Matrix-bound Phosphine Research Articles

Mechanism of matrix-bound phosphine production in response to atmospheric elevated CO2 in paddy soils

To explore the effect of elevated CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) on phosphine formation in paddy fields, the matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) content, different phosphorus fractions and various carbon forms in soil samples from rice cultivation under varying CO2 concentrations of 400 ppm, 550 ppm and 700 ppm by indoor simulation experiment were determined. This study showed that MBP concentration did not increase significantly with elevated [CO2] over four-week cultivation periods of rice seedlings, regardless of soil layers. MBP had a significant positive correlation with total phosphorus (TP) and inorganic phosphorus (IP), and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis further indicated that MBP preservation in neutral paddy soils with depths of 0–20 cm may have been due to conversion from FeP and CaP. Based on redundancy analysis and forward selection analysis, speculated that the formation of MBP in the neutral paddy soils as the response to atmospheric elevated [CO2] was due to two processes: (i) FeP transformation affected by the changes of soil respiration (SCO2) and TOC was the main precursor for the production of MBP; and (ii) CaP transformation resulting from variation in HCO3− was the secondary MBP source. The complex combination of these two processes is simultaneously controlled by SCO2. In a word, the soil environment in the condition of elevated [CO2] was in favor of MBP storage in neutral paddy soils. The results of our study imply that atmospheric CO2 participates in and has a certain impact on the global biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus.

Emission and distribution of phosphine in paddy fields and its relationship with greenhouse gases

Phosphine (PH3), as a gaseous phosphide, plays an important role in the phosphorus cycle in ecosystems. In this study, the emission and distribution of phosphine, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in paddy fields were investigated to speculate the future potential impacts of enhanced greenhouse effect on phosphorus cycle involved in phosphine by the method of Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. During the whole period of rice growth, there was a significant positive correlation between CO2 emission flux and PH3 emission flux (r=0.592, p=0.026, n=14). Similarly, a significant positive correlation of emission flux was also observed between CH4 and PH3 (r=0.563, p=0.036, n=14). The linear regression relationship was determined as [PH3]flux=0.007[CO2]flux+0.063[CH4]flux−4.638. No significant differences were observed for all values of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), soil carbon dioxide (SCO2), and soil methane (SCH4) in paddy soils. However, there was a significant positive correlation between MBP and SCO2 at heading, flowering and ripening stage. The correlation coefficients were 0.909, 0.890 and 0.827, respectively. In vertical distribution, MBP had the analogical variation trend with SCO2 and SCH4. Through Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, pH, redox potential (Eh), total phosphorus (TP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were identified as the principal factors affecting MBP levels, with correlative rankings of Eh>pH>TP>ACP. The multiple stepwise regression model ([MBP]=0.456∗[ACP]+0.235∗[TP]−1.458∗[Eh]−36.547∗[pH]+352.298) was obtained. The findings in this study hold great reference values to the global biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus in the future.

Matrix-bound phosphine in the paddy soils of South China and its relationship to environmental factors and bacterial composition

Purpose Phosphine is a significant gaseous carrier in the P cycle. The matrix-bound phosphine in the paddy soils and its relationship to environmental variables and bacterial community composition were studied.

Pre-processing of raw wastewater in a septic tank leads to phosphorus removal by phosphine production in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR)

Two sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBRs) were initially inoculated with the same inoculum sludge (dewatered activated sludge), but SBBR2 then was fed with raw wastewater pre-processed in a septic tank containing human faeces. After that, the two SBBRs had been operated under the same condition. The phosphorus removal performance, fate of phosphorus and microbial community diversity in both SBBRs were investigated and compared. The results indicated that the continuous inoculation of SBBR2 with the microfauna of the septic tank transported with the pre-processed influent wastewater had a remarkable effect on the phosphorus removal pathway. In SBBR1 without being pre-processed, the phosphorus was removed by traditional enhanced biological phosphate removal process. On the contrary, the phosphorus removal pathway in the SBBR2 was ascribed to phosphine-based process, with a significant concentration of 3.11 mg PH3 kgWS−1 (wet sludge) of matrix-bound phosphine detected. The results of sludge fractionation illustrated that the phosphine-based process mainly included effective decomposition of organic phosphate compounds to generate phosphine. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprints demonstrated that the continuous inoculation of SBBR2 had led to the difference in community compositions.

