization + frozen storage), a 6.2% and 5% decrease were observed for fat and energy, respectively. Holder pasteurization decreased fat and energy content of human milk. Frozen storage at -20°C of pasteurized milk significantly reduced fat, lactose, and energy content of human milk.

The methods of geomorphometry and digital soil mapping for assessing spatial variability in the properties of agrogray soils on a slope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopp, N. V.; Nechaeva, T. V.; Savenkov, O. A.; Smirnova, N. V.; Smirnov, V. V.

2017-01-01

The relationships between the morphometric parameters (MPs) of topography calculated on the basis of digital elevation model (ASTER GDEM, 30 m) and the properties of the plow layer of agrogray soils on a slope were analyzed. The contribution of MPs to the spatial variability of the soil moisture reached 42%; to the content of physical clay (<0.01 mm particles), 59%; to the humus content, 46%; to the total nitrogen content, 31%; to the content of nitrate nitrogen, 28%; to the content of mobile phosphorus, 40%; to the content of exchangeable potassium, 45%; to the content of exchangeable calcium, 67%; to the content of exchangeable magnesium, 40%; and to the soil pH, 42%. A comparative analysis of the plow layer within the eluvial and transitional parts of the slope was performed with the use of geomorphometric methods and digital soil mapping. The regression analysis showed statistically significant correlations between the properties of the plow layer and the MPs describing surface runoff, geometric forms of surface, and the soil temperature regime.

Biomass Content Governs Fermentation Rate in Nitrogen-Deficient Wine Musts

PubMed Central

Varela, Cristian; Pizarro, Francisco; Agosin, Eduardo

2004-01-01

Problematic fermentations are common in the wine industry. Assimilable nitrogen deficiency is the most prevalent cause of sluggish fermentations and can reduce fermentation rates significantly. A lack of nitrogen diminishes a yeast's metabolic activity, as well as the biomass yield, although it has not been clear which of these two interdependent factors is more significant in sluggish fermentations. Under winemaking conditions with different initial nitrogen concentrations, metabolic flux analysis was used to isolate the effects. We quantified yeast physiology and identified key metabolic fluxes. We also performed cell concentration experiments to establish how biomass yield affects the fermentation rate. Intracellular analysis showed that trehalose accumulation, which is highly correlated with ethanol production, could be responsible for sustaining cell viability in nitrogen-poor musts independent of the initial assimilable nitrogen content. Other than the higher initial maintenance costs in sluggish fermentations, the main difference between normal and sluggish fermentations was that the metabolic flux distributions in nitrogen-deficient cultures revealed that the specific sugar uptake rate was substantially lower. The results of cell concentration experiments, however, showed that in spite of lower sugar uptake, adding biomass from sluggish cultures not only reduced the time to finish a problematic fermentation but also was less likely to affect the quality of the resulting wine as it did not alter the chemistry of the must. PMID:15184136

Remodeling of intermediate metabolism in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum under nitrogen stress

PubMed Central

Levitan, Orly; Dinamarca, Jorge; Zelzion, Ehud; Lun, Desmond S.; Guerra, L. Tiago; Kim, Min Kyung; Kim, Joomi; Van Mooy, Benjamin A. S.; Bhattacharya, Debashish; Falkowski, Paul G.

2015-01-01

Diatoms are unicellular algae that accumulate significant amounts of triacylglycerols as storage lipids when their growth is limited by nutrients. Using biochemical, physiological, bioinformatics, and reverse genetic approaches, we analyzed how the flux of carbon into lipids is influenced by nitrogen stress in a model diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Our results reveal that the accumulation of lipids is a consequence of remodeling of intermediate metabolism, especially reactions in the tricarboxylic acid and the urea cycles. Specifically, approximately one-half of the cellular proteins are cannibalized; whereas the nitrogen is scavenged by the urea and glutamine synthetase/glutamine 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase pathways and redirected to the de novo synthesis of nitrogen assimilation machinery, simultaneously, the photobiological flux of carbon and reductants is used to synthesize lipids. To further examine how nitrogen stress triggers the remodeling process, we knocked down the gene encoding for nitrate reductase, a key enzyme required for the assimilation of nitrate. The strain exhibits 40–50% of the mRNA copy numbers, protein content, and enzymatic activity of the wild type, concomitant with a 43% increase in cellular lipid content. We suggest a negative feedback sensor that couples photosynthetic carbon fixation to lipid biosynthesis and is regulated by the nitrogen assimilation pathway. This metabolic feedback enables diatoms to rapidly respond to fluctuations in environmental nitrogen availability. PMID:25548193

Effect of nitrogen nutrition on endosperm protein synthesis in wild and cultivated barley grown in spike culture

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Corke, H.; Atsmon, D.

1988-06-01

In normal growth conditions, total protein percent, in the endosperm at maturity in barley cultivar Hordeum vulgare L. cv Ruth was about 14%, whereas in an accession of wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum Koch line 297, it was about 28%. Spike culture experiments were conducted to ascertain whether there were basic differences between the two genotypes under conditions of widely different nitrogen supply. Spikes of each genotype were grown from 8 to 25 days after flowering in in vitro culture in a growth medium containing 0 to 4 grams per liter nitrogen supplied as NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3}. Spikes were pulse-labeled atmore » intervals from 12 to 24 days after flowering with 3.7 megabecquerel of ({sup 3}H)leucine to determine relative rates of synthesis of hordein-1 and hordein-2 polypedtides. At low nitrogen levels Ruth had a lower protein content than 297, but at increasing nitrogen levels its protein content increased rapidly and reached a maximum (35%) higher than 297 (30%). The relative contribution of the hordein fraction to total protein increased mainly with time, and hordein-1 to total hordein increased mainly with nitrogen level, in both genotypes. There appeared to be no fundamental limitations in the capacity of Ruth to accumulate protein: 297 appears to have a greater basal level of nitrogen availability under normal conditions.« less

The carbon bonus of organic nitrogen enhances nitrogen use efficiency of plants.

PubMed

Franklin, Oskar; Cambui, Camila Aguetoni; Gruffman, Linda; Palmroth, Sari; Oren, Ram; Näsholm, Torgny

2017-01-01

The importance of organic nitrogen (N) for plant nutrition and productivity is increasingly being recognized. Here we show that it is not only the availability in the soil that matters, but also the effects on plant growth. The chemical form of N taken up, whether inorganic (such as nitrate) or organic (such as amino acids), may significantly influence plant shoot and root growth, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We analysed these effects by synthesizing results from multiple laboratory experiments on small seedlings (Arabidopsis, poplar, pine and spruce) based on a tractable plant growth model. A key point is that the carbon cost of assimilating organic N into proteins is lower than that of inorganic N, mainly because of its carbon content. This carbon bonus makes it more beneficial for plants to take up organic than inorganic N, even when its availability to the roots is much lower - up to 70% lower for Arabidopsis seedlings. At equal growth rate, root:shoot ratio was up to three times higher and nitrogen productivity up to 20% higher for organic than inorganic N, which both are factors that may contribute to higher NUE in crop production. © 2016 The Authors Plant, Cell & Environment Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Predicting Changes in Macrophyte Community Structure from Functional Traits in a Freshwater Lake: A Test of Maximum Entropy Model

PubMed Central

Fu, Hui; Zhong, Jiayou; Yuan, Guixiang; Guo, Chunjing; Lou, Qian; Zhang, Wei; Xu, Jun; Ni, Leyi; Xie, Ping; Cao, Te

2015-01-01

Trait-based approaches have been widely applied to investigate how community dynamics respond to environmental gradients. In this study, we applied a series of maximum entropy (maxent) models incorporating functional traits to unravel the processes governing macrophyte community structure along water depth gradient in a freshwater lake. We sampled 42 plots and 1513 individual plants, and measured 16 functional traits and abundance of 17 macrophyte species. Study results showed that maxent model can be highly robust (99.8%) in predicting the species relative abundance of macrophytes with observed community-weighted mean (CWM) traits as the constraints, while relative low (about 30%) with CWM traits fitted from water depth gradient as the constraints. The measured traits showed notably distinct importance in predicting species abundances, with lowest for perennial growth form and highest for leaf dry mass content. For tuber and leaf nitrogen content, there were significant shifts in their effects on species relative abundance from positive in shallow water to negative in deep water. This result suggests that macrophyte species with tuber organ and greater leaf nitrogen content would become more abundant in shallow water, but would become less abundant in deep water. Our study highlights how functional traits distributed across gradients provide a robust path towards predictive community ecology. PMID:26167856

Accuracy of near infrared spectroscopy for prediction of chemical composition, salt content and free amino acids in dry-cured ham.

PubMed

Prevolnik, Maja; Škrlep, Martin; Janeš, Lucija; Velikonja-Bolta, Spela; Škorjanc, Dejan; Čandek-Potokar, Marjeta

2011-06-01

The capability of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was examined for the purposes of quality control of the traditional Slovenian dry-cured ham "Kraški pršut." Predictive models were developed for moisture, salt, protein, non-protein nitrogen, intramuscular fat and free amino acids in biceps femoris muscle (n = 135). The models' quality was assessed using statistical parameters: coefficient of determination (R(2)) and standard error (se) of cross-validation (CV) and external validation (EV). Residual predictive deviation (RPD) was also assessed. Best results were obtained for salt content and salt percentage in moisture/dry matter (R(CV)(2)>0.90, RPD>3.0), it was satisfactory for moisture, non-protein nitrogen, intramuscular fat and total free amino acids (R(CV)(2) = 0.75-0.90, RPD = 2.0-3.0), while not so for protein content and proteolysis index (R(CV)(2) = 0.65-0.75, RPD<2.0). Calibrations for individual free amino acids yielded R(CV)(2) from 0.40 to 0.90 and RPD from 1.3 to 2.9. Additional external validation of models on independent samples yielded comparable results. Based on the results, NIR spectroscopy can replace chemical methods in quality control of dry-cured ham. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Urban emission, Santa Ana wind, and fire sources of aerosol nitrogen in Southern California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mackey, K. R.; Stragier, S.; Robledo, L.; Cat, L. A.; Czimczik, C. I.

2017-12-01

Southern California is a highly urbanized region surrounded by extensive areas of agriculture and wilderness. While emissions from fossil fuel combustion are a large source of aerosol NOx in urban areas, fires contribute considerable aerosol NOx and ammonium in undeveloped regions. Southern California also has frequent wildfires, particularly during dry Santa Ana wind events that occur periodically throughout the winter. To explore the relative contributions of these sources to aerosol nitrogen content, we collected aerosol samples over two years in Irvine, a city in Southern California approximately 6 km from the Pacific coast. Samples were analyzed for total nitrogen and carbon content and isotopic composition (δ15N and δ13C), and nitrate and ammonium content. Carbon content was higher and δ13C values were lower in the winter than the summer. The C/N ratios of two samples collected during a Santa Ana wind event in January of 2012 were particularly elevated (C/N of 22 and 30) relative to other samples (C/N 3-6). We found that ammonium comprised 35% of total aerosol N across samples (R2=0.65), and that the δ15N of aerosol nitrogen decreased logarithmically as the proportion of nitrate in the sample increased (R2=0.60). Aerosol deposition of bioavailable nitrate and ammonium from these sources may support primary productivity in Southern California's coastal waters, particularly during the winter months and El Nino periods when upwelled nutrient sources are limited.

Dietary carbohydrate deprivation increases 24-hour nitrogen excretion without affecting postabsorptive hepatic or whole body protein metabolism in healthy men.

PubMed

Bisschop, P H; De Sain-Van Der Velden, M G M; Stellaard, F; Kuipers, F; Meijer, A J; Sauerwein, H P; Romijn, J A

2003-08-01

Because insulin is an important regulator of protein metabolism, we hypothesized that physiological modulation of insulin secretion, by means of extreme variations in dietary carbohydrate content, affects postabsorptive protein metabolism. Therefore, we studied the effects of three isocaloric diets with identical protein content and low-carbohydrate/high-fat (2% and 83% of total energy, respectively), intermediate-carbohydrate/intermediate-fat (44% and 41% of total energy, respectively), and high-carbohydrate/low-fat (85% and 0% of total energy, respectively) content in six healthy men. Whole body protein metabolism was assessed by 24-h urinary nitrogen excretion, postabsorptive leucine kinetics, and fibrinogen and albumin synthesis by infusion of [1-(13)C]leucine and [1-(13)C]valine. The low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet resulted in lower absorptive and postabsorptive plasma insulin concentrations, and higher rates of nitrogen excretion compared with the other two diets: 15.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 12.1 +/- 1.1 (P = 0.03) and 10.8 +/- 0.5 g/24 h (P = 0.005), respectively. Postabsorptive rates of appearance of leucine and of leucine oxidation were not different among the three diets. In addition, dietary carbohydrate content did not affect the synthesis rates of fibrinogen and albumin. In conclusion, eucaloric carbohydrate deprivation increases 24-h nitrogen loss but does not affect postabsorptive protein metabolism at the hepatic and whole body level. By deduction, dietary carbohydrate is required for an optimal regulation of absorptive, rather than postabsorptive, protein metabolism.

Fertilizer nitrogen, soil chemical properties, and their determinacy on rice yield: Evidence from 92 paddy fields of a large-scale farm in the Kanto Region of Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D.; Nanseki, T.; Chomei, Y.; Yokota, S.

2017-07-01

Rice, a staple crop in Japan, is at risk of decreasing production and its yield highly depends on soil fertility. This study aimed to investigate determinants of rice yield, from the perspectives of fertilizer nitrogen and soil chemical properties. The data were sampled in 2014 and 2015 from 92 peat soil paddy fields on a large-scale farm located in the Kanto Region of Japan. The rice variety used was the most widely planted Koshihikari in Japan. Regression analysis indicated that fertilizer nitrogen significantly affected the yield, with a significant sustained effect to the subsequent year. Twelve soil chemical properties, including pH, cation exchange capacity, content of pyridine base elements, phosphoric acid, and silicic acid, were estimated. In addition to silicic acid, magnesia, in forms of its exchangeable content, saturation, and ratios to potassium and lime, positively affected the yield, while phosphoric acid negatively affected the yield. We assessed the soil chemical properties by soil quality index and principal component analysis. Positive effects were identified for both approaches, with the former performing better in explaining the rice yield. For soil quality index, the individual standardized soil properties and margins for improvement were indicated for each paddy field. Finally, multivariate regression on the principal components identified the most significant properties.

Third-order optical nonlinearity of N-doped graphene oxide nanocomposites at different GO ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimiagar, Salimeh; Abrinaei, Fahimeh

2018-05-01

In the present work, the influence of GO ratios on the structural, linear and nonlinear optical properties of nitrogen-doped graphene oxide nanocomposites (N-GO NCs) has been studied. N-GO NCs were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM results confirmed the reduction of GO by nitrogen doping. The energy band gaps of N-GO NCs calculated from UV-Vis analyzed by using Tauc plot. To obtain further insight into potential optical changes in the N-GO NCs by increasing GO contents, Z-scan analysis was performed with nanosecond Nd-YAG laser at 532 nm. The nonlinear absorption coefficient, β, and nonlinear refractive index, n2, for N-GO NCs at the laser intensity of 113 MW/cm were measured and an increase was observed in both parameters after addition of nitrogen to GO. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of N-GO NCs were measured in the order of 10-9 esu. The results showed that N-GO NCs have negative nonlinearity which can be controlled by GO contents to obtain the highest values for nonlinear optical parameters. The nonlinear optical results not only imply that N-GO NCs can serve as an important material in the advancing of optoelectronics but also open new possibilities for the design of new graphene-based materials by variation of N and GO ratios as well as manufacturing conditions.

