Acid Deposition Research Articles

Acidity in rainwater and airborne suspended particles in the southwestern coast of the East Sea (Sea of Japan): Their potential impact on seawater total alkalinity

Our understanding of the impact of atmospheric acid deposition on marine carbonate system remains limited, largely due to a lack of data regarding acidity present in atmospheric particles and precipitation. Previous research has relied on the electroneutrality-based ion balance method for indirect estimation of atmospheric acidity. In this study, atmospheric samples collected at a coastal site of South Korea were mixed with seawater to measure the change in seawater total alkalinity (ΔTAAPL) associated with atmospheric proton loading. For the precipitation samples, the measured ΔTAAPL and electroneutrality-based estimates showed a significant correlation. However, we did not observe similar results for the atmospheric particle samples. Furthermore, the decrease in oceanic TA due to ΔTAAPL was substantially smaller than that in dissolved inorganic carbon from concurrent nitrogen fertilization. Consequently, the adverse impact of acid deposition on ocean acidification or air-sea exchange of CO2 appears to be insignificant on a short-term scale.

Assessment of the In Vitro Effects of Six Selected Plant Extracts on Xanthine Oxidase

Background: Gouty arthritis is one of the most prevalent forms of arthritis caused by the deposition of uric acids mostly in joints, due to hyperuricemia. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key enzyme of the purine degradation pathway, catalysing the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and further to uric acid; increased activity leads to hyperuricemia hence a need to control XO activity. Commonly used therapeutic approach is the use of XO inhibitors. This study aimed to investigate if Vitis vinifera, Malus sylvestris fruit peels, Cymbopogon citratum leaves, Mucuna Pruriens leaves, Zanha africana roots and leaves, Mimosa pudica roots extracts have a Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory potential in vitro. Methodology: Air dried samples were crushed into powder using a mortar and pestle. Maceration and percolation extraction methods were used to obtain active secondary metabolites from plant materials at 10%w/v. Spectrophotometric assays methods were used for Xanthine Oxidase activity and inhibition studies. Results: The results of the current study showed that all aqueous plant extracts showed the presence of flavonoids. The experimental data showed significant inhibitory effects on XO activity. C. citratum inhibited XO activity by an average of 71%. M. sylvestris exhibited 68%, 61% and 64% at 15, 30 and 45 minutes respectively. V. vinifera exhibited 75%, 66% and 77% XO inhibitory activity at 15, 30 and 45 minutes respectively. Z. Africana exhibited 73%, 65% and 74% at 15, 30 and 45 minutes respectively. M. pudica exhibited 74%, 77% and 78% XO inhibitory activity at 15, 30 and 45 minutes respectively. M. pruriens exhibited 65%, 69% and 71% XO inhibitory activity at 15, 30 and 45 minutes respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained from the current study indicates that the flavonoids present in all plant extracts under study could be potential anti-gout agents by their inhibitory activities on Xanthine Oxidase activity

The spatiotemporal pattern of grassland NPP in Inner Mongolia was more sensitive to moisture and human activities than that in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and the Inner Mongolia Plateau (IMP) are important ecological barriers in China, and their grassland ecosystems are extremely fragile. Recently, the grassland ecosystems in both regions have been at risk of degradation owing to climate change combined with anthropogenic disturbance. However, comparative studies on how the driving factors of natural and human activities affect grassland spatiotemporal patterns on the QTP and IMP have been limited. Therefore, net primary productivity (NPP) was chosen as an indicator to understand its spatiotemporal patterns and driving mechanisms in this study. The spatiotemporal variation and spatial autocorrelation of NPP in the QTP and IMP grasslands NPP from 2000 to 2018 were analyzed. The partial least squares structural equation model and geographical time-weighted regression model were used to develop a research framework to explore the influence of natural factors, human activities and their interactions on the grassland NPP of the QTP and the IMP. Overall, the results showed that the spatiotemporal variations in grassland NPP of the QTP and IMP increased, with localized degradation from 2000 to 2018, with a faster NPP recovery in the IMP grassland NPP than in the QTP grassland NPP. Both the QTP and IMP showed high degrees of spatial autocorrelation. The driving factors explained 78.2 % and 80.6 % of the QTP and IMP grassland NPP, respectively. Moisture was the dominant driver but had a greater impact on the IMP than on the QTP. Among the human activity factors, atmospheric acid deposition had a negative influence on the QTP grassland and a positive impact on the IMP grassland. Socioeconomic activities presented stronger direct negative impact on IMP grassland. The indirect effects of human factors on the QTP through terrain and climate were greater. The grassland NPP exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity in response to the main driving factors of the QTP and IMP. This study explores the divergent mechanisms driven by natural and anthropogenic attributes of grassland NPP and provides information to scientifically guide the restoration of grassland ecosystems.

