Articles tagged with Nitrogen
A new study by 31 scientists shows that streams play a critical role in filtering out excess nitrogen that feeds algae blooms. The research found that streams are most effective at removing nitrogen when they are not overloaded with fertilizers and other human activities.
Streams are effective nitrogen filters, but their capacity to remove pollutants is limited by high loading rates. Researchers used a tracer to track nitrate additions in 72 streams across the US and Puerto Rico.
A recent study published in Nature has found that small streams and rivers are crucial in removing excess nitrogen pollution from watersheds before it reaches the oceans. The research, led by Arizona State University scientists, used a rare nitrogen isotope to examine the effects of nitrogen loading in streams.
Researchers found that streams can remove up to 90% of nitrate pollution through denitrification and algal uptake, with effectiveness greatest in healthy streams not overloaded by human activities. Streams play a crucial role in reducing eutrophication problems in lakes and coastal waters.
Researchers found that tiny organisms filter nitrate from stream water, with the most effective removal occurring when nitrate enters small healthy streams and travels throughout the network. Streams and rivers can help prevent nitrate pollution from reaching lakes and coastal waters, where it can cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
A nationwide team of ecologists reports that excess nitrogen loading reduces the efficiency of stream and river networks' natural processes for reducing this pollutant. This overload can lead to eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and death of fish and shellfish downstream.
A national study found that healthy streams can filter out 40-60% of added nitrogen within 500 meters, while denitrification accounts for about 19%. Maintaining healthy riparian areas and complex stream channels is essential to prevent eutrophication.
Small streams play a crucial role in removing human-generated nitrogen, reducing eutrophication and 'dead zones' in downstream lakes and coastal waters. The study found that the effectiveness of streams in removing nitrate is greatest when not overloaded by nitrogen sources.
A UBC study warns that US corn-based ethanol production will increase nitrogen levels in the Mississippi River, harming the Gulf of Mexico's 'Dead Zone'. The researchers estimate a 10-19% increase in nitrogen loading, exceeding recommended limits and overwhelming mitigation options.
A study of Lake Bloomington, a major source of drinking water for central Illinois residents, reveals high nitrate concentrations exceeding safe levels. The research aims to inform producers on nitrogen fertilizer management in sensitive watershed areas.
A panel of experts identified broad categories of technological research challenges, including environmental wholeness, human wellness, and the joy of living. Managing carbon and nitrogen on a planetary scale are highlighted as critical initiatives.
A new framework prioritizes stream restoration efforts to reduce nitrogen flowing downstream, combining innovative techniques with traditional measures. Small streams with high nitrogen loads are targeted for restoration approaches increasing in-stream carbon availability and contact between water and sediments.
A study by UC Irvine ecologists finds that excess nitrogen in tropical forests increases plant growth by an average of 20 percent. This boost in plant growth suggests the tropics will take in more carbon dioxide than previously thought.
Researchers from Université de Montréal and Cary Institute found that commercial fishing plays a declining role in removing man-made nitrogen from coastal waters. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer run-off has increased nitrogen levels in coastal ecosystems, causing excessive plant growth, lack of oxygen, and reduced fish populations.
Commercial fisheries play a crucial role in removing terrestrial nitrogen from coastal waters, but their contribution has decreased significantly over time. As a result, the global nitrogen balance is becoming increasingly skewed, leading to eutrophication and other environmental problems.
A study investigated intensive forestry's effects on water quality in eastern Texas. Fertilization resulted in small increases of nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds, but these losses were a fraction of what was applied. Streamside buffers and natural regeneration helped minimize impacts.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new model that takes into account nitrogen dynamics to better understand how plants and soils interact with climate change. The model reveals that nitrogen availability influences carbon dioxide uptake, potentially leading to overestimations of forest carbon sequestration.
A recent study by Arizona State University professor James Elser found that ecosystems are not as different as they seem when it comes to nutrient limitation. The study analyzed over 300 publications and found that nitrogen and phosphorus are equally important in freshwater systems, contradicting conventional wisdom.
Research by University of Illinois soil scientists found that nitrogen fertilizers lead to a decline in soil organic carbon, even after decades of use. The study's findings have troubling implications for corn production and highlight the need for site-specific soil testing to optimize fertilizer rates.
A new study suggests that urban areas and roadways could be major contributors to nitrate pollution, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and human health. The research found that stationary sources, such as power plants, are the primary source of nitrate in urban areas.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that tropical maize can produce up to 25% sugar in its stalks, making it a promising alternative to corn for biofuel production. This could result in significant energy savings per acre and reduced nitrogen fertilizer costs.
