Trend Of Accumulation Research Articles

Dynamic pollution management strategies and coordination in aquatic product supply chain under eco-compensation: Perspective of extreme weather crisis

The ecological compensation mechanism emerges as a solution to reduce pollution for aquatic product supply chain. To comprehend the dynamic pollution management strategies and coordination under the ecological compensation mechanism, this study develops a stochastic differential game between farmers and firms from the perspective of extreme weather crisis. The subjects’ optimal decisions are explored in three cases including cooperative case, noncooperative case, and land transfer-cost sharing contract case. Then we simulate theoretical results and illustrate a case study to demonstrate the applicability of ecological compensation collaboration. The results indicate that the extreme weather crisis changes the evolutionary trend and steady state of pollution accumulation. Moreover, the land transfer-cost sharing contract could realize the Pareto improvement in high-risk environment especially after the crisis. But its coordination relies on the ecological compensation coefficient, which gets larger with the interval of [4.9,6.3] after the crisis, compared to the range of [4,5.4] before the crisis. Notably, the contract and ecological compensation mechanism exhibit a complementary relationship in response to the crisis. The findings could provide new inspirations for aquatic product supply chain to balance production and environmental protection.

An OSL-dated, stacked Holocene dust mass accumulation rate record on the Chinese Loess Plateau and its implications for Northern Hemisphere dust activity

Accurate reconstruction of geological dust activity is crucial for understanding past climate change and its interaction with dust cycle. Loess on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) is an ideal and sensitive material for revisiting past dust activity. Previously, the changes in the dust mass accumulation rate (MAR) over various time scales were widely established on the CLP. However, few absolutely dated dust records have been obtained and synthesized for the Holocene. This study addresses this gap by compiling 23 optically stimulated luminescence-dated Holocene loess sections across the CLP. We developed a high-quality chronology via Bayesian age-depth modeling and derived a MAR record for each section. Then, we obtained a mean MAR record for the CLP by stacking individual records. We propose that, in contrast to site-specific MARs, stacked MARs represent the mean dust accumulation conditions for the entire CLP and can be used to track relatively large-scale dust activity and climate change. The stacked MAR record suggests a moderate weakening trend of dust accumulation from ∼11.5 to 7.5 thousand years ago (ka BP), followed by a pronounced strengthening trend from ∼7.5 to 3.0 ka BP. A comparison with other regional dust records reveals a shift in dust activity at ∼8–6 ka BP in northern China and western Mongolia. We argue that the East Asian winter and summer monsoons jointly contributed to Holocene mean dust MAR variations on the CLP by changing dust transport wind energy and dust source aridity, respectively. A comparison of Holocene dust records in Asia with those in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and Greenland suggests asynchronous variations in dust activity between proximal and distal Asia-sourced dust deposition. This is because, unlike proximal deposition, distal deposition can be controlled not only by the dust source conditions but also by the intensity and the position of the Westerlies.

Perovskite Crystallization Control for Large, Oriented Grains with Residual Solvent Restrain via Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks.

Void-free perovskite films with oriented large grains are considered good performance. However, contradictory requirements on solvent volatilization arise that the growth of large grains requires slow volatilization while the residual solvent problem, which leads to difficult-handled voids at buried interface, requires quick and complete volatilization. Currently, although grain boundaryadditives help reach large and oriented grains, the occupation of additives in the grain boundary volatilization channel may further deteriorate the residual solvent problem. Herein, porous structures with "switchable pore" nature are constructed based on flexible hydrogen-bonded (HOF-FJU-2) in perovskite grain boundaries to meet both contradictory requirements with achieving crystallization control and residual solvent restrain. The additive moleculesprolongs the perovskite crystallization through the Pb-O bond and guides the growth of (100) facet based on its strong ordered accumulation trend. The pre-embedded porous structure opens up the solvent volatilization channel for complete volatilization in annealing stage and then switches to a closed pore state via phase transformation after the solvent completely leaves, preventing the intrusion of the external environment. Combined with theoretical calculations and in situ spectrum tests, the crystallization thermodynamics and dynamics are analyzed. As expected, the target device exhibits enhanced performance (improved from 22.14% to 24.18%) and stability.