Penguins significantly increased phosphine formation and phosphorus contribution in maritime Antarctic soils.

Most studies on phosphorus cycle in the natural environment focused on phosphates, with limited data available for the reduced phosphine (PH3). In this paper, matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), gaseous phosphine fluxes and phosphorus fractions in the soils were investigated from a penguin colony, a seal colony and the adjacent animal-lacking tundra and background sites. The MBP levels (mean 200.3 ng kg−1) in penguin colony soils were much higher than those in seal colony soils, animal-lacking tundra soils and the background soils. Field PH3 flux observation and laboratory incubation experiments confirmed that penguin colony soils produced much higher PH3 emissions than seal colony soils and animal-lacking tundra soils. Overall high MBP levels and PH3 emissions were modulated by soil biogeochemical processes associated with penguin activities: sufficient supply of the nutrients phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic carbon from penguin guano, high soil bacterial abundance and phosphatase activity. It was proposed that organic or inorganic phosphorus compounds from penguin guano or seal excreta could be reduced to PH3 in the Antarctic soils through the bacterial activity. Our results indicated that penguin activity significantly increased soil phosphine formation and phosphorus contribution, thus played an important role in phosphorus cycle in terrestrial ecosystems of maritime Antarctica.

Matrix-bound phosphine, phosphorus fractions and phosphatase activity through sediment profiles in Lake Chaohu, China

The distribution patterns of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), phosphorus (P) fractions and neutral phosphatase activity (NPA) were investigated through five sediment profiles in Lake Chaohu, China. MBP was discovered in all sediment profiles within the concentration range of 1.58-50.34 ng kg(-1). These concentrations exhibited a consistent vertical distribution pattern in all profiles, and higher concentrations generally occurred in surface sediments. MBP concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with P fractions, total nitrogen (TN), Cu and Zn under lower levels of inorganic phosphorus (<0.6 g kg(-1)), organic phosphorus (<0.2 g kg(-1)), TN (<0.13%), Cu (<25 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (<150 mg kg(-1)), but no statistically significant correlations were obtained under higher levels. A multiple stepwise regression model ([MBP]=1.36[NPA]-6.21[pH]-0.06[Zn]+0.75[Cu]+49.86) was obtained between MBP concentrations and environmental variables, and MBP concentrations showed a strong positive correlation with NPA (P<0.0001). This indicates that the production of sediment MBP was controlled by microbially mediated processes in Lake Chaohu. This model could be used to predict MBP levels in the sediments. Our results indicate that MBP levels could not be used as indicators for the degree of lake eutrophication. The study of sediment MBP, P factions and NPA will improve our understanding of P cycling and their environmental significance in the eutrophic Lake Chaohu.

Matrix-bound phosphine and phosphorus fractions in surface sediments of Arctic Kongsfjorden, Svalbard: Effects of glacial activity and environmental variables

The surface sediments were collected from the glacial bay (GLAC), the central basin (CENTR) and their transition area (TRANS) along the fjord Kongsfjorden axis on Svalbard, Arctic, and matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) were analyzed. MBP was found in all the sediments with the concentration range of 8.93–59.45ngkg−1dw. The MBP levels in the CENTR sediments were two times higher than those in the GLAC and TRANS sediments, and the yield of phosphine (PH3) as a fraction of total phosphorus ranged from 1.78×10−8 to 3.53×10−8mgPH3mg−1P. The CENTR and TRANS sediments showed higher concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP) and APA than the GLAC sediments, indicating that glacial activity had an important effect on the spatial variability in the concentrations of MBP and phosphorus fractions. There existed a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between MBP and seawater depths, OP, TP, APA, total organic matter, total nitrogen and total sulfur. The multiple stepwise regression model ([MBP]=16.1[OP]+18.6[APA]−26.1pH+221.3) was obtained between MBP concentrations and environmental variables. This model could be used to predict MBP levels in the sediments. Our results indicated that the production of MBP was associated with OP decomposition and microbially mediated factors in the sediments of Kongsfjorden in Arctic.