Patterns and drivers of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition in Northeast Asia

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition due to intensified emissions of NH3 and NOx is a global problem with profound consequences on living organisms and the environment. Although N emission rates are currently considered to be high in East Asia, reports on the current N deposition level and composition are still limited, especially in northeastern China, where official N deposition monitoring sites are unavailable. This limits our understanding of the spatio-temporal N deposition patterns and their influencing factors at regional to continental scales. Here, we used data collected mostly during 2019 at 38 sites, comprising 7 sites in northeastern China and 31 EANET (Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) sites in middle and east Russia, Mongolia, central and southern China, South Korea and Japan to explore the spatial-seasonal variations and drivers of ammonium and nitrate deposition across the Northeast Asia. Total bulk inorganic N (TIN) deposition was 3.7–24.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and NH4+-N/NO3−-N ratio in the TIN was 0.8–2.8 in northeastern China. The bulk/wet TIN deposition averaged 7.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (predominantly in the form of ammonium-N: NH4+-N/NO3−-N = 1.4) over the Northeast Asia region, with the highest rates being observed in northeastern China (11.6), as well as central and southern China (10.7), followed by east Russia, South Korea and Japan (5.6), and the lowest in middle Russia and Mongolia (1.5). This regional bulk/wet TIN deposition level is about twice of the wet TIN deposition level in Europe and the United States. The TIN deposition in summer and spring was 45–467% higher than in autumn and winter. Out of the ten land uses considered, only agricultural and urban land uses significantly positively correlated with NH4+-N and NO3−-N deposition rates across all monitored sites. This study suggests that the ongoing agricultural and urban expansions are likely to enhance N deposition and its associated effects across global ecosystems.

Effects of dietary arachidonic acid supplementation in low fishmeal and fish oil-free diets on growth performance, inflammatory response, gut histology, and non-specific immunity in sub-adult rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Arachidonic acid (ARA) is becoming increasingly important due to significant reductions in fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO), the primary sources of ARA, in aquafeeds. ARA is an essential omega-6 fatty acid in some fish species and plays a wide range of physiological roles. However, studies reported to date have demonstrated contrasting findings concerning the effects of ARA in fish growth and health, regardless of the fish's trophic level. Additionally, limited research has addressed energy allocation during reproduction and growth in sub-adult rainbow trout as they approach reproductive maturity. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of ARA on growth performance, the fatty acid composition of whole-body and ovary, intestinal inflammatory gene expression, gut histology, antioxidant activity, and non-specific immunity in sub-adult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four isonitrogenous (51% crude protein), isolipidic (15% crude lipid), and isocaloric (23 MJ/kg) diets were formulated and supplemented with ARA-enriched oil (40%), resulting in analyzed ARA levels of 0.10 (ARA0.10), 3.95 (ARA3.95), 7.67 ARA(7.67), and 14.8% (ARA14.8) of total fatty acid, respectively. Rainbow trout (307 ± 3.64 g) were fed to apparent satiation three times a day for 12 weeks to assess growth performance, feed utilization, and intestinal inflammatory response. The fish were then exposed to acute stress to evaluate circulating cortisol, prostaglandin E2, antioxidant activity, and non-specific immune response. The 12-week growth trial demonstrated that dietary ARA did not affect rainbow trout growth performance and feed utilization during the final grow-out. Whole-body fatty acid profiles reflected those of the diets except for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content being significantly lower in the ARA14.8 group than in the ARA0.10 and ARA3.95 groups. EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents in the ovary were less affected by dietary ARA supplementation, likely reflecting the selective deposition of those fatty acids in embryonic development. The expression of tnf-α was significantly downregulated in ARA7.67 and ARA14.8 groups relative to other treatment groups, and only distal intestinal villus height was significantly increased in the ARA3.95 group, suggesting that dietary ARA supported intestinal health. Plasma superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lysozyme activity significantly increased in both pre- and post-stress groups due to incremental increases in dietary ARA. These results suggest that a moderate level of dietary ARA in low FM and FO-free enhances innate immune function and antioxidant responses while supporting intestinal health in sub-adult rainbow trout.

