Changes In Grain Size Research Articles

Hot isostatic pressing of differently sintered binder jetted 316L stainless steel: Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties

In binder-jetted components, the typical sintered relative density can reach up to 99 %, where remaining pores may degrade mechanical properties, including tensile strength, ductility, and fatigue performance. To enhance manufacturing efficiency in terms of cost and energy, it is crucial to develop post-printing heat treatments to optimize the sintering profile, providing both relative densities of >99 % and dimensional accuracy. This study investigates the effect of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the microstructure evolution, pore elimination, and mechanical properties of binder-jetted 316 L SS powder. Sintering at temperatures ranging from 1325 ℃ to 1430 ℃ resulted in relative density between 87 % and 99.5 %, while HIPed specimens revealed that a minimum relative density of 99.5 % could be achieved on any samples sintered at 1370 ℃ or higher temperatures. Microstructure and grain analysis through electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) showed grain coarsening after HIP treatment, with the highest grain growth occurring in the HIPed specimen sintered at 1400 ℃ (207.4±5.4 μm). However, a slight change in grain size was observed in the HIPed specimen sintered at 1430 ℃ due to a noticeable amount of delta-ferrite at the grain boundaries. Mechanical behavior and fractography were compared in sintered and HIPed specimens, and related discussions were leveraged.

Dynamic evolution of temperature field, flow field, and solidification behavior during multilayer multitrack laser cladding

During multilayer multitrack laser cladding, secondary melting and solidification in the interlayer lap zone have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of cladding coatings. However, mathematical modeling of the melt flow and solidification behavior of multilayer, multitrack laser cladding interlayer lap zones is lacking. In this paper, a 3D finite element model was established to investigate the mass and heat transfer processes in both lap and non-lap zones during the laser cladding of multilayer multitrack Fe-Cr-based alloys on 45# steel surface. A dynamic grid is used to track the free surface of the melt pool, while the enthalpy method is used to simulate the solid-liquid phase transition. The change in thermophysical properties with temperature, as well as the change in laser energy and alloy powder flow density in the lap zone, were taken into consideration. The influence of the number of cladding layers on the heat and mass transfer in the molten pool, remelting, and solidification in the lap zone was investigated, along with its intrinsic mechanism. The results show that the model can accurately predict the size and microstructural change law of coating layers, including the grain size of the lap region between layers. The melt pool temperature and grain size increase with the number of cladding layers, while the convection and cooling velocities decrease. In addition, the grain size in the lap zone of the cladding is larger than that in the nearby non-lap zone. Using solidification parameters extracted from the solidification front of the molten pool, changes in grain size and morphology were predicted for both the interlayer lap and non-lap zones. The numerical calculation results were consistent with the experimental measurements.

OsMED14_2, a tail module subunit of Mediator complex, controls rice development and involves jasmonic acid

The Mediator complex is essential for eukaryotic transcription, yet its role and the function of its individual subunits in plants, especially in rice, remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the function of OsMED14_2, a subunit of the Mediator tail module, in rice development. Overexpression and knockout of OsMED14_2 resulted in notable changes in panicle morphology and grain size. Microscopic analysis revealed impact of overexpression on pollen maturation, reflected by reduced viability, irregular shapes, and aberrant intine development. OsMED14_2 was found to interact with proteins involved in pollen development, namely, OsMADS62, OsMADS63 and OsMADS68, and its overexpression negatively affected the expression of OsMADS68 and the expression of other genes involved in intine development, including OsCAP1, OsGCD1, OsRIP1, and OsCPK29. Additionally, we found that OsMED14_2 overexpression influences jasmonic acid (JA) homeostasis, affecting bioactive JA levels, and expression of OsJAZ genes. Our data suggest OsMED14_2 may act as a regulator of JA-responsive genes through its interactions with OsHDAC6 and OsJAZ repressors. These findings contribute to better understanding of the Mediator complex's role in plant traits regulation.

Study of titanium alloy Ti–Al–Zr–Nb–V during heating under deformation and its phase transformation features

An alloy based on Ti–Al–Zr–Nb–V was prepared and its deformation behavior at elevated temperatures was studied. The microstructure and phase of the alloys were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing. The results showed that the Ti–Al–Zr–Nb–V alloy, when stretched, exhibits a superplasticity effect in the range of 975℃ to 1100℃, with an elongation of up to 400%. It was found that superplasticity develops in the temperature region of the α+β→β transition and is accompanied by a change in grain size and redistribution of alloying elements among phases.

