Efficient Removal of Ultrafine Particles from Diesel Exhaust by Selected Tree Species : Implications for Roadside Planting for Improving the Quality of Urban Air

Human exposure to airborne ultrafine (?1 μm) particulate pollution may pose substantial hazards to human health, particularly in urban roadside environments where very large numbers of people are frequently exposed to vehicle-derived ultrafine particles (UFPs). For mitigation purposes, it is timely and important to quantify the deposition of traffic-derived UFPs onto leaves of selected plant species, with particularly efficient particle capture (high deposition velocity), which can be installed curbside, proximal to the emitting vehicular sources. Here, we quantify the size-resolved capture efficiency of UFPs from diesel vehicle exhaust by nine temperate-zone plant species, in wind tunnel experiments. The results show that silver birch (79% UFP removal), yew (71%), and elder (70.5%) have very high capabilities for capture of airborne UFPs. Metal concentrations and metal enrichment ratios in leaf leachates were also highest for the postexposure silver birch leaves; scanning electron microscopy showed that UFPs were concentrated along the hairs of these leaves. For all but two species, magnetic measurements demonstrated substantial increases in the concentration of magnetic particles deposited on the leaves after exposure to the exhaust particulates. Together, these new data show that leaf-deposition of UFPs is chiefly responsible for the substantial reductions in particle numbers measured downwind of the vegetation. It is critical to recognize that the deposition velocity of airborne particulate matter (PM) to leaves is species-specific and often substantially higher (?10 to 50 times higher) than the "standard" V d values (e.g., 0.1-0.64 cm s -1 for PM 2.5) used in most modeling studies. The use of such low V d values in models results in a major under-estimation of PM removal by roadside vegetation and thus misrepresents the efficacy of selected vegetation species in the substantial (≫20%) removal of PM. Given the potential hazard to health posed by UFPs and the removal efficiencies shown here (and by previous roadside measurements), roadside planting (maintained at or below head height) of selected species at PM "hotspots" can contribute substantially and quickly to improve in urban air quality and reductions in human exposure. These findings can contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation policies of traffic-derived PM on an international scale

Combustion- and friction-derived magnetic air pollution nanoparticles in human hearts

Air pollution is a risk factor for cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Iron-rich, strongly magnetic, combustion- and friction-derived nanoparticles (CFDNPs) are abundant in particulate air pollution. Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) young residents have abundant brain CFDNPs associated with AD pathology. We aimed to identify if magnetic CFDNPs are present in urbanites' hearts and associated with cell damage. We used magnetic analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify heart CFDNPs and measured oxidative stress (cellular prion protein, PrPC), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (glucose regulated protein, GRP78) in 72 subjects age 23.8 ± 9.4y: 63 MMC residents, with Alzheimer Continuum vs 9 controls. Magnetite/maghemite nanoparticles displaying the typical rounded crystal morphologies and fused surface textures of CFDNPs were more abundant in MMC residents' hearts. NPs, ∼2–10 × more abundant in exposed vs controls, were present inside mitochondria in ventricular cardiomyocytes, in ER, at mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCs), intercalated disks, endothelial and mast cells. Erythrocytes were identified transferring ‘hitchhiking’ NPs to activated endothelium. Magnetic CFDNP concentrations and particle numbers ranged from 0.2 to 1.7 μg/g and ∼2 to 22 × 109/g, respectively. Co-occurring with cardiomyocyte NPs were abnormal mitochondria and MERCs, dilated ER, and lipofuscin. MMC residents had strong left ventricular PrPC and bi-ventricular GRP78 up-regulation. The health impact of up to ∼22 billion magnetic NPs/g of ventricular tissue are likely reflecting the combination of surface charge, ferrimagnetism, and redox activity, and includes their potential for disruption of the heart's electrical impulse pathways, hyperthermia and alignment and/or rotation in response to magnetic fields. Exposure to solid NPs appears to be directly associated with early and significant cardiac damage. Identification of strongly magnetic CFDNPs in the hearts of children and young adults provides an important novel layer of information for understanding CVD pathogenesis emphasizing the urgent need for prioritization of particulate air pollution control

