Articles tagged with Nitrogen
The study found that managing nitrogen pollution requires coordinated strategies, as reducing one type of nitrogen compound can increase another's deposition to the oceans. Future emission changes could alter oceanic nitrogen deposition by 24-6% depending on emission pathways.
Soil erosion redistributes vast quantities of nitrogen, altering nitrogen stocks, transport, and transformation in terrestrial ecosystems. Erosion modifies soil properties and microbial communities, controlling nitrogen transformations and availability.
Advances in isotope science are transforming our ability to trace nitrogen through ecosystems, offering powerful tools for managing environmental change. Isotopic methods can distinguish pollution sources, track microbial transformations, and quantify nitrogen uptake by plants, providing insights into the global nitrogen cycle.
Global study finds that nitrogen pollution causes forests to follow two distinct patterns in response to added nutrients, with some experiencing a boost and others collapsing. The findings highlight the importance of reducing nitrogen levels to stabilize forest soil carbon pools and maintain natural respiration rhythms.
Researchers developed a fast and energy-efficient way to produce advanced carbon materials capable of capturing carbon dioxide, dramatically reducing production time while improving adsorption performance. The new material demonstrates exceptional ability to capture and selectively separate carbon dioxide from gas mixtures.
Researchers create two-stage hydrothermal liquefaction approach that transforms sludge into cleaner bio-oil with lower nitrogen content and improved fuel properties. The process reduces nitrogen levels by up to 37% and increases desirable fuel compounds, offering a promising pathway for sustainable waste management.
Research found cats' hair and whisker nitrogen isotope values resemble those of vegans, indicating high efficiency in protein processing. This challenges the long-held assumption that carnivore isotopic signatures can determine diet.
A new review proposes a spatial optimization framework to address the slow underground pathways of nitrate nitrogen, which can take decades to show up in river outlets. The framework considers legacy nitrogen, farmer adoption probabilities, and institutional settings to create more realistic and economically viable conservation programs.
The review synthesizes over a decade of research on ammonia inhibition in anaerobic digestion, highlighting emerging tools to stabilize biogas production from nitrogen-rich wastes. Biological and material-based solutions, digital technologies, and synthetic biology are discussed as potential mitigations.
Cyanobacteria can absorb and break down guanidine, using it as their sole nitrogen source, according to a new study. The ability to utilize guanidine is an advantage for colonization, despite its previous classification as a toxic substance.
A new signaling cascade has been discovered in plants to cope with nitrate deficiency, involving ROS and transcription factors WRKY42/WRKY58. This finding provides a conceptual framework for engineering nitrogen-efficient crops.
A comprehensive review outlines how ammonia disrupts biogas production and identifies practical strategies to prevent system failure. Emerging solutions include the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into digester monitoring.
A new Danish model reveals that green initiatives in farming can lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions from one aspect of the system, while storing more carbon in the soil over time. The CIRKULÆR model shows that policymakers must consider the entire agricultural system to make informed decisions.
Scientists discovered 14 new species of denitrifying endosymbionts in wastewater, which contribute to nitrate removal and help hosts generate energy. However, one species produces nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, with widespread global distribution.
An international study reveals that mixing grasses, legumes, and herbs in agricultural grasslands can significantly raise yields while reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. The research shows a 12.3-tonne increase in dry matter per hectare under six-species mixtures compared to conventional systems.
Researchers found that warming temperatures may actually reduce nitrogen gas emissions from forest soils in dry conditions, contradicting earlier predictions. The study's findings suggest that moisture levels, not just heat, play a crucial role in determining the fate of nitrogen in forests.
Researchers at Rice University have developed lab-grown diamond coatings that can naturally resist scale formation without constant intervention. The nitrogen-terminated diamond surface accumulated significantly less scale than other surfaces, making it a promising anti-scaling material for water desalination and energy systems.
A new study reveals that China's nationwide nitrogen management could reduce fertilizer use by over one third, improving air and water quality without compromising crop yields. Implementing a three-step strategy to increase manure recycling, balance fertilizer applications with environmental sources, and adopt integrated soil and crop ...
A new study reveals that duckweed can sharply curb certain harmful nitrogen oxide emissions in rice agriculture, but may also unintentionally boost releases of ammonia and nitrous oxide. The key lies in duckweed's ability to alter soil chemistry and encourage beneficial microbial communities.