Investigating sediment dynamics on a continental shelf mud patch under the influence of a macrotidal estuary: A numerical modeling analysis

Shelf mud patches represent major sinks for fine-grained particles on continental shelves, as well as for carbon and contaminants of continental origin. The West Gironde Mud Patch (WGMP) is an interesting example of such offshore marine systems as it is an active mud deposition area located offshore the Gironde estuarine mouth (France) at depths between 30 and 70 m. It is known to be the trap of fine particles coming from the estuary, but the contribution of this material to the total mass of the depocenter is poorly quantified. In addition, despite the economic and ecological issues at stake, the response of such subtidal sedimentary structure to the combination of tidal currents, waves, and river supply remain poorly understood. Thus, using a realistic 3-D hydrodynamic and mixed (mud/sand) sediment transport model, this study aims at investigating the sediment dynamics of the WGMP under different hydrometeorological conditions. The analysis of the residual fluxes at the estuarine mouth exhibited large discrepancies between the different sediment classes as well as for contrasted hydro-and meteorological conditions induced by different dominant transport mechanisms. During winter, the reinforced density gradients drive strong up-estuary baroclinic circulation at the bottom that dominates the sediment dynamics over the barotropic export of mud particles. The model also reproduced the signature of a subtidal mud accumulation area over the continental shelf around 30–40 m water depth, on the proximal side of the observed WGMP. On average over two years, 26% of the mud mass accumulating on the simulated subtidal mudflat comes from the estuary. The trapping efficiency of this mud patch is negatively correlated with the significant wave height. Moreover, due to the estuarine turbid plume being more concentrated and developed at the surface during high river discharge, the trapping efficiency of the mud body is enhanced compared to lower discharge. This study highlights the sensitivity of mud and sand fluxes to vertical and horizontal residual circulation, and points out the uncertainties associated with the simulation of short-term (i.e., years) fine particle deposits compared to long-term (i.e., centuries) sediment accumulation trends. In addition, these results show the primordial effects of both wave action and riverine sediment supply on the dynamics of such subtidal muddy structures, which raises concern about their fate facing climate change and human activities in the future.

A 20-year study reveal decrease in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a pelagic seabird from the Western Mediterranean Sea

Despite the first ban on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in 2009, it remains unclear whether Europe, a key regulator, has effectively reduced per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment over the past 20 years. This study investigates the levels and temporal trends of 19 PFAS compounds in the livers of 62 Scopoli's shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) collected from the Mediterranean basin during 2003–2022. Over the past two decades, PFAS concentrations showed an overall significant decrease of 77%. PFOS was the most frequently and predominantly detected chemical in livers, closely followed by perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA). However, the contribution of PFTrDA (32.4%) surpassed that of PFOS (30.3%) in 2009–2014, which can be attributed to its increased use as a substitute following the regulation on PFOS in 2009. Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), along with PFOS, showed a general decline over the study periods, with the largest decrease occurring after 2015, corresponding to the regulations on PFCAs. An odd-numbered, long-chain PFCAs accumulation trend was observed in samples. Principal component analysis showed a shift from PFOS to PFCAs in Scopoli's shearwater PFAS patterns over 20 years. Our results offer valuable insights into the environmental behavior of PFAS, the complex interactions between regulations and compounds and their transfer to the marine ecosystems. Despite widespread declines, their persistent detection underscores the need for enhanced international cooperation efforts to comprehensively mitigate PFAS emissions, including those from developing regions and unregulated sources.

Carbohydrate accumulation patterns in mangrove and halophytic plant species under seasonal variation

This study investigates the impact of carbohydrate accumulation in mangrove and halophytic plants on their response to abiotic stress. Using soil analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, key species (Sueda nudiflora, Aeluropus lagopoides, Avicennia marina) were examined for seasonal changes in sugar content (reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, starch). The elevated carbohydrate levels may serve as an indication of the plant’s ability to adapt to different environmental conditions throughout the year. This accumulation enables plants to adapt to variations in their environment, assuring their survival and functionality during periods of environmental fluctuation. Halophytic plants’ sugar content peaked during the monsoon, suggesting biotic adaptations. The mangrove Avicennia marina had year-round sugar levels. PCA and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed sugar accumulation trends across species and seasons. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis revealed correlations between soil characteristics and sugar content, suggesting plant-microbe interactions. K-means clustering and correlation analysis of FT-IR data revealed sugar composition and resource allocation trade-offs. These findings shed light on the role of carbohydrate metabolism in enabling coastal plants to endure stress. Gaining insight into these mechanisms can enhance sustainable agriculture in challenging environments and shed light on plant adaptations to evolving environmental conditions, especially biotic interactions.

