Release Of Greenhouse Gases Research Articles

The environmental impact of Stubble burning

This paper aims to emphasize the environmental impacts of stubble burning, also known as 'parali' burning, and to raise awareness among farmers about its harmful effects. In Northern India, particularly after rice and wheat harvests, farmers often burn crop residue to clear fields quickly for the next season. This agricultural practice significantly contributes to air pollution and nutrient loss from the soil. Stubble burning releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere, posing various health risks to humans and animals. The stubble burning causes a significant increase in the air pollution and decrease in visibility. The government has implemented several policies and initiatives to educate farmers about the adverse effects of stubble burning. Recent studies have shown a decrease in stubble burning cases in 2024.

Investigation of performance of potential adsorbents for emissions mitigation in a diesel generator.

Globally, the release of greenhouse gases primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to our Earth's surface has climbed by about 45% to its present atmospheric concentration rate of 420 parts per million (ppm) during the industrial era. An unprecedented rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration has been claimed to lead to significant factors such as global warming potential (GWP) and climate change effects. An increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations is a serious threat to the environment. Recent research efforts have focused on mitigating emissionsfrom anthropogenic point sources. Adsorption-based post-combustion CO2 capture using solid adsorbents is the most effective and efficient method for mitigating gas adsorption in the exhaust system. In the current study, activated carbons are obtained from three potential biomass, namely, (i) coconut shell, (ii) rice husk, and (iii) eucalyptus wood, through a - single-stageactivation method. The prepared activated carbon materials are analyzed using proximate and ultimate analyses. Further investigations are performed using different characterization techniques to ensure their adsorption efficiency. Adsorbents are packed one after the other in an in-house fabricated double adsorption chamber and coupled to the exhaust unit of a generator. Test experiments are conducted to examine adsorbents' capture efficiency in emissions mitigation. Adsorbents' adsorption parameters are evaluated in experimental investigations. At 2.5bar and 50°C, a maximum loading capacity of samples is achieved by 4.85mmol/g, 4.58mmol/g, and 5.96mmol/g for coconut shell, rice husk, and eucalyptus wood adsorbents, respectively. With a post-combustion carbon adsorption chamber, CO2 and NO are captured about40-64% and 38-58%, respectively, for all three adsorbents. The thermodynamic parameter of isosteric heat of adsorption value is below 40kJ/mol, ensuring physisorption for all adsorbents.

Detecting non-stationarity of precipitation across coastal-terrestrial Virginia

Since the industrial revolution, the Earth's ambient temperature has been rising at an accelerating pace, partially due to the release of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. Consequently, precipitation may become nonstationary, leading to new patterns of watershed hydrology with more frequent and/or severe floods and droughts. Non-stationarity occurs when one or more of precipitation characteristics exhibit step changes, temporal trends, and/or variance deviations. The objective of this study was to detect historical variations in precipitation characteristics across coastal and terrestrial Virginia, USA. Thirteen indices were selected to represent precipitation characteristics for amount, intensity, spell, maximum, and exceedance. A modified Mann-Kendall technique was applied to detect step changes and/or temporal trends in these indices on an annual basis. The results indicated that most rain gauges showed a statistically significant step change in one or more indices between 1948 and 2019, with more step increases than step decreases. This indicates that precipitation across Virginia has exhibited non-stationarity, which must be considered for water management. This phenomenon is likely true for most coastal regions worldwide.