Microstructure, mechanical properties and multiphase synergistic strengthening mechanisms of LPBF fabricated AlZnMgZr alloy with high Zn content

In this work, a novel aluminum alloy with high Zn content was designed for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) forming process. Aluminum alloy powder containing 14 wt% Zn and 2 wt% Zr was produced to conduct LPBF experiments with different process parameters. The analysis of the specimens revealed that the up facing surface exhibited an average microhardness peak value of 170.6 HV, achieving the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 573 MPa and the elongation of 11.6 %. There was no significant change in grain size and a large amount of plate-like η' (a metastable precipitate MgZn2 phase) phase precipitated within the grains after aging treatment (120°C, 21 h). The specimen reached the average microhardness peak of 181.7 HV and the UTS of 605 MPa. The principal strengthening mechanisms in the LPBF-formed samples were solid solution strengthening and grain refinement strengthening. After aging treatment, the precipitation of the second phase from solute atoms led to grain refinement strengthening and second-phase strengthening becoming the predominant factors to enhance the sample's strength. Al14ZnMgZr alloy have great application prospect in high strength and tough service environment.

Regulating the microstructure and strength of the advancing side interface zone in AZ31 friction stir welded joint via localized selective remelting

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state welding technique widely used for various series of magnesium (Mg) alloys. However, in the process of transverse loading for FSW joints in Mg alloys, the ultimate fracture often occurs near the advancing side (AS) interface zone. To enhance the AS interface strength and overall joint strength, this research employed tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) arc to locally remelt the AS interface zone in the FSW-AZ31 joint. The microstructure characterization after remelting showed that two TIG melting zones were formed in the interface area between the AS and nugget zone (NZ). Within these zones, the grains exhibited significant coarsening and the texture intensity noticeably decreased. Conversely, the interface between the retreating side (RS) and NZ, being far from the TIG melting zone, experienced minimal changes in texture and grain size. Mechanical testing conducted at room temperature indicated that the joint ultimately fractured at the RS, resulting in an interface strength difference of ∼16 MPa between the AS and RS. The enhanced strength of the AS interface was attributed to the low Schmid factor of basal slip, reduced dislocation density, and pronounced twinning behavior.

Effect of manganese (Mn) doping on the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and ferromagnetic properties of ceria (CeO2)

The Ce1-xMnxO2 ceramics were prepared using a solid-state route, with Mn doping concentrations of (x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.08, 0.13, and 0.18). Examination of X-ray diffraction patterns confirms the effective insertion of Mn into the CeO2 lattice, resulting in discernible changes in oxygen vacancy concentration and lattice expansion. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the presence of Ce3+, Ce4+, Mn3+, and Mn2+ oxidation states. The Photoluminescence (PL) spectra reveal the existence of oxygen vacancies, as manifested by the appearance of peaks within the energy range spanning from 3.1 eV to 2.71 eV. Raman spectra reveal a symmetric vibration around 466.81 cm-1 in all samples. The surface morphology of the samples exhibited subtle changes in grain size upon the introduction of Mn into CeO2. The dielectric behavior, investigated across a range of frequencies with varying Mn doping concentrations, exhibits an increased dielectric constant in Mn-doped CeO2, particularly with a smaller dielectric loss at lower frequencies. The ferroelectric response revealed a maximum recoverable energy density of 0.56 mJ/cm2 with an efficiency of 47.86% for CeO2. The room temperature magnetic response of the samples improved as Mn concentration increased, which is well explained by the Bound Magnetic Polarons (BMPs) and exchange interactions model. Overall, the studies show the effect of structural, electrical, and magnetic properties after doping with Mn, opening avenues for diverse applications of these ceramics.

Effect of annealing treatment of hot-rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy on properties and stress corrosion resistance of MAO coatings

PurposeThis study aims to study the formation mechanism of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy and how the annealing process affects its corrosion resistance.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved immersion experiments, electrochemical experiments and slow strain rate tensile experiments, along with scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy observation and X-ray diffraction analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that annealing treatment can refine the grain size of AZ31 magnesium alloy to an average of 6.9 µm at 300°C. The change in grain size leads to a change in conductivity, which affects the performance of MAO coatings. The MAO coating obtained by annealing the substrate at 300°C has smaller pores and porosity, resulting in better adhesion and wear resistance.Originality/valueThe coating acts as a barrier to prevent corrosive substances from entering the substrate. However, the smaller pores and porosity reduce the channels for the corrosive solution to pass through the coating. When the coating cracks or falls off, the corrosive medium and substrate come into direct contact. Smaller and uniform grains have better corrosion resistance.