Impact of Simulated Acid Rain on Soil Base Cations Dissolution between Eucalyptus Pure Plantations and Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa Mixed Plantations

The soils of Eucalyptus pure plantations and Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa mixed plantations were studied using soil column leaching experiments with acid solutions to mimic the effects of acid rain on the soils. This helped researchers learn more about how soil base ions react to acid deposition and their ability to protect the soil from excessive acidity under pure and mixed-species plantations. The results showed that acid rain leaching increased the leaching loss, desorption, and desorption rate of soil base ions while decreasing the soil pH value, adsorption, and adsorption rate of soil base ions. The soil pH value and the leaching loss ranges of K+, Na+, and Mg2+ were all greater in the pure plantations than in the mixed plantations, while the leaching range of Ca2+ was greater in the mixed plantation than in the pure plantations. In the two types of plantations, the adsorption rates of Ca2+ and Na+ in the mixed plantations were higher than in the pure plantations, while K+ and Mg2+ showed higher adsorption rates in the pure plantations than in the mixed plantations. Therefore, soil pH and base ions were greatly affected by the pH value of acid rain. Compared with the pure plantations, the establishment of Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa mixed plantations can slow soil acidification and leaching of K+, Na+, and Mg2+ and contribute to the adsorption of Ca2+ and Na+, which is beneficial for the soil nutrient fixation of Eucalyptus plantations. The mixed plantations were found to increase the exchange reaction between H+ and base ions, thereby improving the acid buffer performance of the soil. This, in turn, helped to mitigate the decline in soil fertility. Therefore, establishment of Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa mixed-species plantations can slow down the impact of acid rain on soil acidification in artificial plantation land to a certain extent and play an important role in optimizing the plantation structure of Eucalyptus stands and maintaining their productivity.

Microalgae as functional feed for Atlantic salmon: effects on growth, health, immunity, muscle fatty acid and pigment deposition

Microalgae are increasingly being investigated as functional feed additives in a variety of fish species, but our knowledge on how microalgae supplementation affects Atlantic salmon remains limited. We hypothesized that microalgae inclusion of 8% in the feed would improve performance, fatty acid and pigment deposition as well as health and immunity of Atlantic salmon reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). We fed Atlantic salmon smolts with five different microalgae enriched diets containing Tetraselmis chuii (TC), Arthrospira platensis (AP), Schizochytrium limacinum (SL) or Chlorella vulgaris, either intact (CVI) or as broken cell wall derivative (CVB) or a control diet (CD). After eight weeks of feeding in brackish water (13 psu), all groups were transferred to seawater (32 psu) for additional two weeks. Our results indicate that CVB improved feed conversion and protein retention, but reduced condition factor (p < 0.05) compared to fish fed with a control diet. Voluntary feed intake decreased in seawater, but was similar among diet groups. The amount of docosahexaenoic acid was particularly high in SL-fed fish and alpha-linolenic acid was enriched in fish fed CVI, CVB and TC (p < 0.05). Following seawater transfer, fat content and monounsaturated fatty acids decreased in the muscle, while polyunsaturated fatty acids increased. Lutein was present in all muscle samples, but highest concentrations were found in CVB-, CVI- and TC-fed fish. In the anterior intestine, microalgae supplementation induced differentially regulated trout protein 1 (drtp1) expression in CVI- and CVB-fed fish, but reduced the expression of interleukin 1 and 10 receptor (il1r2 & il10rb) in CVI-fed fish. In the liver, feeding CVI and SL induced complement C1q like 2 (c1ql2) expression, while reducing serum amyloid A5 (saa5) expression. Superoxide-dismutase protein concentration was induced in the liver of fish fed SL, while myeloperoxidase was reduced in most microalgae-fed groups. In conclusion, we show that commercially relevant microalgae can be used as functional feed additives for Atlantic salmon promoting different health aspects without negatively affecting their growth performance when cultivated in RAS.