Evaluation of RCCI engine combustion, performance, and emissions using spirulina micro-algae biodiesel with methane-enriched hydrogen

The creation of the internal combustion engine played a crucial role in the growth of the modern world to its current condition, which occurred at a faster speed than it had been previously. One of the numerous offshoots of a reciprocating engine is the source of inspiration for nearly every aspect of the modern society that we live in today. The relevance and necessity of engines, particularly in the transportation industry, have largely hidden the negative effects that engines have on the environment as a result of their emissions. This is especially true of the emissions that engines produce. A number of major issues have arisen as a consequence of this negligent application, including the release of greenhouse gases into the environment, the creation of situations that are hazardous to human health, and the depletion of fossil resources. Using methane-enriched hydrogen and spirulina microalgae biodiesel as low and high-reactive fuels, respectively, the objective of this work is to ascertain the characteristics of an RCCI engine that utilizes these fuels. Dimethyl ether, diesel, and microalgae spirulina biodiesel are combined in the following proportions in order to make eighty percent of the hydrogen refueling fuel (HRF): Dimethyl ether, diesel, and biodiesel make up 48% of the total. Variations will be made to the settings of the engine in order to explore the effects of using methane-enriched hydrogen as twenty percent of the low-reactive fuel. This fuel blend will be used. Methane to hydrogen ratios in the low reactive fuel blend can range anywhere from 1% to 5%, with concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% accordingly. The ratio can also be anywhere in between. The characteristics study is carried out by adjusting the speed at which the brakes are applied and the pressure at which the fuel is injected into the engine, all while maintaining the compression ratio at 17.5:1. The characteristics of the emissions of NOx, CO2, smoke, and hydrocarbon, as well as the features of the performances of BTE, BSFC, and EGT, are all included in this classification. The findings of the experiments indicate that the utilization of fuel mixtures has the potential to reduce the amount of emissions produced by engines while simultaneously enhancing the performance of the engines.

Biological mechanisms affecting the release of greenhouse gases from microbial fuel cell-constructed wetland by simultaneously altering structure and electron shuttles

The utilization of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in constructed wetlands (CW) has attracted significant attention. The impact of structural modifications, the introduction of iron-carbon materials on pollutant removal and GHG release from MFC-CW has not been systematically studied. In this study, four types of MFC-CWs were constructed, including MFC-CW with separated aerobic and anaerobic zones (SC), MFC-CW with unseparated aerobic and anaerobic zones (IC), SC added with iron-carbon (SFC), and IC added with iron-carbon (IFC). The aim was to investigate the effects of structural changes and electron shuttle additions on the GHG release. The results revealed that IFC simultaneously enhanced pollutant removal and GHG emissions reduction, compared to IC. However, no significant enhancements were observed in SC and SFC. The cumulative emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) in SC were reduced by 51.83% and 89.33% respectively, compared to IC. The modifications made to the structure of MFC-CWs influenced the relationship between functional bacteria (Chlorobium, Azospira, and Denitratisoma) and electrochemically active bacteria (EAB), resulting in increased values of nirS/nosZ and pmoA/mcrA. Comparing the SFC and IFC, despite an improvement in denitrogenation efficiency, the effect of structural alteration on N2O reduction was slight. The electrons in the iron-mediated process were not effectively used for N2O reduction. This study confirmed the crucial involvement of electron shuttles and the structure of MFC-CWs in controlling contaminant removal and GHG emissions.

Continental flood basalts sample oxidized mantle sources

Large igneous provinces (LIP) are vast (0.2 to >1 Mkm3) outpourings of basaltic lava and voluminous intrusions of magmas that have had important environmental consequences, in many cases leading to immense greenhouse gas release and mass extinctions. Magmatic oxygen fugacity (fO2) influences the chemistry of volcanic gases and is an important parameter for examining the links between LIP eruptions and environmental change. To constrain the fO2 of LIP magmas, we report olivine elemental chemistry of 399 crystals from a set of fifteen olivine-rich LIP samples, spanning in age from the Proterozoic (∼1270 Ma) to the Miocene (∼17 Ma). Concentrations of V in olivine are used to show that mafic LIP lavas erupted at +1.20 ± 0.95 ΔFMQ, on average more oxidized than mid ocean ridge basalts (MORB) at −0.28 ± 0.28 ΔFMQ. Mafic LIP magmas show a much larger range than MORB, however. Additionally, fO2 shows a negative correlation with parental magma MgO content, with high MgO lavas approaching the MORB range. This correlation is likely due to sampling of a heterogeneous mixture of oxidized and reduced lithologies, as also sampled by ocean island basalts (OIB). Correlation between fO2 and isotopic ratios such as 143Nd/144Nd demonstrates that the oxidized endmember is geochemically enriched, and may result from subduction recycling of oxidized surficial materials. The high fO2 of primitive LIP magmas demonstrate that they largely emitted oxidized gases during eruption, and furthermore, that LIP magmas associated with mass extinctions have similar magmatic fO2 to those that are not. Global plate tectonic position, magnitude and duration of LIP volcanic eruptions and magmatic degassing, as well as interaction with sedimentary basins in the crust - but not mantle source fO2 - are likely to be the critical factors for whether a LIP was associated with a mass extinction.