Phosphine in paddy fields and the effects of environmental factors

Ambient levels of phosphine (PH3) in the air, phosphine emission fluxes from paddy fields and rice plants, and the distribution of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) in paddy soils were investigated throughout the growing stages of rice. The relationships between MBP and environmental factors were analyzed to identify the principal factors determining the distribution of MBP. The phosphine ambient levels ranged from 2.368±0.6060 ng m(-3) to 24.83±6.529 ng m(-3) and averaged 14.25±4.547 ng m(-3). The highest phosphine emission flux was 22.54±3.897 ng (m(2)h)(-1), the lowest flux was 7.64±4.83 ng (m(2)h)(-1), and the average flux was 14.17±4.977 ng (m(2)h)(-1). Rice plants transport a significant portion of the phosphine emitted from the paddy fields. The highest contribution rate of rice plants to the phosphine emission fluxes reached 73.73% and the average contribution was 43.00%. The average MBP content of 111.6 ng kg(-1)fluctuated significantly in different stages of rice growth and initially increased then decreased with increasing depth. The peak MBP content in each growth stage occurred approximately 10 cm under the surface of paddy soils. Pearson correlation analyses and stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that soil temperature (Ts), acid phosphatase (ACP) and total phosphorus (TP) were the principal environmental factors, with correlative rankings of Ts>ACP>TP.

Occurrence of matrix-bound phosphine in polar ornithogenic tundra ecosystems: Effects of alkaline phosphatase activity and environmental variables

Phosphine (PH 3), a reduced phosphorus compound, is a highly toxic and reactive atmospheric trace gas. In this study, a total of ten ornithogenic soil/sediment profiles were collected from tundra ecosystems of east Antarctica and Arctic, and matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), the phosphorus fractions and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) were analyzed. High MBP concentrations were found in these profiles with the range from 39.59 ng kg − 1 dw to 11.77 μg kg − 1 dw. MBP showed a consistent vertical distribution pattern in almost all the soil profiles, and its concentrations increased at soil surface layers and then decreased with depths. MBP levels in the ornithogenic soils were two to three orders of magnitude lower than those in ornithogenic sediments. The yield of PH 3 as a fraction of total P in all the profiles ranged from 10 − 5 to 10 − 9 mgPH 3 mg − 1 P with higher mean PH 3 yield in the ornithogenic sediments. The ornithogenic soils showed high concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP), inorganic phosphorus (IP) and metal elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Al and Ca) but low MBP levels, vice versa for the ornithogenic sediments. No correlation had been obtained between MBP concentrations and IP, OP and TP. There existed an exponential correlation (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) between MBP and soil/sediment moisture. MBP concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with APA (r = 0.668, p < 0.0001), total organic carbon (r = 0.501, p < 0.0001), total hydrogen (r = 0.483, p < 0.0001) and total sulfur (r = 0.398, p < 0.001), indicating that the production of MBP is associated with microbially mediated factors rather than the contents of TP, IP and OP in the P-enriched ornithogenic soils/sediments. Our results indicated that MBP is an important gaseous link in the phosphorus biogeochemical cycles of ornithogenic tundra ecosystems in Antarctica and Arctic.