Tyrosine Amino Acid as a Foulant for the Heterogeneous Anion Exchange Membrane.

The features of organic fouling have been revealed for highly basic anion exchange membranes during prolonged electrodialysis in solutions containing the aromatic amino acid tyrosine. With increased operation time when using MA-41 heterogeneous membranes in tyrosine solution, an increase in hydrophobicity and roughness characteristics of the material surface is detected. A reduction in tyrosine flux through the membrane occurs which is caused by its pores plugging and deposition of the amino acid at the membrane surface induced by tyrosine adsorption and local supersaturation of the solution in the membrane phase. The long-term contact of the anion exchange membrane with a solution of tyrosine leads to some structural changes in the anion exchange material. An accumulation of the studied amino acid with phenolic fragment and tyrosine oxidation products (DOPA, DOPA-quinone) is found and confirmed by IR- and UV-spectroscopy techniques. The organic fouling is accompanied by an increase in density and a decrease in moisture content of the studied membrane. A comparative analysis of the chemical and electrochemical cleaning results for fouled samples of the MA-41 membrane demonstrates a partial restoration of the material transport characteristics using electrochemical cleaning in the intensive current mode of electrodialysis. The best efficiency of regeneration is reached when carrying out chemical cleaning with a solution of hydrochloric acid, providing almost complete restoration of the membrane characteristics.

Bi-decadal trend of atmospheric emissions from thermal power plants in Mainland Southeast Asia: Implications on acid deposition and climate change Mitigation

Steady increase in electricity generation and heavy reliance on coal in Mainland Southeast Asia (M-SEA) create huge pressure on the environment. This study used information collected from individual thermal power plants (TPPs) in M-SEA to calculate emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) for 2010, 2015 and 2019. The emissions were projected to 2030 following the latest national Power Development Plans. The emission results were analyzed in relation to the power development by country and fuel type, and environmental impacts. The region collective annual TPP emissions in 2019, in Gg/yr, were 27 PM2.5, 77 PM10, 0.7 BC, 4.9 OC, 255 SO2, 451 NOx, 91 CO, 12 NMVOC, 0.4 NH3, 260 CO2, 13 CH4, and 26 N2O. Coal-fired TPPs dominated the emissions of most species while NG-fired contributed the largest amounts of NH3 and CH4. Bi-decadal increase in energy production from TPPs of nearly 3 times is accompanied by 2.7 times increase in emissions. The 2010–2019 period saw average emissions increase by 1.9 times (TPPs' energy production increased 1.6 times), slightly higher than the rate of 1.4 times projected for 2019–2030 (double TPPs’ energy production). The current intrusion rate of renewable energy accompanied by phasing-out of old TPPs are still by far insufficient to reverse the emission trend. Aggressive power development in Vietnam with its heavy coal reliance made it the largest emitter in 2019 and the projected for 2030, followed by Thailand. Spatially, higher emissions are seen over locations of large coal-fired TPPs in Vietnam and Thailand. Available rainwater composition monitoring data showed higher deposition amounts of sulfate and nitrate in areas located near or downwind of large TPPs. Significant GHG emissions projected for TPPs in 2030 indicated that TPPs should be the priority for emission reduction to achieve Nationally Determined Contribution targets. Emission database produced by this study can be used in dispersion modeling studies to assess impacts of TPPs on air quality, health, and acid deposition.

Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species, Insulin Resistance, and Nrf2-Mediated Oxidative Stress Response-Toward an Actionable Strategy for Anti-Aging.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced mainly by mitochondrial respiration and function as signaling molecules in the physiological range. However, ROS production is also associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases, including insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This review focuses on the etiology of IR and early events, especially mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production in insulin-sensitive tissues. Importantly, IR and/or defective adipogenesis in the white adipose tissues (WAT) is thought to increase free fatty acid and ectopic lipid deposition to develop into systemic IR. Fatty acid and ceramide accumulation mediate coenzyme Q reduction and mtROS production in IR in the skeletal muscle, while coenzyme Q synthesis downregulation is also involved in mtROS production in the WAT. Obesity-related IR is associated with the downregulation of mitochondrial catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the WAT, and the accumulation of BCAA and its metabolites as biomarkers in the blood could reliably indicate future T2D. Transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which regulates antioxidant enzyme expression in response to oxidative stress, is downregulated in insulin-resistant tissues. However, Nrf2 inducers, such as sulforaphane, could restore Nrf2 and target gene expression and attenuate IR in multiple tissues, including the WAT.

Inter-comparison of measurements of inorganic chemical components in precipitation from NADP and CAPMoN at collocated sites in the USA and Canada during 1986–2019

Wet deposition monitoring is a critical part of the long-term monitoring of acid deposition, which aims to assess the ecological impact of anthropogenic emissions of SO2 and NOx. In North America, long-term wet deposition has been monitored through two national networks: the Canadian Air and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CAPMoN) and the US National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP), for Canada and the USA, respectively. In order to assess the comparability of measurements from the two networks, collocated measurements have been made at two sites, one in each country, since 1986 (Sirois et al., in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 62, 273–303, 2000; Wetherbee et al., in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 1995–2004, 2010). In this study, we compared the measurements from NADP and CAPMoN instrumentation at the collocated sites at the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), USA, from 1989 to 2016, and Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada, from 2002 to 2019. We also included in the study the collocated daily-vs-weekly measurements by the CAPMoN network during 1999–2001 and 2016–2017 in order to evaluate the differences in wet concentration of ions due to sampling frequency alone. The study serves as an extension to two previous CAPMoN-NADP inter-comparisons by Sirois et al. (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 62, 273–303, 2000) and Wetherbee et al., in (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 1995–2004, 2010). At the Penn State University site, for 1986–2019, CAPMoN was higher than NADP for all ions, in terms of weekly concentration, precipitation-weighted annual mean concentration, and annual wet deposition. The precipitation-weighted annual mean concentrations were higher for SO42− (2%), NO3− (12%), NH4+ (16%), H+ (6%), and base cations and Cl− (11–15%). For annual wet deposition, CAPMoN was higher for SO4−2, NO3−, NH4+ and H+ (5–17%), and base cations and Cl− (12–17%) during 1986–2019. At the Frelighsburg site, NADP changed the sample collector in October 2011. For 2002–2011, the relative differences at the Frelighsburg site were positive and similar in magnitude to those at the Penn State site. For 2012–2019, the precipitation-weighted annual mean concentrations were 5–27% lower than NADP, except for H+, which was 23% higher. The change in sample collector by NADP had the largest effect on between-network biases. The comparisons of daily-vs-weekly measurements conducted by the CAPMoN network during 1999–2001 and 2016–2017 show that the weekly measurements were higher than the daily measurements by 1–3% for SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+; 3–9% for Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and Cl−; 10–24% for K+; and lower for H+ by 8–30% in terms of precipitation-weighted mean concentration. Thus, differences in sampling frequencies did not contribute to the systematically higher CAPMoN measurements. Understanding the biases in the data for these networks is important for interpretation of continental scale deposition models and transboundary comparison of wet deposition trends.