Material corrosion characteristics of heat-treated SLM-ed Hastelloy X in electrochemical machining process

Selective laser melting (SLM) technology and electrochemical machining (ECM) offer new methods for producing nickel-based superalloys with complex structures and high surface quality, including Hastelloy X parts. However, SLM-fabricated parts exhibit significant anisotropy, and there are no effective criteria for evaluating material corrosion characteristics in actual ECM due to the detachment of research and application, making the parameter selection challenging in actual ECM. To address this issue, this article proposes a comprehensive evaluation system based on the corrosion characteristics in the actual machining process and investigates the effect of heat treatment temperature on the corrosion characteristics of Hastelloy X in ECM. The results show that at a heat treatment temperature of 1000°C, machining efficiency, accuracy, and localization can all be achieved at a good level with good consistency in different directions at the expense of a certain machining accuracy. The 800℃ heat-treated specimen exhibits strong corrosion resistance, providing a significant advantage in machining localization and accuracy. When the heat treatment temperature exceeds the solid solution temperature (more than 1175℃), the mechanical properties and corrosion characteristics of the specimen are significantly degraded. The results of various material testing methods, including electrochemical testing, EBSD, XRD, and EDS indicate that changes in grain size due to recrystallization and the galvanic effect of precipitates are the primary causes of these changes.

Tailoring properties of directed energy deposited Al-Mg alloy by balancing laser shock peening and heat treatment

Wire arc-directed energy deposition (WADED) has shown great advantages and potential in fabricating large-scale aluminum (Al) alloy components. However, WADED Al alloys typically exhibit low strength and reliability due to pore defects and lack of work hardening or precipitation strengthening. This study utilized a combination of laser shock peening (LSP) and annealing to regulate the microstructure of WADED Al-Mg4.5Mn alloy and enhance mechanical properties. The effects of LSP and annealing on phase composition, pore distribution, and microstructures at multiple scales were systematically investigated to reveal the mechanical property improving mechanism. The results demonstrated that LSP-induced plastic deformation formed a defect-free zone by closing near-surface pore defects. LSP created the hardened layer with gradient mechanical properties by inducing gradient changes in grain size, the number of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs), and dislocation density along the depth direction. The annealing process promoted grain coarsening and reduced excessive dislocations and LAGBs, weakening the work hardening effect caused by LSP. Furthermore, the high-density dislocations and high stored energy generated by LSP accelerated the recrystallization, facilitating growth of near-surface grains. The defect-free zone, dislocation strengthening, and LAGBs strengthening were responsible for the increase in strength, while the synergistic deformation between hardened layers and soft core facilitated maintaining excellent elongation. The strength and elongation of WADED Al alloy can be synergistically improved by balancing the effects of LSP and heat treatment.

Development and physical characteristics of the Irish shelf-edge Macnas Mounds, Porcupine Seabight, NE Atlantic

Modern cold-water corals (CWCs) occur in a wide range of water depths, with Desmophyllum pertusum being one of the most common species. Pleistocene, Holocene, and modern coral mound formation by living CWC reefs have previously been described in the Porcupine Seabight from water depths greater than 700 m in the vicinity of the transitional zone between the Eastern North Atlantic Water and Mediterranean Outflow Water. Here we document occurrence of fossil corals retrieved from two cores at 370 m depth in the Macnas Mounds, a relatively shallow occurrence for mounds on the Irish shelf-edge. Both cores feature D. pertusum restricted to the upper two metres, immediately overlying an erosive surface and a coeval major down-core change in grain size from sand to mud. Radiocarbon dating of coral specimens indicates the CWC mounds initiated 7.82 Cal ky BP. Our study unequivocally documents the existence of Holocene shelf-edge coral mounds in the eastern Porcupine Seabight and highlights the possibility of other occurrences of CWCs in similar settings elsewhere in the northeast Atlantic. Given that no living CWCs were encountered in the study area, we suggest that the area previously experienced more favourable conditions for CWC mound initiation and development along the shelf-edge margin, possibly due to differing conditions in the European Slope Current which flows northward along the continental slope from south of the Porcupine Bank to the Faroe-Shetland Channel.Graphical

