Showing papers on "Phosphorus published in 2022"

Phosphorus Acquisition and Utilization in Plants

Abstract: Tremendous progress has been made on molecular aspects of plant phosphorus (P) nutrition, often without heeding information provided by soil scientists, ecophysiologists, and crop physiologists. This review suggests ways to integrate information from different disciplines. When soil P availability is very low, P-mobilizing strategies are more effective than mycorrhizal strategies. Soil parameters largely determine how much P roots can acquire from P-impoverished soil, and kinetic properties of P transporters are less important. Changes in the expression of P transporters avoid P toxicity. Plants vary widely in photosynthetic P-use efficiency, photosynthesis per unit leaf P. The challenge is to discover what the trade-offs are of different patterns of investment in P fractions. Less investment may save P, but are costs incurred? Are these costs acceptable for crops? These questions can be resolved only by the concerted action of scientists working at both molecular and physiological levels, rather than pursuing these problems independently.

Phosphorus Vacancies as Effective Polysulfide Promoter for High‐Energy‐Density Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract: Lithium–sulfur batteries have aroused great interest in the context of rechargeable batteries, while the shuttle effect and sluggish conversion kinetics severely handicap their development. Defect engineering, which can adjust the electronic structures of electrocatalyst, and thus affect the surface adsorption and catalytic process, has been recognized as a good strategy to solve the above problems. However, research on phosphorus vacancies has been rarely reported, and how phosphorus vacancies affect battery performance remains unclear. Herein, CoP with phosphorus vacancies (CoP‐Vp) is fabricated to study the enhancement mechanism of phosphorus vacancies in Li–S chemistry. The derived CoP‐Vp features a low Co‐P coordination number and the introduced phosphorus vacancies mainly exist in the form of clusters. The obtained CoP‐Vp can reinforce the affinity to lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and thus the shuttle effect can be restrained. In addition, the reduced reaction energy barriers and the promoted diffusion of Li+ can accelerate redox kinetics. Electrochemical tests and in situ Raman results confirm the advantages of phosphorus vacancies. The S/CNT‐CoP‐Vp electrode presents outstanding cycling performance and achieves a high capacity of 8.03 mAh cm−2 under lean electrolyte condition (E/S = 5 μLE mg−1S). This work provides a new insight into improving the performance of Li–S batteries through defect engineering.

The global nitrogen-phosphorus imbalance

Abstract: Description The imbalance has grave consequences for natural ecosystems and global food security Exponential increases in the human population and its activities are accelerating global changes, from the climate to land use to loss of species. The rise in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses, mainly CO2 from the combustion of fossil fuels, is the most well-known driver of global change (1). Emission of greenhouse gases, which also include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), are stoking global warming as well as more frequent and extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. Land use and pollution also have major impacts on Earth’s future (1). Among these ongoing anthropogenic changes, the biospheric nutrient imbalance between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is less known and deserves more attention.

Genome-Resolved Metagenomics Reveals Distinct Phosphorus Acquisition Strategies between Soil Microbiomes