N-Alkane Biosignatures in a High Arctic Mars Analogue Gossan Deposit

If past life ever existed on Mars, what are the multiple ways it could have been preserved in the Martian geological record? This crucial question is becoming especially relevant the more we uncover about the planet’s ancient wet history. Different acidic and sulfur rich analog environments have been proposed that are comparable to the alteration environments of iron oxides and sulfate minerals on Mars. However, some authors have hypothesized that these past Martian environments might have been cold and semi-dry, similar to polar regions on Earth. As part of the T-MARS team, we studied reactive gossans in the Canadian High Arctic, on Axel Heiberg Island, as an analog environment to similar deposits on Mars. We hypothesized that n-alkane lipids could potentially be an important form of molecular fossils entombed in varying mineral assemblages of sulphates, iron oxides, and phyllosilicates in Arctic gossans, because of their excellent preservation potential relative to most other forms of organic molecules. To determine the preservation potential of lipids in mineralogically varying acidic sulfur rich gossan deposits, this study extracted and quantified n-alkane biomarkers from three different Arctic gossans with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Total organic carbon, pH, and mineralogy were also determined. Organic matter was found to be very low in all samples (<1% wt.%). N-alkane analysis also revealed preserved even-over-odd distribution patterns in short chain n-alkanes, most likely from a microbial source, along with evidence for long-chain n-alkanes with odd-over-even distribution from higher plant sources. The presence of these unique chemical biosignatures in low organic, highly acidic, and sulfur rich Mars analog gossans of varying maturity provides evidence that sulfur deposits linked to paleo hydrothermal systems on Mars can be promising targets for preserved organic biosignatures, specifically lipid n-alkanes. The significant diversity in biosignature patterns across samples of varying mineralogy, pH, and oxidation levels within each gossan suggests that n-alkane preservation varies on a small scale in these environments. These factors alone do not definitively account for the variability of n-alkane concentrations and distributions in this study, and additional investigations of these and other influencing factors are needed to determine which specific targets to choose for biosignature search on Mars in future space missions. This exploratory study provides novel insights into the lipid biosignature content in high Arctic Mars analogue gossan deposits.

Effect of pomegranate seed oil on egg production, egg quality and yolk fatty acid deposition in laying hen.

Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) contains punicic acid as well as conjugated linolenic acid isomers, including α-eleostearic and catalpic acids, along with phytosterols, especially β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, with lipotropic impact and egg fortifying effect in laying hens. The present experiment was designed to examine the effects of PSO on egg production, egg quality, blood lipids and yolk fatty acid deposition in laying hens. A total of 360 Hy-line laying hens (w-80), at 25 weeks of age, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design during a 10-week period. Experimental treatments consisted of a basal diet or supplementation of 1, 2, 3 and 4gPSO/kg to basal diet. Performance indicators and fatty acid composition of egg yolk were evaluated during different experimental periods. Blood lipid attributes were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Dietary supplementation of 4gPSO/kg feed increased daily feed intake and egg production rate of laying hens (p<0.05). There was not any significant influence of experimental treatments on egg quality, whereas an increasing trend observed in egg yolk colour of hens received dietary graded levels of PSO. Dietary supplemental 4g/kgPSO increased the proportion of yolk poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration (p<0.05). Furthermore, the PUFA to saturated fatty acid ratio increased after dietary supplementation of 1 or 4g/kgPSO (p<0.05). Serum concentration of cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein decreased in response to the supplementation of more than 3gPSO/kg in the feed (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 4g/kgPSO improved production rate and decreased blood lipids in laying hens. Moreover, dietary supplemental PSO modified yolk fatty acid deposition without detrimental effects on the egg quality.

Optimization of voltammetric parameters for sensitive and simultaneous determination of ferulic acid and vanillin using a glassy carbon electrode based on 2-aminonicotinic acid in the presence of surfactant media

The electrochemical sensor for simultaneous determination of ferulic acid (FA) and vanillin (VA) was prepared by electrochemical deposition of 2-aminonicotinic acid (2-ANA) on the glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The voltammetric determination of FA and VA was performed in the BR buffer solution in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant with SWV. The parameters of the SWV technique were optimized by response surface methodology experimental design. Under optimized conditions, the 2-ANA/GC modified electrode presented a linear working range of 2.8 × 10−8 M to 7.50 × 10−6 M and 7.50 × 10−6 M to 2.45 × 10−5 M for FA, 3.06 × 10−8 M to 1.27 × 10−5M for VA. The detection limit (LOD) values for FA and VA were 6.87 nM and 9.23 nM, respectively. Using the 2-ANA/GC sensor, concentrations of FA and VA in instant coffee and milk samples were determined with %recovery values between 103.40 and 97.07 and %RSD values between 0.76 and 4.40.

Relationship between rumen bacterial community and milk fat in dairy cows.