Experiment and mechanism investigation on the effect of deep cryogenic treatment on residual stress and machining deformation of hydrogen-resistant steel

Hydrogen resistant steel is widely used in various fields due to its numerous advantages, including high strength, toughness and excellent corrosion resistance. However, the presence of initial residual stress in the material is a significant factor contributing to machining deformation. To mitigate this problem, the contour method was used to determine the initial residual stress for various aging parameters. As a result, a set of optimal cryogenic treatment parameters (350 °C 2 h, −130 °C 10 h, 350 °C 2 h) was proposed to effectively reduce the initial residual stress. The results showed that under the optimal cryogenic treatment parameters, the residual stress reduction effect was most significant, with a value of 189 MPa. Compared to no aging treatment, the residual stress was reduced by 54.2 %. The effect of deep cryogenic treatment on the microstructure of hydrogen resistant steel materials was investigated by TEM. Compared to no aging treatment, the average dislocation density decreased by 51.5 % after treatment with the optimal cryogenic treatment parameter. In addition, the lattice spacing was reduced to 0.246 nm after deep cryogenic treatment, and two types of carbides were precipitated, i.e., spherical carbides (with a diameter of 24 nm) and rod carbides (with a length of 15 nm). The changes in grain size of the material after deep cryogenic treatment were further investigated by EBSD. The number of grains increased by 38.5 % after cryogenic treatment compared to no treatment. In addition, it was verified by non-contact material removal experiments that deep cryogenic treatment could reduce the machining distortion of thin-walled parts. Finally, for thin-walled parts used in engineering, a deep cryogenic treatment was interspersed during machining, resulting in a significant reduction in the overall deformation of the workpiece.

Investigation of physical and metallographic properties of nickel matrix composite by ultrasonic method

Ultrasonic testing (UT) is one of the most widely used non-destructive testing techniques for the characterization and evaluation of materials. In this study, the material properties of AstCrM-BN-Cr-Ti-Ni composites produced by mechanical mixing and electroless nickel plating technique were evaluated using UT. Changes in ultrasonic wave velocity, Young's modulus, density, porosity and hardness are observed in the heat-treated material at different temperatures. Samples analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) exhibited changes in grain structure at different sintering temperatures. It has been observed that the change in grain size also affects mechanical and physical properties according to ultrasonic properties. In conclusion, the experimental results showed a linear relationship between the mean grain size and the UT parameters (ultrasonic longitudinal and transverse velocity, Young's modulus), physical (sintering temperature and density) and mechanical properties (hardness and porosity) of the material. Grain growth occurs with increasing sintering temperature, porosity content decreases, hardness, Young's modulus and ultrasonic wave velocity values also increase.

Investigating evolution of microstructures and mechanical properties in metal injection molding Ti6Al4V with sintering processing by quasi in-situ strategy

Manipulation of the pore defects, adjustments of α/β phases fractions, optimization of the mechanical properties are helpful for sintered Ti6Al4V alloys fabricated Metal injection molding (MIM) powders. A pseudo quasi in-situ method with vacuum encapsulation and quenching has been proposed to control dynamical characteristics of pores, grain sizes and phase fractions of MIMed Ti6Al4V powders during sintering process. The dependency of pores annihilation and grains growth on sintering time and temperature has been established. Higher sintering temperature shortens the transition period of pore morphology from connected irregular to enclosed spherical characteristics. The annihilation of pores satisfies the exponential function as well as the power law with temperature and time, respectively. The activation energy has been calculated to be 252.2 kJ/mol comparable to self-diffusion activation energy of Ti according to Arrhenius fitting of the changes of grain size with sintering temperature. Additionally, the diffusional kinetic coefficient was 28.57 at 1200 °C, about five times larger than that at 1100 °C. The fraction of α/α′ phase decreases with increasing of sintering temperature and time. The existence of impurity elements (O, C) may result increasing the stability of α phases and morphology transforming of α phases from lamellar to equiaxed. Finally, sintered MIM-ed Ti6Al4V alloys with lowest porosity sintered at 1200 °C for 4 h have the tensile strength of 922 ± 5 MPa, the yield stress of 833 ± 4 MPa and the elongation of 12.8 ± 0.5%.