A recent study published in The FEBS Journal found that specific gut bacteria can efficiently metabolize different forms of nitrogen, preventing carcinogenic nitrosamine formation. This process is critical for maintaining intestinal and systemic health, potentially decreasing the risk of certain cancers.
A study warns that Ukraine's soils are losing vital crop nutrients due to reduced fertilizer access and inefficient farming practices. To mitigate this, the authors recommend better farm management, efficient use of fertilizers, and introducing legumes into crop rotations.
Researchers have made significant progress in pulsed electrolysis, a method that uses excess nitrogen from air and water to produce valuable compounds like ammonia and urea. This energy-efficient process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable agriculture.
A new international study reveals that nitrogen fixation occurs beneath Arctic sea ice, increasing available nitrogen for algae and potentially boosting marine life. This discovery could also impact carbon absorption in the Arctic Ocean.
A new analytical framework separates how nitrogen moves through three key hydrological pathways—surface flow, subsurface flow, and baseflow—and found that each pathway behaves differently across landscapes and seasons. The study offers crucial guidance for policymakers to adapt strategies to reduce nitrogen loss.
A new power generation system using liquid oxygen storage has been patented by SwRI and 8 Rivers, aiming to make power plants more efficient and cost-effective. The system utilizes fluctuations in energy demand by generating pure oxygen during off-peak hours, which can then be stored and used later when prices are higher.
Researchers found that soil viruses selectively infect denitrifying microbes, reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 20%. The study suggests viral regulation as a potential method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Viruses may play a critical role in supporting sustainable food production and protecting the planet.
Researchers found that bean plants and other species evolved a predisposition for the symbiosis at least three times, supporting a long-standing theory. This biological trick allows plants to access atmospheric nitrogen, boosting crop yields.
A new study reveals how microbes in Chinese riverine wetlands help remove excess nitrogen, a key factor in water quality degradation. Denitrification and anammox processes were found to be crucial for nitrogen removal, with spatial patterns varying across landscapes.
A comprehensive review synthesizes decade-long progress in quantifying nitrogen transformation processes, identifying novel microbial pathways, and developing sustainable management strategies. Key findings include advanced methodologies and novel microbial pathways that offer potential solutions to reduce nitrogen losses and nitrous o...
A landmark review published by FAU reveals that sargassum is a rapidly growing and widely distributed marine organism. The study found that the Atlantic Ocean's sargassum biomass has increased by over 50% since the 1980s, with nitrogen content rising sharply.
The Nitrogen Cycling journal aims to advance multidisciplinary research on the nitrogen cycle, covering processes, microbial drivers, impacts, innovations, and solutions. The journal is now welcoming submissions from researchers and will drive innovation in this rapidly evolving field.
Researchers at Penn State found that shallowly injected wastewater into groundwater does not completely clear potentially harmful contaminants like nitrogen and phosphate. The team suggests modifying the effluent's chemical makeup to increase salinity and density to improve filtration time.
Scientists have developed a molecular uranium catalyst that can bind nitrogen gas in a 'side-on' way and convert it into ammonia. This breakthrough reveals a new catalytic pathway, bridging biological efficiency and industrial feasibility.
Scientists discovered that tiny anoxic pockets on sand grains can carry out denitrification, a process removing human-derived nitrogen from coastal sands. These microenvironments, created by microbes consuming oxygen, account for up to one-third of total nitrogen loss in silicate shelf sands.
Modelling analysis reveals sediment levels and nitrogen concentrations will increase with development and forest conversion upstream. The study forecasts water quality degradation at drinking water intakes across the regional watershed.
The reuse of human urine could significantly reduce the global demand for fertilizers in agriculture, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers have developed a system to recover nitrogen from urine, which can be used as fertilizer for urban agriculture.
Legumes have special root nodules that house friendly bacteria, which take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form plants can use. The Casparian strip, a waterproof barrier in plant roots, develops at the same time as nodules and regulates nutrient exchange.
Researchers found systemic monitoring disparities for six major pollutants across US Census groups, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders facing the largest gaps. The study highlights the need to consider biases in datasets beyond algorithmic bias.
A study published in Science reveals that nitrogen-containing compounds play a dominant role in the absorption of sunlight by atmospheric organic aerosols worldwide. The research provides a new framework for predicting climate change impacts and guiding mitigation strategies.
A new study led by Colorado State University found that agricultural nitrogen fertilizer is the primary cause of seasonal carbon cycle swings. This discovery adds to scientific understanding of the carbon cycle and could help inform climate change mitigation strategies.
The amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed for corn production has been rising due to increased yield demands and nutrient loss during wetter springs. Improving efficiency through practices like crop rotation and spring fertilizer application can help reduce environmental losses.
Emissions from SUVs and light-duty trucks cause 90% of nitrogen dioxide-related deaths, with suburban driving linked to greatest health damages. The study's findings inform geographically targeted transportation policies and climate action plans for Boston and cities nationwide.
Research team develops novel method to exploit frictionless sliding for improved memory performance and energy efficiency. The new technology enables unprecedentedly efficient data read/write operations while consuming significantly less energy.
Researchers developed a liquid fertilizer replacing unsustainable chemical fertilizers with organic waste, producing up to 100% of nitrogen and 77% of phosphorus. The method also increases phosphorus solubility by adjusting pH levels.
Despite decades of restoration efforts, biodiversity growth has stalled in restored Danish wetlands. The study highlights the need for concrete measures such as grazing animals and full restoration of watercourses to improve plant species richness.
Laboratory experiments corroborate the theory that Titan maintains its nitrogen-rich atmosphere through internal heating of organic materials. The study found significant amounts of carbon gases like methane and nitrogen, supporting the existence of a geologically short-lived atmosphere.
Researchers developed AshPhos, a ligand that facilitates the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds using inexpensive materials. The tool has potential applications in pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, and degrading PFAS pollutants.
A team of Illinois researchers has been awarded $5 million to create a new variety of corn called NSave, which aims to reduce nitrogen fertilizer use while maintaining crop yield. The project's goal is to lower costs for farmers and reduce the country's reliance on foreign fertilizer imports.
A study published in Science found that nitrogen isotopes in tooth enamel of Australopithecus individuals indicate a primarily plant-based diet. The analysis revealed low nitrogen isotope ratios similar to those of herbivores, suggesting that human ancestors did not regularly hunt large mammals.
A new study has found that diversified cropping systems can increase nitrogen supply in the soil, but do not lead to increased soil carbon levels. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, used stable carbon isotopes to analyze soil core emissions and found that decomposition rates were higher in longer rotations.
New research reveals alfalfa-almond intercropping reduces winter soil nitrate leaching and field water loss via evaporation. The practice can capture and convert nitrogen losses into revenues for almond farmers during the non-productive winter season.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego uncovered the 'method of last resort' mechanism used by diazotrophs to protect their nitrogenase enzyme from oxygen damage. This complex process involves a protein called FeSII, which binds to the nitrogenase and halts ammonia production when oxygen levels increase.
A University of Oklahoma research team has developed a breakthrough method of adding a single nitrogen atom to bioactive molecules, transforming them into new pharmacophores. This process, called skeletal editing, could open up uncharted regions of chemical space in drug discovery, making existing drugs cheaper and more accessible.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have developed a plasma-electrochemical reactor that produces ammonia from nitrogen in the air and water, with no carbon footprint. The process uses renewable electricity and can be scaled up to meet industrial demands.
Researchers have successfully prepared stable polymeric nitrogen materials at ambient conditions using azides as precursors through a thermal treatment process. The yield is significantly higher than that of polymeric nitrogen materials prepared by high pressure methods, making it a promising technique for scale-up preparation.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that deep-sea hydrothermal vent bacteria can reduce nitrous oxide through an efficient energy metabolism mechanism. The study found that denitrification genes are negatively regulated by transcriptional regulators, suggesting a potential approach to mitigate climate change.
A global analysis suggests that recycling human and livestock excreta can contribute substantially to meeting the nutrient supply for all crops worldwide. Recycling these nutrients could reduce global net imports of mineral fertilizers by 41% for nitrogen, 3% for phosphorus, and 36% for potassium.
A new study finds that heavy rains deliver the greatest amounts of fertilizer-derived nitrogen through creeks and rivers into the northern Gulf of Mexico. The research can be used to develop policies to protect the gulf from nutrient overloading, harmful algal blooms, and oxygen-depleted 'dead zones'.
Researchers found peculiar mitochondria-like symbionts in freshwater lakes, groundwater, and wastewater worldwide, revealing surprising metabolic capacities. They can respire oxygen in addition to nitrogen, impacting the nitrogen cycle and potentially producing greenhouse gases.
A team of scientists analyzed smartphone videos and amateur photos of a rare blue-dominant aurora in Japan to estimate its area and confirm findings with spectrophotometers. The research revealed longitudinal structures aligned with magnetic field lines, spanning about 1200 km in longitude.