Milk fat is the most variable nutrient in milk, and recent studies have shown that rumen bacteria are closely related to milk fat. However, there is limited research on the relationship between rumen bacteria and milk fatty. Fatty acids (FAs) are an important component of milk fat and are associated with various potential benefits and risks to human health. In this experiment, forty-five healthy Holstein dairy cows with alike physiological and productive conditions were selected from medium-sized dairy farms and raised under the same feeding and management conditions. The experimental period was two weeks. During the experiment, raw milk and rumen fluid were collected, and milk components were determined. In this study, 8 high milk fat percentage (HF) dairy cows and 8 low milk fat percentage (LF) dairy cows were selected for analysis. Results showed that the milk fat percentage in HF group was significantly greater than that of the dairy cows in the LF group. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the rumen bacterial abundance of HF dairy cows was significantly higher than that in LF dairy cows; at the genus level, the bacterial abundances of Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Ruminococcus_1, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, probable_genus_10 and U29-B03 in HF group were significantly higher than those in the LF group. Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated that milk fat percentage was positively related to Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Ruminococcus_1, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, probable_genus_10 and U29-B03. Furthermore, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 was positively related to C14:0 iso, C15:0 iso, C18:0, Ruminococcus_1 with C18:1 t9, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group with C18:1 t9 and C18:1 t11, U29-B03 with C15:0 iso. To sum up, rumen bacteria in dairy cows are related to the variation of milk fat, and some rumen bacteria have potential effects on the deposition of certain fatty acids in raw milk.

Streamflow decreases in response to acid deposition in a subtropical forest watershed in China

Streamflow reductions have been attributed to the impacts of soil nutrient availability on plant transpiration, connecting soil biogeochemical and hydrological processes. Here we conducted a plot-scale acid addition experiment and monitored long-term hydrology in a subtropical watershed to provide direct evidence for the underlying mechanisms of these connections. These results showed that acid deposition enhanced plant growth and thus increased plant transpiration in the early treatment period. It indicates that plants can increase their transport of water and nutrients to satisfy physiological demands under continuous acid deposition. Acid deposition mainly contributed to increased evapotranspiration and decreased streamflow at the watershed scale. These results provide complementary evidence of plants adjusting to acid deposition-induced changes in soil nutrient availability and these acclimations result in streamflow reductions at the watershed scale. Our results call for integrating forest biogeochemical feedback into watershed hydrology.

Recent, widespread nitrate decreases may be linked to persistent dissolved organic carbon increases in headwater streams recovering from past acidic deposition

Long-term monitoring of water quality responses to natural and anthropogenic perturbation of watersheds informs policies for managing natural resources. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO3−) in streams draining forested landscapes provide valuable information on ecosystem function due to their biogeochemical reactivity and solubility in water. Here we evaluate a 20-year record (2001−2021) of biweekly stream-water samples (n > 3000) and continuous discharge in three forested catchments in the Adirondack region of New York to investigate and interpret long-term trends in DOC and NO3− concentrations. Results from the intensively monitored catchments were compared with data from synoptic surveys of streams throughout the Adirondack region. A weighted regressions on time, discharge, and season (WRTDS) model, used to estimate daily flow-normalized concentrations, determined that DOC increased by ~30 to 50 % while NO3− decreased by ~50 to 70 % over the study period. The large amount of data from catchments with different soil properties permitted us to assess the relative effects of hydrology, season, and land cover factors on temporal trends in DOC and NO3− concentrations. We found weak evidence of climatic forcing of long-term increases in DOC, and instead contend that declining ionic strength in precipitation linked to declining anthropogenic acid deposition is driving DOC trends in stream waters. Nitrate concentrations were more variable but clearly decreased in recent years possibly related to declining N deposition. The recent increase in DOC:NO3− in all catchments indicates a major shift in stream stoichiometry that reflects changes in ecosystem functioning that may have important biogeochemical implications for terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems.