Matrix-bound phosphine in sediments from Lake Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia

Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) has been measured in sediment from two cores in Lake Illawarra on the south east coast of Australia. The sediments were also dated in the upper layers. MBP concentrations found range from 142 to 1813ngkg−1, dw (dry weight of sediment) with some values being amongst the highest ever measured. Values of MBP in deeper sediments were higher than for near surface samples, but the patterns with depth were not consistent. Strong correlations were noted between MBP and organic phosphorus (OP, r>0.8) and with total phosphorus (TP, r>0.7), but only moderate correlations were found with organic carbon (OC, r>0.5). No correlations were found between MBP concentrations and the age of the sediments. It was confirmed that high MBP concentrations are indicative of a phosphorus rich environment. The results tend to support the premise that MBP is generated by microbial attack on OP under anaerobic conditions.

Influences of sediment dessication on phosphorus transformations in an intertidal marsh: Formation and release of phosphine

This study investigated the effects of sediment dewatering on the phosphorus transformations concerning about the production and emission of phosphine in the intertidal marsh of the Yangtze Estuary. The concentrations of matrix-bound phosphine ranged from 18.62–72.53 ng kg −1 and 31.14–61.22 ng kg −1 within the August and January exposure incubations, respectively. The responses of matrix-bound phosphine concentrations to sediment dessication demonstrate that the production (or accumulation) of matrix-bound phosphine significantly increased with water loss at the start of the emersion incubations. However, further dehydration inhibited the formation of matrix-bound phosphine in sediments. The significant correlations of matrix-bound phosphine with the organic-P bacteria abundance and alkaline phosphatase activities implicate that the production of matrix-bound phosphine within the dessication incubations was linked closely to the microbial decomposition of organic P. The emissions of phosphine generally decreased with sediment dewatering, with the fluxes of 7.51–96.73 ng m −2 h −1 and 5.34–77.74 ng m −2 h −1 over the exposure incubations of both August and January, respectively. Also, it is observed that the releases of phosphine during the entire exposure periods were affected not only by its production but also by sediment water and redox conditions.

Matrix bound phosphine in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent shelf areas

Matrix bound phosphine (MBP) is commonly considered an important phosphorus form in the natural environment. This paper presents an investigation of the spatial distribution of MBP and its relationship with the environmental factors in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent shelf areas (29.5–32°N, 122–124°E). A total of 32 surface sediment samples were collected from April 24 to 30, 2008. MBP was detected in all samples from the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent shelf surface sediments (0.1–29.7 ng kg −1). The concentration of MBP decreased from the Changjiang Estuary to the East China Sea shelf. Environmental factors such as organic matter, type of sediments, and redox conditions were found to affect the concentration and distribution of MBP in the marine sediments. Although the MBP levels were low in the marine sediments, the marine biogeochemical cycles of MBP in sediments were established and the information presented here will contribute to the understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus.

Phosphorus fractions and matrix-bound phosphine in coastal surface sediments of the Southwest Yellow Sea

This paper characterizes the distribution of phosphorus fractions and matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) in coastal surface sediments of the Southwest Yellow Sea from 2006 to 2007. Total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (IP) and organic phosphorus (OP) concentrations (mg kg −1) range from 278 ± 3 to 768 ± 15, 160 ± 1 to 653 ± 27, and 3.42 ± 0.05 to 267 ± 22, respectively. MBP is a small portion of TP with values of 0.69 ± 0.06 to 179 ± 29 ng kg −1. Phosphorus fractions and MBP are influenced strongly by riverine input and hydrodynamic conditions. High TP and MBP are found in the old Yellow River mouth and the Yangtze River mouth. OP and MBP are strongly negatively correlated to mean particle size. Significant positive correlations are found between MBP and IP and OM, suggesting that MBP production may be the microbially intermediated transformation of IP.