Impacts of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on greenhouse gas emissions and microbial communities in lake sediment under diverse aging methods

Microplastics (MPs) are crucial in regulating microbial communities, thereby influencing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in freshwater ecosystems. MPs’ presence in lake sediment has been confirmed to be aged, necessitating a reassessment of their influence on GHG emissions. This study aims to investigate the impacts of MPs with various aging methods on organic carbon decomposition and GHG release in urban lake sediments. During the four-week duration of the microcosm experiment, the conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable Poly (butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) MPs were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and biological aging methods to investigate their impacts on carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions from lake sediment. Compared to pristine PE, pristine PBAT significantly exacerbated the detrimental impact on CO2 and CH4 emissions by 21.61% and 43.13%, respectively, mainly due to 10% increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and 22.65% increase in microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The surface morphology and functional groups of MPs were changed obviously after aging, thereby influencing the decomposition potential of organic carbon and the capacity of microbial reproduction. The aging process of PBAT reduced the available nutrients for microbial activity due to its rapid degradation, leading to a pronounced inhibitory effect on microbial respiration. Besides, MPs aging altered the microbial relative abundance of phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, as well as families Lutispora and Azospirillaceae, thus exerting influence on capacity and anaerobic proportion of microbial respiration.

Exploring the interplay between soil thermal and hydrological changes and their impact on carbon fluxes in permafrost ecosystems

Accelerated warming of the Arctic can affect the global climate system by thawing permafrost and exposing organic carbon in soils to decompose and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We used a process-based biosphere model (DVM-DOS-TEM) designed to simulate biophysical and biogeochemical interactions between the soil, vegetation, and atmosphere. We varied soil and environmental parameters to assess the impact on cryohydrological and biogeochemical outputs in the model. We analyzed the responses of ecosystem carbon balances to permafrost thaw by running site-level simulations at two long-term tundra ecological monitoring sites in Alaska: Eight Mile Lake (EML) and Imnavait Creek Watershed (IMN), which are characterized by similar tussock tundra vegetation but differing soil drainage conditions and climate. Model outputs showed agreement with field observations at both sites for soil physical properties and ecosystem CO2 fluxes. Model simulations of Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) showed an overestimation during the frozen season (higher CO2 emissions) at EML with a mean NEE of 26.98 ± 4.83 gC/m2/month compared to observational mean of 22.01 ± 5.67 gC/m2/month, and during the fall months at IMN, with a modeled mean of 19.21 ± 7.49 gC/m2/month compared to observation mean of 11.9 ± 4.45 gC/m2/month. Our results underscore the importance of representing the impact of soil drainage conditions on the thawing of permafrost soils, particularly poorly drained soils, which will drive the magnitude of carbon released at sites across the high-latitude tundra. These findings can help improve predictions of net carbon releases from thawing permafrost, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of the impact of Arctic warming on the global climate system.

Genomic insights into redox-driven microbial processes for carbon decomposition in thawing Arctic soils and permafrost.