Brazilian hug lips: a new approach to treating inverted and atrophic lips with hyaluronic acid

Background: Inverted and atrophic lips are always a major challenge when we opt for treatment with hyaluronic acid. In most cases, the correct indication would be surgical correction (Liplifting). However, we bring a new technique to provide improved lip inversion with aesthetically natural results. Methods: Six female patients aged between 30-80 years old and without any previous lip treatment were selected. The application of hyaluronic acid was carried out following the criteria developed by the authors, and deposition of hyaluronic acid using the C-shaped technique or "embrace" technique (HUG lips). Results: By following the technique and quantities (ml) of hyaluronic acid described, we achieve natural and satisfactory results for lip eversion. Conclusion: According to our study, we observed an improvement in lip definition, correcting atrophic lips, without the need for surgery, with a high level of satisfaction among treated patients.

Perspective comes with time: What do long‐term egg and juvenile indices say about Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass productivity?

AbstractObjectiveThree hypotheses about poor recruitment and collapse of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis in Chesapeake Bay during the 1970s and 1980s (excessive larval mortality related to water quality, recruitment overfishing, or a combination) emerged from intense investigations during the mid‐1980s into the early 1990s. Stock collapse during the 1970s and 1980s and recovery in 1995 were largely attributed to fishing mortality and this premise largely drives management. Stock and larval habitat assessments were not available before the early 1980s and habitat assessments were discontinued after recovery. I used egg and juvenile index time‐series that extended back to 1955 to test these three hypotheses about changes in productivity.MethodsLong‐term (1955–2019) indices of recruitment (juvenile index [JI]), spawning dispersion in time and space (Ep, proportion of plankton net samples with eggs), and an index of relative larval survival (RLS = JI/Ep) for spawning areas in Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay were used to investigate whether larval survival patterns were stable (supported the overfishing hypothesis) or changed (supported the larval mortality hypothesis).ResultBaywide Ep estimates were within similar higher ranges during 1957–1981 and 1989–2019, and were low enough to affect recruitment during 1982–1988. While there was a strong relationship of baywide Ep to spawning stock biomass (SSB) estimated by the stock assessment during recovery (1982–1995), estimates of Ep went from depleted to a high level earlier than SSB estimates. Estimates of postrecovery Ep and SSB were both high, but did not have a relationship. A decline in SSB that began in 2012 was not evident with Ep. A shift to low JIs in the early 1970s was followed by a decline in baywide Ep after 1979. Estimates of RLS were higher in 1960s, declined in the early to mid‐1970s, were mostly low into the early 1990s, and became higher afterward. Recovery of Ep after 1988 was accompanied by recovery of larval survival a few years later. Strong correlations of juvenile indices of Striped Bass, White Perch Morone americana, and Yellow Perch Perca flavescens further supported the larval survival hypothesis; these anadromous fish share larval nurseries in space and time, but have different life histories and fisheries that make simultaneous overfishing unlikely.ConclusionDeterioration of larval survival initiated the collapse of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass and improvement contributed to recovery. The hypothesis that collapse and recovery was solely driven by fishing was not supported, but excessive fishing pressure lowered Ep and SSB and contributed to poor recruitment during 1982–1988. Long‐term climate patterns and warming, deterioration and improvement in acidic deposition, concurrent increases in freshwater salinization and alkalinization, and shifts in agriculture and watershed management indicated shifts in larval habitat suitability were plausible.

Robust and versatile superhydrophobic cellulose-based composite film with superior UV shielding and heat-barrier performances for sustainable packaging

Replacing single-use plastic delivery bags (SPDBs) with cellulose-based materials is an effective strategy to reduce environmental pollution. However, the inherent hydrophilicity and ultralow mechanical strength of cellulose materials limit its development. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO)-cellulose composite films were successfully prepared through “two-step strategy” of lotus leaves structure simulation, including deposition of micro-nano ZnO particles and stearic acid (STA) modification. Well-dispersed micro-nano ZnO particles with stick-like structure were anchored in the ZnO-cellulose composite film prepared at 90 °C (CF-90). Due to the special structural design and strong interaction between the cellulose and micro-nano ZnO particles, the CF-90 showed higher mechanical property (a 47.8 % improvement in the tensile strength). Impressively, CF-90 also exhibited great UV shielding properties with larger UPF value of 1603.98 and superhigh heat-barrier performance. Moreover, CF-90 obtained excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 163.6° by further modification. Consequently, the versatile cellulose-based material bringing a dawn on application of sustainable packaging materials for express delivery industry.