Molten salt synthesis of nitrogen and oxygen enriched hierarchically porous carbons derived from biomass via rapid microwave carbonization for high voltage supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Yinfeng; Li, Baoqiang; Huang, Yanjuan; Wang, Yaming; Chen, Junchen; Wei, Daqing; Feng, Yujie; Jia, Dechang; Zhou, Yu

2018-05-01

Nitrogen and oxygen enriched hierarchically porous carbons (NOHPCs) derived from biomass have been successfully prepared by rapid microwave carbonization coupled with molten salt synthesis method in only 4 min. ZnCl2 plays important roles as microwave absorber, chemical activation agent and porogen in this process. NOHPC-1:10 sample possesses the maximum specific surface area of 1899 m2 g-1 with a pore volume of 1.16 cm3 g-1 and mesopore ratio of 70%, as well as nitrogen content of 5.30 wt% and oxygen content of 14.12 wt%. When evaluated as an electrode in a three-electrode system with 6 M KOH electrolyte, the material exhibits a high specific capacitance of 276 F g-1 at 0.2 A g-1, with a good rate capability of 90.9% retention at 10 A g-1. More importantly, the symmetric supercapacitor based on NOHPC-1:10 in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte exhibits a high energy density of 13.9 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 120 W kg-1 in a wide voltage window of 0-1.6 V, an excellent cycling stability with 95% of capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles. Our strategy provides a facile and rapid way for the preparation of advanced carbon materials derived from biomass towards energy storage applications.

Nutrient dynamics and plant assemblages of Macrotermes falciger mounds in a savanna ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muvengwi, Justice; Ndagurwa, Hilton G. T.; Nyenda, Tatenda; Mbiba, Monicah

2016-10-01

Termites through mound construction and foraging activities contribute significantly to carbon and nutrient fluxes in nutrient-poor savannas. Despite this recognition, studies on the influence of termite mounds on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in sub-tropical savannas are limited. In this regard, we examined soil nutrient concentrations, organic carbon and nitrogen mineralization in incubation experiments in mounds of Macrotermes falciger and surrounding soils of sub-tropical savanna, northeast Zimbabwe. We also addressed whether termite mounds altered the plant community and if effects were similar across functional groups i.e. grasses, forbs or woody plants. Mound soils had significantly higher silt and clay content, pH and concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), organic carbon (C), ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) than surrounding soils, with marginal differences in phosphorus (P) and sodium (Na) between mounds and matrix soils. Nutrient enrichment increased by a factor ranging from 1.5 for C, 4.9 for Mg up to 10.3 for Ca. Although C mineralization, nitrification and nitrification fraction were similar between mounds and matrix soils, nitrogen mineralization was elevated on mounds relative to surrounding matrix soils. As a result, termite mounds supported unique plant communities rich and abundant in woody species but less diverse in grasses and forbs than the surrounding savanna matrix in response to mound-induced shifts in soil parameters specifically increased clay content, drainage and water availability, nutrient status and base cation (mainly Ca, Mg and Na) concentration. In conclusion, by altering soil properties such as texture, moisture content and nutrient status, termite mounds can alter the structure and composition of sub-tropical savanna plant communities, and these results are consistent with findings in other savanna systems suggesting that increase in soil clay content, nutrient status and associated changes in the plant community assemblage may be a general property of mound building termites.

Preliminary assessment of sources of nitrogen in groundwater at a biosolids-application area near Deer Trail

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yager, Tracy J.B.; McMahon, Peter B.

2012-01-01

Concentrations of dissolved nitrite plus nitrate increased fairly steadily in samples from four shallow groundwater monitoring wells after biosolids applications to nonirrigated farmland began in 1993. The U.S. Geological Survey began a preliminary assessment of sources of nitrogen in shallow groundwater at part of the biosolids-application area near Deer Trail, Colorado, in 2005 in cooperation with the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District. Possible nitrogen sources in the area include biosolids, animal manure, inorganic fertilizer, atmospheric deposition, and geologic materials (bedrock and soil). Biosolids from the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District plant in Denver and biosolids, cow manure, geologic materials (bedrock and soil), and groundwater from the study area were sampled to measure nitrogen content and nitrogen isotopic compositions of nitrate or total nitrogen. Biosolids also were leached, and the leachates were analyzed for nitrogen content and other concentrations. Geologic materials from the study area also were sampled to determine mineralogy. Estimates of nitrogen contributed from inorganic fertilizer and atmospheric deposition were calculated from other published reports. The nitrogen information from the study indicates that each of the sources contain sufficient nitrogen to potentially affect groundwater nitrate concentrations. Natural processes can transform the nitrogen in any of the sources to nitrate in the groundwater. Load calculations indicate that animal manure, inorganic fertilizer, or atmospheric deposition could have contributed the largest nitrogen load to the study area in the 13 years before biosolids applications began, but biosolids likely contributed the largest nitrogen load to the study area in the 13 years after biosolids applications began. Various approaches provided insights into sources of nitrate in the groundwater samples from 2005. The isotopic data indicate that, of the source materials considered, biosolids and (or) animal manure were the most likely sources of nitrate in the wells at the time of sampling (2005), and that inorganic fertilizer, atmospheric deposition, and geologic materials were not substantial sources of nitrate in the wells in 2005. The large total nitrogen content of the biosolids and animal-manure samples and biosolids leachates also indicates that the biosolids and animal manure had potential to leach nitrogen and produce large dissolved nitrate concentrations in groundwater. The available data, however, could not be used to distinguish between biosolids or manure as the dominant source of nitrate in the groundwater because the nitrogen isotopic composition of the two materials is similar. Major-ion data also could not be used to distinguish between biosolids or manure as the dominant source of nitrate in the groundwater because the major-ion composition (as well as the isotopic composition) of the two materials is similar. Without additional data, chloride/bromide mass ratios do not necessarily support or refute the hypothesis that biosolids and (or) animal manure were the primary sources of nitrate in water from the study-area wells in 2005. Concentrations of water-extractable nitrate in the soil indicate that biosolids could be an important source of nitrate in the groundwater recharge. Nitrogen inventories in the soil beneath biosolids-application areas and the nitrogen-input estimates for the study area both support the comparisons of isotopic composition, which indicate that some type of human waste (such as biosolids) and (or) animal manure was the source of nitrate in groundwater sampled from the wells in 2005. The nitrogen-load estimates considered with the nitrogen isotopic data and the soil-nitrogen inventories indicate that biosolids applications likely are a major source of nitrogen to the shallow groundwater at these monitoring wells.

Conversion to No-Till Improves Maize Nitrogen Use Efficiency in a Continuous Cover Cropping System

PubMed Central

Habbib, Hazzar; Verzeaux, Julien; Nivelle, Elodie; Roger, David; Lacoux, Jérôme; Catterou, Manuella; Hirel, Bertrand; Dubois, Frédéric; Tétu, Thierry

2016-01-01

A two-year experiment was conducted in the field to measure the combined impact of tilling and N fertilization on various agronomic traits related to nitrogen (N) use efficiency and to grain yield in maize cultivated in the presence of a cover crop. Four years after conversion to no-till, a significant increase in N use efficiency N harvest index, N remobilization and N remobilization efficiency was observed both under no and high N fertilization conditions. Moreover, we observed that grain yield and grain N content were higher under no-till conditions only when N fertilizers were applied. Thus, agronomic practices based on continuous no-till appear to be a promising for increasing N use efficiency in maize. PMID:27711154

Sugar Regulation of Plastid Interconversions in Epicarp of Citrus Fruit 1

PubMed Central

Huff, Albert

1984-01-01

Seasonal transformations between chloroplasts and chromoplasts, as measured by changes in chlorophyll content, in the epicarp of degreening and regreening Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv Valencia fruit closely parallelled the accumulation and later loss of soluble sugars. At any stage of development, reversing the relative soluble sugar content in the epicarp by culturing pericarp segments on agar media with low (15 millimolar) or high (150 millimolar) sucrose concentrations reversed the direction of change in chlorophyll content. Fruit of C. madurensis Lour., which mature year around and do not regreen, also accumulated soluble sugars in the pericarp as degreening was initiated. The epicarp of C. sinensis fruit accumulated nitrogen, but total nitrogen concentrations and amino acid concentrations changed little, during degreening and regreening of C. sinensis fruit. Cessation of nitrogen fertilization reduced the tendency of pericarp segments to regreen in vitro during subsequent years, but regreening tendency was restored by inclusion of KNO3 in the media. It is concluded that chloroplasts become chromoplasts and citrus fruit degreen partially in response to the accumulation of sugars in the epicarp and that the reverse transformation accompanying regreening of certain citrus species occurs when accumulated sugars disappear. Change in nitrogen flux to the fruit is probably not a factor in regulating seasonal transformations, but an abundance of nitrogen in the epicarp diminishes the effects of high sugar concentrations in inducing transformation of chloroplasts to chromoplasts, thereby retarding degreening and promoting regreening. PMID:16663837

In-vitro long term and electrochemical corrosion resistance of cold deformed nitrogen containing austenitic stainless steels in simulated body fluid.

PubMed

Talha, Mohd; Behera, C K; Sinha, O P

2014-07-01

This work was focused on the evaluation of the corrosion behavior of deformed (10% and 20% cold work) and annealed (at 1050 °C for 15 min followed by water quenching) Ni-free high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels (HNSs) in simulated body fluid at 37°C using weight loss method (long term), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to understand the surface morphology of the alloys after polarization test. It has been observed that cold working had a significant influence on the corrosion resistant properties of these alloys. The weight loss and corrosion rates were observed to decrease with increasing degree of cold working and nitrogen content in the alloy. The corrosion resistance of the material is directly related to the resistance of the passive oxide film formed on its surface which was enhanced with cold working and nitrogen content. It was also observed that corrosion current densities were decreased and corrosion potentials were shifted to more positive values. By seeing pit morphology under SEM, shallower and smaller pits were associated with HNSs and cold worked samples, indicating that corrosion resistance increases with increasing nitrogen content and degree of cold deformation. X-ray diffraction profiles of annealed as well as deformed alloys were revealed and there is no evidence for formation of martensite or any other secondary phases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental manipulations of snow-depth: Effects on nutrient content of caribou forage

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walsh, Noreen E.; McCabe, Thomas R.; Welker, J.M.; Parsons, A.N.

1997-01-01

We investigated the potential effects of global climate change on arctic tundra vegetation used as caribou forage. A total of 96 experimental plots was established at six sites on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, in 1993 and 1994. We erected snow-fences to increase the amount of snow deposition, and therefore delay the date of the snowmelt on 48 plots (referred to as increased snow/late melting plots). We used black mesh netting on the surface of the snow to increase the rate of melting on 24 plots; the remaining 24 plots served as controls. In July 1994, we collected green leaves from Eriophorum vaginatum, Salix planifolia, and Betula nana and analysed these samples for total carbon and total nitrogen content. Ratios of carbon to nitrogen differed among treatments for all three species. Generally, C:N ratios for B. nana and E. vaginatum on increased snow/late melting plots were lower than on control plots. C:N ratios for S. planifolia on increased snow/late melting plots did not differ from controls, but were lower than on plots which started to melt early. These results may be due to the timing of nitrogen translocation from leaf and stem tissue into storage organs, or due to an increase in available nitrogen input to the system. Further sampling is needed to adequately determine the mechanism responsible for increased nitrogen content of caribou forage in areas with increased amount of snow and delayed snowmelt. ?? 1997 Blackwell Science Ltd.

IMPACT OF LIQUID NITROGEN EXPOSURE ON SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL PARAMETERS OF HYDRATED Phaseolus vulgaris L. SEEDS.

PubMed

Cejas, Inaudis; Rivas, Maribel; Nápoles, Lelurlys; Marrero, Pedro; Yabor, Lourdes; Aragón, Carlos; Pérez, Aurora; Engelmann, Florent; Martínez-Montero, Marcos Edel; Lorenzo, José Carlos

2015-01-01

It is well known that cryopreserving seeds with high water content is detrimental to survival, but biochemical and structural parameters of cryostored hydrated common bean seeds have not been published. The objective of this work was to study the effect of liquid nitrogen exposure on selected biochemical and structural parameters of hydrated Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. We cryopreserved seeds at various moisture contents and evaluated: germination; electrolyte leakage; fresh seed weight; levels of chlorophyll pigments, malondialdehyde, other aldehydes, phenolics and proteins; thickness of cotyledon epidermis, parenchyma, and starch storage parenchyma; and radicle and plumule lengths. Germination was totally inhibited when seeds were immersed in water for 50 min (moisture content of 38%, FW basis) before cryopreservation. The combined effects of seed water imbibition and cryostorage decreased phenolics (free, cell wall-linked, total), chlorophyll a and protein content. By contrast, electrolyte leakage and levels of chlorophyll b and other aldehydes increased as a result of the combination of these two experimental factors. These were the most significant effects observed during exposure of humid seed to liquid nitrogen. Further studies are still required to clarify the molecular events taking place in plant cells during cryostorage.

A Dynamic Model for Nitrogen‐stressed Lettuce

PubMed Central

SEGINER, IDO

2003-01-01

A previously developed dynamic lettuce model, designed to predict growth and nitrate content under the normal range of glasshouse environmental conditions, has been extended to cover high nitrogen‐stress situations. Under severe shortage of nitrogen, lettuce has been observed to grow at a very slow rate, as well as to have abnormally low water content, low reduced‐nitrogen content and negligible nitrate content. The new model mimics these observations by adding to the original model a storage compartment for ‘excess’ carbon. The resulting model has three compartments: (1) ‘vacuole’, where the soluble non‐structural material is stored, and the nitrate : carbon ratio may vary as needed to maintain a constant osmotic potential; (2) ‘structure’, a metabolically active compartment with fixed chemical composition; and (3) ‘excess‐carbon’, which serves as a long‐term storage of ‘waterless’ carbohydrates. Simulations with the model illustrate its ability to predict the effect of light, temperature and nitrogen in the nutrient solution on the long‐term growth and composition of lettuce. They also illustrate the effects of plant size, and the associated relative growth rate, on the characteristic times of transient responses resulting from step changes in the environment. PMID:12714361

Approaches for controlling air pollutants and their environmental impacts generated from coal-based electricity generation in China.

PubMed

Xu, Changqing; Hong, Jinglan; Ren, Yixin; Wang, Qingsong; Yuan, Xueliang

2015-08-01

This study aims at qualifying air pollutants and environmental impacts generated from coal-based power plants and providing useful information for decision makers on the management of coal-based power plants in China. Results showed that approximately 9.03, 54.95, 62.08, and 12.12% of the national carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions, respectively, in 2011were generated from coal-based electricity generation. The air pollutants were mainly generated from east China because of the well-developed economy and energy-intensive industries in the region. Coal-washing technology can simply and significantly reduce the environmental burden because of the relativity low content of coal gangue and sulfur in washed coal. Optimizing the efficiency of raw materials and energy consumption is additional key factor to reduce the potential environmental impacts. In addition, improving the efficiency of air pollutants (e.g., dust, mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) control system and implementing the strict requirements on air pollutants for power plants are important ways for reducing the potential environmental impacts of coal-based electricity generation in China.

[An optical-fiber-sensor-based spectrophotometer for soil non-metallic nutrient determination].

PubMed

He, Dong-xian; Hu, Juan-xiu; Lu, Shao-kun; He, Hou-yong

2012-01-01

In order to achieve rapid, convenient and efficient soil nutrient determination in soil testing and fertilizer recommendation, a portable optical-fiber-sensor-based spectrophotometer including immersed fiber sensor, flat field holographic concave grating, and diode array detector was developed for soil non-metallic nutrient determination. According to national standard of ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer with JJG 178-2007, the wavelength accuracy and repeatability, baseline stability, transmittance accuracy and repeatability measured by the prototype instrument were satisfied with the national standard of III level; minimum spectral bandwidth, noise and excursion, and stray light were satisfied with the national standard of IV level. Significant linear relationships with slope of closing to 1 were found between the soil available nutrient contents including soil nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, available phosphorus, available sulfur, available boron, and organic matter measured by the prototype instrument compared with that measured by two commercial single-beam-based and dual-beam-based spectrophotometers. No significant differences were revealed from the above comparison data. Therefore, the optical-fiber-sensor-based spectrophotometer can be used for rapid soil non-metallic nutrient determination with a high accuracy.