Sulfur and nitrogen emissions from power plants and agricultural activities significantly impact coastal ocean chemistry, reducing its ability to store carbon and harming marine life. The study found that these emissions can alter water chemistry by 10-50% more than acidification caused by carbon dioxide.
A study funded by Cargill Crop Nutrition found that varying nitrogen application rates can increase corn yield with similar or higher nitrogen rates, but may not improve grain quality. Researchers also discovered that one hybrid performed better than the other under both uniform and varied nitrogen applications.
A US EPA study found that wider vegetated borders around streams are the most effective way to protect wetlands from nitrogen pollution. The study showed that wide buffers (>50 meters) removed more nitrogen than narrow buffers (0-25 meters), and that herbaceous and forest vegetation were more effective when wider.
A team of researchers has discovered a new plant-bacterial symbiotic mechanism that allows certain leguminous plants to fix nitrogen more efficiently. This finding has significant implications for agriculture, particularly in tropical countries, and could lead to increased crop yields while reducing fertilizer use.
USC researchers applied nanoscale imaging to study Anabaena oscillarioides, clarifying the mechanism of nitrogen fixation. The study revealed a key step in the nutrient cycle, allowing for better understanding of global carbon and nitrogen dynamics.
A Cornell University research project has found that on-farm trials have shown farmers can successfully reduce fertilizer applications without impacting yield and quality. By monitoring soil nitrogen levels, corn growers can optimize their application rates, resulting in cost savings of up to $10-$12 per acre.
A new study suggests that human-caused nitrogen deposition is indirectly fertilizing forests, increasing their growth and sequestering major amounts of carbon. The findings reveal a more complex view of the carbon cycle in forests, heavily influenced by human activities.
A recent study found that pesticides block a key receptor in soil bacteria, disrupting natural nitrogen-fixing communications. This results in lower crop yields or significantly delayed growth. The research highlights the importance of preserving natural symbiotic relationships between crops and soil bacteria.
A team of researchers has revealed a new mode of communication between plants and bacteria that can form nodules on stems, enabling higher nitrogen fixation. This discovery calls into question the traditional model of molecular communication in rhizobia-legume symbiosis.
High-dose sodium phenylacetate and sodium benzoate treatment has saved an estimated 80 percent of patients with urea cycle disorders, mostly children. The treatment uses the body's natural chemicals to eliminate nitrogen, reducing toxic effects.
Researchers found that tropical plants can switch between different nitrogen sources in response to climate change, providing a glimmer of hope for their ability to withstand environmental shifts. The study's results were based on measurements and models of variations in nitrogen compounds across different rainfall climates.
Researchers found that tropical plants in Hawaii can acclimate to varying rainfall by switching between different forms of nitrogen. This adaptation may help plants survive in a warming climate with altered precipitation patterns. However, other factors like pollinator distribution and invasive species could still impact plant growth.
Researchers have developed a rapid test that accurately predicts nitrogen levels in corn soil, enabling growers to optimize fertilizer use. This test has the potential to reduce economic and environmental costs associated with excessive nitrogen application.
Zimbabwean smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions face food shortages due to limited fertilizer use. Research by Bongani Ncube found that nitrogen availability is the key factor improving cereal yields. Crop rotation also showed promise, with leguminous crops doubling sorghum yields.
Researchers find that shared protons vibrate between molecules as local oscillators, creating distinct vibrational patterns associated with the bridging proton. The study reveals how the chemical properties of tethered molecules affect proton localization.
Researchers at the American Chemical Society's 233rd national meeting presented breakthroughs in sustainability, including the development of molecular-scale 'scissors' that can manipulate molecules using light. Additionally, a new biofuel cell produces electricity from hydrogen in air, paving the way for clean energy solutions.
Scientists found that brief high-level exposures to nitrogen dioxide can cause rapid lung injury, including breathing rate inhibition, lung edema, and acute lung damage. Researchers studied laboratory rats exposed to varying concentrations of the toxic gas for five minutes, revealing significant health risks.
A UC Irvine scientist has discovered that excess nutrients in an ecosystem can lead to a decrease in plant species diversity while increasing the productivity of a few selected species. This finding provides a new explanation for why polluted ecosystems often contain limited numbers of plant species.
Carnegie Mellon researchers identify improved control of livestock feed, efficient nitrogen use, and low-emission fertilizers as effective strategies for reducing ammonia emissions. These measures can save $8,000 per ton in winter, making them a cheaper alternative to controlling sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution.
