Articles tagged with Biomass
A recent study by USDA Forest Service researchers found that removing the invasive Tamaligi tree greatly improves the health of its diverse native forests in American Samoa. Native tree species quickly recover and persist after control efforts, while biomass levels are restored to equivalent pre-invasion levels.
A life cycle assessment study reveals that bioethanol from energy crops has considerable potential to render society more sustainable by substituting gasoline. The study's findings suggest that regional biomass utilization systems can significantly reduce fossil fuel resources and greenhouse gas emissions.
A new logistics model for biofuel raw materials is proposed by MSU researchers, utilizing regional biomass processing depots to process feedstocks before shipping to refineries. This approach aims to reduce transportation costs and distances, while providing economic benefits to farmers who own part of the depots.
The study highlights the human cost of biomass burning, with over 2 million premature deaths in 2005, and the environmental impact on deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. The research agenda proposes cleaner cooking fuels and technologies to improve access and adoption.
A new study found that lemmings can promote greening in the Arctic by increasing grass and sedge biomass, which could tip the climate either way. The researchers suggest that lemming populations play a key role in regulating tundra ecosystems, potentially maintaining them as carbon sinks.
A new study published in Science journal challenges the long-held hypothesis that a relationship exists between plant biomass production and the number of coexisting plant species. The research, led by Iowa State University scientists, found no evidence to support this correlation, contrary to decades of previous studies.
The researchers have received two grants to further develop the steam hydrogasification process that turns waste from food, yards, and other sources into transportation fuels or natural gas. The process has been found to be 12% more efficient and 18% less expensive than other mainstream gasification technologies.
Scientists have discovered a pretreatment method that makes plant cellulose five times more digestible by enzymes, enabling the production of ethanol from biomass. This breakthrough could make biomass an economically viable contender in the biofuels arena.
A new method for measuring biomass reveals that fish stocks are more stable than widely believed, with only 12% collapsed and 26% overexploited. The study suggests that biomass data can ground truth catch trends, revealing biases in catch data estimates.
Short rotation energy crops on England's unused land could produce enough biomass to meet UK's renewable energy targets without disrupting the food industry or environment. This study found that efficient land use can generate approximately four percent of current UK electricity demand from these crops.
The USDA Forest Service and University of Florida have published a new book detailing the viability of using wood as an energy source in southern wildland-urban interface areas. The book provides recent research on woody biomass production, conversion to energy, and economic analysis of bioenergy development.
A meta-analysis of 400 published experiments reveals that species loss at the producer level reduces ecosystem productivity and sustainability. The study found that diverse communities are more productive and efficient than their average species, with some even outperforming the single best species in a monoculture. Loss of plant diver...
Scientists have largely met technical challenges of developing biofuels, offering energy security and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. However, logistics issues with biomass availability, transport, and storage hinder commercial viability.
Researchers found a genetic mutation in Arabidopsis thaliana that reduces stomata, conserving water while maintaining carbon dioxide intake. The mutant plant exhibits 20% reduced transpiration and increased drought tolerance.
Scientists studied ice cores to find evidence of biomass burning fluctuations in Southern Hemisphere. Biomass burning trends differ from Northern Hemisphere records, suggesting changes for climate models.
Researchers at Purdue University are working on a project to develop a system for generating large quantities of synthetic fuel from agricultural wastes, other biomass or coal. The goal is to create a sustainable synthetic fuel economy by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing the yield of liquid fuel.
Researchers at Arizona State University have improved cyanobacteria growth conditions for biofuel production, enabling high biomass yields and efficient CO2 utilization. The findings provide a vital foundation for optimizing photobioreactor technology.
A new microbial genetic system has been developed to dissect biomass to biofuel conversion, allowing for the efficient extraction of sugar molecules from biomass polymers. This breakthrough enables researchers to study the functional significance of specific enzymes and understand how microorganisms carry out the complex process of pla...
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified a key gene for improving the conversion process of cellulosic biomass into ethanol. The modified microorganism shows enhanced efficiency and potential use for more cost-effective biofuel production, overcoming current pretreatment challenges.