Development of a local wall concentration model for the design of single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) systems with viral vector surrogates

Recent advances in the use of viral vectors for gene therapy has created a need for efficient downstream processing of these novel therapeutics. Single-pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) can potentially improve final product quality via reductions in shear, and it can increase manufacturing productivity via simple implementation into continuous/intensified processes. This study investigated the impact of variations in pressure and flow rate along the length of the membrane on overall SPTFF performance. Constant-flux filtration experiments at feed fluxes from 14 to 420 L/m2/h (Reynolds numbers <20) were performed using Pellicon® 3 TFF cassettes with fluorescent nanoparticles as model viral vectors. The location of nanoparticle accumulation shifted towards the filter outlet at high conversion and was also a function of the permeate flow configuration. These phenomena were explained using a newly developed concentration polarization model that predicts the distribution in local wall concentration over the length of the membrane. The model accurately captured the observed nanoparticle accumulation trends, including the effects of the permeate flow profile (co-current, divergent, or convergent flow) on nanoparticle accumulation within the SPTFF module. Nanoparticle accumulation at moderate conversion was more uniform using convergent flow, but nanoparticle accumulation at 80 % conversion (5x concentration factor) can be minimized using a divergent flow configuration. The local wall concentration model was also used to evaluate the critical flux by assuming that fouling occurs when the nanoparticle concentration at any point along the membrane surface exceeds 15 % by volume. These results provide important insights for the design and operation of SPTFF technology for inline concentration of viral vectors.

Engineering microalgae for robust glycolate biosynthesis: Targeted knockout of hydroxypyruvate reductase 1 combined with optimized culture conditions enhance glycolate production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Microalgae-based glycolate production through the photorespiratory pathway is considered an environmentally friendly approach. However, the potential for glycolate production is limited by photoautotrophic cultivation with low cell density and existing strains. In this study, a targeted knockout approach was used to disrupt the key photorespiration enzyme, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii hydroxypyruvate reductase 1 (CrHPR1), leading to a significant increase in glycolate production of 280.1 mg/L/OD750. The highest potency yield reached 2.1 g/L under optimized mixotrophic conditions, demonstrating the possibility of synchronizing cell growth with glycolate biosynthesis in microalgae. Furthermore, the hypothesis that the cell wall-deficient mutant facilitates glycolate excretion was proposed and validated by comparing the glycolate accumulation trends of various Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strains. This study will facilitate the development of microalgae-based biotechnology and shed lights on the continuous advancement of green biomanufacturing for industrial application.

Integrated transcriptome and targeted metabolome analyses provide insights into flavonoid biosynthesis in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis)

So far, a variety of metabolite components of kiwifruit have been elucidated. However, the identification and analysis of flavonoids in different tissues of kiwifruit are rarely carried out. In this study, we performed transcriptome and metabolome analyses of roots (Gkf_R), stems (Gkf_T), leaves (Gkf_L), and fruits (Gkf_F) to provide insights into the differential accumulation and regulation mechanisms of flavonoids in kiwifruit. Results showed that a total of 301 flavonoids were identified, in four tissues with different accumulation trends, and a large proportion of flavonoids had high accumulation in Gkf_L and Gkf_R. A total of 84 genes have been identified involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, and the expression levels of five LAR, two DFR, and one HCT were significantly correlated with the accumulation of 16 flavonoids and co-localized in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. In addition, a total of 2362 transcription factor genes were identified, mainly MYBs, bHLHs, ERFs, bZIPs and WRKYs, among which the expression level of bHLH74, RAP2.3L/4L/10L, MYB1R1, and WRKY33 were significantly correlated with 25, 56, 43, and 24 kinds of flavonoids. Our research will enrich the metabolomic data and provide useful information for the directed genetic improvement and application in the pharmaceutical industry of kiwifruit.

