Biomass Ratio Research Articles

Large seeds as a defensive strategy against partial granivory in the Fagaceae

Abstract Large seeds interact with a wide range of animals (e.g. predators) and are dispersed via certain small animals' foraging behaviours, such as caching. Some of the most iconic species of large‐seeded plants have long fascinated ecologists studying biotic interactions, such as oaks and their relatives in the Fagaceae family. The Fagaceae acorns are dispersed through synzoochory, a specific dispersal mode in which animal partners act as both seed dispersers and granivores. Although granivory (i.e. seed herbivory) can profoundly impact the survival of plant offspring, partial damage on seed reserves is a prevalent phenomenon that does not always result in seed mortality. However, previous single‐species studies have resulted in mixed evidence across treatments and traits, leaving the impact of partial granivory on plant regeneration unclear. Using artificial granivory experiments on 1185 seeds of 20 Fagaceae species, here we quantify how partial loss of seed reserve affects seed germination, seedling growth and biomass allocation across a damage gradient from 0% to 96% biomass loss. We show that, although partial granivory reduces seedling growth (e.g. total biomass and number of leaves), it does not significantly affect seed germination or the overall biomass allocation of seedlings (e.g. leaf mass fraction and root:shoot biomass ratio). Seedlings from seeds more preyed upon have higher specific leaf area, indicating that they tend to grow larger but less protected leaves against herbivores, perhaps to compete for light. Synthesis. As seeds dispersed through scatter‐hoarding granivores have evolved relatively large sizes, like Fagaceae acorns, our findings demonstrate that this type of seeds may tolerate partial granivory in exchange for high dispersal efficiency. This study opens new perspectives to our understanding of seed size diversity and evolution. We conclude that seed size per se is a defensive trait, that large seeds counteract potential losses of seed reserve to escape full predation and allow germination.

Removal of Primamycin La from Milk Sample Using ZnCl2-Activated Biochar Prepared from Bean Plant as Adsorbent: Kinetic and Equilibrium Calculations

In this study, porous biochar (PvBC) was obtained by the pyrolysis of bean (phaseolus vulgaris) plant at 600 °C, and then activated biochar (PvBCZn) was synthesized by ZnCl2 activation at an equal biomass ratio (1.0:1.0). Some analytical techniques (SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), TGA/DTA (Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis), BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-ray diffraction)) were used to characterize both PvBC and PvBCZn. In addition, their antibiotic sensitivity, water solubility, moisture content and swelling behavior were investigated in detail. Furthermore, both PvBC and PvBCZn were used for the adsorption of primamycin la, an anti-inflammatory drug used in veterinary medicine whose active ingredient is oxytetracycline, in a milk sample. The effect of both pH and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption capacity was investigated. Based on adsorption studies, while the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of PvBCZn was found to be 188.48 mg/g, that of PvBC was found to be 122.49 mg/g. According to these results, PvBCZn is an excellent adsorbent for the removal of primamycin la from milk samples. The Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model were more suitable to describe the adsorption behavior of primamycin la. The PvBCZn adsorbent exhibited rapid removal exceeding 75% in the first 20 min and reached equilibrium after about 50 min. In addition, studies on the desorption and reusability of PvBCZn were carried out under the same optimum experimental conditions. The qmax value of PvBCZn was found to be 171.40 mg/g even in the fifth cycle, confirming the idea that it is a potential adsorbent for the removal of primamycin la. At the same time, the antimicrobial activity of PvBCZn against Escherichia coli bacteria increases its potential to be used in both purification systems and hygiene products.

Evaluation of addition of chemical and organic fertilizers to irrigation in the production of Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C. Johnst.

Aim of study: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a chemical fertilizer and two organic fertilizers on the morphometric variables of Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C. Johnst growth under greenhouse conditions. Area of study: The research was conducted in a greenhouse at the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes in Aguascalientes State, Mexico. Material and methods: Six treatments were evaluated: T1: Control (Water), T2: 19-19-19 (19% nitrogen- 19%phosphorus- 19% potassium) + M. E. (Microelements), T3: 19-19-19 + M. E. + worm leachate, T4: Worm leachate, T5: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and T6: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria + worm leachate. At the end of the evaluation period, the height and diameter of the seedlings were recorded. The aboveground dry biomass to belowground dry biomass ratio (AGDW/BGDW), robustness index, and Dickson’s quality index were determined. The cost of the different fertilization treatments was also evaluated. Main results: Seedlings in the combined treatments of chemical fertilizer and leachate presented greater height (28.00 cm) and diameter (2.81 cm). The organic fertilizer treatments presented higher robustness index values and AGDW/BGDW ratio, indicating their potential in terms of field performance. However, it should be noted that organic fertilizers are comparatively more expensive than chemical fertilizers. Research highlights: Further experimentation is required to determine the appropriate doses for quality seedlings using organic fertilizers. Producers should create their own organic fertilizers to minimize costs.

