Ecotoxicological hazards of sea star-derived asterosaponins: mechanistic insights into embryotoxicity and cardiotoxicity in marine medaka.

Outbreaks of the sea star in northern China Sea, supported by its robust chemical and physical defenses, have disrupted marine ecological balance and caused substantial economic losses to aquaculture. To investigate the compounds responsible for its chemical defense, three asterosaponins (SP1-SP3) and their shared aglycone (AG) were isolated and identified. The embryotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated using marine medaka embryos (Oryzias melastigma), with 96 h-LC values determined as 76.

Spatial heterogeneity and trade-offs of agricultural functions in plateau basin: A case study of Dianchi Lake basin, China.

Plateau basin, characterized by strong radiation, climate variability, and ecological fragility, pose complex challenges for agriculture, requiring a balance between production and ecological goals. The unclear mechanisms underlying the evolution and interaction of agricultural functions (AFs) constrain the formulation of spatial and environmental policies in plateau regions.This research aims to understand the dynamic changes and trade-offs among different AFs in a typical plateau basin.

Divergent driving mechanism of land uses on soil erodibility between different soil types in the ecological zone of Three Gorges Reservoir Area.

Soil erodibility is a vital parameter utilized for soil erosion prediction, yet its variability remains poorly understood due to complex interactions between soil properties and land use types. To address this gap, six typical land uses of slope farmland (SF), broad-leaved forest land (BF), coniferous forest land (CF), orchard (O), shrubland (S), and grassland (G) were selected across two dominant soil types (yellow and purple) in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Seven soil erodibility indicators and a comprehensive soil erodibility index (CSEI) were quantified and the differential influencing mechanism of soil erodibility among different soil and land use types were identified.

Application of wheat straw-derived amendments combined with sulfate increases soil microbial diversity, reduces soil cadmium mobility and cadmium accumulation in rice.

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice grains poses severe health risks. Conventional straw amendments exhibit inconsistent efficacy, likely because of variations in amendment types and soil sulfur deficiency. The pot experiment was evaluated in a Cd-contaminated paddy soil (3.

Effects of organic carbon, inorganic phosphorus, and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria on maize growth, nutrient uptake, and rhizosphere phosphorus availability.

Introduction: Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), phosphorus(P), and carbon(C )influence the activity of microbes, P availability in soil, and the growth of crops.

Methods: In this study, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of C, P and PSB on maize growth, nutrient uptake, and P availability in the rhizosphere soil. Based on a 2×3×2 complete factorial design, the pot experiment was performed at two P levels (0 and 50 mg kg potassium dihydrogen phosphate), three C levels (0, 60, and 120 mg kg glucose) and two PSB levels (0 and 60 mL pot).

Smart prediction and optimization of air quality index with artificial intelligence.

Air pollution, a critical environmental issue, necessitates urgent action. It originates from both human activities, like industrial emissions and vehicle pollution, and natural events such as sandstorms, leading to increased atmospheric pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ammonia ion (NH), black carbon, ozone, and fine particulate matter (PM). Leveraging China's extensive air quality monitoring data, artificial intelligence (AI) was used in this study to enhance air quality prediction and management.

Endogenous formation of Fe-bearing particles and their differentiation from exogenous exposure.

Accurately distinguishing between the endogenous formation and exogenous exposure of Fe-bearing particles (e.g., magnetic Fe particles) within biological organisms is the prerequisite for scientifically evaluating their health risks.

Impact of citric acid on cadmium immobilization in soil amended with biochar.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses severe threats to human health and ecosystem integrity. While biochar is recognized for its ability to immobilize heavy metals, the impact of plant-derived low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), such as citric acid (CA), on this process remains unclear. This study shows that CA and biochar synergistically immobilize Cd in alkaline soil from extensively polluted southeastern Hubei, China.

Formation and stability of environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs) from the reaction between phenolic compounds and Fe(III)-loaded particles.

Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are defined as a new type of pollutant, which can cause environmental pollution and do harm to human health. However, few studies have comprehensively explored the formation conditions and mechanism of EPFRs. This study investigated the EPFR formation abilities and mechanisms of two organic phenolic precursors (4-tert-butylcatechol, TBC, and catechol, CT) on model particulate matter (Fe(III)-loaded SiO and kaolin) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in combination with Fourier-transform infrared attenuated total-reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

Structural changes, transfer trajectories, and driving forces of non-grain farmland in the main grain producing areas of central China.

Non-grain farmland (NGF), a significant threat to food security, has drawn attention from both academic and practical sectors. However, the interrelationships among internal structural transfer trajectories within NGF and the interactions of their multidimensional factors remain unclear. This study focuses on Henan Province and conducts a comprehensive analysis of NGF.

Underappreciated role of canopy nitrogen deposition for forest productivity.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is generally expected to stimulate plant carbon (C) sequestration and promote tree growth, thereby mitigating atmospheric CO accumulation. Yet, the magnitude of N deposition contribution to forest productivity remains contentious. While correlative studies suggest substantial plant growth enhancement, controlled fertilization experiments typically demonstrate a limited impact.

Staged Construction of Pluripotent Stem Cell Lung Models for Assessing Respiratory Toxicity of Environmental Pollutants.

Due to factors such as smoking, air pollution, and an aging population, the prevention and control of chronic respiratory diseases in China are becoming more severe. Combining current epidemiological investigations, exposure to environmental pollutants such as atmospheric pollutants, persistent organic pollutants, and heavy metals may have adverse effects on lung development. Lung differentiation models are crucial tools for elucidating the process of lung development.

Pyrite-driven denitrification by Paracoccus denitrificans: Promoted by enhanced electron transfer and extracellular polymeric substances.

Pyrite can be used in denitrification systems to improve efficiency. In this study, the role of pyrite and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was investigated in biological denitrification. In cultures of Paracoccus denitrificans, pyrite effectively enhanced denitrification efficiency, primarily by increasing key components of electron transport system such as cytochrome c and NADH, and upregulating the expression levels of genes involved in the synthesis of riboflavin and cytochrome c, along with denitrification-critical genes such as nosZ and napG.

Coupling microbial electrolytic circuit in a microbial electrochemical transistor to amplify extracellular electron signals for rapid BOM detection.

Acquiring weak electron signals from electroactive bacteria is critical for biosensing, wastewater treatment, and life science applications. However, current microbial electrochemical techniques are inefficient in capturing these signals at microscale. While organic electrochemical transistors can amplify signals exponentially, they lack an effective cathodic reaction to sustain electroactive bacterial dominant communities.

Deciphering the uncertainties in ecosystem service value: An innovative protocol focused on ecological traits.

In the growing assessment of ecosystem service value (ESV), the endeavours to unravel the uncertainties of ESV assessment have been limited, especially those arising from ecological traits (e.g., net primary productivity, precipitation and soil erosion).

Rapid and Sensitive Fluorometric Quantification of Black Carbon in Biological Fluids.

The increase in wildfire frequency worldwide has contributed to persistent atmospheric black carbon (BC) pollution, which was closely relative to multiple adverse health effects. Accurate quantification of BC in biological tissues and fluids is fundamental for evaluating its health effect; however, existing analytical methodologies are hindered by time-consuming protocols, low throughput, and the need for expensive instrumental infrastructure. In this study, we developed a fluorometric method for quantifying BC in various biological fluids with the advantages of simplicity, high sensitivity, and low cost.

Fast Decomposition of Nitrogen-Rich Mineral-Associated Organic Matter in Soils.

Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) stores the majority of soil carbon and nitrogen (N) and largely consists of N-rich microbial residues. However, the decomposition potential of MAOM and intrinsic properties regulating MAOM degradation remain poorly understood. Here, we deliberately constructed C-labeled microbe- and plant-derived MAOM with varying molecular compositions and organic carbon (OC) loadings and conducted three independent microcosm experiments to investigate how MAOM's intrinsic properties influence its persistence in soils.