From screens to seas: Tech contaminants in tiger sharks

The potential negative impacts of Technology-Critical Elements (TCEs) on the environment and wildlife, despite increasingly recognized, remain largely overlooked. In this sense, this study aimed to investigate the concentrations of several TCEs, including rubidium (Rb), titanium (Ti) and various Rare Earth Elements (REEs), in different tissues of tiger sharks. Sharks incidentally caught by artisanal fleets in southern Brazil were opportunistically sampled and liver, gills, kidneys, heart, muscle, eyes, brain, skin, and teeth were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Significant Rb concentration variations were observed across different tissues, with higher levels detected in kidneys and lower levels in the liver. Titanium concentrations also exhibited significant differences, with higher levels detected in teeth and lower levels in liver. Although no statistical differences were observed for the analyzed REEs, a trend of higher accumulation in the liver, gills, and skin was noted. Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) were found predominantly in all organs, with neodymium, lanthanum, and cerium as the most significant REEs detected. Several statistically significant correlations were identified between Rb and REEs, as well as between Ti and REEs, indicating systemic transport of these elements across different tissues. These findings indicate that the growing extraction and disposal of metallic elements, driven by technological advancements, may lead to their assimilation by marine fauna, particularly at higher trophic levels. The potential harmful effects on these organisms remain unknown and require urgent investigation. Additionally, as mining activities intensify globally, precise legislative measures are essential to address environmental concerns, species conservation, and human health considerations.

A mutated algal species of Isochrysis sp. obtained via atmospheric room temperature plasma mutagenesis promoted lipid accumulation through the abscisic acid pathway

Isochrysis sp. is an economically important algae rich in unsaturated fatty acids, but its susceptibility to strain degeneration poses challenges for practical applications. To address this, we used atmospheric room temperature plasma (ARTP) for mutagenesis, creating a stable mutant strain, Yield 8 (Y8), with rapid growth and high lipid content. Transcriptome analysis showed upregulation of genes in genetic information processes and metabolic pathways, with notable upregulation of long-chain fatty acid CoA ligase and acyl-CoA acyltransferase (ACAT), consistent with the trend of fatty acid accumulation. Interestingly, the expression levels of ζ-carotene desaturase (ZDS), zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), and phosphatase 2C (PP2C) were upregulated in the Y8 mutant, indicating activation of the ABA pathway. Further, the increased endogenous ABA levels in Y8, along with a 1.17-fold increase in DHA and a 1.26-fold increase in ω3 fatty acids after exogenous ABA application, suggest that Y8's improved traits are mediated by the ABA pathway. These findings highlight Y8's potential for practical applications and further research.

Impacts of deforestation and land use/land cover change on carbon stock dynamics in Jomoro District, Ghana

Tropical deforestation in the African continent plays a key role in the global carbon cycle and bears significant implications in terms of climate change and sustainable development. Especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than two-thirds of the population rely on forest and woodland resources for their livelihoods, deforestation and land use changes for crop production lead to a substantial loss of ecosystem-level carbon stock. Unfortunately, the impacts of deforestation and land use change can be more critical than in any other region, but these are poorly quantified. We analyse changes in the main carbon pools (above- and below-ground, soil and litter, respectively) after deforestation and land use/land cover change, for the Jomoro District (Ghana), by assessing the initial reference level of carbon stock for primary forest and the subsequent stock changes and dynamics as a consequence of conversion to the secondary forest and to five different tree plantations (rubber, coconut, cocoa, oil palm, and mixed plantations) on a total of 72 plots. Results indicate overall a statistically significant carbon loss across all the land uses/covers and for all the carbon pools compared to the primary forest with the total carbon stock loss ranging between 35% and 85% but with no statistically significant differences observed in the comparison between primary forest and mixed plantations and secondary forest. Results also suggest that above-ground carbon and soil organic carbon are the primary pools contributing to the total carbon stocks but with opposite trends of carbon loss and accumulation. Strategies for sustainable development, policies to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, carbon stock enhancement (REDD+), and planning for sustainable land use management should carefully consider the type of conversion and carbon stock dynamics behind land use change for a win-win strategy while preserving carbon stocks potential in tropical ecosystems.