The hidden drivers: Unraveling the impact of density, moisture, and scale on Hermetia illucens rearing.

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is a saprophagous insect known for bioconverting organic waste, potentially offering environmental benefits, such as contributing to waste reduction and nutrient cycling. The performance of larvae varies significantly with factors substrate moisture, larval density, and scale of production. Three experiments were conducted using a mix of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken feed (CF). In the first experiment, 250 larvae were reared on 100 g dry matter (DM) feed at moisture levels of 65-75%. Results showed that the average individual larval weight, total biomass, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with increased moisture. In the second experiment, 300 and 350 larvae/box were tested at 70% and 75% moisture. The highest average individual larval fresh weight (158.6 mg) was observed at 70% moisture with 250 larvae, while the highest biomass was achieved at 75% moisture with 300 larvae. Finally, different scales (10-2,500 g feed with 25-6,500 larvae) were tested with a similar feeding rate. The highest individual larval weight was recorded at the 100 g scale, with no clear correlation between weight and scale. However, the 50 g scale achieved the highest substrate reduction (33.2%). Overall, this study underscores the need to adjust moisture, density, and scale to nutrient conversion efficiency when using SMS, CF or other diets. The optimal results for the SMS feed mix were observed at 75% substrate moisture, 250 larvae per 100 g DM, and at approximately 2 larvae per cm2.

Intraspecies Variation Offers Potential to Improve White Rot Fungi for Increasing Degradability of Lignocellulose for Ruminants.

The aim of fungal treatment of organic matter for ruminants is the improvement of its degradability. So far, such treatment appears to be time-consuming and improvement has been modest. In previous work, we observed within three white rot species that there is modest (Ceriporiopsis subvermispora) or low (Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii) variation in fiber degradation in wheat straw during seven weeks of incubation. By extending and re-examining the data from all three species, we see that strains of C. subvermispora show the largest variation and improvement in the degradability of treated wheat straw. In addition, C. subvermispora also generated the highest absolute amount of degradable organic matter, a parameter not calculated before, but is very relevant for the economic feasibility of fungal treatment. In estimating fungal growth, we found no good correlation between an increase in ergosterol and a decrease in plant biomass, indicating a variation within fungal species of the ergosterol/fungal biomass ratio and/or a variation in carbon use efficiency, which has also not been analyzed before. This work contributes to the knowledge of how fungi degrade lignocellulose and further specifies what can be targeted for breeding to make fungal pretreatment economically feasible for upgrading organic waste streams into ruminal feed.

Pollutant Emission and Ash Accumulation Characteristics of Tri-Combustion of Coal, Biomass, and Oil Sludge

To study the ash accumulation and pollutant emission characteristics of tri-combustion of coal, biomass, and oil sludge, a fluidized bed and settling furnace system is established for tri-combustion experiments. The effect of blending ratio (the ratio of biomass and oil sludge range from 30% to 50% and 10% to 20%, respectively) and biomass types are examined. The results show that HTB, coal, and oil sludge reach peak NO and NO2 production at approximately 100 s and 200 s of combustion, respectively, with NOx levels returning to zero around 300 s. SO2 peaks around 100 s and then gradually declines. The blending ratio of HTB:oil sludge:coal at 50%:10%:40% demonstrates the most effective control over NOx and SO2 emissions, reducing NO, NO2, and SO2 production by approximately 33%, 20%, and 50%, respectively. In the ash with a ratio of Hutubi (HTB) + 50% oil sludge, the mass fractions of O, Si, Ca, Al, and Fe are approximately 27%, 23%, 20%, 8%, and 12%, respectively. With the increase in the blending ratio of biomass and oil sludge, the mass fraction of Si in the ash rises, while those of Ca, Al, and Fe decrease.

Analysis of the bamboo SWEET gene family reveals that Dendrocalamus farinosus SWEET14 is involved in source-sink carbohydrate partitioning.