Cattle feedlot soil moisture and manure content: I. Impacts on greenhouse gases, odor compounds, nitrogen losses, and dust.

PubMed

Miller, Daniel N; Berry, Elaine D

2005-01-01

Beef cattle feedlots face serious environmental challenges associated with manure management, including greenhouse gas, odor, NH3, and dust emissions. Conditions affecting emissions are poorly characterized, but likely relate to the variability of feedlot surface moisture and manure contents, which affect microbial processes. Odor compounds, greenhouse gases, nitrogen losses, and dust potential were monitored at six moisture contents (0.11, 0.25, 0.43, 0.67, 1.00, and 1.50 g H2O g(-1) dry matter [DM]) in three artificial feedlot soil mixtures containing 50, 250, and 750 g manure kg(-1) total (manure + soil) DM over a two-week period. Moisture addition produced three microbial metabolisms: inactive, aerobic, and fermentative at low, moderate, and high moisture, respectively. Manure content acted to modulate the effect of moisture and enhanced some microbial processes. Greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O, and CH4) emissions were dynamic at moderate to high moisture. Malodorous volatile fatty acid (VFA) compounds did not accumulate in any treatments, but their persistence and volatility varied depending on pH and aerobic metabolism. Starch was the dominant substrate fueling both aerobic and fermentative metabolism. Nitrogen losses were observed in all metabolically active treatments; however, there was evidence for limited microbial nitrogen uptake. Finally, potential dust production was observed below defined moisture thresholds, which were related to manure content of the soil. Managing feedlot surface moisture within a narrow moisture range (0.2-0.4 g H2O g(-1) DM) and minimizing the accumulation of manure produced the optimum conditions that minimized the environmental impact from cattle feedlot production.

High nitrogen-containing cotton derived 3D porous carbon frameworks for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Li-Zhen; Chen, Tian-Tian; Song, Wei-Li; Li, Xiaogang; Zhang, Shichao

2015-10-01

Supercapacitors fabricated by 3D porous carbon frameworks, such as graphene- and carbon nanotube (CNT)-based aerogels, have been highly attractive due to their various advantages. However, their high cost along with insufficient yield has inhibited their large-scale applications. Here we have demonstrated a facile and easily scalable approach for large-scale preparing novel 3D nitrogen-containing porous carbon frameworks using ultralow-cost commercial cotton. Electrochemical performance suggests that the optimal nitrogen-containing cotton-derived carbon frameworks with a high nitrogen content (12.1 mol%) along with low surface area 285 m2 g-1 present high specific capacities of the 308 and 200 F g-1 in KOH electrolyte at current densities of 0.1 and 10 A g-1, respectively, with very limited capacitance loss upon 10,000 cycles in both aqueous and gel electrolytes. Moreover, the electrode exhibits the highest capacitance up to 220 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and excellent flexibility (with negligible capacitance loss under different bending angles) in the polyvinyl alcohol/KOH gel electrolyte. The observed excellent performance competes well with that found in the electrodes of similar 3D frameworks formed by graphene or CNTs. Therefore, the ultralow-cost and simply strategy here demonstrates great potential for scalable producing high-performance carbon-based supercapacitors in the industry.

High nitrogen-containing cotton derived 3D porous carbon frameworks for high-performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Fan, Li-Zhen; Chen, Tian-Tian; Song, Wei-Li; Li, Xiaogang; Zhang, Shichao

2015-10-16

Supercapacitors fabricated by 3D porous carbon frameworks, such as graphene- and carbon nanotube (CNT)-based aerogels, have been highly attractive due to their various advantages. However, their high cost along with insufficient yield has inhibited their large-scale applications. Here we have demonstrated a facile and easily scalable approach for large-scale preparing novel 3D nitrogen-containing porous carbon frameworks using ultralow-cost commercial cotton. Electrochemical performance suggests that the optimal nitrogen-containing cotton-derived carbon frameworks with a high nitrogen content (12.1 mol%) along with low surface area 285 m(2) g(-1) present high specific capacities of the 308 and 200 F g(-1) in KOH electrolyte at current densities of 0.1 and 10 A g(-1), respectively, with very limited capacitance loss upon 10,000 cycles in both aqueous and gel electrolytes. Moreover, the electrode exhibits the highest capacitance up to 220 F g(-1) at 0.1 A g(-1) and excellent flexibility (with negligible capacitance loss under different bending angles) in the polyvinyl alcohol/KOH gel electrolyte. The observed excellent performance competes well with that found in the electrodes of similar 3D frameworks formed by graphene or CNTs. Therefore, the ultralow-cost and simply strategy here demonstrates great potential for scalable producing high-performance carbon-based supercapacitors in the industry.

High nitrogen-containing cotton derived 3D porous carbon frameworks for high-performance supercapacitors

PubMed Central

Fan, Li-Zhen; Chen, Tian-Tian; Song, Wei-Li; Li, Xiaogang; Zhang, Shichao

2015-01-01

Supercapacitors fabricated by 3D porous carbon frameworks, such as graphene- and carbon nanotube (CNT)-based aerogels, have been highly attractive due to their various advantages. However, their high cost along with insufficient yield has inhibited their large-scale applications. Here we have demonstrated a facile and easily scalable approach for large-scale preparing novel 3D nitrogen-containing porous carbon frameworks using ultralow-cost commercial cotton. Electrochemical performance suggests that the optimal nitrogen-containing cotton-derived carbon frameworks with a high nitrogen content (12.1 mol%) along with low surface area 285 m2 g−1 present high specific capacities of the 308 and 200 F g−1 in KOH electrolyte at current densities of 0.1 and 10 A g−1, respectively, with very limited capacitance loss upon 10,000 cycles in both aqueous and gel electrolytes. Moreover, the electrode exhibits the highest capacitance up to 220 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and excellent flexibility (with negligible capacitance loss under different bending angles) in the polyvinyl alcohol/KOH gel electrolyte. The observed excellent performance competes well with that found in the electrodes of similar 3D frameworks formed by graphene or CNTs. Therefore, the ultralow-cost and simply strategy here demonstrates great potential for scalable producing high-performance carbon-based supercapacitors in the industry. PMID:26472144

Hierarchical Carbon with High Nitrogen Doping Level: A Versatile Anode and Cathode Host Material for Long-Life Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

PubMed

Reitz, Christian; Breitung, Ben; Schneider, Artur; Wang, Di; von der Lehr, Martin; Leichtweiss, Thomas; Janek, Jürgen; Hahn, Horst; Brezesinski, Torsten

2016-04-27

Nitrogen-rich carbon with both a turbostratic microstructure and meso/macroporosity was prepared by hard templating through pyrolysis of a tricyanomethanide-based ionic liquid in the voids of a silica monolith template. This multifunctional carbon not only is a promising anode candidate for long-life lithium-ion batteries but also shows favorable properties as anode and cathode host material owing to a high nitrogen content (>8% after carbonization at 900 °C). To demonstrate the latter, the hierarchical carbon was melt-infiltrated with sulfur as well as coated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of anatase TiO2, both of which led to high-quality nanocomposites. TiO2 ALD increased the specific capacity of the carbon while maintaining high Coulombic efficiency and cycle life: the composite exhibited stable performance in lithium half-cells, with excellent recovery of low rate capacities after thousands of cycles at 5C. Lithium-sulfur batteries using the sulfur/carbon composite also showed good cyclability, with reversible capacities of ∼700 mA·h·g(-1) at C/5 and without obvious decay over several hundred cycles. The present results demonstrate that nitrogen-rich carbon with an interconnected multimodal pore structure is very versatile and can be used as both active and inactive electrode material in high-performance lithium-based batteries.

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation on coal mine spoils reclaimed with maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) in Agacli-Istanbul.

PubMed

Sever, Hakan; Makineci, Ender

2009-08-01

Mining operations on open coal mines in Agacli-Istanbul have resulted in the destruction of vast amounts of land. To rehabilitate these degraded lands, plantations on this area began in 1988. Twelve tree species were planted, however, the most planted tree species was maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton). This study performed on 14 sample plots randomly selected in maritime pine plantations on coal mine soil/spoils in 2005. Soil samples were taken from eight different soil layers (0-1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 cm) into the soil profile. On soil samples; fine soil fraction (<2 mm), soil acidity (pH), organic carbon (C(org)) and total nitrogen (N(t)) contents were investigated, and results were compared statistically among soil layers. As a result, 17 years after plantations, total forest floor accumulation determined as 17,973.20 kg ha(-1). Total nitrogen and organic matter amounts of forest floor were 113.90 and 14,640.92 kg ha(-1) respectively. Among soil layers, the highest levels of organic carbon (1.77%) and total nitrogen (0.096%) and the lowest pH value (pH 5.38) were found in 0-1 cm soil layer, and the variation differs significantly among soil layers. Both organic carbon and total nitrogen content decreased, pH values increased from 0-1 to 5-10 cm layer. In conclusion, according to results obtained maritime pine plantations on coal mine spoils; slow accumulation and decomposition of forest floor undergo simultaneously. Depending on these changes organic carbon and total nitrogen contents increased in upper layer of soil/spoil.

Organic nitrogen components in soils from southeast China*

PubMed Central

Chen, Xian-you; Wu, Liang-huan; Cao, Xiao-chuang; Zhu, Yuan-hong

2013-01-01

Objective: To investigate the amounts of extractable organic nitrogen (EON), and the relationships between EON and total extractable nitrogen (TEN), especially the amino acids (AAs) adsorbed by soils, and a series of other hydrolyzed soil nitrogen indices in typical land use soil types from southeast China. Under traditional agricultural planting conditions, the functions of EON, especially AAs in the rhizosphere and in bulk soil zones were also investigated. Methods: Pot experiments were conducted using plants of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the rhizosphere and bulk soil zone studies, organic nitrogen components were extracted with either distilled water, 0.5 mol/L K2SO4 or acid hydrolysis. Results: K2SO4-EON constituted more than 30% of TEN pools. K2SO4-extractable AAs accounted for 25% of EON pools and nearly 10% of TEN pools in rhizosphere soils. Overall, both K2SO4-EON and extractable AAs contents had positive correlations with TEN pools. Conclusions: EON represented a major component of TEN pools in garden and paddy soils under traditional planting conditions. Although only a small proportion of the EON was present in the form of water-extractable and K2SO4-extractable AAs, the release of AAs from soil exchangeable sites might be an important source of organic nitrogen (N) for plant growth. Our findings suggest that the content of most organic forms of N was significantly greater in rhizosphere than in bulk soil zone samples. However, it was also apparent that the TEN pool content was lower in rhizosphere than in bulk soil samples without added N. PMID:23549843

Effects of vine water status on dimethyl sulfur potential, ammonium, and amino acid contents in Grenache Noir grapes (Vitis vinifera).

PubMed

De Royer Dupré, N; Schneider, R; Payan, J C; Salançon, E; Razungles, A

2014-04-02

We studied the effect of vine water status on the dimethyl sulfur potential (DMSP), ammonium, and amino acid contents of the berry during the maturation of Grenache Noir grapes. Water deficit increased the accumulation of amino acids in berries and favored yeast assimilable amino nitrogen. Similarly, ammonium content was higher in berries from vines subjected to moderate water deficit. DMSP content followed the same trend as yeast assimilable amino acid content, with higher concentrations observed in the berries of vines subjected to water deficit. The high DMSP and yeast assimilable nitrogen contents of musts from vines subjected to water deficit resulted in a better preservation of DMSP during winemaking. The wines produced from these musts had a higher DMSP level and would therefore probably have a higher aroma shelf life, because the DMSP determines the rate of release of dimethyl sulfur during wine storage, and this compound enhances fruity notes.

OMI and Ground-Based In-Situ Tropospheric Nitrogen Dioxide Observations over Several Important European Cities during 2005-2014.

PubMed

Paraschiv, Spiru; Constantin, Daniel-Eduard; Paraschiv, Simona-Lizica; Voiculescu, Mirela

2017-11-20

In this work we present the evolution of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) content over several important European cities during 2005-2014 using space observations and ground-based in-situ measurements. The NO₂ content was derived using the daily observations provided by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), while the NO₂ volume mixing ratio measurements were obtained from the European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality monitoring stations database. The European cities selected are: Athens (37.98° N, 23.72° E), Berlin (52.51° N, 13.41° E), Bucharest (44.43° N, 26.10° E), Madrid (40.38° N, 3.71° W), Lisbon (38.71° N, 9.13° W), Paris (48.85° N, 2.35° E), Rome (41.9° N, 12.50° E), and Rotterdam (51.91° N, 4.46° E). We show that OMI NO₂ tropospheric column data can be used to assess the evolution of NO₂ over important European cities. According to the statistical analysis, using the seasonal variation, we found good correlations (R > 0.50) between OMI and ground-based in-situ observations for all of the cities presented in this work. Highest correlation coefficients (R > 0.80) between ground-based monitoring stations and OMI observations were calculated for the cities of Berlin, Madrid, and Rome. Both types of observations, in-situ and remote sensing, show an NO₂ negative trend for all of locations presented in this study.

Melamine dependent fluorescence of glutathione protected gold nanoclusters and ratiometric quantification of melamine in commercial cow milk and infant formula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalaiyarasan, Gopi; K, Anusuya; Joseph, James

2017-10-01

Companies processing the milk for the further production of powdered infant formulation normally check the protein level through a test measuring nitrogen content. The addition of melamine which is a nitrogen-rich organic chemical in milk increases the nitrogen content and therefore enhances its apparent protein content. However, the melamine causes kidney failure and death owing to the formation of kidney stone. Thus the determination of melamine in humans and milk products have gained great significance in recent years. The gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have attracting features due to its unique electronic and optical properties like fluorescence nature. Therefore one can use AuNCs in the field of biosensor, bio-imaging, nanobiotechnology, drug delivery, diagnosis etc. We report, a new ratiometric nanosensor established for the selective and sensitive detection of melamine based optical sensing using glutathione stabilized AuNCs. The AuNCs were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), UV-visible and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopic techniques. In the presence of melamine, the PL intensity at 430 nm increases owing to the (turn-on) enhancement in fluorescence, whereas PL intensity at 610 nm decreases due to the melamine-induced aggregation and subsequent aggregation-enhanced emission quenching. The observed changes were ascribed to the hydrogen bonding interaction between melamine and AuNCs, which led to the aggregation of the nanoclusters. This was confirmed by dynamic light scattering and HR-TEM measurements. The present probe showed an extreme selectivity towards the determination of 28.2 μM melamine in the presence of 100-fold excess of common interfering molecules such as Alanine, Glycine, Glucose, Cystine etc. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine melamine in cow milk.

Microalgae-activated sludge treatment of molasses wastewater in sequencing batch photo-bioreactor.

PubMed

Tsioptsias, Costas; Lionta, Gesthimani; Samaras, Petros

2017-05-01

The aim of this work was the examination of the treatment potential of molasses wastewater, by the utilization of activated sludge and microalgae. The systems used included a sequencing batch bioreactor and a similar photo-bioreactor, favoring microalgae growth. The microalgae treatment of molasses wastewater mixture resulted in a considerable reduction in the total nitrogen content. A reduction in the ammonium and nitrate content was observed in the photo-bioreactor, while the effluent's total nitrogen consisted mainly of 50% organic nitrogen. The transformation of the nitrogen forms in the photo-bioreactor was attributed to microalgae activity, resulting in the production of a better quality effluent. Lower COD removal was observed for the photo-bioreactor than the control, which however increased, by the replacement of the anoxic phase by a long aeration period. The mechanism of nitrogen removal included both the denitrification process during the anoxic stage and the microalgae activities, as the replacement of the anoxic stage resulted in low total nitrogen removal capacities. A decrease in the photobioreactor performance was observed after 35 days of operation due to biofilm formation on the light tube surface, while the operation at higher temperature accelerated microalgae growth, resulting thus in the early failure of the photoreactor.