Passivation effect of modified biochar on cadmium in mining contaminated soil.

Cadmium contamination in agricultural soils poses significant risks to crop safety and ecosystem health. This study investigated the efficacy of modified biochar for Cadmium immobilization in mining-impacted soils through a pot experiment with Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr.

Alkaline stress suppresses soybean waterlogging tolerance by exacerbating energy expenditure and ROS accumulation.

To clarify the synergistic inhibition mechanisms of saline-alkali and waterlogging combined stress on soybean physiology, this study systematically analyzed phenotypic traits, photosynthetic characteristics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, and energy metabolism under saline-alkali (A + NW), waterlogging (NA + W), and combined stress (A + W). Results demonstrated that saline-alkali stress significantly impaired waterlogging-induced morphological adaptations, with A + W reducing dry weight and adventitious root number compared to W alone. Synergistic photosynthetic damage was observed: net photosynthetic rate (Pn) under A + W decreased markedly versus controls, while chlorophyll b content increased, suggesting PSII light-harvesting complex reorganization to mitigate photoinhibition.

Assessing the global flux of organic carbon transported from terrestrial surfaces to oceans by rivers.

The magnitude and distribution of organic carbon (OC) transport from the terrestrial surface to the oceans is not well understood on a global scale. This hinders our understanding of terrestrial and marine carbon cycles. In this study, we determined the characteristics of OC flux.

Climate Change Risk to Giant Panda Populations: Insights From Changes in Both Habitat Area and Bioclimatic Velocity.

Climate change affects biodiversity through multidimensional impacts, influencing not only shifts in habitat range but also changes in habitat quality. In this context, habitat area and bioclimatic velocity have become critical metrics for assessing species-specific vulnerabilities to climate change. Here, we assessed the extinction risk and exposure risk of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) based on habitat area and bioclimatic velocity, respectively, and examined the differences between these two risks to inform climate-adaptive conservation strategies.

Nutrient acquisition efficient rootstocks improve zinc nutrition of top-grafted citrus trees on calcareous soil.

Introduction: Zinc deficiency is a common issue in top-grafted citrus trees. Citrus scions top-grafted on rootstocks may exhibit zinc deficiency due to reduced mineral absorption and transport. Therefore, selecting the appropriate rootstock is thought to be crucial for Zn nutrition of top-grafted citrus trees.

Root exudates mediate tobacco microbial community remodeling and resistance to bacterial wilt disease.

Background: Bacterial wilt, a devastating soil-borne disease affecting tobacco, is primarily caused by the pathogenic bacterium (Ralstonia solanacearum). R. solanacearum represents a substantial threat to the consistent enhancement of tobacco yield and quality.

CdS-mediated electron dynamics in light-assisted anaerobic digestion: Simultaneous cadmium sequestration and methane enrichment by alkali pretreatment.

The pronounced enrichment of cadmium (Cd) in waste activated sludge (WAS) presents dual environmental challenges through its elevated leaching risks and inhibitory effects on subsequent anaerobic digestion (AD) processes, thereby hindering the safe and sustainable management of sludge. While cadmium sulfide (CdS) as a semiconductor has evidenced photostimulated AD enhancement capabilities, critical challenges persist in simultaneously stabilizing Cd into CdS and improving resource recovery within complex sludge matrices. This study introduces a novel strategy for managing Cd-containing waste activated sludge (WAS) by employing a light-assisted AD process following alkali pretreatment.

Ecological risk assessment of PBAT/PLA mulch-derived microplastics on vegetable growth using a species sensitivity distribution approach.

Biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) are considered a promising alternative to conventional polyethylene films, yet their ecological impacts remain poorly characterized. This study evaluated the ecotoxic effects of two biodegradable microplastics (Bio-MPs), namely WBio-MPs and BBio-MPs, derived from white and black poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) mulch films, on the growth of eight vegetable species commonly cultivated in Southwest China. The plant height, chlorophyll content, shoot biomass and root biomass were employed as testing endpoints.