Abstract: The soil microbiome is the key player regulating phosphorus cycling processes. Identifying phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and utilizing them for release of recalcitrant phosphate that is bound to rocks or minerals have implications for improving crop nutrient acquisition and crop productivity. ABSTRACT Enhancing soil phosphate solubilization is a promising strategy for agricultural sustainability, while little is known about the mechanisms of how microorganisms cope with differing phosphorus availability. Using a combination of genome-resolved metagenomics and amplicon sequencing, we investigated the microbial mechanisms involved in phosphorus cycling under three agricultural treatments in a wheat-maize rotation system and two natural reforestation treatments. Available soil phosphorus was the key factor shaping bacterial and fungal community composition and function across our agricultural and reforestation sites. Membrane-bound quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) and exopolyphosphatases (PPX) governed microbial phosphate solubilization in agroecosystems. In contrast, genes encoding glycerol-3-phosphate transporters (ugpB, ugpC, and ugpQ) displayed a significantly greater abundance in the reforestation soils. The gcd gene encoding PQQGDH was found to be the best determinant for bioavailable soil phosphorus. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) affiliated with Cyclobacteriaceae and Vicinamibacterales were obtained from agricultural soils. Their MAGs harbored not only gcd but also the pit gene encoding low-affinity phosphate transporters. MAGs obtained from reforestation soils were affiliated with Microtrichales and Burkholderiales. These contain ugp genes but no gcd, and thereby are indicative of a phosphate transporter strategy. Our study demonstrates that knowledge of distinct microbial phosphorus acquisition strategies between agricultural and reforestation soils could help in linking microbial processes with phosphorus cycling. IMPORTANCE The soil microbiome is the key player regulating phosphorus cycling processes. Identifying phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and utilizing them for release of recalcitrant phosphate that is bound to rocks or minerals have implications for improving crop nutrient acquisition and crop productivity. In this study, we combined functional metagenomics and amplicon sequencing to analyze microbial phosphorus cycling processes in natural reforestation and agricultural soils. We found that the phosphorus acquisition strategies significantly differed between these two ecosystems. A microbial phosphorus solubilization strategy dominated in the agricultural soils, while a microbial phosphate transporter strategy was observed in the reforestation soils. We further identified microbial taxa that contributed to enhanced phosphate solubilization in the agroecosystem. These microbes are predicted to be beneficial for the increase in phosphate bioavailability through agricultural practices.

Models predict planned phosphorus load reduction will make Lake Erie more toxic

Abstract: Harmful cyanobacteria are a global environmental problem, yet we lack actionable understanding of toxigenic versus nontoxigenic strain ecology and toxin production. We performed a large-scale meta-analysis including 103 papers and used it to develop a mechanistic, agent-based model of Microcystis growth and microcystin production. Simulations for Lake Erie suggest that the observed toxigenic-to-nontoxigenic strain succession during the 2014 Toledo drinking water crisis was controlled by different cellular oxidative stress mitigation strategies (protection by microcystin versus degradation by enzymes) and the different susceptibility of those mechanisms to nitrogen limitation. This model, as well as a simpler empirical one, predicts that the planned phosphorus load reduction will lower biomass but make nitrogen and light more available, which will increase toxin production, favor toxigenic cells, and increase toxin concentrations. Description Nutrient control must include nitrogen Lake Erie receives water from important agricultural areas of Canada and the United States and is subject to high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in runoff. These nutrients can lead to rapid growth of photosynthetic organisms, some of which produce toxins that harm aquatic animals and compromise drinking water. Recent efforts have focused on reducing phosphorus loading. With support from a large literature meta-analysis, Hellweger et al. developed an agent-based model of cyanobacterial metabolism to determine how toxin production changed under a range of nutrient and environmental conditions and defined the associated molecular mechanisms (see the Perspective by Ofiţeru and Picioreanu). They found that phosphorus reduction alone was potentially harmful, lowering total biomass but increasing toxin production. The proposed mechanism involves response to hydrogen peroxide stress and increased light transmission. —MAF A mechanistic, molecular-level model of a toxin-producing cyanobacterium explains ecology and informs management.

Atomically Dispersed Janus Nickel Sites on Red Phosphorus for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

Abstract: Abstract Single‐atom nickel catalysts hold great promise for photocatalytic water splitting due to their plentiful active sites and cost‐effectiveness. Herein, we adopt a reactive‐group guided strategy to prepare atomically dispersed nickel catalysts on red phosphorus. The hydrothermal treatment of red phosphorus leads to the formation of P−H and P−OH groups, which behave as the reactive functionalities to generate the dual structure of single‐atom P−Ni and P−O−Ni catalytic sites. The produced single‐atom sites provide two different functions: P−Ni for water reduction and P−O−Ni for water oxidation. Benefitting from this specific Janus structure, Ni‐red phosphorus shows an elevated hydrogen evolution rate compared to Ni nanoparticle‐modified red phosphorus under visible‐light irradiation. The hydrogen evolution rate was additionally enhanced with increased reaction temperature, reaching 91.51 μmol h−1 at 70 °C, corresponding to an apparent quantum efficiency of 8.9 % at 420 nm excitation wavelength.