Benchmarking machine learning strategies for phase-field problems

We present a comprehensive benchmarking framework for evaluating machine-learning approaches applied to phase-field problems. This framework focuses on four key analysis areas crucial for assessing the performance of such approaches in a systematic and structured way. Firstly, interpolation tasks are examined to identify trends in prediction accuracy and accumulation of error over simulation time. Secondly, extrapolation tasks are also evaluated according to the same metrics. Thirdly, the relationship between model performance and data requirements is investigated to understand the impact on predictions and robustness of these approaches. Finally, systematic errors are analyzed to identify specific events or inadvertent rare events triggering high errors. Quantitative metrics evaluating the local and global description of the microstructure evolution, along with other scalar metrics representative of phase-field problems, are used across these four analysis areas. This benchmarking framework provides a path to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of machine-learning strategies applied to phase-field problems, ultimately facilitating their practical application.

Simultaneous measurement of velocity field of liquid–solid particle flow in pipelines and analysis of flow characteristics

The liquid–solid particle flow within a horizontal pipeline is a typical particle-laden flow. The interplay between loaded particles and carrier phase engenders significant complexities in the dynamic behavior of such flows. We investigated the dynamics of a liquid–solid particle flow featuring dilute, slightly buoyant, hundred-micron-sized spherical particles fully suspended in the turbulent flow in a pipe, where Re is 7038. Cases with solid volume fractions of 0, 2.67 × 10-4, 5.33 × 10-4, 8.00 × 10-4, 1.07 × 10-3 and 1.33 × 10-3 were considered in this study. Experimental measurement techniques were utilized to acquire images of particles in the two-phase flow across the entire flow field via optical field feedback. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) were employed to simultaneously obtain liquid-phase velocity fields and particle trajectories. This approach allowed for a comprehensive depiction of the velocity field of each phase. Subsequently, a detailed explanation and analysis of the flow characteristics of the liquid–solid particle flow were provided based on the distribution of macroscopic velocity fields, the microscopic vorticity field, particle velocity vectors, and velocity slip. As a result, it was found that with the addition of solid particles and an increase in volume concentration, the drag effect of the solid phase and the trend of accumulation near the lower wall caused a decrease in the liquid phase velocity profile and deformation of the parabolic shape. In the liquid–solid particle flow with a volume concentration of 1.33 × 10-3, compared to the single-liquid phase flow, the standard deviation of velocity in the central region increased from 0.0097 m/s to 0.0159 m/s, and in the near-wall region, it increased from 0.0257 m/s to 0.0347 m/s, representing increases of 1.54 times and 1.26 times respectively. The proportion of medium vortices increased from 17 % to 30 %, nearly doubling. This study actively explores the concurrent measurement and flow characteristics of liquid–solid particle flow.

Spatial Differentiation Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Surface Soil Cd in Karst Plateau Area of Guiyang City