Onset of and recovery from nitrogen stress during reproductive growth of soybean

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henry, L. T.; Raper, C. D. Jr; Rideout, J. W.; Raper CD, J. r. (Principal Investigator)

1992-01-01

Photosynthetic rates and allocation of dry matter, nitrogen, and nonstructural carbohydrates were determined during onset of and recovery from a nitrogen stress for reproductive soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill cv Ransom) plants. Until the beginning of seed fill, non-nodulated plants were grown in flowing solution culture with 1.0 mM NO3- in a complete nutrient solution. One set of plants then was transferred to minus-nitrogen solution for 24 d of seed fill; a second set was transferred to a minus-nitrogen solution for 14 d followed by return to the complete solution with 1.0 mM NO3- for the remaining 10 d of seed fill; and a third set was continued on the complete solution. Net CO2 exchange rates of individual leaves, which remained nearly constant during seed fill for nonstressed plants, declined at an accelerated rate during onset of nitrogen stress as the specific content of reduced nitrogen in the leaves was decreased by remobilization of nitrogen to support pod growth. The rate of nitrogen remobilization out of leaves initially was relatively greater than the decrease in photosynthetic rate. While rate of pod growth declined in response to the developing nitrogen stress, photosynthetic assimilation of carbon exceeded reproductive demand and nonstructural carbohydrates accumulated within tissues. Following resupply of exogenous NO3-, specific rate of NO3- uptake by roots was enhanced relative to nonstressed plants. While there was little increase in content of reduced nitrogen in leaves, net remobilization of nitrogen out of leaves ceased, and the decline in photosynthetic rate stabilized at about 51% of that for nonstressed plants. This level of photosynthesis, combined with the availability of elevated pools of carbohydrates accumulated during stress, was sufficient to support the increases in both the specific rates of NO3- uptake and the rate of pod growth during recovery.

Analyzing the performance of fluorescence parameters in the monitoring of leaf nitrogen content of paddy rice

PubMed Central

Yang, Jian; Gong, Wei; Shi, Shuo; Du, Lin; Sun, Jia; Song, Shalei; Chen, Biwu; Zhang, Zhenbing

2016-01-01

Leaf nitrogen content (LNC) is a significant factor which can be utilized to monitor the status of paddy rice and it requires a reliable approach for fast and precise quantification. This investigation aims to quantitatively analyze the correlation between fluorescence parameters and LNC based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technology. The fluorescence parameters exhibited a consistent positive linear correlation with LNC in different growing years (2014 and 2015) and different rice cultivars. The R2 of the models varied from 0.6978 to 0.9045. Support vector machine (SVM) was then utilized to verify the feasibility of the fluorescence parameters for monitoring LNC. Comparison of the fluorescence parameters indicated that F740 is the most sensitive (the R2 of linear regression analysis of the between predicted and measured values changed from 0.8475 to 0.9226, and REs ranged from 3.52% to 4.83%) to the changes in LNC among all fluorescence parameters. Experimental results demonstrated that fluorescence parameters based on LIF technology combined with SVM is a potential method for realizing real-time, non-destructive monitoring of paddy rice LNC, which can provide guidance for the decision-making of farmers in their N fertilization strategies. PMID:27350029

Prediction of ammonia emission from dairy cattle manure based on milk urea nitrogen: relation of milk urea nitrogen to urine urea nitrogen excretion.

PubMed

Burgos, S A; Fadel, J G; Depeters, E J

2007-12-01

The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between urinary urea N (UUN) excretion (g/d) and milk urea N (MUN; mg/dL) and to test whether the relationship was affected by stage of lactation and the dietary crude protein (CP) content. Twelve lactating multiparous Holstein cows were randomly selected and blocked into 3 groups of 4 cows intended to represent early [123 +/- 26 d in milk (DIM); mean +/- standard deviation], mid (175 +/- 3 DIM), and late (221 +/- 12 DIM) lactation stages. Cows within each stage of lactation were randomly assigned to a treatment sequence within a split-plot Latin square balanced for carryover effects. Stage of lactation formed the main plots (squares) and dietary CP levels (15, 17, 19, and 21% of diet dry matter) formed the subplots. Graded amounts of urea were added to the basal total mixed ration to linearly increase dietary CP content while maintaining similar concentrations of all other nutrients among treatments. The experimental periods lasted 7 d, with d 1 to 6 used for adjustment to diets and d 7 used for total collection of urine as well as milk and blood sample collection. Dry matter intake and yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose declined progressively with lactation stage and were unaffected by dietary CP content. Milk and plasma urea-N as well as UUN concentration and excretion increased in response to dietary CP content. Milk and urine urea-N concentration rose at increasing and decreasing rates, respectively, as a function of plasma urea-N. The renal urea-N clearance rate differed among lactation stages and dietary CP contents. The relationship between UUN excretion and MUN differed among lactation stages and diverged from linearity for cows in early and late lactation. However, these differences were restricted to very high MUN concentrations. Milk urea N may be a useful tool to predict the UUN excretion and ultimately NH(3) emission from dairy cattle manure.

Hepatic amino nitrogen conversion and organ N-contents in hypothyroidism, with thyroxine replacement, and in hyperthyroid rats.

PubMed

Grøfte, T; Wolthers, T; Jensen, D S; Møller, N; Jørgensen, J O; Orskov, H; Vilstrup, H

1997-02-01

The role of thyroid hormones in the regulation of hepatic conversions of amino nitrogen to urea is unresolved. The present study was designed to assess ureagenesis in rats with experimentally well-established hypo- and hyperthyroidism. The possible role of propylthiuracil (PTU), used for induction of hypothyroidism, was ascertained during thyroxine replacement of PTU treated hypothyroid rats. Basal blood amino nitrogen concentrations (AAN), the urea nitrogen synthesis rate (UNSR) and the maximal hepatic capacity for urea nitrogen synthesis (CUNS) obtained during alanine infusion were determined together with N-contents in the soleus muscle and kidneys in experimentally hypothyroid rats (n = 19), upon thyroxine replacement (n = 14) and in experimentally hyperthyroid rats (n = 19). Hypothyroidism was induced by adding propylthiouracil (0.05%) to the drinking water for 5 weeks. Hyperthyroidism was induced by thyroxine 100 micrograms/100 g body weight. During hyperthyroidism, T3 fell to less than 10%, food intake was halved, and body weight fell by 13%. Basal blood AAN fell by 25% (p < 0.01), UNSR more than doubled (p < 0.01), and CUNS rose by 45% (p < 0.05). N-contents of the soleus muscle fell by 13% and by 20% in kidneys, respectively (p < 0.05). Thyroxine replacement normalized AAN, UNSR, CUNS and reduced N-loss to 7% in the soleus muscle (NS) and kidneys (p < 0.05), respectively. During hyperthyroidism, T3 rose five-fold, food intake rose by two thirds, and body weight fell by 10%. Basal AAN rose by 20% (p < 0.05), UNSR doubled (p < 0.01), and CUNS rose by 25% (p < 0.05). N-contents of the soleus muscle decreased by 19%, whereas kidney N-contents increased by 25% (p < 0.05). Overall liver function assessed by galactose elimination capacity did not differ among groups. Both conditions increased the rate of urea synthesis; in the hypothyroid state the hepatic waste of amino-N was limited by low blood concentration of amino-N, probably due to lower proteolysis. In the hyperthyroid state hepatic amino-N loss was aggravated by higher blood concentration of amino-N, probably due to higher proteolysis. This difference may explain the markedly different dietary nitrogen economy between the two groups. The findings suggest that distinct hepatic acceleration of urea synthesis may contribute to the protein loss seen in both myxedema and in thyrotoxicosis in humans.

[Nitrogen status diagnosis and yield prediction of spring maize after green manure incorporation by using a digital camera].

PubMed

Bai, Jin-Shun; Cao, Wei-Dong; Xiong, Jing; Zeng, Nao-Hua; Shimizu, Katshyoshi; Rui, Yu-Kui

2013-12-01

In order to explore the feasibility of using the image processing technology to diagnose the nitrogen status and to predict the maize yield, a field experiment with different nitrogen rates with green manure incorporation was conducted. Maize canopy digital images over a range of growth stages were captured by digital camera. Maize nitrogen status and the relationships between image color indices derived by digital camera for maize at different growth stages and maize nitrogen status indicators were analyzed. These digital camera sourced image color indices at different growth stages for maize were also regressed with maize grain yield at maturity. The results showed that the plant nitrogen status for maize was improved by green manure application. The leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD value), aboveground biomass and nitrogen uptake for green manure treatments at different maize growth stages were all higher than that for chemical fertilization treatments. The correlations between spectral indices with plant nitrogen indicators for maize affected by green manure application were weaker than that affected by chemical fertilization. And the correlation coefficients for green manure application were ranged with the maize growth stages changes. The best spectral indices for diagnosis of plant nitrogen status after green manure incorporation were normalized blue value (B/(R+G+B)) at 12-leaf (V12) stage and normalized red value (R/(R+G+B)) at grain-filling (R4) stage individually. The coefficients of determination based on linear regression were 0. 45 and 0. 46 for B/(R+G+B) at V12 stage and R/(R+G+B) at R4 stage respectively, acting as a predictor of maize yield response to nitrogen affected by green manure incorporation. Our findings suggested that digital image technique could be a potential tool for in-season prediction of the nitrogen status and grain yield for maize after green manure incorporation when the suitable growth stages and spectral indices for diagnosis were selected.

Nurse plants transfer more nitrogen to distantly related species.

PubMed

Montesinos-Navarro, Alicia; Verdú, Miguel; Querejeta, José Ignacio; Valiente-Banuet, Alfonso

2017-05-01

Plant facilitative interactions enhance co-occurrence between distant relatives, partly due to limited overlap in resource requirements. We propose a different mechanism for the coexistence of distant relatives based on positive interactions of nutrient sharing. Nutrients move between plants following source-sink gradients driven by plant traits that allow these gradients to establish. Specifically, nitrogen (N) concentration gradients can arise from variation in leaf N content across plants species. As many ecologically relevant traits, we hypothesize that leaf N content is phylogenetically conserved and can result in N gradients promoting N transfer among distant relatives. In a Mexican desert community governed by facilitation, we labelled nurse plants (Mimosa luisana) with 15 N and measured its transfer to 14 other species in the community, spanning the range of phylogenetic distances to the nurse plant. Nurses established steeper N source-sink gradients with distant relatives, increasing 15 N transfer toward these species. Nutrient sharing may provide long-term benefits to facilitated plants and may be an overlooked mechanism maintaining coexistence and increasing the phylogenetic diversity of plant communities. © 2017 by the Ecological Society of America.

Oregon Salt Marshes: How Blue are They? November 12, 2015

EPA Science Inventory

We quantified carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates in salt marshes at 135 plots distributed across eight estuaries in Oregon, USA. Net carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates were quantified by measuring the content of these constituents in sediment that accumulated in marsh ha...

En route to controlled catalytic CVD synthesis of densely packed and vertically aligned nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube arrays.

PubMed

Boncel, Slawomir; Pattinson, Sebastian W; Geiser, Valérie; Shaffer, Milo S P; Koziol, Krzysztof K K

2014-01-01

The catalytic chemical vapour deposition (c-CVD) technique was applied in the synthesis of vertically aligned arrays of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs). A mixture of toluene (main carbon source), pyrazine (1,4-diazine, nitrogen source) and ferrocene (catalyst precursor) was used as the injection feedstock. To optimize conditions for growing the most dense and aligned N-CNT arrays, we investigated the influence of key parameters, i.e., growth temperature (660, 760 and 860 °C), composition of the feedstock and time of growth, on morphology and properties of N-CNTs. The presence of nitrogen species in the hot zone of the quartz reactor decreased the growth rate of N-CNTs down to about one twentieth compared to the growth rate of multi-wall CNTs (MWCNTs). As revealed by electron microscopy studies (SEM, TEM), the individual N-CNTs (half as thick as MWCNTs) grown under the optimal conditions were characterized by a superior straightness of the outer walls, which translated into a high alignment of dense nanotube arrays, i.e., 5 × 10(8) nanotubes per mm(2) (100 times more than for MWCNTs grown in the absence of nitrogen precursor). In turn, the internal crystallographic order of the N-CNTs was found to be of a 'bamboo'-like or 'membrane'-like (multi-compartmental structure) morphology. The nitrogen content in the nanotube products, which ranged from 0.0 to 3.0 wt %, was controlled through the concentration of pyrazine in the feedstock. Moreover, as revealed by Raman/FT-IR spectroscopy, the incorporation of nitrogen atoms into the nanotube walls was found to be proportional to the number of deviations from the sp(2)-hybridisation of graphene C-atoms. As studied by XRD, the temperature and the [pyrazine]/[ferrocene] ratio in the feedstock affected the composition of the catalyst particles, and hence changed the growth mechanism of individual N-CNTs into a 'mixed base-and-tip' (primarily of the base-type) type as compared to the purely 'base'-type for undoped MWCNTs.

Boride Formation Induced by pcBN Tool Wear in Friction-Stir-Welded Stainless Steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Seung Hwan C.; Sato, Yutaka S.; Kokawa, Hiroyuki; Okamoto, Kazutaka; Hirano, Satoshi; Inagaki, Masahisa

2009-03-01

The wear of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (pcBN) tool and its effect on second phase formation were investigated in stainless steel friction-stir (FS) welds. The nitrogen content and the flow stress were analyzed in these welds to examine pcBN tool wear. The nitrogen content in stir zone (SZ) was found to be higher in the austenitic stainless steel FS welds than in the ferritic and duplex stainless steel welds. The flow stress of austenitic stainless steels was almost 1.5 times larger than that of ferritic and duplex stainless steels. These results suggest that the higher flow stress causes the severe tool wear in austenitic stainless steels, which results in greater nitrogen pickup in austenitic stainless steel FS welds. From the microstructural observation, a possibility was suggested that Cr-rich borides with a crystallographic structure of Cr2B and Cr5B3 formed through the reaction between the increased boron and nitrogen and the matrix during FS welding (FSW).

Recycling of lipid-extracted hydrolysate as nitrogen supplementation for production of thraustochytrid biomass.

PubMed

Lowrey, Joshua; Armenta, Roberto E; Brooks, Marianne S

2016-08-01

Efficient resource usage is important for cost-effective microalgae production, where the incorporation of waste streams and recycled water into the process has great potential. This study builds upon emerging research on nutrient recycling in thraustochytrid production, where waste streams are recovered after lipid extraction and recycled into future cultures. This research investigates the nitrogen flux of recycled hydrolysate derived from enzymatic lipid extraction of thraustochytrid biomass. Results indicated the proteinaceous content of the recycled hydrolysate can offset the need to supply fresh nitrogen in a secondary culture, without detrimental impact upon the produced biomass. The treatment employing the recycled hydrolysate with no nitrogen addition accumulated 14.86 g L(-1) of biomass in 141 h with 43.3 % (w/w) lipid content compared to the control which had 9.26 g L(-1) and 46.9 % (w/w), respectively. This improved nutrient efficiency and wastewater recovery represents considerable potential for enhanced resource efficiency of commercial thraustochytrid production.

Loblolly pine grown under elevated CO2 affects early instar pine sawfly performance.