Biologists at Carnegie Institution discover a new way plant cells regulate nutrient uptake through physical interaction between neighboring molecules, applicable across species. The discovery has potential applications from understanding human diseases like kidney function to engineering better crops.
A new study finds that nitrogen release from decaying plant material follows a predictable pattern worldwide, driven by initial nitrogen concentration. This discovery improves understanding of nutrient dynamics, vegetation growth, and carbon sequestration, essential for predicting climate change impacts.
A new study has developed a generic global law to predict large-scale patterns in litter mass decay rates and nitrogen release from litter. The research found that the dominant drivers of nitrogen release were initial concentration and remaining mass of leaf and root litter.
Researchers found that the Pacific and Indian oceans receive twice as much nitrogen fixing as previously thought, indicating a more stable global picture of nitrogen fixation than initially assumed. This discovery suggests that major fluctuations in ocean nitrogen are unlikely and may be mitigated by climate change.
A Rutgers-Camden research team, led by Heike Bücking, aims to develop a better understanding of the nutrient exchange processes between fungi and agricultural environments. The project seeks to promote the use of mycorrhizal fungi as biofertilizers to reduce fertilizer pollution and improve agricultural sustainability.
Researchers propose a new model explaining the giant plume on Enceladus by dissolving gases in clathrate ice under the water ice cap. This environment allows for a Frigid Faithful plume, which produces nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide gases.
Researchers discovered a heat-loving archaeon capable of fixing nitrogen at 92 degrees Celsius, suggesting that life may have originated in extreme environments. This finding expands our understanding of the evolution of nitrogen fixation and its potential for life beyond Earth.
Research reveals two isoforms of glutamine synthetase determine major yield components in maize: kernel size and number. Nitrogen retranslocation dominates grain filling, improving nitrogen use efficiency and yields with reduced fertilizer inputs.
Researchers found that yeast cells deal with potassium limitation by producing and excreting amino acids, similar to a detoxification system in mammals. In low potassium conditions, yeast cells are more susceptible to ammonium toxicity, leading to increased amino acid excretion.
University of Pittsburgh professor Goetz Veser has created a safer alternative to traditional reactors by designing microreactors that can handle explosive reactions without explosions. These reactors use platinum catalysts and silicon chips with tiny channels to control the reaction and minimize pollutants like nitrogen oxides.
Researchers from the University of Michigan and Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics discovered atomic nitrogen in interstellar gas clouds, suggesting pre-life molecules may be present in comets. This finding sheds new light on the early conditions that led to life on Earth.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how legumes interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which could lead to the development of new crop plants that can fix nitrogen themselves. This discovery has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of intensive agriculture and lower energy consumption.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution used an underwater digital microscope to find massive colonies of Trichodesmium, a photosynthetic organism that plays a significant role in the ocean's nitrogen cycle. The discovery could alter our understanding of the global nitrogen cycle and its impact on ocean productivity.
Researchers find tropical forests lose significant amounts of nitrogen to the atmosphere, primarily due to denitrifying bacteria. The study reveals that in dry climates, these bacteria consume nitrate, while in wetter climates, they convert it back into gas.
A new study has quantified the role of mycorrhizal fungi in nitrogen cycling for the first time using a mass balance approach. The researchers found that 61-86% of the nitrogen in plants at an Arctic site entered through fungal symbionts, shedding light on the importance of these organisms in arctic tundra ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered that meteorites contain isotopes of nitrogen and hydrogen that are similar to those found in interplanetary dust particles. This suggests that the parent bodies of these meteorites, such as comets, formed in the interstellar medium and were not severely processed by the inner solar system.
Researchers suggest that finding organic nitrogen on Mars would be a strong indication of past biological activity. The presence of nitrogen in the Martian atmosphere is unlikely due to the planet's lack of biological activity, making it an important target for search missions.
A six-year study found that higher carbon dioxide levels and limited nitrogen in soils hinder plant growth, potentially leading to reduced ecosystem carbon storage. The research suggests that as atmospheric carbon dioxide increases, soils will struggle to support plant life, exacerbating the issue.
A six-year study found that terrestrial plants' ability to increase growth in response to elevated CO2 is limited by soil nitrogen supply. The research contradicts previous predictions, suggesting atmospheric CO2 levels may rise faster than anticipated.
Researchers have found that organic nitrogen can be directly taken up by plants, allowing them to share nitrogen and maintain biodiversity. This discovery has significant implications for unfertilised grasslands where organic nitrogen often dominates.