In higher plants, SWEET genes play a crucial role in source-sink carbohydrate partitioning. Dendrocalamus farinosus is an economic bamboo species because of its high fiber content and rapid growth. The transportation of photosynthetic products is essential for bamboo growth. Here, we identified 50 major SWEET genes in D. farinosus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that DfSWEET14 and DfSWEET44 were homologs of OsSWEET11 and OsSWEET4, respectively. DfSWEET5, DfSWEET14 and DfSWEET44 were highly expressed in leaf veins, stems and roots, respectively, and their expression was responsive to glucose and sucrose. DfSWEET9 and DfSWEET28 were involved in photosynthetic product distribution, ABA/MeJA signaling and pathogen responses. DfSWEET14 was localized to the plasma membrane, and was highly expressed in lateral buds and young shoots only. The overexpression of DfSWEET14 in wheat resulted in higher root/shoot biomass ratio under drought stress and increases in grain-filling duration, seed yield, net photosynthetic capacity, soluble sugar content, seed size and grain weight. This suggests that DfSWEET14 is involved in sucrose partitioning from leaves to grains. These results provide new insights into genetic improvement of bamboo and into the breeding of other economic crops for high yield by manipulation of source-sink carbohydrate partitioning and drought responses.

Targeted Fishery for Bogue Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) Around Sea-Cage Fish Farms in the Turkish Aegean Sea

Abstract This study investigated artisanal fishing activity near sea cages in Güllük Bay in the southeastern Aegean Sea based on dockside sampling with local fishermen. The daily fishing activity of bogue Boops boops gillnetters was randomly observed in the ports of Göltürkbükü, Gündoğan, Yalıkavak and Torba over two fishing seasons, from November to April 2018 and 2019. A total of 18,163 kg of fish were caught in 147 daily operations. The composition of catches from the bogue gillnet fishery comprised 48 species from 30 families, including both fish and invertebrates. B. boops was the most abundant species with 91.9% of the catch, followed by Diplodus annularis, Scomber colias, Trachurus trachurus, Pagellus acarne and Scomber scombrus. The ratio of total bycatch biomass to commercial target species was 1:0.09. The fork length (FL) and weight of the 536 sampled B. boops ranged between 25.5 ± 0.12 cm and 293.6 ± 3.87 g, respectively. The highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) of B. boops occurred in April and averaged 58.83 ± 11.47 kg/1000 m, likely due to an increased catch during its spawning migration to open sea areas in spring.

Root and shoot biomass and nutrient composition of winter rye cover crop following corn and soybean

AbstractWinter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), a commonly used cover crop in corn (Zea mays L.) systems, has potential to scavenge soil NO3–N through a fibrous root system. This study aimed to quantify root and shoot biomass, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) partitioning in rye cover crop at the time of termination in spring. This was a 1‐year study conducted at a site with a no‐till corn–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation, rye drilled following grain crop harvest, and three N rates applied to corn (0, 135, and 225 kg N ha−1, respectively). Rye root biomass to 60‐cm depth following corn and 30‐cm depth following soybean was estimated using ingrowth tubes installed in the fall after rye seeding and removed at the time of rye termination in the spring. For rye, 48% and 62% of the total root biomass were present in the top 15‐cm depth, following corn and soybean, respectively. Overall, the shoot biomass, C, and N were significantly greater than for roots, with approximately two times more shoot than root material and only 33%–36% of total plant C and 17%–18% of total plant N in the root biomass. The C:N ratio of root biomass was consistently high (47–52) and at least double that of the shoot (16–23). With high C, low N, and high C:N ratio of the rye roots, inorganic‐N from soil or degrading shoot biomass could be immobilized with root degradation and reduce potential N recycling.