In order to explore the spatial differentiation characteristics and variation law of soil Cd content in a high geological background area, 14 421 topsoil samples were collected from topsoil in the karst area of Guiyang City. Global Moran's I index, cold hot spot analysis, semi-variance function, and Kriging interpolation were used to reveal the spatial structure and distribution law of soil Cd content. The influence of environmental factors on soil Cd content and its main controlling factors were analyzed through analysis of variance and geographic detector. The results showed that： ① The Cd content of karst surface soil in Guiyang varied from 0.03 to 1.36 mg·kg-1, with an average of 0.440 mg·kg-1, which was 1.77 times and 5.95 times the Guizhou soil Cd background value and Chinese soil Cd background value, respectively. The over-standard rate of soil Cd was 30%, which was 4.29 times that of 7% of soil Cd in China. ② There was a significant spatial positive correlation of soil Cd content, showing an aggregation trend in the global space, whereas in the local region, the northeast and southwest were hot spots, and the north was a cold spot. The nugget coefficient of soil Cd content was 10.37%, indicating that soil Cd was mainly affected by structural factors. ③ In terms of spatial distribution, soil Cd showed different accumulation trends. In some massive soils, such as Xifeng County, Xiuwen County, Qingzhen City, Huaxi District, and Nanming District, the soil ω（Cd）was less than 0.3 mg·kg-1. The soil ω（Cd）was between 0.3 and 0.6 mg·kg-1,and soil Cd in Baiyun District, Wudang District, Guanshan Lake area, and Yunyan area as a whole lied within this range. The soil ω（Cd）between 0.6 and 0.9 mg·kg-1 was concentrated in the southwest of Qingzhen City, the south of Huaxi District, and the north of Kaiyang County, whereas soil ω（Cd） between 0.9 and 1.2 mg·kg-1 was mainly concentrated in the southwest of Qingzhen City. The extreme value of soil Cd content （ &gt; 1.2 mg·kg-1） was mostly distributed in Kaiyang County, Xiuwen County, Qingzhen City, and Huaxi District. ④ The results of analysis of variance and geo-detector showed that different environmental factors had significant effects on the spatial differentiation of soil Cd, but their explanatory power on soil Cd content varied： stratum （0.176 5） &gt; soil type （0.026 0） &gt; organic matter （0.025 1） &gt; altitude （0.010 5） &gt; parent rock （0.007 3） &gt; land use （0.006 4） &gt; pH （0.001 3）, and the interaction between stratum and arbitrary environmental factors was the greatest. Therefore, stratum was the main factor affecting the spatial differentiation of soil Cd content.

Integrating UV/persulfate and deficit irrigation of recycled water: Strategy to minimize crop accumulation of trace organic contaminants and enhance crop yield

This study investigated the combination of UV persulfate (UV/PS) treatment of recycled water and deficit irrigation to minimize pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) accumulation and improve crop quality. Lettuce, carrot, and tomato, commonly consumed raw, were cultivated in a greenhouse using PPCPs spiked recycled water, UV/PS treated recycled water, and tap water control, under irrigation rates at 60 %, 80 % and 100 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETC) rates. UV/PS removed ≥ 99 % of carbamazepine, diclofenac, and fluoxetine from spiked recycled water. Post-treatment, carbamazepine accumulation in harvested lettuce, carrot, and tomato was reduced by 96–99 %, 35–70 % and 72–93 %, respectively. Minimal accumulation of diclofenac and fluoxetine occurred in edible crops due to their existence as dissociated ions. Three edible crops exhibited distinct trends of PPCPs accumulation in response to irrigation rates. Lettuce exhibited a decreasing PPCPs accumulation with a reduced irrigation rate, which was attributed to slower transpiration. In contrast, carrot and tomato exhibited increased PPCP accumulation due to osmotic adjustment. Lettuce and carrot exhibited higher irrigation water utilization efficiency at deficit irrigation, while the opposite was observed for tomato. This study highlights the beneficial integration of UV/PS with deficit irrigation to conserve water, maintain crop yield, and minimize PPCPs accumulation.

The gap-free genome and multi-omics analysis of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' reveal the dynamics of fruit flavonoid biosynthesis.

Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (CRC) has long been recognized for its nutritional benefits, health-promoting properties, and pharmacological potential. Despite its importance, the bioactive components of CRC and their biosynthetic pathways have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we introduce a gap-free genome assembly for CRC, which has a size of 312.97Mb and a contig N50 size of 32.18Mb. We identified key structural genes, transcription factors, and metabolites crucial to flavonoid biosynthesis through genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Our analyses reveal that 409 flavonoid metabolites, accounting for 83.30% of the total identified, are highly concentrated in the early stage of fruit development. This concentration decreases as the fruit develops, with a notable decline in compounds such as hesperetin, naringin, and most polymethoxyflavones observed in later fruit development stages. Additionally, we have examined the expression of 21 structural genes within the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, and found a significant reduction in the expression levels of key genes including 4CL, CHS, CHI, FLS, F3H, and 4'OMT during fruit development, aligning with the trend of flavonoid metabolite accumulation. In conclusion, this study offers deep insights into the genomic evolution, biosynthesis processes, and the nutritional and medicinal properties of CRC, which lay a solid foundation for further gene function studies and germplasm improvement in citrus.