As the Arctic warms, thawing permafrost unlocks carbon, potentially accelerating climate change by releasing greenhouse gases. Our research delves into the underlying biogeochemical processes likely mediated by the soil microbial community in response to the wet and anaerobic conditions, akin to an Arctic summer thaw. We observed a significant shift in the microbial community post-thaw, with fermentative bacteria like Firmicutes and Bacteroidota taking over and switching to different fermentation pathways. The dominance of iron and sulfate-reducing bacteria likely constrained methane production in the thawing permafrost. Slow-growing microbes outweighed fast-growing ones, even after thaw, upending the expectation that rapid microbial responses to dominate after permafrost thaws. This research highlights the nuanced and complex interactions within Arctic soil microbial communities and underscores the challenges in predicting microbial response to environmental change.

Are We the Reason for Climate Change?

Abstract: Climate change is a pressing global issue, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This study explores the evidence supporting the human role in climate change, assessing individual carbon footprint patterns and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. It discusses various human activities leading to carbon emissions and presents a method for calculating individual carbon footprints. Additionally, it outlines strategies to reduce carbon footprints, including using public transport, minimizing electricity usage, and promoting sustainable practices like recycling and planting trees. This study highlights the urgent need for collective action to address climate change, emphasizing the critical importance of transitioning to sustainable energy sources and adopting mitigation strategies to limit temperature rise.

Characteristics, Sources, and Mechanisms of Soil Respiration under Simulated Rainfall in a Native Karst Forest in Southwestern China

Rainfall significantly affects soil respiration rates by altering microbial activity and organic matter decomposition. In karst regions, it also impacts carbonate dissolution and precipitation, further influencing soil CO2 flux. Investigating the mechanism of rainfall’s impact on soil respiration is essential for accurately evaluating and predicting changes in terrestrial ecosystems. However, our understanding of the interaction between rainfall and soil respiration in the extensive karst ecosystems of southwestern China remains limited. This study conducted field-based simulated rainfall experiments to examine variations in soil respiration rates and elucidate the associated control mechanisms through stable carbon isotope composition analysis. Simulated rainfall significantly increased the CO2 release via soil respiration. We observed significant differences in the δ13C value of soil-respired CO2 before and after simulated rainfall. Following the rain, the δ13C of soil-respired CO2 was enriched compared to that before the rain. Through isotope data analysis, we found that the increased soil CO2 emissions were primarily driven by heterotrophic respiration, likely stimulated via changes in soil moisture, affecting microbial growth conditions. Furthermore, the variation in soil moisture affected carbonate dissolution and precipitation, potentially increasing the soil CO2 release after rainfall. In conclusion, these findings expand our understanding of rainfall’s effects on soil respiration in the native karst forests of southwestern China, contributing to the prediction of carbon cycling processes in such ecosystems. The data from this study have significant implications for addressing the release of greenhouse gases in efforts to combat climate change.

Valorization of Tomato Agricultural Waste for 3D-Printed Polymer Composites Based on Poly(lactic acid).

Agricultural waste is a renewable source of lignocellulosic components, which can be processed in a variety of ways to yield added-value materials for various applications, e.g., polymer composites. However, most lignocellulosic biomass is incinerated for energy. Typically, agricultural waste is left to decompose in the fields, causing problems such as greenhouse gas release, attracting insects and rodents, and impacting soil fertility. This study aims to valorise nonedible tomato waste with no commercial value in Additive Manufacturing (AM) to create sustainable, cost-effective and added-value PLA composites. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) filaments with 5 and 10 wt.% tomato stem powder (TSP) were developed, and 3D-printed specimens were tested. Mechanical testing showed consistent tensile properties with 5% TSP addition, while flexural strength decreased, possibly due to void formation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated changes in storage modulus and damping factor with TSP addition. Notably, the composites exhibited antioxidant activity, increasing with higher TSP content. These findings underscore the potential of agricultural waste utilization in FFF, offering insights into greener waste management practices and addressing challenges in mechanical performance and material compatibility. This research highlights the viability of integrating agricultural waste into filament-based AM, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and promoting circular economy initiatives.