Matrix bound phosphine in sediments of the yellow sea and its coastal areas

Abstract Matrix bound phosphine (MBP), a kind of chemically reduced phosphorus, has received limited attention in prevailing modeling of the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle. MBP has been found to occur in marine sediments. MBP in the sediments of the Yellow Sea and its coastal areas was measured by gas chromatography from 2004 to 2007. MBP levels in surface sediments were 0.19–38.24 ng kg −1 in the shelf of the Yellow Sea, 0.34–17.15 ng kg −1 in the Jiaozhou Bay, 2.11–71.79 ng kg −1 in the Sanggou Bay and 0.28–319.32 ng kg −1 in the rivers around the Jiaozhou Bay. High levels of MBP occurred in the northern and middle areas of the Yellow Sea. Obvious seasonal variation of MBP was observed in surface sediments of the Sanggou Bay, with the highest MBP level occurring in summer and the lowest in winter. MBP in surface sediments of the inner Jiaozhou Bay was higher than those in the outer region. MBP levels increased with depth in the top 5–10 cm sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay and on the intertidal flats. Environmental factors such as type of sediments, temperature, organic matter and human activity were found to affect the concentrations and distribution of MBP in marine sediments.

Matrix-bound phosphine in paddy fields under a simulated increase in global atmospheric CO2

Environmental context. Although phosphine (PH3) is an important gaseous carrier in the phosphorus cycle, its production and environmental behaviour remain unclear. Paddy fields are thought to be one of the main sources responsible for the production and emission of PH3. Understanding the behaviour of PH3 in paddy fields under elevated CO2 concentration is crucial in understanding the phosphorus cycle and its response to rising global atmospheric CO2 concentration. Abstract. The behaviour of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) in paddy fields under elevated [CO2] (ambient + 200 μmol mol–1) is investigated to understand the soil phosphorus cycle and its link to increasing global atmospheric [CO2]. MBP concentrations range from 17.0 ± 5.8 to 1035 ± 331 ng kg–1. Concentrations at the transplanting and harvest stages are significantly higher than during the growing stages. The MBP level (212 ± 61 ng kg–1) under elevated [CO2] is slightly higher than under ambient [CO2] (189 ± 44 ng kg–1). Root exudates and addition of inorganic phosphate fertiliser speed up the production of MBP, whereas fast paddy growth and increasing air temperature accelerate the emission of MBP into the atmosphere. Significant positive correlations are found between MBP and inorganic phosphorus and organic matter, indicating that MBP may be produced from the microbial reduction of inorganic phosphorus in paddy fields.

Distribution of phosphine in the offshore area of the Southwest Yellow Sea, East Asia

Phosphine is a natural gaseous compound in the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle. This paper studies the spatial and temporal distributions of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) and gaseous phosphine in the offshore area of the Southwest Yellow Sea, East Asia. The results show that MBP concentrations in marine surface sediments range from 0.69 ± 0.06 ng/kg (dry) to 179 ± 29 ng/kg (dry). Higher seasonal MBP concentrations in sediments are found in fall than in spring or winter in most sites. High MBP contents are observed in two fish-breeding areas. MBP concentrations decrease with distance to the coast, except in the southeast of the sampling area. MBP levels in marine sediments are found to be higher than those at several other places: freshwater sediments and soil, except eutrophic lakes. Gaseous phosphine contents in fall range from 0.14 ± 0.00 ng/m 3 to 9.83 ± 0.97 ng/m 3. No correlation is observed between MBP and gaseous phosphine.

Occurrence of matrix-bound phosphine in intertidal sediments of the Yangtze Estuary

This study investigated the levels and potential transformation of matrix-bound phosphine in the intertidal sediments (0–5 cm) of the Yangtze Estuary. Matrix-bound phosphine concentrations in sediments ranged from 0.65 to 3.25 ng kg −1, with an annual average of 1.53 ng kg −1. In freshwater sediments, the concentrations of matrix-bound phosphine were significantly higher than in the brackish sediments. The maximum concentrations of matrix-bound phosphine appeared in July (1.17–3.25 ng kg −1), followed by May (0.92–3.01 ng kg −1), November (0.65–2.41 ng kg −1) and January (0.51–1.42 ng kg −1). Matrix-bound phosphine derived probably from the mechanochemical reduction of apatite-bound phosphate and the microbial conversion of organic phosphorus in the intertidal sediments. Its spatial and seasonal distributions, however, were regulated by salinity and sediment temperature. Compared with other aquatic systems (e.g. rivers, lakes and coastal seas), a low level of matrix-bound phosphine was observed in the intertidal sediments, probably implicating a relatively rapid turnover of phosphine in the system.