Increasing plant species diversity aggravates microbial phosphorus limitation but alleviates microbial carbon limitation in a subtropical forest

Abstract The limitation of microbes by soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), or phosphorus (P) is linked with soil microbial activities, so that how change of plant species diversity (PSD) affects microbial resource limitation would partly determine its impacts on SOC dynamics and nutrient cycling. However, the responses of microbial resource limitation to increasing PSD have poorly explored. Here, 45 plots covering a natural gradient of PSD were used to investigate the effects of PSD on microbial resource limitation in a subtropical forest. Extracellular enzymatic stoichiometry along with a laboratory N and P addition experiment was used to determine microbial resource limitation. Contents of microbial biomass C, N and P significantly increased, but C:P and N:P ratios in microbial biomass were unchanged as PSD increased. Soil microbes were co-limited by C and P, but not limited by N across the 45 plots. Increasing PSD did not alter microbial N limitation, alleviated microbial C limitation, and aggravated microbial P limitation. The alleviated microbial C limitation or aggravated microbial P limitation was attributed to increased soil C availability but decreased P availability, which resulted in greater soil C:P and N:P ratios and their imbalance between soil and microbial biomass under higher PSD. Our results highlight the divergent effects of increasing PSD on microbial C and P limitation, and may have high implications for SOC accumulation. Nevertheless, whether the observed patterns are widely applicable needs to be assessed by more investigations, since this study was only conducted in a subtropical forest with calcareous soil.

Investigation on the mechanism of ash deposition formation from mineral components and characteristics of ash deposition on boiler heating surface during co-firing of coal and biomass

The power generation by co-firing of coal and biomass is the most economical and promising technology for existing coal-fired power plants to achieve reducing emission of CO2 and large-scale efficient utilization of biomass. The mechanism of ash deposition formation from mineral components and the characteristics of ash deposition on boiler heating surface during co-firing of coal and biomass were investigated in this paper. A water-cooled probe was used to simulate the heating surface of high-temperature super-heater in the furnace, and the experiments on ash deposition were carried out in a one-dimensional settling furnace. The micro-morphology, element composition and phase composition of the deposited ash on the surface of the water-cooled probe under different conditions were characterized by means of SEM, EDS, XRD and other methods. The results show that the migration and transformation pathways of alkali metal K and Cl elements in the mineral components can significantly affect the behavior of ash deposition formation. The meltbility of ash particles and the viscosity of deposit sediment are two important factors determining the degree of ash deposition. With the blending ratio of biomass in coal increasing, the content of K2O and Cl in the deposited ash increases rapidly, conversely, the content of SiO2 and Al2O3 in the deposited ash shows rapidly decreasing trend. Meanwhile, based on the micro-morphology features, the particles of the deposited ash gradually become smaller, the structure of the deposited ash becomes denser, and the agglomeration and melting phenomenon in the deposited ash is more obvious. The alkali metal K and Cl in the biomass and S, Si, Al and other components in the coal will have a synergistic effect during co-firing of coal and biomass. There are significant effects of fuel property, the blending ratio of biomass in coal and the temperature in furnace on the characteristics of ash deposition. With the continuous addition of biomass in coal, and the rising temperatures, it will produce KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2, K(AlSi3O8), Ca(A12Si2O8), Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 and other substances with low melting point as well as CaSO4 considered as the binder between ash particles. The overall melting point of the deposited ash is reduced, the viscosity is enhanced, and the degree of the ash deposition is aggravated.

Effect of different ratio KOH treatment on neem bark in the formation of activated carbon: Adsorption characteristics study

In this study, mature neem tree bark (NB) was chemically transformed into an activated carbon (NBAC) through different ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:3, 3:1) of KOH and NB biomass. The obtained Neem bark-activated carbons (NBAC-1, NBAC-2, NBAC-3, NBAC-4, and NBAC-5) were tested for methylene blue (MB) dye removal efficiency. The NBAC-1 was found to be highly effective against MB dye. The NBACs have a low Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area (10.8 m2/g) with surface functional groups dominated by -OH and -CO. It is thermally stable up to 700°C, and its surface elemental composition is mainly carbon, oxygen, and potassium. The adsorption characteristics against MB dye show that 99.15% of dye from 100 mg/L initial concentration solution was removed with 4 g/L NBAC-1 dosage in 200 min of contact time at 50°C solution temperature, and pH of 10 (pHzpc = 7.85), resulting in an adsorption capacity of 24.79 mg/g. Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process of MB dye utilizing NBAC-1 adhered to the linear pseudo-second-order (R2 = 0.9726) and nonlinear Elovich model (R2 = 0.9419), signifying chemisorption, alongside the nonlinear Weber-Morris model (R2 = 0.9231), highlighting the significance of mass diffusion of MB dye onto the NBAC-1 surface in multilayers. Isotherm investigations favored better conformity with the Freundlich model, exhibiting a higher R2 value of 0.999, suggesting a heterogeneous multilayer adsorption mechanism. Adsorption thermodynamics analysis inferred that the adsorption was feasible (∆G = -4.342 KJ/mol), endothermic (∆H = +50.0203 KJ/mol), and demonstrated a high affinity of NBAC-1 towards MB dye (∆S = +168.2255 J/K/mol). Recyclability of the NBAC-1 adsorbent was also conducted to check for its sustainable usage.