PubMed

Williams, R S; Lincoln, D E; Thomas, R B

1994-06-01

Seedlings of loblolly pine Pinus taeda (L.), were grown in open-topped field chambers under three CO 2 regimes: ambient, 150 μl l -1 CO 2 above ambient, and 300 μl l -1 CO 2 above ambient. A fourth, non-chambered ambient treatment was included to assess chamber effects. Needles were used in 96 h feeding trials to determine the performance of young, second instar larvae of loblolly pine's principal leaf herbivore, red-headed pine sawfly, Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch). The relative consumption rate of larvae significantly increased on plants grown under elevated CO 2 , and needles grown in the highest CO 2 regime were consumed 21% more rapidly than needles grown in ambient CO 2 . Both the significant decline in leaf nitrogen content and the substantial increase in leaf starch content contributed to a significant increase in the starch:nitrogen ratio in plants grown in elevated CO 2 . Insect consumption rate was negatively related to leaf nitrogen content and positively related to the starch:nitrogen ratio. Of the four volatile leaf monoterpenes measured, only β-pinene exhibited a significant CO 2 effect and declined in plants grown in elevated CO 2 . Although consumption changed, the relative growth rates of larvae were not different among CO 2 treatments. Despite lower nitrogen consumption rates by larvae feeding on the plants grown in elevated CO 2 , nitrogen accumulation rates were the same for all treatments due to a significant increase in nitrogen utilization efficiency. The ability of this insect to respond at an early, potentially susceptible larval stage to poorer food quality and declining levels of a leaf monoterpene suggest that changes in needle quality within pines in future elevated-CO 2 atmospheres may not especially affect young insects and that tree-feeding sawflies may respond in a manner similar to herb-feeding lepidopterans.

The effect of nitrogen incorporation on the bonding structure of hydrogenated carbon nitride films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Camero, M.; Buijnsters, J. G.; Gomez-Aleixandre, C.

2007-03-15

This work describes the composition and bonding structure of hydrogenated carbon nitride (a-CN{sub x}:H) films synthesized by electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition using as precursor gases argon, methane, and nitrogen. The composition of the films was derived from Rutherford backscattering and elastic recoil detection analysis and the bonding structure was examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). By varying the nitrogen to methane ratio in the applied gas mixture, polymeric a-CN{sub x}:H films with N/C contents varying from 0.06 to 0.49 were obtained. Remarkably, the H content of the films ({approx}40 at. %) wasmore » rather unaffected by the nitrogenation process. The different bonding states as detected in the measured XANES C(1s) and N(1s) spectra have been correlated with those of a large number of reference samples. The XANES and IR spectroscopy results indicate that N atoms are efficiently incorporated into the amorphous carbon network and can be found in different bonding environments, such as pyridinelike, graphitelike, nitrilelike, and amino groups. The nitrogenation of the films results in the formation of N-H bonding environments at the cost of C-H structures. Also, the insertion of N induces a higher fraction of double bonds in the structure at the expense of the linear polymerlike chains, hence resulting in a more cross-linked solid. The formation of double bonds takes place through complex C=N structures and not by formation of graphitic aromatic rings. Also, the mechanical and tribological properties (hardness, friction, and wear) of the films have been studied as a function of the nitrogen content. Despite the major modifications in the bonding structure with nitrogen uptake, no significant changes in these properties are observed.« less

Anammox process for nitrogen removal from anaerobically digested fish canning effluents.

PubMed

Dapena-Mora, A; Campos, J L; Mosquera-Corral, A; Méndez, R

2006-01-01

The Anammox process was used to treat the effluent generated in an anaerobic digester which treated the wastewater from a fish cannery once previously processed in a Sharon reactor. The effluents generated from the anaerobic digestion are characterised by their high ammonium content (700-1000 g NH4+ -Nm(-3)), organic carbon content (1000-1300 g TOCm(-3)) and salinity up to 8,000-10,000 g NaCl m(-3). In the Sharon reactor, approximately 50% of the NH4+ -N was oxidised to NO2- -N via partial nitrification. The effluent of the Sharon step was fed to the Anammox reactor which treated an averaged nitrogen loading rate of 500 g N m(-3) x d(-1). The system reached an averaged nitrogen removal efficiency of 68%, mainly limited due to the nonstoichiometric relation, for the Anammox process, between the ammonium and nitrite added in the feeding. The Anammox reactor bacterial population distribution, followed by FISH analysis and batch activity assays, did not change significantly despite the continuous entrance to the system of aerobic ammonium oxidisers coming from the Sharon reactor. Most of the bacteria corresponded to the Anammox population and the rest with slight variable shares to the ammonia oxidisers. The Anammox reactor showed an unexpected robustness despite the continuous variations in the influent composition regarding ammonium and nitrite concentrations. Only in the period when NO2- -N concentration was higher than the NH4+ -N concentration did the process destabilise and it took 14 days until the nitrogen removal percentage decreased to 34% with concentrations in the effluent of 340g NH4+ -N m(-3) and 440 g NO2- -N m(-3), respectively. Based on these results, it seems that the Sharon-Anammox system can be applied for the treatment of industrial wastewaters with high nitrogen load and salt concentration with an appropriate control of the NO2- -N/NH4+ -N ratio.

Performance and membrane fouling of a step-fed submerged membrane sequencing batch reactor treating swine biogas digestion slurry.

PubMed

Han, Zhiying; Chen, Shixia; Lin, Xiaochang; Yu, Hongjun; Duan, Li'an; Ye, Zhangying; Jia, Yanbo; Zhu, Songming; Liu, Dezhao

2018-01-02

To identify the performance of step-fed submerged membrane sequencing batch reactor (SMSBR) treating swine biogas digestion slurry and to explore the correlation between microbial metabolites and membrane fouling within this novel reactor, a lab-scale step-fed SMSBR was operated under nitrogen loading rate of 0.026, 0.052 and 0.062 g NH 4 + -N (gVSS·d) -1 . Results show that the total removal efficiencies for NH 4 + -N, total nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand in the reactor (>94%, >89% and >97%, respectively) were high during the whole experiment. However, the cycle removal efficiency of NH 4 + -N decreased significantly when the nitrogen loading rate was increased to 0.062 g NH 4 + -N (gVSS·d) -1 . The total removal efficiency of total phosphorus in the step-fed SMSBR was generally higher than 75%, though large fluctuations were observed during the experiments. In addition, the concentrations of microbial metabolites, i.e., soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from activated sludge increased as nitrogen loading rate increased, both showing quadratic equation correlations with viscosity of the mixed liquid in the step-fed SMSBR (both R 2 > 0.90). EPS content was higher than SMP content, while protein (PN) was detected as the main component in both SMP and EPS. EPS PN was found to be well correlated with transmembrane pressure, membrane flux and the total membrane fouling resistance. Furthermore, the three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy results suggested the tryptophan-like protein as one of the main contributors to the membrane fouling. Overall, this study showed that the step-fed SMSBR could be used to treat swine digestion slurry at nitrogen loading rate of 0.052 g NH 4 + -N (gVSS·d) -1 , and the control strategy of membrane fouling should be developed based on reducing the tryptophan-like PN in EPS.

Grazing by Zooplankton on Diazotrophs in the Amazon River Plume and Western Tropical North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conroy, B.; Steinberg, D. K.; Song, B.; Foster, R.

2016-02-01

Organisms capable of fixing di-nitrogen (N2), known as diazotrophs, are important primary producers and a potentially significant source for new nitrogen entering the planktonic food web. However, limited evidence exists for zooplankton grazing on diazotrophs compared to other primary producers. In the western tropical North Atlantic Ocean (WTNA), the Amazon River plume creates a niche for symbiotic diatom-diazotroph associations (DDAs) which can form large blooms. In adjacent non-plume-influenced waters, the colonial cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is abundant. In order to reveal zooplankton-diazotroph grazing interactions and determine the fate of newly fixed nitrogen, gut contents of zooplankton captured in these two regions were compared based on quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay of nitrogenase genes (nifH), and their microbiomes compared using next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 16S rRNA genes. We sampled individual copepods from discrete depth intervals (0-25m and 25-50m) and in two size classes (0.5-1mm and 1-2mm) for analysis. A modified DNA extraction protocol was developed and 54 extracts were used as templates in nifH qPCR assays for the larger size fraction diazotrophs (>10µm): Trichodesmium, and Hemiaulus or Rhizosolenia (diatoms)-Richelia (diazotroph) associations. Copepod gut content nifH copies ranged from 1.6 to 13.6 copies individual-1 for the assay targeting the Hemiaulus-Richelia DDA and from 1.1 to 3.0 copies individual-1 for Trichodesmium. 16S NGS conducted on 35 extracts with an Ion Torrent PGM and mothur revealed that cyanobacteria sequences accounted for up to 20% of sequences per extract. Our results show that both DDAs and Trichodesmium are prey for zooplankton, and that new nitrogen moves through the food web via these grazing interactions. These interactions should be considered in future explorations of the global ocean nitrogen cycle.

Early environmental effects of the terminal Cretaceous impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilmour, Iain; Wolbach, Wendy S.; Anders, Edward

1988-01-01

The environmental aftereffects of the terminal Cretaceous impact are examined on the basis of the carbon and nitrogen geochemistry in the basal layer of the K-T boundary clay at Woodside Creek, New Zealand. It is shown that organic carbon and nitrogen at this level are enriched by 15 and 20 times Cretaceous values, respectively. Also, it is found that the N abundances and, to a lesser extent, the organic C abundances are closely correlated with the Ir abundances. The changes in carbon and nitrogen content through the basal layer are outlined, focusing on the possible environmental conditions which could have caused enrichment. In addition, consideration is given to the soot and pyrotoxin content. Possible scenarios for the K-T event and the importance of selective extinction are discussed.

Interactive Effects of CO2 Concentration and Water Regime on Stable Isotope Signatures, Nitrogen Assimilation and Growth in Sweet Pepper.

PubMed

Serret, María D; Yousfi, Salima; Vicente, Rubén; Piñero, María C; Otálora-Alcón, Ginés; Del Amor, Francisco M; Araus, José L

2017-01-01

Sweet pepper is among the most widely cultivated horticultural crops in the Mediterranean basin, being frequently grown hydroponically under cover in combination with CO 2 fertilization and water conditions ranging from optimal to suboptimal. The aim of this study is to develop a simple model, based on the analysis of plant stable isotopes in their natural abundance, gas exchange traits and N concentration, to assess sweet pepper growth. Plants were grown in a growth chamber for near 6 weeks. Two [CO 2 ] (400 and 800 μmol mol -1 ), three water regimes (control and mild and moderate water stress) and four genotypes were assayed. For each combination of genotype, [CO 2 ] and water regime five plants were evaluated. Water stress applied caused significant decreases in water potential, net assimilation, stomatal conductance, intercellular to atmospheric [CO 2 ], and significant increases in water use efficiency, leaf chlorophyll content and carbon isotope composition, while the relative water content, the osmotic potential and the content of anthocyanins did change not under stress compared to control conditions support this statement. Nevertheless, water regime affects plant growth via nitrogen assimilation, which is associated with the transpiration stream, particularly at high [CO 2 ], while the lower N concentration caused by rising [CO 2 ] is not associated with stomatal closure. The stable isotope composition of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen (δ 13 C, δ 18 O, and δ 15 N) in plant matter are affected not only by water regime but also by rising [CO 2 ]. Thus, δ 18 O increased probably as response to decreases in transpiration, while the increase in δ 15 N may reflect not only a lower stomatal conductance but a higher nitrogen demand in leaves or shifts in nitrogen metabolism associated with decreases in photorespiration. The way that δ 13 C explains differences in plant growth across water regimes within a given [CO 2 ], seems to be mediated through its direct relationship with N accumulation in leaves. The changes in the profile and amount of amino acids caused by water stress and high [CO 2 ] support this conclusion. However, the results do not support the use of δ 18 O as an indicator of the effect of water regime on plant growth.

Interactive Effects of CO2 Concentration and Water Regime on Stable Isotope Signatures, Nitrogen Assimilation and Growth in Sweet Pepper

PubMed Central

Serret, María D.; Yousfi, Salima; Vicente, Rubén; Piñero, María C.; Otálora-Alcón, Ginés; del Amor, Francisco M.; Araus, José L.

2018-01-01

Sweet pepper is among the most widely cultivated horticultural crops in the Mediterranean basin, being frequently grown hydroponically under cover in combination with CO2 fertilization and water conditions ranging from optimal to suboptimal. The aim of this study is to develop a simple model, based on the analysis of plant stable isotopes in their natural abundance, gas exchange traits and N concentration, to assess sweet pepper growth. Plants were grown in a growth chamber for near 6 weeks. Two [CO2] (400 and 800 μmol mol−1), three water regimes (control and mild and moderate water stress) and four genotypes were assayed. For each combination of genotype, [CO2] and water regime five plants were evaluated. Water stress applied caused significant decreases in water potential, net assimilation, stomatal conductance, intercellular to atmospheric [CO2], and significant increases in water use efficiency, leaf chlorophyll content and carbon isotope composition, while the relative water content, the osmotic potential and the content of anthocyanins did change not under stress compared to control conditions support this statement. Nevertheless, water regime affects plant growth via nitrogen assimilation, which is associated with the transpiration stream, particularly at high [CO2], while the lower N concentration caused by rising [CO2] is not associated with stomatal closure. The stable isotope composition of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen (δ13C, δ18O, and δ15N) in plant matter are affected not only by water regime but also by rising [CO2]. Thus, δ18O increased probably as response to decreases in transpiration, while the increase in δ15N may reflect not only a lower stomatal conductance but a higher nitrogen demand in leaves or shifts in nitrogen metabolism associated with decreases in photorespiration. The way that δ13C explains differences in plant growth across water regimes within a given [CO2], seems to be mediated through its direct relationship with N accumulation in leaves. The changes in the profile and amount of amino acids caused by water stress and high [CO2] support this conclusion. However, the results do not support the use of δ18O as an indicator of the effect of water regime on plant growth. PMID:29354140

Indicative capacity of NDVI in predictive mapping of the properties of plow horizons of soils on slopes in the south of Western Siberia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopp, N. V.; Nechaeva, T. V.; Savenkov, O. A.; Smirnova, N. V.; Smirnov, V. V.

2017-11-01

The informativeness of NDVI for predictive mapping of the physical and chemical properties of plow horizons of soils on different slope positions within the first (280-310 m a.s.l.) and second (240-280 m a.s.l.) altitudinal steps has been examined. This index is uninformative for mapping soil properties in small hollows, whose factual width is less than the Landsat image resolution (30 m). In regression models, NDVI index explains 52% of variance in the content of humus; 35 and 24% of variance in the contents of total and nitrate nitrogen; 19 and 29% of variance in the contents of total and available phosphorus; 25 and 50% of variance in the contents of exchangeable calcium and manganese; and 30 and 29% of variance in the contents of fine silt and soil water, respectively. On the basis of the models obtained, prognostic maps of the soil properties have been developed. Spatial distribution patterns of NDVI calculated from Landsat 8 images (30-m resolution) serve as the cartographic base and the main indicator of the soil properties. The NDVI values and the contents of humus, physical clay (<0.01 mm) and fine silt particles, total and nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, and exchangeable calcium and manganese in the soils of the first altitudinal step are higher than those in the soils of the second altitudinal step. An opposite tendency has been found for the available phosphorus content: in the soils of the second altitudinal step and the hollow, its content is higher than that in the soils of the first altitudinal step by 1.8 and 2.4 times, respectively. Differences in the pH of soil water suspensions, easily available phosphorus, and clay in the soils of the compared topographic positions (first and second altitudinal steps and the hollow) are statistically unreliable.