Phosphorous Doped Two-dimensional CoFe2O4 Nanobelt Decorated with Ru Nanoclusters and Co-Fe Hydroxide as Efficient Electrocatalysts Toward Hydrogen Generation

Abstract: Developing efficient and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts has attracted considerable concerns for large-scale hydrogen generation. In this work, phosphorous doped two-dimensional (2D) CoFe2O4 nanobelt decorated with Ru and...

Tailoring the Coordination Environment of Cobalt in a Single-Atom Catalyst through Phosphorus Doping for Enhanced Activation of Peroxymonosulfate and thus Efficient Degradation of Sulfadiazine

Abstract: The catalytic activity of single-atom catalysts (SACs) can be enhanced by engineering the coordination environment of metal centres. Herein, zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) was used as a precursor to introduce P atoms into a Co-based SAC. With the P doping, the resultant ZIF-CoN 3 P-C could efficiently degrade 98.4% of sulfadiazine (10 mg L -1 ) within 5 min by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) with an elevated degradation rate constant 2.5 times that of ZIF-CoN 4 -C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the electron density and electron delocalisation were further concentrated around the Co centres by the P doping, which facilitated electron transfer from Co to PMS molecules and enhanced the generation of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ). The ZIF-CoN 4 P-C exhibited its universality and stability for the PMS-based oxidation process. Overall, these findings clarify the role of P atoms in tuning the electronic structure and reactivity of Co in ZIF-CoN 3 P-C for enhanced PMS activation and organic degradation. • Single-atom Co-N 3 P sites were constructed in a novel catalyst (ZIF-CoN 3 P-C) for PMS activation. • P atoms altered the coordination environment of Co sites in the Co-based SAC. • SDZ degradation was catalysed more effectively by ZIF-CoN 3 P-C than by ZIF-CoN 4 -C. • ZIF-CoN 3 P-C exhibited universality and high reusability in PMS-based AOPs.

Functional analysis of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during the granulation of aerobic sludge: Relationship among EPS, granulation and nutrients removal.

Abstract: Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with high molecular weights, secreted from microorganisms, play a critical functional role in the aerobic granular sludge (AGS). To investigate the level and function of EPS during the granulation of aerobic sludge and in the mature AGS, a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for 70 days. Aerobic granules with an average diameter of 0.25 mm were obtained with reducing settling time of sludge. Simultaneous removals of COD, nitrogen and phosphorus by the mature AGS exceeded 90, 95 and 95%, respectively. The EPS content increased significantly to above 333 mg/g MLVSS during the initial stage, and after that, it stabilized at about 240 mg/g MLVSS as the mature AGS formed, higher than that of the seed sludge (212 mg/g MLVSS). The increased EPS contents showed a negative correlation with SVI values, while a strong positive relationship with the formation of the AGS. The protein/polysaccharide (PN/PS) ratio in the EPS increased from 1.42 to 4.17, and TP/MLSS increased to about 6%, with the formation of AGS. The proportion of extracellular-P increased with the increase of EPS, and then maintained stable at about 20%, indicating EPS promoted the removal of phosphorus. Furthermore, the results from the Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) showed that phosphorus in the AGS mainly existed in the form of inorganic phosphorus (IP) and the proportion of Ca5(PO4)3(OH) in IP was up to 92%. This investigation demonstrated that EPS had a positive relationship with the sludge granulation and nutrients removal.