A three-year study found that cover crops significantly reduced erosion and runoff in maize cropping systems, with a residual effect lasting up to two years. The research suggests that burying sufficient cover crop biomass into the soil can reduce erosion rates by 40-90% lower than rough tillage.
This study investigates the impact of landscape position on biomass crop yield, finding that summit positions produce higher yields than flat areas. Corn stover yield is positively influenced by terrain slope, nitrogen, and soil darkness profile.
A new miscanthus rhizome root harvester and planter will be unveiled at the Bioenergy Feedstocks Symposium, reducing harvesting and planting costs by 50%. The Rizomgen Harvester/Planter package has shown a 200% increase in rhizome collection over manual systems.
Two UNH assistant professors, Vaughn Cooper and Christopher White, received NSF CAREER grants to explore beneficial mutations in bacteria and the flow dynamics of liquefied biomass. Their research has implications for understanding adaptation, evolution, and sustainable energy solutions.
The NOAA survey found high numbers of juvenile sea scallops and ocean quahogs on Georges Bank, while recruitment in the Mid-Atlantic was weaker than expected. Biomass remained high, but declined in certain areas, such as the Elephant Trunk rotational area.
Researchers found that bioelectricity produces 80% more transportation miles and double greenhouse gas offsets than ethanol, making it a more efficient alternative. The study also found that bioelectricity can help mitigate climate change by preventing or offsetting up to 10 tons of CO2 per acre
A study published in Science found that biomass converted into electricity produces 81% more transportation miles and 108% more emissions offsets compared to ethanol. This means vehicles powered by electricity get further down the road, making it a more efficient solution for transportation and climate policy.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a two-step method to convert cellulose in raw biomass into a promising biofuel. The new process simultaneously bypasses lignin and produces a high yield, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels.
A new study uses airborne technology to track changes in Big Island tropical forests, revealing how climate and invasive species affect carbon stocks. The research finds that fast-growing invaders decrease biomass levels, while slower-growing species increase biomass stocks.
A study finds that eliminating smoking and solid fuel use in China could prevent millions of deaths from chronic diseases. Gradual elimination or moderate-aggressive interventions could avoid 26-31 million COPD deaths and 6.3 million lung cancer deaths by 2033.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that directly converts cellulose into ethylene glycol, an important intermediate product for the chemical industry. The catalyst, made of tungsten carbide and nickel on a carbon support, achieves 100% conversion of cellulose with high selectivity.
Social spiders have developed a unique foraging strategy that enables them to capture larger prey despite declining individual catch rates with colony size. This efficiency allows colonies to thrive in tropical areas but dwindle in higher elevations and latitudes.
Researchers found that Miscanthus can produce about 2.5 times the amount of ethanol per acre compared to corn, requiring only 9.3% of current agricultural acreage to meet the US biofuels production goal. Miscanthus also accumulates more carbon in the soil than annual crops like corn and soybeans.
A study published in Nature shows that parasites have substantial biomass in ecosystems, sometimes exceeding that of top predators by a factor of 20. This challenges the long-held assumption that free-living organisms like fish and birds dominate biomass in habitats.
A Stanford study reveals that reviving abandoned agricultural land for biofuel production could ease the global energy crunch without exacerbating food shortages or climate change. The researchers estimate up to 1-1.2 billion acres of fallow cropland globally, with potential for biomass energy conversion.
John Todd's proposal outlines a four-stage recovery and development plan for Appalachia, using biological processes to restore degraded land and return atmospheric carbon to the soil. The plan aims to build a dynamic sustainable economic basis for lasting renewal and increase carbon storage in soils around the world.
A possible solution to the global carbon dioxide problem involves planting forests that can absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, then removing it by burial. This approach has been proposed as a realistic method to tackle the issue.
A recent MU study found that black-bellied salamanders play a crucial role in the productivity of headwater streams, contributing significantly to the food chain. The research suggests these salamanders are a key link in the ecosystem, consuming aquatic insects and supporting other species.
Biofuels from renewable biomass feedstocks are being sought as a significant part of the US energy supply due to limitations in corn-based ethanol production. Researchers have developed new ways to engineer yeast and plant materials to produce desirable traits, holding promise for large-scale production.