Application of a LED-based reflectance sensor for the assessing in situ the lycopene content of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mignani, Anna G.; Ciaccheri, Leonardo; Mencaglia, Andrea A.; Tuccio, Lorenza; Agati, Giovanni

2015-05-01

Nondestructive in situ determination of the antioxidant lycopene of fresh tomato fruits is of large interest for the growers, willing to optimize the harvest time for high quality products. For this, we developed a portable LED-based colorimeter which was able to measure reflectance spectra of whole tomatoes in the 400-750 nm range. The tomato skins from the same samples were then frozen in liquid nitrogen, extracted with an acetone/ethanol/hexane mixture and analyzed by means of a spectrophotometer for their lycopene content. Concentration of lycopene was varying between 70 and 550 mg/Kg fresh weight skin. Partial Least Square regression was used to correlate spectral data to the tomato lycopene content. The multivariate processing of the reflectance data showed that lycopene content could be nicely predicted with a coefficient of determination R2=0.945 and a root mean square error of cross-validation RMSECV=57 mg/Kg skin fresh weight. These results suggest that portable, low-cost and compact LED-based sensors appear to be promising instruments for the nondestructive assessment of tomato lycopene even in the field.

Effect of leafhopper Arboridiakurdistanisp.nov on the some grape leaves elements and its chemical control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amin, Abdulbaset Mohammed; Younis, Sara Dasco

2017-09-01

The leafhopper Arboridiakurdistanisucking leaves sap and causes decrease of nitrogen in leaves and lead to inhabiting the chlorophyll then decrease the rate of photosynthesis and drying of the leaf. Chemical analysis of plant leaves showed the decreasing of Nitrogen content and gave the means in July, August and September 2.699%, 2.531% and 2.063% respectively, The phosphors rate is decrease in infested leaves, the mean of phosphors content in infested leaves in July, August and September were 0.532ppm, 0.496ppm and 0.361ppm respectively. At the time of protein is decreased in grape leaves the plants should delay in growth, the proteins content were 16.865%, 15.814% and 14.689%, while the potassium content in infested grape leave in July, August and September were 0.509%, 0.509% and 0.394% respectively. The chemical control showed that the best insecticide was Actara which gave 23.33% mortality for 48hours at 0.5gm/gallon water and raised to 90.00% at rate of 1.5gm/gallon water, Marshal gave 13.33% and 80.00% after 48 hours at rate of 0.5 and 1.5gm/gallon water respectively, but Spear gave 6.67% and 33.33% after 48 hours at 0.5% and 1.5gm/gallon water respectively. Based on LC50 Value, Actara proved to be more effective than Marshal and Spear.

Nitrogen balance and transformation in the nitrification process of coking wastewater and the influence on nitrification kinetics.

PubMed

Shan, Mingjun; Zhang, Yan; Kou, Lihong

2014-01-01

This paper describes the total nitrogen balance, and the direction and degree of nitrogen transformation during the nitrification process of coking wastewater. According to the actual nitrification process, the conventional nitrification kinetic equation was amended. After 48 h of nitrification, the total nitrogen content remained almost the same with error less than 0.6%. The total removal efficiency of NH4(+)-N was 91.1%, in which blow-off, producing cells and transforming to nitrate nitrogen accounted for 1.1, 17.8 and 72.2% respectively. Considering the influences of NH4(+)-N blow-off and conversion from cyanide, thiocyanide and organic nitrogen, the nitrification kinetic equation was amended as μ'=0.82·S/(0.48+S).

Remote estimation of nitrogen and chlorophyll contents in maize at leaf and canopy levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlemmer, M.; Gitelson, A.; Schepers, J.; Ferguson, R.; Peng, Y.; Shanahan, J.; Rundquist, D.

2013-12-01

Leaf and canopy nitrogen (N) status relates strongly to leaf and canopy chlorophyll (Chl) content. Remote sensing is a tool that has the potential to assess N content at leaf, plant, field, regional and global scales. In this study, remote sensing techniques were applied to estimate N and Chl contents of irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) fertilized at five N rates. Leaf N and Chl contents were determined using the red-edge chlorophyll index with R2 of 0.74 and 0.94, respectively. Results showed that at the canopy level, Chl and N contents can be accurately retrieved using green and red-edge Chl indices using near infrared (780-800 nm) and either green (540-560 nm) or red-edge (730-750 nm) spectral bands. Spectral bands that were found optimal for Chl and N estimations coincide well with the red-edge band of the MSI sensor onboard the near future Sentinel-2 satellite. The coefficient of determination for the relationships between the red-edge chlorophyll index, simulated in Sentinel-2 bands, and Chl and N content was 0.90 and 0.87, respectively.

Adsorptive Removal of Nitrate from Aqueous Solution Using Nitrogen Doped Activated Carbon.

PubMed

Machida, Motoi; Goto, Tatsuru; Amano, Yoshimasa; Iida, Tatsuya

2016-01-01

Activated carbon (AC) has been widely applied for adsorptive removal of organic contaminants from aqueous phase, but not for ionic pollutants. In this study, nitrogen doped AC was prepared to increase the adsorption capacity of nitrate from water. AC was oxidized with (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 solution to maximize oxygen content for the first step, and then NH 3 gas treatment was carried out at 950°C to aim at forming quaternary nitrogen (N-Q) species on AC surface (Ox-9.5AG). Influence of solution pH was examined so as to elucidate the relationship between surface charge and adsorption amounts of nitrate. The results showed that Ox-9.5AG exhibited about twice higher adsorption capacity than non-treatment AC at any initial nitrate concentration and any equilibrium solution pH (pH e ) investigated. The more decrease in pH e value, the more adsorption amount of negatively charged nitrate ion, because the surface charge of AC and Ox-9.5AG could become more positive in acidic solution. The oxidation and consecutive ammonia treatments lead to increase in nitrogen content from 0.35 to 6.4% and decrease in the pH of the point of zero charge (pH pzc ) from 7.1 to 4.0 implying that positively charged N-Q of a Lewis acid was created on the surface of Ox-9.5AG. Based on a Langmuir data analysis, maximum adsorption capacity attained 0.5-0.6 mmol/g of nitrate and adsorption affinity was 3.5-4.0 L/mmol at pH e 2.5 for Ox-9.5AG.

Carbon associated nitrate (CAN) in the Ediacaran Johnnie Formation, Death Valley, California and links to the Shuram negative carbon isotope excursion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dilles, Z. Y. G.; Prokopenko, M. G.; Bergmann, K.; Loyd, S. J.; Corsetti, F. A.; Berelson, W.; Gaines, R. R.

2014-12-01

Nitrogen, a major nutrient of marine primary production whose many redox states are linked through biological processes to O2, may afford better understanding of changes in post-Great Oxidation Event (GOE) environmental redox conditions. Using a novel approach to quantify nitrate content in carbonates, we identified a trend of CAN increase in the late-Proterozoic, including several distinct peaks within a carbonate succession of the Sonora province, Mexico, deposited ~630-500 Ma. The goal of the current study was to investigate CAN variability in the context of the global "Shuram" event, a large negative δ13C excursion expressed in Rainstorm member carbonates of the Johnnie Formation in Death Valley, CA. The lower Rainstorm Member "Johnnie Oolite", a time-transgressive, regionally extensive, shallow dolomitic oolite, was sampled. CAN concentrations ranged from 7.31 to 127.36 nmol/g, with higher values measured toward the base of the bed. This trend held at each sampled locality, along with a tendency towards decreasing CAN with larger magnitude negative δ13C excursions. Modern analog ooids formed in low-latitude marine environments lack CAN, consistent with their formation in low-nitrate waters of the euphotic zone characteristic of the modern ocean nitrogen cycling. In contrast, maximum values within the Johnnie oolite exceed by a factor of five to seven CAN measured in carbonates deposited below the main nitracline in the modern ocean, implying high nitrate content within shallow depositional environments. Johnnie oolite data, broadly consistent with the Sonora sequence findings, may indicate large perturbations in the Ediacaran nitrogen cycle immediately preceding the negative δ13C excursion. The implication of these findings for possible changes in the Ediacaran nitrogen, oxygen and carbon biogeochemical cycling will be further discussed.

Evaluating the effectiveness of mulch application to store carbon belowground: Short-term effects of mulch application on soluble soil and microbial C and N in agricultural soils with low and high organic matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Janet; Heiling, Maria; Resch, Christian; Gruber, Roman; Dercon, Gerd

2017-04-01

Agricultural soils have the potential to contain a large pool of carbon and, depending on the farming techniques applied, can either effectively store carbon belowground, or further release carbon, in the form of CO2, into the atmosphere. Farming techniques, such as mulch application, are frequently proposed to increase carbon content belowground and improve soil quality and can be used in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas levels, such as in the "4 per 1000" Initiative. To test the effectiveness of mulch application to store carbon belowground in the short term and improve soil nutrient quality, we maintained agricultural soils with low and high organic carbon content (disturbed top soil from local Cambisols and Chernozems) in greenhouse mesocosms (70 cm deep with a radius of 25 cm) with controlled moisture for 4 years. Over the 4 years, maize and soybean were grown yearly in rotation and mulch was removed or applied to soils once plant material was harvested at 2 ton/ha dry matter. In addition, soil disturbance was kept to a minimum, with only surface disturbance of a few centimeters to keep soil free from weeds. After 4 years, we measured effects of mulch application on soluble soil and microbial carbon and nitrogen in the mesocosms and compared effects of mulch application versus no mulch on soils from 0-5 cm and 5-15 cm with low and high organic matter. We predicted that mulch would increase soil carbon and nitrogen content and mulch application would have a greater effect on soils with low organic matter than soils with high organic matter. In soils with low organic carbon content and larger predicted potential to increase soil carbon, mulch application did not increase soluble soil or microbial carbon or nitrogen compared to the treatments without mulch application. However, mulch application significantly increased the δ13C of both microbial and soluble soil carbon in these soils by 1 ‰ each, indicating a shift in belowground processes, such as increased decomposition coupled with increased carbon inputs. In soils with more organic content and lower potential to increase soil carbon, mulch application decreased microbial carbon by 0.01 mg C g soil-1 and increased soluble soil nitrogen by 0.01 mg N g soil-1. Soluble soil carbon also decreased by 0.04 mg C g soil-1 and microbial nitrogen increased with mulch application by 0.006 mg N g soil-1, but only in 5-15 cm soil. Mulch application only decreased δ13C of soluble soil carbon by 1.5 ‰, likely indicating a decrease in decomposition. Contrary to our initial predictions, mulch did not increase soil carbon content and only increased nitrogen content in soils that already had relatively higher organic matter content. These results suggest that mulch application (with only soil surface disturbance) may not play a significant role in increasing soil carbon content and overall soil quality, at least in a short 4-year term.

Estimating cotton nitrogen nutrition status using leaf greenness and ground cover information

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Assessing nitrogen (N) status is important from economic and environmental standpoints. To date, many spectral indices to estimate cotton chlorophyll or N content have been purely developed using statistical analysis approach where they are often subject to site-specific problems. This study describ...

77 FR 31578 - Stainless Steel Bar From Japan: Initiation and Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Changed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-29

... of 0.40 percent of nitrogen, a minimum of 0.85 percent of the combined content of carbon and nitrogen, and a balance minimum of iron, having a maximum core hardness of 385 HB and a maximum surface hardness...

Physical, chemical and biological properties of simulated beef cattle bedded manure packs

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Manure including bedding material can be a valuable fertilizer, yet numerous, poorly characterized, environmental factors control its quality. The objective was to determine whether moisture content (MC), nutrient value (ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total po...

Nitrogen fertilizer application affects lodging resistance by altering secondary cell wall synthesis in japonica rice (Oryza sativa).

PubMed

Zhang, Wujun; Wu, Longmei; Ding, Yanfeng; Yao, Xiong; Wu, Xiaoran; Weng, Fei; Li, Ganghua; Liu, Zhenghui; Tang, She; Ding, Chengqiang; Wang, Shaohua

2017-09-01

Stem mechanical strength is an important agricultural quantitative trait that is closely related to lodging resistance in rice, which is known to be reduced by fertilizer with higher levels of nitrogen. To understand the mechanism that regulates stem mechanical strength in response to nitrogen, we analysed stem morphology, anatomy, mechanical properties, cell wall components, and expression of cell wall-related genes, in two varieties of japonica rice, namely, Wuyunjing23 (lodging-resistant variety) and W3668 (lodging-susceptible variety). The results showed that higher nitrogen fertilizer increased the lodging index in both varieties due to a reduction in breaking strength and bending stress, and these changes were larger in W3668. Cellulose content decreased slightly under higher nitrogen fertilizer, whereas lignin content reduced remarkably. Histochemical staining revealed that high nitrogen application decreased lignin deposition in the secondary cell wall of the sclerenchyma cells and vascular bundle cells compared with the low nitrogen treatments, while it did not alter the pattern of cellulose deposition in these cells in both Wuyunjing23 and W3668. In addition, the expression of the genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, OsPAL, OsCoMT, Os4CL3, OsCCR, OsCAD2, OsCAD7, OsCesA4, and OsCesA7, were also down-regulated under higher nitrogen conditions at the early stage of culm growth. These results suggest that the genes involved in lignin biosynthesis are down-regulated by higher nitrogen fertilizer, which causes lignin deficiency in the secondary cell walls and the weakening of mechanical tissue structure. Subsequently, this results in these internodes with reduced mechanical strength and poor lodging resistance.

[Impacts of Land Use Changes on Soil Light Fraction and Particulate Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Jinyun Mountain].

PubMed

Lei, Li-guo; Jiang, Chang-sheng; Hao, Qing-ju

2015-07-01

Four land types including the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, sloping farmland, orchard and abandoned land were selected to collect soil samples from 0 to 60 cm depth at the same altitude of sunny slope in the Jinyun Mountain in this study. Soil light fraction organic carbon and nitrogen ( LFOC and LFON), and particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PON) were determined and the distribution ratios and C/N ratios were calculated. The results showed that the contents of LFOC and LFON decreased significantly by 71. 42% and 38. 46% after the forest was changed into sloping farmland (P <0. 05) but the change was not significant when it was changed into orchard (P >0. 05), while the contents of LFOC and LFON increased significantly by 3. 77 and 1. 38 times after the sloping farmland was changed into abandoned land (P <0. 05). The contents of POC and PON did not vary markedly after the forest was converted into orchard or sloping farmland, while the POC and PON contents increased markedly by 4. 12 and 1. 25 times after the sloping farmland was abandoned. Those above results indicated that abandoned land was easy for active organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation; on the contrary, sloping farmland was easy to lose soil labile carbon and nitrogen. The LFOC and LFON distribution ratios were significantly reduced by 31. 20% and 30. 08%, respectively after the forest was changed into the sloping farmland, and increased by 18. 74% and 20. 33% respectively after the forest was changed into the orchard. Nevertheless, the distribution ratios of LFOC and LFON were changed little by converting the forest into the sloping farmland and orchard. The distribution ratios of LFOC, LFON, POC and PON all increased significantly after the farmland was abandoned (P <0. 05). Those results showed that the activity of soil organic carbon and nitrogen was enhanced after forest reclamation, while reduced after the sloping farmland was abandoned. The ratios of carbon to nitrogen in soil organic matter, light fraction organic matter and particulate organic matter were in the order of abandoned land (12. 93) > forest (8. 53) > orchard (7. 52) > sloping farmland (4. 40), abandoned land (16. 32) > forest (14. 29) > orchard (11. 32) > sloping farmland (7. 60), abandoned land (23. 41) > sloping farmland (13. 85 ) > forest (10. 30) > orchard (9. 64), which indicated that the degree of organic nitrogen mineralization was higher after forest cultivation and lower after the sloping farmland was abandoned.