Exploring the potential mechanisms of Urban greenspaces providing pollution Retention and cooling benefits based on three-dimensional structure of plant communities

Establishing urban greenspaces is an effective approach for improving urban air quality and thermal environments. However, at a finer scale, the potential mechanisms of urban greenspaces providing pollution retention and cooling benefits remain unclear, especially for the three-dimensional structural characteristics of plant communities. To explore the potential mechanisms, we conducted field experiments on 108 plant communities in Beijing and simultaneously monitored PM10 concentration data and meteorological data both within and outside the plant communities. We analyzed the relationships between three-dimensional structural characteristic factors, the pollution retention benefit, and the cooling benefit. The results indicated that the majority of the plant communities (90.91%) can simultaneously provide both benefits. The herbaceous layer was a crucial factor influencing the pollution retention benefit, with a nonlinear positive correlation between the pollution retention benefit and the ratio of three-dimensional green biomass of herbs and trees (RTDGB-HT) and a threshold of 0.80-1.00. The tree layer was a crucial factor influencing the cooling benefit, as indicated by a positive linear correlation between the cooling benefit and the ratio of three-dimensional green biomass of trees (RTDGB-T). With changes in three-dimensional structural characteristic factors, the rate of change in pollution retention benefit factors was 3-5.5 times that in cooling benefit factors. Mediation analysis confirmed the trade-off between the pollution retention and cooling benefits, with trees indirectly enhancing pollution retention benefit by reducing the daily mean temperature reduction rate (R-Tmean) by 20.44-22.27% and by reducing the daily maximum temperature reduction rate (R-Tmax) by 13.14-15.99%. Overall, 13–23% of the pollution retention benefit was achieved through reducing cooling benefit, and interventions involving extreme heat can minimize the trade-off between the pollution retention and cooling benefits compared to reducing cooling benefit throughout the day. Our findings enrich and extend the current understanding of the correlations associated with the comprehensive benefits at the plant community scale, emphasizing the differences in three-dimensional structural characteristics that provide different benefits, which can better inform the development of refined and scientifically managed strategies for green space renovation.

Assembly Characteristics and Influencing Factors of the Soil Microbial Community in the Typical Forest of Funiu Mountain.

Assessing the relationship between litter characteristics and soil microbial community traits across different forest types can enhance our understanding of the synergistic interactions among litter, soil, and microorganisms. This study focused on three representative forest types in the Funiu Mountains-Larix gmelinii (LG), Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata (QA), and Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata + Pinus armandii (QAPA). The findings indicated no significant differences in Chao1 among the three forests; however, the Shannon index exhibited an initial increase followed by a decline. NMDS and ANOSIM analyses revealed significant structural differences across these forest types. Network topological metrics (nodes, edges, average degree, and average path distance) for bacterial taxa were higher in LG and QA compared with QAPA. Additionally, LG and QA demonstrated significantly greater average niche breadth than QAPA. The results from the null models (the proportion occupied by dispersal limitation is 62.2%, 82.2%, and 64.4% in LG, QA, and QAPA), modified stochasticity ratio (LG: 0.708, QA: 0.664, and QAPA: 0.801), and neutral community models (LG: R2 = 0.665, QA: R2 = 0.630, and QAPA: R2 = 0.665) suggested that stochastic processes predominantly govern the assembly of soil bacterial communities. Random forest analysis alongside Mantel tests highlighted LTP (litter total phosphorus), STN (soil total nitrogen), MCP (carbon-to-phosphorus ratio of microbial biomass), and SCN (soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio) as critical factors affecting bacterial niche width; conversely LCN (litter carbon-to-nitrogen ratio), RCP (ratio of dissolved carbon to phosphorus), MCP, and SCN emerged as key determinants influencing community assembly processes. Furthermore, the PLS-SEM results underscored how both litter characteristics along with soil properties-and their associated alpha diversity-impact variations in niche breadth while also shaping community assembly dynamics overall. This research provides vital insights into understanding synergistic relationships between litter quality, soil characteristics, and microbial community across diverse forest ecosystems.

