Promoting desert biocrust formation using aquatic cyanobacteria with the aid of MOF-based nanocomposite

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant responses of Microcoleus vaginatus with the aid of attapulgite-based nanocomposite to wind stress

Wind erosion is one of the reasons for the formation of desertification in arid and semiarid areas. Many measures are used to achieve sustainable land management. Microcoleus vaginatus can influence and offer limited protection to soils from wind erosion through its impact on controlling threshold friction velocity. Therefore, the study aims to explore the effectiveness and anti-wind erosion ability of Microcoleus vaginatus with the aid of attapulgite-based nanocomposite and to find a method that can act as bioindicators for investigating wind erosion in arid and semiarid areas in the future, for offering a method to prevent desertification and provide a valuable measure for the sustainable development of the environment. In this study, the effects of wind stress on reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione (GSH) and the surface character of the soil were analysed. The results showed that increased ROS and MDA, decreased GSH, changed SOD, POD and CAT, and enhanced soil structure in Microcoleus vaginatus with the aid of attapulgite-based nanocomposites were influenced by 3 and 5 m·s-1 wind erosion. Further analysis demonstrated that increased SOD, POD and CAT and decreased GSH eliminated ROS and MDA through the antioxidant defense response of Microcoleus vaginatus with the aid of attapulgite-based nanocomposites. The results revealed that Microcoleus vaginatus with the aid of attapulgite-based nanocomposite had an important physiological adaptation for the elimination of ROS and lipid peroxidation induced by wind stress and could play a role in alleviating wind erosion.

Emerging Trends of Nanotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Cyanobacteria to Optimize Production for Future Applications

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize various fields of research and development. Multiple nanoparticles employed in a nanotechnology process are the magic elixir that provides unique features that are not present in the component's natural form. In the framework of contemporary research, it is inappropriate to synthesize microparticles employing procedures that include noxious elements. For this reason, scientists are investigating safer ways to produce genetically improved Cyanobacteria, which has many novel features and acts as a potential candidate for nanoparticle synthesis. In recent decades, cyanobacteria have garnered significant interest due to their prospective nanotechnological uses. This review will outline the applications of genetically engineered cyanobacteria in the field of nanotechnology and discuss its challenges and future potential. The evolution of cyanobacterial strains by genetic engineering is subsequently outlined. Furthermore, the recombination approaches that may be used to increase the industrial potential of cyanobacteria are discussed. This review provides an overview of the research undertaken to increase the commercial avenues of cyanobacteria and attempts to explain prospective topics for future research.

Metabolites Facilitating Adaptation of Desert Cyanobacteria to Extremely Arid Environments

Desert is one of the harshest environments on the planet, characterized by exposure to daily fluctuations of extreme conditions (such as high temperature, low nitrogen, low water, high salt, etc.). However, some cyanobacteria are able to live and flourish in such conditions, form communities, and facilitate survival of other organisms. Therefore, to ensure survival, desert cyanobacteria must develop sophisticated and comprehensive adaptation strategies to enhance their tolerance to multiple simultaneous stresses. In this review, we discuss the metabolic pathways used by desert cyanobacteria to adapt to extreme arid conditions. In particular, we focus on the extracellular polysaccharides and compatible solutes biosynthesis pathways and their evolution and special features. We also discuss the role of desert cyanobacteria in the improvement of soil properties and their ecological and environmental impact on soil communities. Finally, we summarize recent achievements in the application of desert cyanobacteria to prevent soil erosion and desertification.

Hydrolytically stable foamed HKUST-1@CMC composites realize high-efficient separation of U(VI)

HKUST-1@CMC (HK@CMC) composites that show good acid and alkali resistance and radiation resistance were successfully synthesized by introducing carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) onto the surface of HKUST-1 using a foaming strategy. For the first time, the composites were explored as efficient adsorbents for U(VI) trapping from aqueous solution, with encouraging results of large adsorption capacity, fast adsorption kinetics, and desirable selectivity toward U(VI) over a series of competing ions. More importantly, a hybrid derivative film was successfully prepared for the dynamic adsorption of U(VI). The results show that ∼90% U(VI) can be removed when 45 mg L-1 U(VI) was passed through the film one time, and the removal percentage is still more than 80% even after four adsorption-desorption cycles, ranking one of the most practical U(VI) scavengers. This work offers new clues for application of the Metal-organic-framework-based materials in the separation of radionuclides from wastewater.

A novel of transforming wastewater pollution into resources for desertification control by sand-consolidating cyanobacteria, Scytonema javanicum

Cultivation of desert cyanobacteria in wastewater can lead to the optimal redistribution of regional resources and is likely to solve two global problems, i.e., wastewater pollution and desertification. However, the potential of using wastewater instead of traditional artificial culture media to cultivate sand-consolidating cyanobacteria for desert management is not well understood. This study compares undistilled and distilled wastewater with an artificial culture medium (BG11₀) to explore the potential of wastewater as a replacement culture medium for Scytonema javanicum. The results show that the photosynthetic activity (F_v/F_m) of S. javanicum was inhibited in the undistilled wastewater and was lower than that in distilled water and the culture medium. The lowest Chl-a concentration and the highest concentration in BG11₀ were found in distilled wastewater. However, there was no difference in the biomass (dry weight) between the undistilled wastewater and BG11₀ at the end of the experiment. After long-term dry storage of the biomass collected after cultivation, there was no difference in the photosynthetic recovery between S. javanicum cultivated in undistilled wastewater and that cultivated in BG11₀. Accordingly, although wastewater depressed the Chl-a content, it did not affect the biomass accumulation and subsequent photosynthetic recovery after long-term storage. The results reveal the significant potential of cultivating sand-consolidating cyanobacterium in wastewater and using this technology as a new nutrient redistribution method in human settlements and desert areas.

Introducing reticular chemistry into agrochemistry

For survival and quality of life, human society has sought more productive, precise, and sustainable agriculture. Agrochemistry, which solves farming issues in a chemical manner, is the core engine that drives the evolution of modern agriculture. To date, agrochemistry has utilized chemical technologies in the form of pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary drugs and various functional materials to meet fundamental demands from human society, while increasing the socio-ecological consequences due to inefficient use. Thus, more useful, precise, and designable scaffolding materials are required to support sustainable agrochemistry. Reticular chemistry, which weaves molecular units into frameworks, has been applied in many fields based on two cutting-edge porous framework materials, namely metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs). With flexibility in composition, structure, and pore chemistry, MOFs and COFs have shown increasing functionalities associated with agrochemistry in the last decade, potentially introducing reticular chemistry as a highly accessible chemical toolbox into agrochemical technologies. In this critical review, we will demonstrate how reticular chemistry shapes the future of agrochemistry in the fields of farm sensing, agro-ecological preservation and reutilization, agrochemical formulations, smart indoor farming, agrobiotechnology, and beyond.