Slow Dynamics of Hydrate Systems Revealed by a Double BSR

AbstractDetermining how gas hydrate distribution evolved along continental margins in the past is essential to understanding its evolution in the future. Moreover, hydrate decomposition has been linked to several catastrophic events, including some of the largest submarine landslides on Earth and the massive release of greenhouse gases into the ocean. Offshore Romania, the presence of a second bottom‐simulating reflector (BSR) provides an opportunity to gain valuable insights into hydrate dynamics since the Last Glacial Period (LGP). We conducted transient modeling of hydrate thermodynamic stability by merging in‐situ observations with indirect assessments of sea‐bottom temperature, thermal conductivity, salinity, sedimentation rate, and sea‐level variations. We reveal a strong correlation between the BSRs and the base of the Gas Hydrate Stability Zone (GHSZ) during both the present and LGP periods. The gradual evolution of the GHSZ over the past 34 ka presented here supports a conceptual model that excludes catastrophic environmental scenarios.

Using Cognitive IOT In Vehicle System for On Actual Time Monitoring of CO2 Emission with Temperature and Alcohol Detector

One of the pressing environmental challenges we face today is the phenomenon of global warming, primarily driven by the release of greenhouse gases. Among these gases, carbon dioxide stands out as a significant contributor, with its emissions leading to a warming effect on the Earth's surface. Protecting our environment requires us to address and manage these changes effectively, presenting a considerable challenge. For long-term control of carbon dioxide emissions at their source, there is a growing recognition of the need for preventive and control technologies. This paper aims to employ IoT technology, utilizing Raspberry Pi's CO2 sensitivity, to monitor emissions from various sources such as public transportation, industries, and forest fires. Continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide levels within a city will help identify areas with the highest pollution levels. Additionally, this initiative seeks to implement an intelligent system for early detection of forest fires, also known as wildfires. These uncontrolled fires in natural areas pose significant threats to both ecosystems and human resources. It's noteworthy that wildfires emit more CO2 gas than initially assumed, impacting state climate targets. Integrating these efforts with IoT enhances security and enables various services, including the deployment of a Simple Notification Service (SNS) to alert mobile users about high CO2 levels in specific areas. Furthermore, this model aims to extend its capabilities to include the detection of temperature in heated vehicle components, such as engines, using temperature detectors. Moreover, alcohol detectors will be utilized to monitor alcohol consumption by vehicle drivers, enhancing safety measures on the road. Keywords: SNS (Simple Notification Service), IoT (Internet of Things), GPS (Global Positioning System), GVG (Green Vehicle Guide), MAQUMON (Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Network).

Carbon Emission Pathways of Biodegradable Thermoplastic-based Species in Natural and Simulated Aqueous Conditions

This study assessed the carbon emission pathways of the biodegradation processes of bio-based thermoplastic moieties in two aqueous (surface and simulated marine water) environments and its implications on environmental quality. The physicochemical parameters of the aqueous media were determined using standard methods. The American Society for Testing and Materials’ standard was used to assess amount of CO2 evolved. Cellulose, bioplastic and polyethylene were inserted in two aquatic environments and arranged thrice in a randomized experimental arrangement of 2x4x3. Ultimate biodegradations of the test films were monitored using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The amount of CO2 evolved was assayed using the titration method. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. After biodegradation, the initial values of the physicochemical parameters were within recommended values of the WHO standards with slight (less than 2%) differences. Moreover, CO2 captured from the two aqueous conditions were lower than the amount of CO2 evolved in aqueous solution with cellulose which is a natural polymer in this order: 88.725×102 mg from the soaked cellulose samples in marine > 85.215×102 mg of CO2 evolved from cellulose entrenched in surface water > 82.758×102 mg of CO2 evolved from bioplastic soaked in marine water > 82.758×102 mg of CO2 evolved from bioplastic soaked in surface water > 65.046×102 mg of CO2 evolved from polyethylene soaked in marine water > 60.152×102 mg of CO2 evolved from polyethylene soaked in surface water. Moreover, the SEM results revealed high level of biodegradation and growth of biofilm on the biodegradable thermoplastics while the nylon 6 had little or no biofilm growth because of the recalcitrant nature. This study concluded that some biodegradable thermoplastics can biodegrade totally in aquatic environments without the release of greenhouse gases that could threaten the integrity of the aquatic environment as well as the release of toxic residues.

