1
|
Chen X, Gao X, Yu P, Spanu L, Hinojosa J, Zhang S, Long M, Alvarez PJJ, Masiello CA. Rapid Simulation of Decade-Scale Charcoal Aging in Soil: Changes in Physicochemical Properties and Their Environmental Implications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:128-138. [PMID: 36525597 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In situ aging can change biochar properties, influencing their ecosystem benefits or risks over time. However, there is a lack of field verification of laboratory methods that attempt simulation of long-term natural aging of biochar. We exploited a decade-scale natural charcoal (a proxy for biochar) aging event to determine which lab-aging methods best mimicked field aging. We oxidized charcoal by ultraviolet A radiation (UVA), H2O2, or monochloramine (NH2Cl), and compared it to 10-year field-aged charcoal. We considered seven selected charcoal properties related to surface chemistry and organic matter release, and found that oxidation with 30% H2O2 most representatively simulated 10-year field aging for six out of seven properties. UVA aging failed to approximate oxidation levels while showing a distinctive dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release pattern. NH2Cl-aged charcoal was the most different, showing an increased persistent free radical (PFR) concentration and lower hydrophilicity. All lab oxidation techniques overpredicted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon release. The O/C ratio was well-correlated with DOC release, PFR concentration, surface charge, and charcoal pH, indicating the possibility to accurately predict biochar aging with a reduced suite of physicochemical properties. Overall, our rapid and verified lab-aging methods facilitate research toward derisking and enhancing long-term benefits of biochar application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Carbon Hub, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Xiaodong Gao
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Carbon Hub, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Pingfeng Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Leonardo Spanu
- Shell International Exploration & Production Inc., Houston, Texas 77082, United States
| | - Jessica Hinojosa
- Shell International Exploration & Production Inc., Houston, Texas 77082, United States
| | - Shuqi Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Mingce Long
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Caroline A Masiello
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Carbon Hub, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brancini GTP, Hallsworth JE, Corrochano LM, Braga GÚL. Photobiology of the keystone genus Metarhizium. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 226:112374. [PMID: 34954528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Metarhizium fungi are soil-inhabiting ascomycetes which are saprotrophs, symbionts of plants, pathogens of insects, and participate in other trophic/ecological interactions, thereby performing multiple essential ecosystem services. Metarhizium species are used to control insect pests of crop plants and insects that act as vectors of human and animal diseases. To fulfil their functions in the environment and as biocontrol agents, these fungi must endure cellular stresses imposed by the environment, one of the most potent of which is solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, we examine the cellular stress biology of Metarhizium species in context of their photobiology, showing how photobiology facilitates key aspects of their ecology as keystone microbes and as mycoinsectides. The biophysical basis of UV-induced damage to Metarhizium, and mechanistic basis of molecular and cellular responses to effect damage repair, are discussed and interpreted in relation to the solar radiation received on Earth. We analyse the interplay between UV and visible light and how the latter increases cellular tolerance to the former via expression of a photolyase gene. By integrating current knowledge, we propose the mechanism through which Metarhizium species use the visible fraction of (low-UV) early-morning light to mitigate potentially lethal damage from intense UV radiation later in the day. We also show how this mechanism could increase Metarhizium environmental persistence and improve its bioinsecticide performance. We discuss the finding that visible light modulates stress biology in the context of further work needed on Metarhizium ecology in natural and agricultural ecosystems, and as keystone microbes that provide essential services within Earth's biosphere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme T P Brancini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Luis M Corrochano
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Gilberto Ú L Braga
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|