Effects of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Dual-Phase High-Entropy Alloy Fabricated via Laser Beam Power Bed Fusion.

To enhance the applicability of dual-phase high-entropy alloys (HEAs) like Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, fabricated via laser beam power bed fusion (LB-PBF), a focus on improving their mechanical properties is essential. As part of this effort, heat treatment was explored. This study compares the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-printed sample with those cooled in water after undergoing heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 °C for 1 h. Both pre- and post-treatment samples reveal a dual-phase microstructure comprising FCC and BCC phases. Although heat treatment led to a reduction in tensile and yield strength, it significantly increased ductility compared to the as-printed sample. This strength-ductility trade-off is related to changes in grain sizes with ultrafine grains enhancing strength and micron grains optimizing ductility, also influencing the content of FCC/BCC phases and dislocation density. In particular, the sample heat-treated at 1000 °C for 1 h and then water-cooled exhibited a better combination of strength and ductility, a yield strength of 790 MPa, and an elongation of 13%. This research offers innovative perspectives on crafting dual-phase HEA of Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, allowing for tailorable microstructure and mechanical properties through a synergistic approach involving LB-PBF and heat treatment.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of new Co-free maraging steel produced by wire arc additive manufacturing

In this work, P-MIG is used as additive process, a new low-cost Co-free maraging steel wire is used as raw material to additive manufacturing block component, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the component is investigated. The microstructure of the component is composed of martensite and austenite, and the closer to the bottom, the more serious the elemental segregation and the more austenite content. From the top to the bottom the high-angle grain boundaries increase and the grain size decrease, the difference of the heat dissipation condition and the thermal cycle are the reasons for this phenomenon. The texture of austenite is mainly Cube texture, and the texture of martensite is Rotated Cube texture and Goss texture. The tensile strength of XD, YD, ZD three directions is 1172 ± 15 MPa, 1021 ± 7 MPa, 1139 ± 16 MPa, respectively, impact toughness is 64.7 ± 1.6 J/cm2, 51.1 ± 5.6 J/cm2, 51.4 ± 3.1 J/cm2, respectively, TRIP effect occurs in the process of tensile, the main mode of fracture in tensile and impact is toughness fracture. The microhardness decreases gradually from bottom to top, which is due to the short-lived aging strengthening by thermal cycle, the change of grain size and GND density. The results of the work reveal the successful application of the new low-cost Co-free maraging steel wire in WAAM and provide an important reference for the adjustment of additive process, subsequent heat treatment and the adjustment of wire composition.

Huge permittivity with decreasing dissipation factor and humidity sensing properties of CaCu2.9Mg0.1Ti4.2-xGexO12 ceramics

CaCu2.9Mg0.1Ti4.2-xGexO12 ceramics with x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2 were fabricated to study the electrical and dielectric properties, nonlinear current–voltage properties, humidity sensing properties. The main phase of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) was obtained in the sintered ceramics with dense microstructure and slight change in grain size. All sintered ceramics showed high dielectric permittivity (ε′ > 104) at frequencies below 105 Hz, while the loss tangent was reduced by a factor of 3 (from 0.034 to 0.010 at 1 kHz and 25 °C), as x increased from 0 to 0.1. The temperature dependence of ε′ was also reduced. Furthermore, the enhanced nonlinear coefficient (α = 4.8–5.9) and breakdown electric field (Eb = 227–755 V/cm) were achieved. The dielectric and nonlinear properties originated from the electrically heterogeneous microstructure, which was confirmed by impedance and admittance spectroscopies. Both the resistance and activation energy of the insulating internal barriers were higher than that of the semiconducting core grains. Furthermore, these two parameters of the doped samples were larger than that of the undoped sample (x = 0). It was found that a low frequency ε′ was strongly dependent in the relative humidity in the range of 11–95 %RH, which could be applied in a humidity sensor. Accordingly, the hysteresis error was also calculated to determine the possibility of application in humidity sensors.