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi into agriculture

Abstract In the natural ecosystem, rhizospheric soils have various biological organisms to favour the plant growth, nutrient absorption, stress tolerance, disease prevention, carbon capturing and many more. These organisms include mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, etc. which solubilize nutrients and assist the plants in uptaking by roots. Among them, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have key importance in natural ecosystem, but high rate of chemical fertilizer in agricultural fields is diminishing its importance. In this chapter, indigenous AM fungi efficiency is discussed with various doses of chemical fertilizer against number of cereal, cash, horticultural and fruit crops. Moreover, their effects on the plant growth, yield enhancement, fruit quality and soil quality are discussed. In the rhizosphere, AM fungi have main interaction with multipurpose bacteria such as phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, nitrogen fixers, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and stress tolerance bacteria. AM fungi contribute in building rhizospheric carbon stock, and, recently, addition of biochar in the soil for enhancing soil physicochemical properties and nutrient release has been studied with AM fungi. In order to manage the indigenous AM fungal spores, soil and crop management is important in association with carbon amendments for soils. One of the greatest challenges for the society is food insecurity, which should be changed into 'food security' by improving our knowledge and practicality to double the food production through sustainable farming approaches. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017

Biochar engineered to enhance the potential performance of soil in the Mediterranean region of Turkey

Biochar (BC) is a carbon-rich pyrolyzed material widely used in agriculture for soil amendment in order to enhance crop production and improve soil quality, carbon sequestration (C-sequestration), and mitigation of atmospheric C. Various functions of BC make it valuable; however, the heterogenic properties of BC raise questions regarding its suitability in a particular environment. The present study explored the heterogenic properties of BC with the aim of aligning its uses for soil and the environment. Different types of BC were prepared from feedstocks (FS) of sludge (S), animal waste (AW), and plants originating in the Mediterranean region. Physical and chemical characterization of BC was performed to evaluate its suitability for use in the Mediterranean region with regard to plant nutrient availability. To achieve this, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and proximate, ultimate, and nutrient analyses were performed. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also undertaken, and the C-stability of BC was observed using thermogravimetric analysis. Plant FS–derived BC exhibits a high moisture content, volatile matrix, and fixed and total carbon (TC) compared with sludge biochar (SBC) and AW-derived BC. A high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content was observed in AW-derived BC. Furthermore, the porosity of BC revealed that soil microbes may be sustained inside the porous structure if used for soil amendment. The different FS-oriented BC studied here could potentially be used to amend soil. The AW-derived BC and plant FS–derived BC could be a good source of immediate nutrient release for plant growth in agriculture and C-sequestration, respectively. © 2019, Saudi Society for Geosciences.21514107–115.02-188888 114O448 Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma KurumuFunding information This work was financially supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) [grant number 114O448] and TÜBİTAK under the program of Research Fellowship Programme for International Researchers [grant number 21514107–115.02-188888]

Rice straw biochar amended soil improves wheat productivity and accumulated phosphorus in grain

Biochar is a pyrolyzed biomass produced under limited oxygen or oxygen absent conditions. Few investigations have been conducted to determine the combined effect of biochar with chemical fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient distribution pattern in root, shoot and grain in wheat as well as changes in soil physiochemical properties. This research was designed to study the combined effect of chemical fertilizer and rice straw-derived biochar on soil physio-chemical properties, growth, yield and nutrient distribution pattern within wheat plant tissue and grain. Results showed that rice straw biochar caused a significant decrease in soil pH and increase in soil organic matter as well as nutrients like total nitrogen (TN), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) due to incubation. Result also showed that root biomass and straw did not differ between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and ½ BARC + rice straw biochar treatment. Similarly, thousand grain weight and grain yield did not differ between the same treatments. The phosphorus concentration in wheat grain was highest in ½ BARC + rice straw biochar as compared to other treatments. The use of rice straw biochar in addition to the chemical fertilizers in wheat production systems is an economically feasible and practical nutrient management practice. Our findings urged that reduction of chemical fertilizer application is possible with supplementation of rice straw biochar. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.FDK-2017-9014This work was supported by University Grants Commission, Bangladesh. Professor Dr. Md Toufiq Iqbal is thankful to Turkish Government to provide TUB€ İTAK fellowship. The authors also wish to express their gratitude to Cukurova University Research Foundation for funding to analyze nutrient content in shoot, root and wheat grain (Project no: FDK-2017-9014)

Utilization of industrial waste aqueous ammonia for irrigated forage sorghum production