FORMATION OF BIOENEGRY BY FOOD WASTE

Food that has been tossed out. Nearly three-fourths of the waste generated by inhabitants of the maximum city in the past year comprised food, according to an environment status report (ESR) released by the BMC for 2019-20. According to BMC & VVMC officials, the average waste generated per person per day is 250-650 grams. Waste management experts say if Mumbai recycles this waste, it could reduce the amount of garbage transported to its overburdened landfill. Food waste is an untapped energy source that mostly ends up rotting in landfills, thereby releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It’s better if we could somehow turn all the waste into clean energy and some other recyclable product. Food waste can be turned into valuable resources such as natural fertilizer, energy, and animal feed. Proper disposal of food waste has posed an environmental concern. also there is electric energy also can be made and the size of the dumping ground can be reduced. Also, we are going to make the all food waste management process digitalized so that Consumers can track the process of food waste management through the mobile application. The mobile application will help both consumers and as well as the government to maintain a record of their waste management, and it will be easy to take the record of the process, results, or how it can get improved. As we know the future generation will be mostly dependent upon renewable energy, so this type of food waste management process can save more energy for the future and will make a more human and animal-friendly nature/environment. So we can provide a good future for the next generations.

2023 Exploration and appraisal year in review

Petroleum exploration expenditure in 2023 increased modestly over that of 2022, but remains well below expenditure highs of a decade ago which were dominated by offshore activity. Exploration is dominant in onshore state jurisdictions and has been since 2019, and will continue to be with no Federal offshore petroleum exploration acreage release rounds or exploration permit awards in 2023. Despite the modest increase in exploration expenditure there were 38 exploration wells drilled in 2023, an increase from the 26 wells drilled in 2022. Three of these 2023 wells were located offshore, targeting prospective resources in the vicinity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) project upstream gas fields. Thirty-four conventional onshore exploration wells were drilled in 2023 compared to 18 in 2022, a significant increase. The Cooper–Eromanga Basin was the focus of onshore exploration drilling with 21 exploration wells, compared to 13 in 2022, which yielded six discoveries. The onshore Northern Perth Basin continues to be an exploration hot spot with five wells drilled in 2023, compared to four in 2022. The Permian Kingia Sandstone exploration play continues to deliver exploration success, with discoveries at North Erregulla Deep-1, Trigg Northwest-1, South Erregulla-3 and Tarantula Deep-1. Five exploration permits were awarded in onshore Western Australia and two in Queensland. These permits were awarded with modest exploration work programs. The interest in carbon capture and storage projects and assessment acreage continues with a Federal offshore greenhouse gas (GHG) release round in 2023 and 26 onshore state jurisdiction GHG assessment permits awarded or nominated preferred tender status.

Entomophagy: A sustainable food alternative to save planet

Climate change not only fringes rising average temperatures but shifting wildlife populations, rising seas, extreme weather events and other impacts. These changes are due to addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere due to impact of human activities. One of the important human activities which are a major contributor of greenhouse gas is Animal Agriculture. Meat consumption is responsible for releasing greenhouse gases such as methane, CO, and nitrous oxide. Livestock production accounts for 14.5% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, with beef having the highest footprint due to large amounts of methane that an average cow produces. Agriculture accounts for 92% of the freshwater footprint of humanity; almost 35% relates to animal farming. The production of meat is directly and indirectly related to the loss of forests in South America, Amazon Rainforest and other areas of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. And many species face extinction or are under threat due to the destruction of natural environments. Sustainable alternative to going meat-free is entomophagy or insect farming which produces about 100 times less greenhouse gases per kg of mass organism gain. Edible insects like grasshoppers, crickets and mealworms are rich in protein and contain significantly higher sources of minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium than beef. Regardless of its environmental benefits, entomophagy comes with its unique set of challenges.