Study of the lipid fraction of Moroccan and Italian carobs (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

AbstractCarob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a characteristic fruit from the Mediterranean area, composed of a hard pulp and numerous seeds that have been unfairly undervalued and underutilized over time. To enhance the Mediterranean's biodiversity and support food production from sustainable resources, the carob has recently received attention for its nutritional value, and it has advantageously served as a healthy ingredient of many food products. Hence, in this study, the composition of the Mediterranean carob was further deepened by investigating its lipid fraction on a dry weight basis in relation to the fruit part (i.e., pulp and seeds) and the geographical origin (i.e., different Moroccan and Italian provinces). On average, lipids of pulp and seeds amounted to 1.71% and 2.46%, respectively. Predominant fatty acids were palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. Palmitic and oleic acids were higher in pulp (20.21%–26.50% and 37.63%–44.49%) than seeds (13.93%–17.26% and 31.92%–36.66%), whereas linoleic acid showed an opposite accumulation trend (pulp: 8.32%–15.46%, seeds: 38.19%–43.45%). Among sterols, β‐sitosterol (57.49%–72.47%), Δ‐5‐avenasterol (10.26%–21.27%), and stigmasterol (3.97%–8.11%) accounted for more than 70% of total sterols of pulp, whereas β‐sitosterol alone represented more than 70% of sterols in seeds. Considering tocopherols, γ‐tocopherol was the most abundant isomer both in pulp (10.37–22.78 mg/100 g) and seeds (4.95–22.86 mg/100 g). Carob also resulted in a good source of squalene, which on average was 2.17 mg kg−1 in pulp and 19.07 mg kg−1 in seeds. A principal component analysis pointed out that the study of the lipid fraction of carob can help in discriminating samples based on their Moroccan or Italian origin.Practical Applications: The study provides further insights into the still‐little‐explored lipid fraction of Mediterranean carob and fills a relevant gap in the literature by contributing to a more exhaustive framework of the nutritional and functional value of this fruit. In a wider perspective, it can be of practical help in the formulation of carob‐based products and in the establishment of a more informed market of carob and carob‐based products.

Heavy Metal Accumulation Trends for Tsunga, Tomatoes and Rape in Soils from Two Provinces of Zimbabwe

Tomatoes, tsunga (mustard) and rape were sampled from Mashonaland East and Central provinces of Zimbabwe. Aim was to assess hyper accumulative tendency of these towards heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb). Most of these heavy metals were noted to be of anthropogenic origin. Co, Mn and Cr were noted to be naturally inherent in Mushimbo, Mutoko soils. Heavy metal levels in irrigation water were within internationally acceptable ranges according to ATSDR. There was no direct reflection of level dependency between the water and plants studied. Bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead levels occurred in all vegetables despite low levels in the soil environment. High heavy metal levels in arable land as compared to virgin land proves contamination at play and also the anthropogenic origin. It was concluded that different vegetables accrue different heavy metals at different rates under the same environment. It was recommended to do more investigations on factors that determine absorption and hyper accumulation tendency of heavy metals in plants. This data could be used as a basis for recommending what crops to grow and in specific areas hence promote food safety in addition to food security for the nation.

Fire suppression interacts with soil acidity to maintain stable recalcitrant pyrogenic carbon fractions in South African mesic grasslands soil

Grassland ecosystems have evolved alongside fire, a fundamental element that shapes and sustains their ecological balance. Recent research indicates that carbon produced during pyrogenic events in fire-dependent ecosystems may occur in more recalcitrant forms within deeper soil horizons. Notably, refractory organic carbon (ROC) and black carbon (BC) fractions are globally recognised as highly stable components of soil carbon. Here, we examined the impact of prescribed fires on the accumulation of ROC and BC fractions within South African mesic grassland soils. Our findings revealed that while BC remains stable in the soil, exhibiting consistent levels across soil horizons, increased fire frequency led to breakdown of BC in the soil. Greater BC quantities were observed in burn exclusion and prescribed burns with a greater burn interval, suggested as primarily driven by a decline in soil pH. There were no significant differences in ROC within the burn treatments, but there was a notable decrease in ROC with increasing depth increments below 5 cm. The observed trend of ROC accumulation in the top layer of soil, influenced by