Characterization and pilot-scale downdraft gasification of invasive forestry species biomass in the Dominican Republic

In many developing countries, the primary source of energy generation is fossil fuels. However, the study and utilization of invasive forestry species for gasification can help transition away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable, renewable energy production. In the present work, we investigated the characterization and energy potential of four invasive forestry species (Prosopis juliflora, Azadirachta indica, Acacia mangium, and Calliandra calothyrsus) affecting the dry and rain forests of the Dominican Republic. We analyzed the parts (wood, bark, and branches), and transverse diameter sizes (less than 2.5 cm, 2.5–5.0 cm, and 5.0 cm) of the invasive forestry species. Additionally, we evaluated the calorific value, composition, and quality indicators of the syngas produced by these species using a downdraft gasifier. Fixed carbon, ash, and moisture content were higher in the bark compared to the wood and branches of the forestry species. Also, lower the thickness of the species branches tended to have higher moisture and ash content. A. mangium had the highest energy potential with calorific values of 20.4 MJ/kg for the biomass and 5.22 MJ/m3 for the syngas. The species P. juliflora showed a calorific value of 18.6 MJ/kg and syngas with 5.08 MJ/m3. However, the gasifier cold gas efficiency of the species P. juliflora obtained of 24.89 % which was slightly higher than A. mangium with 23.29 % based on the conversion ratio of biomass to gas. Our findings reveal the promising potential of P. juliflora, a relatively underexplored biomass, as a viable feedstock for gasification-based bioenergy production.

Site-specific patterns of fine root biomass formation across European coniferous forests

Fine roots play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. Patterns of fine roots biomass formation for broad geographical areas are still unclear. We use published estimates of characteristics of European pine and spruce stands to determine their productivity and calculate the needle biomass. Then, the relationship between the fine-root:needle biomass ratio of European pine and spruce forests and the stand quality index, which is a proxy of soil fertility, was determined. We show that a rise in soil fertility is accompanied by a decrease in this ratio. Moving from the northern edge of the boreal zone southwards, with the related rise in air and soil temperatures, we see a decline in the mass ratio of fine roots and needle. The change in the fine-root:needle biomass ratio is controlled by the change in specific water uptake by roots, which is related to the osmotic pressure of the solution in the absorbing root's central vascular cylinder. The fine-root:needle ratio does not vary among stands of the same age if the stand quality index and the geographical latitude (a proxy of air and soil temperatures) are constant. These findings may be useful for further in-depth analysis of forest ecosystem functioning in Europe.

RSM-based co-gasification of palm oil decanter cake and sugarcane bagasse: Syngas production and biochar characteristics

The production of syngas (CO + H2) and biochar from biomass waste co-gasification promotes sustainable energy while addressing environmental remediation challenges. This study investigates the co-gasification of palm oil decanter cake (PODC) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) to optimize syngas production and obtain biochar in a fixed bed horizontal tube furnace reactor. Operating variables, including temperature (700–900 °C), biomass ratio (30–70 wt%), and particle size (0.25–2 mm), were optimized using Response Surface Methodology with the Box-Behnken design. Characterization analyses including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FESEM) analyses were conducted on the biochar. The optimal conditions yielded a syngas volume of 41.5 vol% and a biochar of 0.3 wt%, achieved at 900 °C temperature, 42 wt% PODC biomass ratio, and 2 mm particle size. BET analysis revealed a mesoporous structure biochar with surface area of 398.55 m2/g, pore volume of 0.13 cm3/g, and pore diameter of 6.49 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of hydroxyl groups, carbonyl groups, aromatic compounds, and hydrocarbon structures. FESEM analysis showed well-defined pore structures on the biochar surface, with EDX analysis confirming a dominant carbon content of 83.32 wt%. These findings substantially enhance sustainable approaches in energy production, agriculture, and wastewater treatment, while effectively tackling environmental issues associated with biomass waste.