Effect of shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei) farming waste on the growth, digestion, ammonium-nitrogen excretion of sea cucumber ( Stichopus monotuberculatus)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yanfeng; Luo, Peng; Hu, Chaoqun; Ren, Chunhua

2015-06-01

In this study, specific growth rate (SGR), ingestion rate (IR), food conversion ratio (FCR), apparent digestion ratio (ADR) and ammonium-nitrogen excretion were determined for sea cucumber ( Stichopus monotuberculatus) reared in plastic containers (70 L; 4 containers each diet treatment). Sea cucumbers were fed with five diets containing different amounts of farming waste from shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei) (100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0) and a formulated compound (20% sea mud and 80% powdered algae). Sea cucumbers grew faster when they were fed with diet D (25% shrimp waste and 75% formulated compound) than those fed with other diets. Although IR value of sea cucumber fed with diet A (shrimp waste) was higher than those fed with other diets, both the lowest SGR and the highest FCR occurred in this diet group. The highest and the lowest ADR occurred in diet E (formulated compound) and diet A group, respectively, and the same to ammonium-nitrogen excretion. The contents of crude protein, crude lipid and total organic matter (TOM) in feces decreased in comparison with corresponding diets. In the feces from different diet treatments, the contents of crude protein and TOM increased gradually as the contents of crude protein and TOM in diets increased, while crude lipid content decreased gradually as the crude lipid content in diets increased.

Effects of CO(2) enrichment on photosynthesis, growth, and biochemical composition of seagrass Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers.

PubMed

Jiang, Zhi Jian; Huang, Xiao-Pin; Zhang, Jing-Ping

2010-10-01

The effects of CO₂ enrichment on various ecophysiological parameters of tropical seagrass Thalassia hemprichii (Ehrenb.) Aschers were tested. T. hemprichii, collected from a seagrass bed in Xincun Bay, Hainan island of Southern China, was cultured at 4 CO₂ (aq) concentrations in flow-through seawater aquaria bubbled with CO₂ . CO₂ enrichment considerably enhanced the relative maximum electron transport rate (RETR(max) ) and minimum saturating irradiance (E(k) ) of T. hemprichii. Leaf growth rate of CO₂ -enriched plants was significantly higher than that in unenriched treatment. Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) of T. hemprichii, especially in belowground tissues, increased strongly with elevated CO₂ (aq), suggesting a translocation of photosynthate from aboveground to belowground tissues. Carbon content in belowground tissues showed a similar response with NSC, while in aboveground tissues, carbon content was not affected by CO₂ treatments. In contrast, with increasing CO₂ (aq), nitrogen content in aboveground tissues markedly decreased, but nitrogen content in belowground was nearly constant. Carbon: nitrogen ratio in both tissues were obviously enhanced by increasing CO₂ (aq). Thus, these results indicate that T. hemprichii may respond positively to CO₂ -induced acidification of the coastal ocean. Moreover, the CO₂ -stimulated improvement of photosynthesis and NSC content may partially offset negative effects of severe environmental disturbance such as underwater light reduction. © 2010 Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Nitrogen-doped graphene prepared by a transfer doping approach for the oxygen reduction reaction application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, Zaiyong; Zheng, Ruiping; Peng, Hongliang; Liang, Huagen; Liao, Shijun

2014-01-01

Well defined nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) is prepared by a transfer doping approach, in which the graphene oxide (GO) is deoxidized and nitrogen doped by the vaporized polyaniline, and the GO is prepared by a thermal expansion method from graphite oxide. The content of doped nitrogen in the doped graphene is high up to 6.25 at% by the results of elements analysis, and oxygen content is lowered to 5.17 at%. As a non-precious metal cathode electrocatalyst, the NG catalyst exhibits excellent activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction, as well as excellent tolerance toward methanol. In 0.1 M KOH solution, its onset potential, half-wave potential and limiting current density for the oxygen reduction reaction reach 0.98 V (vs. RHE), 0.87 V (vs. RHE) and 5.38 mA cm-2, respectively, which are comparable to those of commercial 20 wt% Pt/C catalyst. The well defined graphene structure of the catalyst is revealed clearly by HRTEM and Raman spectra. It is suggested that the nitrogen-doping and large surface area of the NG sheets give the main contribution to the high ORR catalytic activity.

Preparation of nitrogen-doped graphene/activated carbon composite papers to enhance energy storage in supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yong-feng; Liu, Yan-zhen; Liang, Yu; Guo, Xiao-hui; Chen, Cheng-meng

2017-09-01

This report presents a facile and effective method to synthesize freestanding nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/activated carbon (AC) composite papers for supercapacitors by a method combining vacuum filtration with post-annealing in NH3 atmosphere. The effect of activated carbon contents on the microstructure and capacitive behavior of the resulting composite papers before and after the annealing was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results show that the composite paper with a 30% activated carbon loading has a high nitrogen content of 14.6 at% and superior capacitive performance (308 F/g, 1 A/g) to the other composite papers with various activated carbon loadings. Nitrogen was doped and GO reduced during the annealing. The rGO nanosheets acted as a framework, and the AC particles served as spacers to avoid agglomeration of graphene sheets. The high capacitance of the composite paper is ascribed to the electric double-layer behavior and the reversible redox reactions of the nitrogen and oxygen groups. The entire process is simple, environmental friendly and easily scalable for mass production.

[Nitrogen mineralization rate in different soil layers and its influence factors under plastic film mulched in Danjiangkou Reservoir area, China].

PubMed

Yu, Xing Xiu; Xui, Miao Miao; Zhao, Jin Hui; Zhang, Jia Peng; Wang, Wei; Guo, Ya Li; Xiao, Juan Hua

2018-04-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of nitrogen mineralization in various soil layers (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm) and its influencing factors under plastic film mulching ridge-furrow in a corn field of Wulongchi small watershed, Danjiangkou Reservoir Area. Results showed that the rate of soil ammonification decreased with soil depth during the entire maize growth period. The rate of nitrification in seedling, jointing, and heading stages decreased in the following order: 10-20 cm > 0-10 cm > 20-30 cm, while it increased with soil depth in maturation stage. The rate of soil nitrogen mineralization decreased with the increases in soil depth in the seedling, jointing and heading stages, whereas an opposite pattern was observed in maturation stage. Compared with non-filming, film mulching promoted the soil ammonification process in 0-10 cm and the soil nitrification and nitrogen mineralization processes in jointing, heading, and maturation stages in both 0-10 and 10-20 cm. However, the rates of soil nitrification and nitrogen mineralization under film mulching were much lower than those under non-filming in seedling stage. The stepwise regression analysis indicated that the main factors influencing soil nitrogen mineralization rate varied with soil depth. Soil moisture and total N content were the dominant controller for variation of soil nitrogen mineralization in 0-10 cm layer. Soil temperature, moisture, and total N content were dominant controller for that in 10-20 cm layer. Soil temperature drove the variation of soil nitrogen mineralization in 20-30 cm layer.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria with multiple plant growth-promoting activities enhance growth of tomato and red pepper.

PubMed

Islam, Md Rashedul; Sultana, Tahera; Joe, M Melvin; Yim, Woojong; Cho, Jang-Cheon; Sa, Tongmin

2013-12-01

As a suitable alternative to chemical fertilizers, the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria has been increasing in recent years due to their potential to be used as biofertilizers. In the present work, 13 nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains belonging to 11 different genera were tested for their PGP attributes. All of the strains were positive for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), salicylic acid, and ammonia production while negative for cellulase, pectinase, and hydrocyanic acid production. The strains Pseudomonas sp. RFNB3 and Serratia sp. RFNB14 were the most effective in solubilizing both tri-calcium phosphate and zinc oxide. In addition, all strains except Pseudomonas sp. RFNB3 were able to oxidize sulfur, and six strains were positive for siderophore synthesis. Each strain tested in this study possesses at least four PGP properties in addition to nitrogen fixation. Nine strains were selected based on their multiple PGP potential, particularly ACCD and IAA production, and evaluated for their effects on early growth of tomato and red pepper under gnotobiotic conditions. Bacterial inoculation considerably influenced root and shoot length, seedling vigor, and dry biomass of the two crop plants. Three strains that demonstrated substantial effects on plant performance were further selected for greenhouse trials with red pepper, and among them Pseudomonas sp. RFNB3 resulted in significantly higher plant height (26%) and dry biomass (28%) compared to control. The highest rate of nitrogen fixation, as determined by acetylene reduction assay, occurred in Novosphingobium sp. RFNB21 inoculated red pepper root (49.6 nM of ethylene/h/g of dry root) and rhizosphere soil (41.3 nM of ethylene/h/g of dry soil). Inoculation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria significantly increased chlorophyll content, and the uptake of different macro- and micro-nutrient contents enhancing also in red pepper shoots, in comparison with uninoculated controls. The population estimation studies showed that nitrogen-fixing as well as total heterotrophic bacteria were also noticeably increased in soil and plant samples. The findings of this study suggest that certain nitrogen-fixing strains possessing multiple PGP traits could be applied in the development of biofertilizers. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Nitrogen remobilisation facilitates adventitious root formation on reversible dark-induced carbohydrate depletion in Petunia hybrida.

PubMed

Zerche, Siegfried; Haensch, Klaus-Thomas; Druege, Uwe; Hajirezaei, Mohammad-Reza

2016-10-10

Adventitious root (AR) formation in axillary shoot tip cuttings is a crucial physiological process for ornamental propagation that is utilised in global production chains for young plants. In this process, the nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolisms of a cutting are regulated by its total nitrogen content (N t ), dark exposure during transport and irradiance levels at distinct production sites and phases through a specific plasticity to readjust metabolite pools. Here, we examined how elevated N t contents with a combined dark exposure of cuttings influence their internal N-pools including free amino acids and considered early anatomic events of AR formation as well as further root development in Petunia hybrida cuttings. Enhanced N t contents of unrooted cuttings resulted in elevated total free amino acid levels and in particular glutamate (glu) and glutamine (gln) in leaf and basal stem. N-allocation to mobile N-pools increased whereas the allocation to insoluble protein-N declined. A dark exposure of cuttings conserved initial N t and nitrate-N, while it reduced insoluble protein-N and increased soluble protein, amino- and amide-N. The increase of amino acids mainly comprised asparagine (asn), aspartate (asp) and arginine (arg) in the leaves, with distinct tissue specific responses to an elevated N supply. Dark exposure induced an early transient rise of asp followed by a temporary increase of glu. A strong positive N effect of high N t contents of cuttings on AR formation after 384 h was observed. Root meristematic cells developed at 72 h with a negligible difference for two N t levels. After 168 h, an enhanced N t accelerated AR formation and gave rise to first obvious fully developed roots while only meristems were formed with a low N t . However, dark exposure for 168 h promoted AR formation particularly in cuttings with a low N t to such an extent so that the benefit of the enhanced N t was almost compensated. Combined dark exposure and low N t of cuttings strongly reduced shoot growth during AR formation. The results indicate that both enhanced N t content and dark exposure of cuttings reinforced N signals and mobile N resources in the stem base facilitated by senescence-related proteolysis in leaves. Based on our results, a model of N mobilisation concomitant with carbohydrate depletion and its significance for AR formation is postulated.

Scenedesmus-based treatment of nitrogen and phosphorus from effluent of anaerobic digester and bio-oil production.

PubMed

Kim, Ga-Yeong; Yun, Yeo-Myeong; Shin, Hang-Sik; Kim, Hee-Sik; Han, Jong-In

2015-11-01

In this study, a microalgae-based technology was employed to treat wastewater and produce biodiesel at the same time. A local isolate Scenedesmus sp. was found to be a well suited species, particularly for an effluent from anaerobic digester (AD) containing low carbon but high nutrients (NH3-N=273mgL(-1), total P=58.75mgL(-1)). This algae-based treatment was quite effective: nutrient removal efficiencies were over 99.19% for nitrogen and 98.01% for phosphorus. Regarding the biodiesel production, FAME contents of Scenedesmus sp. were found to be relatively low (8.74% (w/w)), but overall FAME productivity was comparatively high (0.03gL(-1)d(-1)) due to its high biomass productivity (0.37gL(-1)d(-1)). FAMEs were satisfactory to the several standards for the biodiesel quality. The Scenedesmus-based technology may serve as a promising option for the treatment of nutrient-rich wastewater and especially so for the AD effluent. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kinetic modelling of starch and lipid formation during mixotrophic, nutrient-limited microalgal growth.

PubMed

Figueroa-Torres, Gonzalo M; Pittman, Jon K; Theodoropoulos, Constantinos

2017-10-01

Microalgal starch and lipids, carbon-based storage molecules, are useful as potential biofuel feedstocks. In this work, cultivation strategies maximising starch and lipid formation were established by developing a multi-parameter kinetic model describing microalgal growth as well as starch and lipid formation, in conjunction with laboratory-scale experiments. Growth dynamics are driven by nitrogen-limited mixotrophic conditions, known to increase cellular starch and lipid contents whilst enhancing biomass growth. Model parameters were computed by fitting model outputs to a range of experimental datasets from batch cultures of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Predictive capabilities of the model were established against different experimental data. The model was subsequently used to compute optimal nutrient-based cultivation strategies in terms of initial nitrogen and carbon concentrations. Model-based optimal strategies yielded a significant increase of 261% for starch (0.065gCL -1 ) and 66% for lipid (0.08gCL -1 ) production compared to base-case conditions (0.018gCL -1 starch, 0.048gCL -1 lipids). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck (Beijerinck) 1890 (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) under changing nitrogen conditions.

PubMed

Dauda, Suleiman; Chia, Mathias Ahii; Bako, Sunday Paul

2017-06-01

The broad application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (n-TiO 2 ) in many consumer products has resulted in the release of substantial quantities into aquatic systems. While n-TiO 2 have been shown to induce some unexpected toxic effects on aquatic organisms such as microalgae, the influence of changing nutrient conditions on the toxicity of the metal has not been investigated. We evaluated the toxicity of n-TiO 2 to Chlorella vulgaris under varying nitrogen conditions. Limited nitrogen (2.2μM) decreased growth and biomass (dry weight and pigment content), while lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde content), glutathione S-transferase activity (GST) and peroxidase (POD) activity were increased. Similarly, exposure to n-TiO 2 under replete nitrogen condition resulted in a general decrease in growth and biomass, while GST and POD activities were significantly increased. The combination of limited nitrogen with n-TiO 2 exposure further decreased growth and biomass, and increased GST and POD activities of the microalga. These results suggest that in addition to the individual effects of each investigated condition, nitrogen limitation makes C. vulgaris more susceptible to the effects of n-TiO 2 with regard to some physiological parameters. This implies that the exposure of C. vulgaris and possibly other green algae to this nanoparticle under limited or low nitrogen conditions may negatively affect their contribution to primary production in oligotrophic aquatic ecosystems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Equilibrium and Balanced Growth of a Vegetative Crop

PubMed Central

SEGINER, IDO

2004-01-01

• Model A previously developed dynamic model, NICOLET, designed to predict growth and nitrate content of a lettuce crop, is subjected to (virtual) constant environmental conditions. For every combination of shoot and root environment, the cell sap, here assumed to reside in the ‘vacuole’ compartment, equilibrates at a certain nitrate concentration level. This, in turn, defines the composition of the crop in terms of carbon and nitrogen content in each of the three compartments of the model. Growth under constant environmental conditions is defined as ‘equilibrium’ growth (EG). If, in addition, the source strengths of carbon and nitrogen balance each other, as well as the sink strength of the growing crop, the growth is said to be ‘balanced’ (BG). • Results It is shown that the range of BG approximately coincides with the range of ‘mild’ nitrogen stress, where reduction in nitrogen availability results in a mild reduction of relative growth rate (RGR). Beyond a certain low nitrate concentration in the cell sap, the N‐stress becomes ‘severe’ and the loss of growth increases considerably. • Conclusions The model is able to mimic the five central observations of many constant‐environment growth‐chamber experiments, namely (1) the initial exponential growth and later decline of the RGR, (2) the constant chemical composition, (3) the equality of the RGR and the relative nutrient supply rate (RNR), (4) the proportionality between the N : C ratio and the RNR, and (5) the proportionality between the water content and the reduced N content. Guidelines for the optimal combination of the shoot and root environments are suggested. PMID:14681082

Lead toxicity in Brassica pekinensis Rupr.: effect on nitrate assimilation and growth.