A large-scale study in China reveals that COPD prevalence is significantly higher than previously thought, affecting over 8% of the population over 40. The risk factors identified include smoking, particularly among women, and exposure to biomass fuels, highlighting a need for preventative measures and improved diagnosis.
Researchers found that opinions about new technologies are related to each other and can be influenced by the context. Promoting one energy source can affect others.
Researchers have developed a patented pretreatment process for biomass, ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX), making the breakdown of cellulose more efficient. This technology has the potential to replace gasoline and diesel with cheaper, better-for-the-environment biofuels.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on a system to harvest corn stover, the stalks and leaves of corn plants, in a single pass using standard combines. The goal is to create a cost-effective method to produce plant fiber that feeds next-generation ethanol plants.
Researchers found that jellyfish have overtaken fish in terms of biomass in heavily fished waters off Namibia's coast. Jellyfish abundance has risen significantly, with a total biomass estimated at 12.2 million metric tons, mostly contributed by large A. forskalea species.
A new process makes HMF from fructose, a compound used to make plastics, diesel-fuel additives, and diesel fuel. The method also offers environmental benefits by using carbon dioxide and modern solar energy that crop plants absorb.
A new study published in Nature confirms that biodiversity stabilizes ecosystems and can be used to produce a sustainable supply of biomass for biofuels. Biodiverse prairie grasslands are 240% more productive than those with single species, offering a promising solution to meet growing energy needs while restoring global ecosystems.
Researchers found a significant drop in biomass burning methane emissions from 1500 to 1600 due to indigenous population decline in South and Central America. Methane levels have increased by nearly 300% since the Industrial Revolution, with human activities accounting for 60% of atmospheric emissions.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a four-phase catalytic reactor to convert biomass-derived carbohydrates into sulfur-free liquid alkanes. The process produces 90% of the energy found in the feedstock and creates twice the energy as ethanol production, with no additional heating or distillation required.
Research estimates cod biomass on the Scotian Shelf was 1.26 million metric tons in 1852, compared to less than 50,000 metric tons today. The decline is consistent with earlier research and suggests that commercially important species biomass is only a small fraction of what existed before industrialized exploitation.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate global ocean productivity by analyzing the amount of carbon in phytoplankton, using satellite data and ocean color. This approach may lead to significant revisions in estimates of ocean carbon absorption and new understanding of marine ecosystems.
A NASA study found that El Nino events, such as the 1997-1998 event, lead to unusually high biomass burning globally, producing more pollution than fossil fuel combustion. The study assessed smoke pollution from biomass burning in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America during these droughts.
Switching to liquefied petroleum gas for household use could add only a 2% increase in global fossil fuel emissions but greatly decrease the environmental impact on local biomass resources. Liquefied petroleum gas burns cleaner than biomass fuels, reducing indoor smoke and associated health risks.
Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Arizona found that plant stem and leaf biomass are proportional to root biomass across various plant species. This discovery provides environmental researchers with clues to estimate global carbon sequestration in plants.
Researchers found that tropical biomass burning is causing increased humidity in the stratosphere, contributing to milder winters in North America and Europe. The study suggests that higher humidity helps catalyze the destruction of the ozone layer.
A Kenyan study found a significant link between exposure to particulate matter (PM10) from biomass fuels and acute respiratory infections. The researchers estimated the public health benefits of reduced PM10 exposure, with the greatest impact seen for average exposures below 1000-2000 mg/m3.
A new CRADA and licensing agreement have been signed between NREL and Arkenol Holdings, which could further bring down the cost of making ethanol from biomass and boost the US biofuels industry. The agreements focus on developing new strains of genetically altered bacteria for use in converting rice straw to ethanol.
Researchers have developed a new fuel formulation that produces 40-50 percent fewer unburned hydrocarbons and 20 percent less carbon monoxide compared to gasoline. The P-series fuel blend can power flexible fuel cars, offering an alternative to traditional gasoline.
A pilot biomass power plant will be tested in Belarus to decontaminate forests north of Chernobyl. The project aims to capture radioactivity and generate electricity, potentially reducing health risks and economic pressure on the country.