Stimulation of gaseous phosphine production from Antarctic seabird guanos and ornithogenic soils

Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) is a general term used to indicate non-gaseous reduced phosphorus compounds that are transformed into phosphine gas upon reaction with bases or acids. Antarctic seabird guanos and ornithogenic soils were used as materials to compare the different digestion methods for transforming matrix-bound phosphine into phosphine gas. The results demonstrated that more phosphine gas in most of Antarctic environmental materials was formed of matrix-bound phosphine by caustic digestion than by acidic digestion. The comparative study on different digestion methods also revealed that the fraction of MBP converted to gaseous phosphine during the digestion depended on the temperature. The optimal digestion temperature was close to 70 degrees C and the optimal digestion time was about 20 min. Acidic conditions were more favorable for the release of matrix-bound phosphine compared to the neutral conditions. A proper water dilution can increase the production and emission of phosphine from the Antarctic penguin guanos.

Distribution characteristics of matrix-bound phosphine along the coast of China and possible environmental controls

Matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) concentrations in surface sediments collected from 37 stations along the coast of China in 2006 are reported. MBP was found in all samples and the average concentration was 6.30 ng kg −1 dry weight (dw). The distribution of MBP showed certain spatial variation characteristics with high MBP concentrations at stations near to the coast. The average concentrations of MBP in the northern Yellow Sea (NYS), the southern Yellow Sea (SYS), the northern area of East China Sea (NECS), the southern area of East China Sea (SECS), and South China Sea (SCS) were 5.57 ± 3.78, 3.78 ± 2.81, 5.27 ± 3.07, 5.48 ± 4.05 and 13.52 ± 7.86 ng kg −1 dw, respectively. The correlations between MBP and influencing factors, such as the sedimentary environmental characteristics (sediment type, the grain size, contents of phosphorous, organic matters and redox potential) and the aquatic environmental characteristics (temperature, salinity, depth and hydrodynamics) were studied. The results indicated that MBP was strongly influenced by various factors, such as total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP), organic carbon (OC), the grain size and hydrodynamics, all of which not only offered reasonable interpretations for the distribution characteristics of MBP but also provided evidence to support the viewpoint that phosphine originated from OP decomposition. This work is the first comprehensive study of the distribution of MBP along the coast of China and its relationships with environmental factors which will lead to a better understanding of the phosphorus (P) biogeochemical cycle in the sea.

Seasonal and spatial distribution of matrix-bound phosphine and its relationship with the environment in the Changjiang River Estuary, China

Sediment is commonly considered as a source of phosphine, which is a highly toxic and reactive atmospheric trace gas. This study aims to investigate the seasonal and spatial distribution of matrix-bound phosphine (MBP) and its relationship with the environment in the Changjiang River Estuary. A total of 43 surface sediments were collected in four seasons of 2006, and concentrations of MBP and relative environmental factors were analyzed. MBP ranged from 1.93 to 94.86 ng kg −1 dry weight (dw) with an average concentration of 17.14 ng kg −1 dw. The concentrations of MBP in the upper estuary were higher than those in the lower estuary, which could be attributed to greater pollutant inputs in the upper estuary. The concentrations of MBP also varied with season, with November > August > May > February. Significant correlations existed between MBP and total phosphorus (TP), organic phosphorus (OP), inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), the grain size, and redox potential (Eh), suggesting that these sedimentary environmental characteristics played an important role in controlling the MBP levels in the sediments. Notably, there were positive linear relationships between the concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), TP, and chlorophyll a (Chl a) in bottom water and MBP in sediments. These relationships might be very complicated and need further exploration. This work is the first comprehensive study of the seasonal and spatial distribution of MBP in sediments and its relationships with environmental factors in a typical estuary, and will lead to deeper understanding of the phosphorus (P) biogeochemical cycle.