Weathering Intensity, Paleoclimatic, and Progressive Expansion of Bottom-Water Anoxia in the Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation, Southern Tethys: Geochemical Perspectives

The Jurassic Period was a significant phase of variable organic matter accumulation in paleo-shelf areas of the southern Tethys (Egypt). Reconstructing the paleoredox conditions, paleoclimate, and weathering intensity, along with the role of terrigenous sediment flux and mineralogical maturity, is important for understanding basin infill history and prevalent paleoenvironmental conditions. Here, inorganic geochemical data are presented from the Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation and two samples from the underlying Ras Qattara and the overlying Masajid formations in the Jana-1x well, Shushan Basin, Western Desert. Twenty-four (24) whole-rock samples were analyzed for their major and trace element composition and carbonate content. The Khatatba Formation represents one of the major hydrocarbon source rocks in the North Western Desert, Egypt. Redox conditions were assessed based on enrichment factors of redox-sensitive elements Mo, V, U, and Co. Results revealed that the Khatatba Formation was deposited under predominant anoxic bottom and pore water conditions, in contrast to the oxic settings that were prevalent during the deposition of the Ras Qattara and Masajid formations. Continental weathering intensity and paleoclimate were reconstructed based on several proxies, such as the chemical index of alteration (CIA), K2O/Rb, Rb/Sr, Ln(Al2O3/Na2O), and Al/K ratios, indicating that the studied succession was deposited during alternating phases between weak and moderate weathering intensity under arid and warm-humid climates, respectively. Periods of enhanced continental weathering were associated with high values of clastic ratios such as Si/Al, Ti/Al, and Zr/Al, suggesting increased terrigenous sediment supply during intensified hydrological cycling. These ratios further provided inferences about the changes in sediment grain size, such as a change from shale to coarse silt- and sand-size fractions.

Induced porous structure with a slight change in mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite-based nanocomposites synthesized from waste bovine bone and their bioactivity

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics have been widely used in several biomedical applications. However, efforts to enhance the porous structure in HAp ceramics often lead to a decline in their mechanical properties. In the present study, by adding a small amount of aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoparticles to HAp ceramics, we achieved the formation of porous HAp with a slight change in grain size and mechanical properties. The starting powder of the HAp was obtained from a natural source of bovine bone. The HAp/xAlN nanocomposites were fabricated by a simple conventional technique. The 0.06 mol% AlN-added sample (HAp/0.06AlN) presented the maximum mechanical properties (Vickers hardness = 3.68 GPa, elastic modulus = 94.04 GPa, and fracture toughness = 0.97 MPa∙m1/2) with favorable porosity. Simulated body fluid and cell viability assays showed that all the studied nanocomposites possessed desirable bioactivity with high cell viability. The HAp/0.06AlN samples were coated with antimicrobial agents. The samples coated with silver nitrate (AgNO3) had high antibacterial efficiency against S. aureus (66.2%) and P.aeruginosa (67.3%). Based on the obtained results, the nanocomposites exhibited promising potential for development and utilization in biomedical applications.

Environmentally Induced Snow Transmittance Variations in the Photosynthetic Spectral Domain: Photobiological Implications for Subnivean Vegetation under Climate Warming Conditions

Variations in the productivity of subnivean vegetation can substantially affect the ecology of regions more susceptible to increasing warming levels and lead to significant feedback effects on the global climate. Due to its importance, this topic is at the center of a broad scope of interdisciplinary studies supported by field and remote sensing observations. However, the current knowledge about environmental factors affecting the penetration of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) through snow is still constrained by the paucity of transmittance data. In this work, we aim to further the understanding about these interconnected processes. We conduct a systematic investigation about the effects of independent and combined changes in key nivological characteristics, namely thickness, saturation, density and grain size, on snow transmittance in the photosynthetic spectral domain. Our investigation is carried out through controlled in silico (computational) experiments supported by measured radiometric data. Its outcomes unveil fundamental quantitative and qualitative trends related to the role played by these nivological characteristics on the spectral quality of transmitted PAR, which is quantified in terms of red to blue (R/B), red to far-red (R/FR) and blue to far-red (B/FR) ratios. These trends include increases in the R/B ratio as well as decreases in the R/FR and B/FR ratios following thickness reductions or grain size increases, with opposite variations in these ratios being observed for saturation or density increases. Accordingly, the pairing of our findings with in situ and remotely collected information contributes to cement the scientific foundation required for the effective assessment of cause-effect loops linking accentuated vegetation greening to accelerated rates of snow cover recession.