Sorghum is one of the water- and nutrient-use efficient crops raised in dry regions worldwide. A 3 × 3 split-plot experiment in randomized complete block design was conducted to study the effects of petroleum refinery waste aqueous ammonia (NH3) on irrigated fodder sorghum for two consecutive growing seasons. The main plots consisted of 0 (control), 40, and 80 kg N ha-1, respectively, and the injection depths (surface 15 cm, and 20 cm depth) were assigned to sub-plots. A significant effect of NH3 on both fresh and dry biomass production was observed where the highest yield was recorded from the 80 kg N ha-1 than the control and 40 kg N ha-1, respectively. Sorghum biomass yield increased most when NH3 was injected at 20 cm depth as compared to other depths. Biomass nutrient content and nitrogen-use efficiency were increased when 80 kg N ha-1 was applied as compared to the control. The critical limit of K:(Ca+Mg), above which the tetany risk increases, did not exceed in sorghum biomass by NH3 fertilization. Results suggested that industrial waste NH3 equivalent to 80 kg N ha-1 injected at 20 cm depth can be a sustainable approach to fertilize irrigated sorghum growing as a forage crop. © 2015 Taylor & Francis

Dry weight and nutrient uptake of twenty one sweet sorghum genotypes grown in two separate locations of Turkey

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a type of cultivated sorghums and has been recognized widely as potential alternative source of bio-fuel because of its high fermentable sugar content in the stalk. A substantial variation of dry matter (DM) yield and nutrient uptake information is needed for sweet sorghum genotypes under different climatic and soil conditions. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the genotypic variation irrespective to dry matter yield and nutrient up take of sweet sorghum genotypes (ii) to investigate nitrogen use efficiency of sweet sorghum genotypes. This field study was conducted in Adana and Urfa location of Turkey for one growing season where twenty one sweet sorghum genotypes were used as testing plant that collected from USA. These twenty one genotypes were selected through screening of forty nine genotypes. The experiment was conducted randomized block design with four replications in both locations. Growth parameters, nutrient up take and nitrogen (N) use efficiency was determined for the twenty one sweet sorghum genotypes. Biomass yield exhibited non-significant differences among genotypes. In contrast, significant differences were observed between Adana and Urfa irrespective to biomass yield. The N use efficiency by several sweet genotypes varies from 385 to 836 kg/ha and 282 to 779 kg/ha in Adana and Urfa locations respectively. Sweet sorghum genotypes responded differently to potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) uptake. The K uptake varies 381 to 1472 and 374 to 1405 kg/ha in Adana and Urfa locations respectively. The Ca uptake also varies 115 to 582 and 115 to 424 kg/ha in Adana and Urfa locations respectively. The Mg uptake varies 81 to 300 and 50 to 226 kg/ha in Adana and Urfa locations respectively. Our results suggest that diverse genotypic variation from different geographical regions should be considered from better sweet sorghum production from the collected sweet sorghum varieties. This study concluded that sweet sorghum genotypes may be used to develop new varieties with higher dry matter production and lower nutrient utilization by these genotypes along with the adaptations of several climatic conditions in Turkey. © 2007-2018 Southern Cross Publishing-Australia

Potential impact of biochar types and microbial inoculants on growth of onion plant in differently textured and phosphorus limited soils

PubMedID: 31279144Non-renewable phosphorus (P) resources are intensively declining and recyclable P is high in demand for agricultural sector. Biochar as a renewable source of P and its physicochemical properties may improve the nutrients condition in the soil for plant availability. This study was designed to evaluate the interaction of biochar with soil microbes in differently textured and P-limited soils for P availability, root colonization and nutrient uptake by plants. Onion plants were grown in two differently textured soils with two types of biochar, with or without P application, three microbially inoculated treatments and uninoculated control. Plants were grown for 65 days and root-shoot biomass, nutrient concentration and mycorrhizal root colonization were analyzed. The WinRhizo was used to evaluate root attributes such as length, surface area and volume of roots. Biochar addition enhanced the nutrient uptake and plant biomass in the presence of P and microbial inoculants. Root colonization was notably increased in biochar + mycorrhizal inoculated plants. Biochar and soil type interactions may develop a unique behavior of nutrient uptake, root colonization, plant growth and root attributes. Biochar in combination with microbial inoculants could be considered a potentially renewable source of P fertilizer. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd21514107-115.02-188888This work was supported by TÜBITAK under the program of Research Fellowship Programme for International Researchers [grant number 21514107-115.02-188888 ] and Cukurova University BAP [Project No. FBA_2018_7803 ]. Highly thankful to Prof. Jorge Teodoro De Souza, Department of Plant Pathology, Federal University of Lavras, Brazil for critically reviewing the article. Appendix