Genomic fingerprints of the world's soil ecosystems.

Despite the explosion of soil metagenomic data, we lack a synthesized understanding of patterns in the distribution and functions of soil microorganisms. These patterns are critical to predictions of soil microbiome responses to climate change and resulting feedbacks that regulate greenhouse gas release from soils. To address this gap, we assay 1,512 manually curated soil metagenomes using complementary annotation databases, read-based taxonomy, and machine learning to extract multidimensional genomic fingerprints of global soil microbiomes. Our objective is to uncover novel biogeographical patterns of soil microbiomes across environmental factors and ecological biomes with high molecular resolution. We reveal shifts in the potential for (i) microbial nutrient acquisition across pH gradients; (ii) stress-, transport-, and redox-based processes across changes in soil bulk density; and (iii) greenhouse gas emissions across biomes. We also use an unsupervised approach to reveal a collection of soils with distinct genomic signatures, characterized by coordinated changes in soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and cation exchange capacity and in bulk density and clay content that may ultimately reflect soil environments with high microbial activity. Genomic fingerprints for these soils highlight the importance of resource scavenging, plant-microbe interactions, fungi, and heterotrophic metabolisms. Across all analyses, we observed phylogenetic coherence in soil microbiomes-more closely related microorganisms tended to move congruently in response to soil factors. Collectively, the genomic fingerprints uncovered here present a basis for global patterns in the microbial mechanisms underlying soil biogeochemistry and help beget tractable microbial reaction networks for incorporation into process-based models of soil carbon and nutrient cycling.IMPORTANCEWe address a critical gap in our understanding of soil microorganisms and their functions, which have a profound impact on our environment. We analyzed 1,512 global soils with advanced analytics to create detailed genetic profiles (fingerprints) of soil microbiomes. Our work reveals novel patterns in how microorganisms are distributed across different soil environments. For instance, we discovered shifts in microbial potential to acquire nutrients in relation to soil acidity, as well as changes in stress responses and potential greenhouse gas emissions linked to soil structure. We also identified soils with putative high activity that had unique genomic characteristics surrounding resource acquisition, plant-microbe interactions, and fungal activity. Finally, we observed that closely related microorganisms tend to respond in similar ways to changes in their surroundings. Our work is a significant step toward comprehending the intricate world of soil microorganisms and its role in the global climate.

A novel method for hydrogen synthesis in natural gas reservoirs

Hydrogen has been proven as a promising energy resource for a clean and sustainable future. However, the complete replacement of conventional hydrocarbon energy sources poses a challenge due to their widespread industrial utilization. Despite the gradual depletion of petroleum and natural gas reserves, they continued to serve as primary energy sources for many decades. But what if we could repurpose these hydrocarbons? Currently, fossil fuels that are both non-renewable and environmentally unfriendly are directly used for energy generation. Instead, we could convert hydrocarbons into a significantly cleaner alternative – hydrogen. This process implies in situ hydrogen generation even before hydrocarbons are recovered from a reservoir without releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In this context, we explore the conversion of methane into hydrogen in the gas reservoir with zero oil saturation via steam methane reforming initiated by in situ gas combustion. In the experimental model, different rock porous media were utilized and the process parameters such as temperature and the steam-to-methane ratio were varied. The outcome reveals a range of variations, each yielding different concentrations of hydrogen produced depending on these adjustable parameters. Our findings suggest the incredible potential for underground hydrogen generation in natural gas reservoirs. This approach holds great promise as a leading candidate for the foreseeable future, benefiting from the synergy of the fossil fuel industry and an innovative hydrogen production technology.