PubMed

Xiong, Zhi-Ting; Zhao, Fei; Li, Min-jing

2006-04-01

Lead is a major heavy-metal contaminant in the environment that has various anthropogenic and natural sources. To study the phytotoxic effects of Pb on the popular vegetable Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis Rupr.) via depression of nitrogen assimilation, pot culture experiments with three concentrations of treatment with Pb (0, 4, and 8 mmol/kg dry soil) were carried out. Our results demonstrated adverse effects of Pb on nitrogen assimilation and plant growth. The addition of Pb in the soil resulted in elevated accumulation of Pb in the shoots of the plants: Pb concentrations of 14.3, 202.3, and 418.2 mg/kg (DW) in the shoots were detected with the 0, 4, and 8 mmol/kg treatments, respectively. Compared to the control, Pb exposure (4 and 8 mmol/kg) significantly decreased shoot nitrate content (71% and 80% of the control), nitrate reductase activity (104% and 49% of the control), and free amino acid content (81% and 82% of the control), indicating decreased nitrogen assimilation in the plants. The effect of Pb also was shown by the progressive decline in shoot biomass with increasing Pb concentration in plant shoots and in the soil. However, at the treatment levels used in this study, lead did not induce visible toxic symptoms. The lowest-concentration Pb treatment (4 mmol/kg) stimulated chlorophyll b content but did not influence chlorophyll a content. The results suggested that the toxicity of Pb to the plants occurred at least partly via depression of nitrogen assimilation. Copyright 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nitrogen addition shifts the microbial community in the rhizosphere of Pinus tabuliformis in Northwestern China

PubMed Central

Lv, Fenglian; Xue, Sha; Wang, Guoliang; Zhang, Chao

2017-01-01

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition profoundly alters the soil microbial communities and will thus affect nutrient cycles. The effects of N availability on microbial community, however, are not clear. We used PLFA analysis to evaluate the effects of a gradient of N addition (0, 2.8, 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 g N m-2 y-1) for three years on the rhizospheric microbial community of Pinus tabuliformis seedlings. The main factors influencing the community were quantified using structural equation modelling and redundancy analysis. At the microbial-community level, N addition increased the total phospholipid fatty acids content by increasing the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and root biomass. Increases in soil microbial biomass carbon and N, however, was attributed to the increased DOC, N content and decreased pH. At the microbial-groups level, Fungal, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF), gram-positive bacterial (GP) abundances and the GP:GN ratio first increased and then decreased with N addition. Nitrogen addition increased the abundances of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes mainly by increasing the DOC content and decreasing root biomass. Additionally, the decrease of pH and ammonium N caused by N addition increased the fungal abundances and reduced actinomycete abundances, respectively. Nitrogen addition shifted the rhizospheric microbial community mainly by altering the DOC content and root biomass. The current rate of N deposition (2.5 g N m-2 y-1) benefits plant growth and increases the abundances of fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, GP, actinomycetes and the GP:GN ratio. PMID:28234932

77 FR 38271 - Stainless Steel Bar From Japan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Changed-Circumstances Review...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-27

... nickel, a minimum of 0.20 percent and a maximum of 0.40 percent of nitrogen, a minimum of 0.85 percent of the combined content of carbon and nitrogen, and a balance minimum of iron, having a maximum core...

Microbial incorporation of nitrogen in stream detritus

Treesearch

Diane M. Sanzone; Jennifer L. Tank; Judy L. Meyer; Patrick J. Mulholland; Stuart E.G. Findlay

2001-01-01

We adapted the chloroform fumigation method to determine microbial nitrogen (N) and microbial incorporation of 15N on three common substrates [leaves, wood and fine benthic organic matter (FBOM)] in three forest streams. We compared microbial N and 15 content of samples collected during a 6-week15N-NH...

RESPONSE OF TALL FESCUE, BUSH BEAN, AND MAIZE TO CHROME TANNERY SLUDGE IN SOILS

EPA Science Inventory

Tannery sludge was compared with commercial nitrogen fertiliser to investigate its potential use as an alternative to commercial fertiliser. Soils containing 38% and 7% organic carbon and with nitrogen contents of 1-3% and 0-2%, respectively, were amended with either commercial N...

Leaf Mass Area, Leaf Carbon and Nitrogen Content, Barrow, Alaska, 2012-2016

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rogers, Alistair; Ely, Kim; Serbin, Shawn

Carbon, Nitrogen and Leaf Mass Area of leaves sampled from the Barrow Environmental Observatory, Barrow, Alaska. Species measured; Arctophila fulva, Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex aquatilis, Dupontia fisheri, Eriophorum angustifolium, Petasites frigidus, Salix pulchra, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Salix rotundifolia, Luzula arctica, Saxifraga punctata and Potentilla hyparctica.

Integration of an Individual-Based Fish Bioenergetics Model into a Spatially Explicit Water Quality Model (CE-QUAL-ICM)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

energy a fish can devote to growth being the difference between consumption in the form of food and the sum of life process expenditures , including...can incur an elemental deficit, and subsequently retain higher fractions of that element when it is in abun- dance to regain the target composition...Organic nitrogen and caloric content of detritus. Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science 12: 39-47

Relationship between potassium fertilization and nitrogen metabolism in the leaf subtending the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) boll during the boll development stage.

PubMed

Hu, Wei; Zhao, Wenqing; Yang, Jiashuo; Oosterhuis, Derrick M; Loka, Dimitra A; Zhou, Zhiguo

2016-04-01

The nitrogen (N) metabolism of the leaf subtending the cotton boll (LSCB) was studied with two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (Simian 3, low-K tolerant; Siza 3, low-K sensitive) under three levels of potassium (K) fertilization (K0: 0 g K2O plant(-1), K1: 4.5 K2O plant(-1) and K2: 9.0 g K2O plant(-1)). The results showed that total dry matter increased by 13.1-27.4% and 11.2-18.5% under K supply for Simian 3 and Siza 3. Boll biomass and boll weight also increased significantly in K1 and K2 treatments. Leaf K content, leaf N content and nitrate (NO3(-)) content increased with increasing K rates, and leaf N content or NO3(-) content had a significant positive correlation with leaf K content. Free amino acid content increased in the K0 treatment for both cultivars, due to increased protein degradation caused by higher protease and peptidase activities, resulting in lower protein content in the K0 treatment. The critical leaf K content for free amino acid and soluble protein content were 14 mg g(-1) and 15 mg g(-1) in Simian 3, and 17 mg g(-1) and 18 mg g(-1) in Siza 3, respectively. Nitrate reductase (NR), glutamic-oxaloace transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities increased in the K1 and K2 treatments for both cultivars, while glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activities increased under K supply treatments only for Siza 3, and were not affected in Simian 3, indicating that this was the primary difference in nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes activities for the two cultivars with different sensitivity to low-K. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

One-step synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers from melamine over nickel alloy in a closed system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kenzhin, Roman M.; Bauman, Yuri I.; Volodin, Alexander M.; Mishakov, Ilya V.; Vedyagin, Aleksey A.

2017-10-01

A novel approach to the synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers in a closed system at elevated pressure with the use of bulk Ni-Cr alloy as a catalyst precursor was proposed. Melamine was chosen as a substrate containing both carbon and nitrogen. Method of ferromagnetic resonance was applied for diagnostics of dispersed Ni particles appearance. The process of corrosion of a bulk alloy followed by formation of dispersed Ni particles catalyzing the growth of nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers was found to take place at temperatures above 560 °C. The final content of nitrogen in obtained carbon nanofibers was about 10 at.%.

Transgenic plants that exhibit enhanced nitrogen assimilation

DOEpatents

Coruzzi, Gloria M.; Brears, Timothy

2005-03-08

The present invention relates to a method for producing plants with improved agronomic and nutritional traits. Such traits include enhanced nitrogen assimilatory and utilization capacities, faster and more vigorous growth, greater vegetative and reproductive yields, and enriched or altered nitrogen content in vegetative and reproductive parts. More particularly, the invention relates to the engineering of plants modified to have altered expression of key enzymes in the nitrogen assimilation and utilization pathways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the desired altered expression is accomplished by engineering the plant for ectopic overexpression of one of more the native or modified nitrogen assimilatory enzymes. The invention also has a number of other embodiments, all of which are disclosed herein.

Transgenic plants that exhibit enhanced nitrogen assimilation

DOEpatents

Coruzzi, Gloria M.; Brears, Timothy

1999-01-01

The present invention relates to a method for producing plants with improved agronomic and nutritional traits. Such traits include enhanced nitrogen assimilatory and utilization capacities, faster and more vigorous growth, greater vegetative and reproductive yields, and enriched or altered nitrogen content in vegetative and reproductive parts. More particularly, the invention relates to the engineering of plants modified to have altered expression of key enzymes in the nitrogen assimilation and utilization pathways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the desired altered expression is accomplished by engineering the plant for ectopic overexpression of one of more the native or modified nitrogen assimilatory enzymes. The invention also has a number of other embodiments, all of which are disclosed herein.

Transgenic plants that exhibit enhanced nitrogen assimilation

DOEpatents

Coruzzi, Gloria M.; Brears, Timothy

2000-01-01

The present invention relates to a method for producing plants with improved agronomic and nutritional traits. Such traits include enhanced nitrogen assimilatory and utilization capacities, faster and more vigorous growth, greater vegetative and reproductive yields, and enriched or altered nitrogen content in vegetative and reproductive parts. More particularly, the invention relates to the engineering of plants modified to have altered expression of key enzymes in the nitrogen assimilation and utilization pathways. In one embodiment of the present invention, the desired altered expression is accomplished by engineering the plant for ectopic overexpression of one of more the native or modified nitrogen assimilatory enzymes. The invention also has a number of other embodiments, all of which are disclosed herein.

Dynamics of Marine Microbial Metabolism and Physiology at Station ALOHA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casey, John R.

Marine microbial communities influence global biogeochemical cycles by coupling the transduction of free energy to the transformation of Earth's essential bio-elements: H, C, N, O, P, and S. The web of interactions between these processes is extraordinarily complex, though fundamental physical and thermodynamic principles should describe its dynamics. In this collection of 5 studies, aspects of the complexity of marine microbial metabolism and physiology were investigated as they interact with biogeochemical cycles and direct the flow of energy within the Station ALOHA surface layer microbial community. In Chapter 1, and at the broadest level of complexity discussed, a method to relate cell size to metabolic activity was developed to evaluate allometric power laws at fine scales within picoplankton populations. Although size was predictive of metabolic rates, within-population power laws deviated from the broader size spectrum, suggesting metabolic diversity as a key determinant of microbial activity. In Chapter 2, a set of guidelines was proposed by which organic substrates are selected and utilized by the heterotrophic community based on their nitrogen content, carbon content, and energy content. A hierarchical experimental design suggested that the heterotrophic microbial community prefers high nitrogen content but low energy density substrates, while carbon content was not important. In Chapter 3, a closer look at the light-dependent dynamics of growth on a single organic substrate, glycolate, suggested that growth yields were improved by photoheterotrophy. The remaining chapters were based on the development of a genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction of the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus to probe its metabolic capabilities and quantify metabolic fluxes. Findings described in Chapter 4 pointed to evolution of the Prochlorococcus metabolic network to optimize growth at low phosphate concentrations. Finally, in Chapter 5 and at the finest scale of complexity, a method was developed to predict hourly changes in both physiology and metabolic fluxes in Prochlorococcus by incorporating gene expression time-series data within the metabolic network model. Growth rates predicted by this method more closely matched experimental data, and diel changes in elemental composition and the energy content of biomass were predicted. Collectively, these studies identify and quantify the potential impact of variations in metabolic and physiological traits on the melee of microbial community interactions.

Effect of mineral fertilizers on microbiological and biochemical characteristics of agrochernozem.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tkhakakhova, Azida; Vasilenko, Elena; Kutovaya, Olga

2013-04-01

The problem of reproduction of soil fertility of chernozems are solved with integrated action, the ecological condition of the soil can be assessed by the activity of physiological groups of microorganisms. Microorganisms are the most important in the transformation of compounds of biogenic elements and therefore it is very interesting to study the nature of the relationship of some biochemical parameters with the development of microflora and micromycetes eco-trophic groups. Agrochemical researches have been conducted at agroecological station "Stone Steppe" in central Russia. Experiment variants: 1 - Control (without fertilizer); 2 - N10,5 P10,5 K10,5; 3 - N56,5 P56,5 K56,5; 4 - deposit soil. Mobile forms of humic substances (mobile carbon and carbon water extract) have changed during the cultivation of the chernozem soil. Amount of mobile humus has doubled in the variants with the use of mineral fertilizers. It's just mobile humus which determines the soil response to any impact, especially ecological. Water extract carbon - organic matter contained in the soil solution and the subject of assimilation of plants and microorganisms. It increased in agricultural soils. The total nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen amount in the variants of agricultural use is higher than in the deposit soil. This is probably because of the soil aeration, the release of nitrogen from the labile humus due to biological activity and nitrification. Amount of ammonia nitrogen has increased in the variant with the use of high doses of fertilizers. Deposit soil (40 years without agricultural use) has a lower, but more stable microbial activity. Process of anoxic decomposition of plant remains develops more active than others, due to the natural structure of the soil anaerobiosis in the spring time. Processes of nitrogen cycle (nitrogen accumulation - fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, nitrogen losses - denitrification) are progressing very intensively in agricultural soil with fertilizer. Content of humic substances in the soil affects all groups of microorganisms, except actinomycetes and cellulolytices. These microorganisms have an active system of hydrolytic enzymes that taking action on hard organic materials. Movable carbon largely affects the anaerobic microorganisms nitrogen cycle and inverse relationship takes place during with the developing of actinomycetes. Correlation between the aqueous extract carbon with cellulolitic bacteria, aerobic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and amylolytic microorganisms using mineral nitrogen is the highest. Organic material of the soil solution in the growing season associated with NO3-. The content of total nitrogen and nitrate associated with anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and amylolytic microorganisms. The content of ammonia nitrogen N-NH4+ renders very strong influence on soil microorganisms. A positive correlation is observed with ammonifiers, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria. There is inverse relationship with actinomycetes (R = - 0,96) and anaerobic cellulolitic bacteria (R = - 0,80). Representatives of these microorganisms are active participants in the carbon cycle; their development in the presence of the ammonium form of nitrogen is possibly suspended. There is a complicated relationship of biochemical indicators of the development of soil microorganisms in the black earth. The problem preserving stable humus and physiologically active mobile forms that affect plant growth can only be achieved while maintaining the living organisms in it.

Further improvement in ganoderic acid production in static liquid culture of Ganoderma lucidum by integrating nitrogen limitation and calcium ion addition.

PubMed

Li, Huan-Jun; Zhang, De-Huai; Han, Li-Liang; Yu, Xuya; Zhao, Peng; Li, Tao; Zhong, Jian-Jiang; Xu, Jun-Wei

2016-01-01

To further improve the ganoderic acid (GA) production, a novel integrated strategy by combining nitrogen limitation and calcium ion addition was developed. The effects of the integrated combination on the content of GA-T (one powerful anticancer compound), their intermediates (squalene and lanosterol) and on the transcription levels of GA biosynthetic genes in G. lucidum fermentation were investigated. The maximum GA-T content with the integrated strategy were 1.87 mg/ 100 mg dry cell weight, which was 2.1-4.2 fold higher than that obtained with either calcium ion addition or nitrogen limitation alone, and it is also the highest record as ever reported in submerged fermentation of G. lucidum. The squalene content was increased by 3.9- and 2.2-fold in this case compared with either individual strategy alone. Moreover, the transcription levels of the GA biosynthetic genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and lanosterol synthase were also up-regulated by 3.3-7.5 and 1.3-2.3 fold, respectively.