Advancing Knowledge in Forest Water Use Efficiency Under Global Climate Change Through Scientometric Analysis

Forests are critical in regulation of carbon and water cycles and mitigation of climate change. Forest water-use efficiency (WUE) refers to the ratio of biomass produced (or assimilated carbon) to the amount of water used by forests, which indicates how effectively a forest utilizes water to achieve productivity. Climate change and its impact on forest WUE are important research directions that explore the complex relationship between global environmental change and the forest ecosystem dynamics. The global intensification of climate change underscores the need for an inclusive understanding of forest water use and makes it crucial to know how forests balance carbon and water resources, which is essential for effective forest management and predicting ecosystem responses to climate change. This study aims to comprehensively and objectively analyze current research trends and future directions related to the response of forest WUE to climate change. Our database included 1755 research papers from the Web of Science Core Collection, spanning from 2000 to 2023. Our analysis included cooperative networks of countries, authors, and institutions, as well as the most frequently cited journals and articles, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and a keyword burst analysis. The results showed that the top cooperative country, author, and institution is PR China, Prof. Dr. Jesús Julio Camarero from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, respectively. The leading journal in this field is “Global Change Biology”. Critical research hot topics include gas exchange, modeling, altitudinal gradients, tree growth dynamics, net carbon exchange, global change drivers, tropical forests, nitrogen stoichiometry, Northern China plains, and extreme drought conditions. Frontier topics that have emerged in recent years include studies on China’s Loess Plateau, stable isotopes, radial growth, gross primary productivity, and Scots pine. The insights from this analysis are vital for researchers, decision-makers, and forestry professionals aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change on forest WUE and overall ecosystem health and resilience. This study emphasizes the importance of sustained research efforts and global research collaboration in addressing the intricate challenges posed by climate change to forest ecosystems.

Stock exploitation status of silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) from the East China Sea

Silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) is an important economic species in the East China Sea (ECS); however, its population has been declining, and studies on its status are scarce. This study collected biological data, including length, weight, and gonadal maturity of silver croaker from the southern coastal waters of Zhejiang Province between 2015 and 2021, to evaluate its life history and assess stock status. Methods from the TropFishR package were employed to estimate population growth and natural mortality parameters. Two widely used length-based data-limited models, length-based bayesian biomass estimation method (LBB) and length-based spawning potential ratio method (LBSPR), were applied to assess the stock status of silver croaker in the ECS. The results indicated that with a maximum age (Amax) of 4 years, the asymptotic length (Linf) was 23.80 cm, growth rate (K) was 0.74/year, and natural mortality coefficient (M) ranged from 1.068 to 1.376. Under the assumption of Amax = 5 years, Linf was 26.77 cm, K was 0.63/year, and M ranged from 0.818 to 1.193. The LBB and LBSPR models showed that, except for scenarios with L∞ = 23.8 cm, M/K = 1.46, and L∞ = 26.77 cm, M/K = 1.30, 1.38, or 1.48, the selectivity at length parameters L50SandL95S for silver croaker exhibited an increasing trend over the years. In the LBB model, L50S for different years consistently fell below the optimum length (Lc_opt), indicating that most individuals did not reach the size at first sexual maturity or optimal catch length. Moreover, under high fishing pressure, the Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) and the unfished biomass ratio (B/B0) for silver croaker showed a decreasing trend, despite some stability or recovery in recent years. However, in all scenarios, SPR values were below 0.2, and B/B0 values were below 0.5, suggesting a significant risk of population collapse for silver croaker in the ECS due to intense fishing pressure. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce the current fishing pressure and increase the minimum catch size of this species for effective conservation and management in this region.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction vs. microwave-assisted extraction for sustainable development goals: Selecting the ideal lipid extraction and fatty acid profile

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) methods for extracting lipids from the green microalga Chlorococcum novae-angliae. This study specifically focused on the fatty acid profiles of the extracted lipids, using ethanol as the solvent and wet biomass as the starting material. Ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded a maximum of 0.026 ± 0.001 g lipid/g wet biomass at a biomass ratio of 1:25 for 2 min with a 1-second cycle at 180 W and 20 kHz, which was 21% higher than that of microwave-assisted extraction conducted at a ratio of 1:30 for 2 min at 300 W and 35 °C. Ultrasound-assisted extraction enhanced saturated fatty acids (SFAs), which were 1.5 times higher than to microwave-assisted extraction, while microwave-assisted extraction significantly increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by 4.4 times. The findings suggest that ultrasound-assisted extraction is more suitable for applications requiring high SFA content, such as in the fuel industry, whereas microwave-assisted extraction is preferable for sectors focused on fatty acid quality, such as food and health. This comparative analysis contributes to the literature by highlighting the impact of extraction methods on fatty acid profiles and supports sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12, by promoting environmentally friendly extraction techniques.