Green Transformation of CO2 to Ethanol using Water and Sunlight by Cooperative Endeavour of Naturally Abundant Red Phosphorus and Bi2MoO6

Abstract: Direct photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to ethanol remains a scientific challenge because of the sluggish kinetics of C-C coupling and complex multielectron transfer processes. To achieve a green transformation of...

Managing Phosphorus Availability from Organic and Inorganic Sources for Optimum Wheat Production in Calcareous Soils

Abstract: In calcareous soils, wheat productivity is much lower due to improper nutrient management, especially phosphorus (P). Therefore, this study was conducted to manage P availability from various organic (Control, FYM and Sugar cane straw applied at the rate of 10 ton ha−1) and inorganic (Control, 100% rock phosphate (RP), 50% acidulated RP, 100% acidulated RP, single super phosphate (SSP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP)) sources applied at the rate of 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 in calcareous soil while using wheat as test crop. When averaged across the organic sources, SSP performed better in emergence m−2 (126), tillers m−2 (431), spikes m−2 (419), grains spikes−1 (61), plant height (95.1 cm), 1000-GW (40 g), biological yield (11,023 kg ha−1), grain yield (4022 kg ha−1), phosphorus use efficiency (10.5%), phosphorus in leaves at tillering (2.63 mg kg−1) and anthesis stage (2.50 mg kg−1), soil P at heading (1.73 mg kg−1) and post-harvest stage (1.56 mg kg−1) compared to the rest of the mineral sources. Similarly, among the organic sources, FYM performed better than others for all tested traits. Integration of inorganic P sources with organic manures further improved crop performance and post-harvest soil P content. Therefore, using 10 tons FYM ha−1 in integration to SSP or 100% acidulated RP at the rate of 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 is recommended for ensuring optimum wheat productivity under calcareous soils.

Photothermal-healing, Record Thermal Stability and Fire Safety Black Phosphorus-Boron Hybrid Nanocomposites: Mechanism of Phosphorus Fixation Effects and Charring Inspired by Cell Wall

Abstract: Inspired by the structure and good thermal resistance of cell walls in plants, we herein develop a life-cycle safe multifunctional nanocomposite of polycarbonate/black phosphorus-boron nanohybrid (PC/BP-B) with properties of photothermal-healing,...

Long-term excessive phosphorus fertilization alters soil phosphorus fractions in the acidic soil of pomelo orchards

Abstract: The effects of long-term excessive phosphorus (P) fertilization on the P fraction changes and P loss risk in orchard soils remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of and relationships among the soil total P (TP), Olsen-P and P fractions in pomelo orchard (PO) soil during different fertilization periods. The PO soils were in a severe P overapplication state (905.4 kg P2O5 ha-1 yr-1), with a high P surplus (773.5 kg P2O5 ha-1 yr-1) and low P use efficiency (PUE, 14.7%). Such long-term excessive fertilizer P input significantly increased the TP, Olsen-P, and P fraction concentrations and significantly reduced the proportions of Org-P and reduction-P (Red-P) in both the surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soils but increased the proportions of easily soluble P (Sol-P), aluminum-P (Al–P) and iron-P (Fe–P) rather than calcium-P (Ca–P). Furthermore, the P fractions exhibited a corresponding increasing trend and a significant linear (or two-stage linear) relationship with the soil P surplus. There is a serious risk of P loss when the P surplus in the surface soil exceeds 4128 kg P ha-1. Al–P had the highest correlation with Olsen-P (R = 0.984, p < 0.01), followed by Sol-P, Fe-P, Ca-P, Org-P and Red-P (R = 0.973, 0.908, 0.8783, 0.820 and 0.697, respectively, p < 0.01). However, only Sol-P and Al–P had a major direct impact on Olsen-P. In general, long-term excessive P application exerted a remarkable and differentiated impact on the soil P fractions. An increase in the Sol-P and Al-P fractions could lead to enhanced P bioavailability and environmental risk in acidic red soils. Therefore, P management in the PO production system needs to control the P fertilizer input and monitor the soil P fractions, which merits further investigation.