46 research outputs found
Magnetism and Ion Diffusion in Honeycomb Layered Oxide KNiTeO: First Time Study by Muon Spin Rotation & Neutron Scattering
In the quest of finding novel and efficient batteries, a great interest has
raised in K-based honeycomb layer oxide materials both for their fundamental
properties and potential applications. A key issue in the realization of
efficient batteries based on such compounds, is to understand the K-ion
diffusion mechanism. However, investigation of potassium-ion (K) dynamics
in materials using magneto-spin properties has so far been challenging, due to
its inherently weak nuclear magnetic moment, in contrast to other alkali ions
such as lithium and sodium. Spin-polarised muons, having a high gyromagnetic
ratio, make the muon spin rotation and relaxation (+SR) technique ideal
for probing ions dynamics in weak magneto-spin moment materials. Here we report
the magnetic properties and K+ dynamics in honeycomb layered oxide material of
the KNiTeO using +SR measurements. Our low-temperature
+SR results together with, with complementary magnetic susceptibility,
find an antiferromagnetic transition at 26 K. Further +SR studies
performed at higher temperatures reveal that potassium ions (K) become
mobile above 250 K and the activation energy for the diffusion process is Ea =
121(13) meV. This is the first time that K+ dynamics in potassium-based battery
materials has been measured using +SR. Finally our results also indicate
an interesting possibility that K-ion self diffusion occurs predominantly at
the surface of the powder particles. This opens future possibilities for
improving ion diffusion and device performance using nano-structuring.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figure
Benthic community structure and ecosystem functions in above- and below-waterfall pools in Borneo
Waterfalls are geomorphic features that often partition streams into discrete zones. Our study examined aquatic communities, litter decomposition and periphyton growth rates for above- and below-waterfall pools in Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei. We observed higher fish densities in below-waterfall pools (0.24 fish mâ2 vs. 0.02 fish mâ2 in above-waterfall pools) and higher shrimp abundance in above-waterfall pools (eight shrimp/pool vs. less than one shrimp/pool in below-waterfall pools). However, macroinvertebrate densities (excluding shrimp) were similar among both pool types. Ambient periphyton was higher in below-waterfall pools in 2013 (4.3 vs. 2.8 g mâ2 in above-waterfall pools) and 2014 (4.8 vs. 3.4 g mâ2 in above-waterfall pools), while periphyton growth rates varied from 0.05 to 0.26 g mâ2 daysâ1 and were significantly higher in below-waterfall pools in 2014. Leaf litter decomposition rates (0.001 to 0.024 daysâ1) did not differ between pool types, suggesting that neither shrimp nor fish densities had consistent impacts on this ecosystem function. Regardless, this research demonstrates the varied effects of biotic and abiotic factors on community structure and ecosystem function. Our results have highlighted the importance of discontinuities, such as waterfalls, in tropical streams.</p
Global patterns and drivers of ecosystem functioning in rivers and riparian zones
River ecosystems receive and process vast quantities of terrestrial organic carbon, the fate of which depends strongly on microbial activity. Variation in and controls of processing rates, however, are poorly characterized at the global scale. In response, we used a peer-sourced research network and a highly standardized carbon processing assay to conduct a global-scale field experiment in greater than 1000 river and riparian sites. We found that Earth's biomes have distinct carbon processing signatures. Slow processing is evident across latitudes, whereas rapid rates are restricted to lower latitudes. Both the mean rate and variability decline with latitude, suggesting temperature constraints toward the poles and greater roles for other environmental drivers (e.g., nutrient loading) toward the equator. These results and data set the stage for unprecedented "next-generation biomonitoring" by establishing baselines to help quantify environmental impacts to the functioning of ecosystems at a global scale.peerReviewe
Longitudinal river zonation in the tropics: examples of fish and caddisflies from endorheic Awash river, Ethiopia
Primary Research PaperSpecific concepts of fluvial ecology are
well studied in riverine ecosystems of the temperate
zone but poorly investigated in the Afrotropical
region. Hence, we examined the longitudinal zonation
of fish and adult caddisfly (Trichoptera) assemblages
in the endorheic Awash River (1,250 km in length),
Ethiopia. We expected that species assemblages are
structured along environmental gradients, reflecting
the pattern of large-scale freshwater ecoregions. We
applied multivariate statistical methods to test for differences in spatial species assemblage structure and
identified characteristic taxa of the observed biocoenoses
by indicator species analyses. Fish and
caddisfly assemblages were clustered into highland
and lowland communities, following the freshwater
ecoregions, but separated by an ecotone with highest
biodiversity. Moreover, the caddisfly results suggest
separating the heterogeneous highlands into a forested
and a deforested zone. Surprisingly, the Awash
drainage is rather species-poor: only 11 fish (1
endemic, 2 introduced) and 28 caddisfly species (8
new records for Ethiopia) were recorded from the
mainstem and its major tributaries. Nevertheless,
specialized species characterize the highland forests, whereas the lowlands primarily host geographically
widely distributed species. This study showed that a
combined approach of fish and caddisflies is a
suitable method for assessing regional characteristics
of fluvial ecosystems in the tropicsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Latitude dictates plant diversity effects on instream decomposition
Running waters contribute substantially to global carbon fluxes through decomposition of terrestrial plant litter by aquatic microorganisms and detritivores. Diversity of this litter may influence instream decomposition globally in ways that are not yet understood. We investigated latitudinal differences in decomposition of litter mixtures of low and high functional diversity in 40 streams on 6 continents and spanning 113 degrees of latitude. Despite important variability in our dataset, we found latitudinal differences in the effect of litter functional diversity on decomposition, which we explained as evolutionary adaptations of litter-consuming detritivores to resource availability. Specifically, a balanced diet effect appears to operate at lower latitudes versus a resource concentration effect at higher latitudes. The latitudinal pattern indicates that loss of plant functional diversity will have different consequences on carbon fluxes across the globe, with greater repercussions likely at low latitudes
Global Patterns and Controls of Nutrient Immobilization On Decomposing Cellulose In Riverine Ecosystems
Microbes play a critical role in plant litter decomposition and influence the fate of carbon in rivers and riparian zones. When decomposing low-nutrient plant litter, microbes acquire nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from the environment (i.e., nutrient immobilization), and this process is potentially sensitive to nutrient loading and changing climate. Nonetheless, environmental controls on immobilization are poorly understood because rates are also influenced by plant litter chemistry, which is coupled to the same environmental factors. Here we used a standardized, low-nutrient organic matter substrate (cotton strips) to quantify nutrient immobilization at 100 paired stream and riparian sites representing 11 biomes worldwide. Immobilization rates varied by three orders of magnitude, were greater in rivers than riparian zones, and were strongly correlated to decomposition rates. In rivers, P immobilization rates were controlled by surface water phosphate concentrations, but N immobilization rates were not related to inorganic N. The N:P of immobilized nutrients was tightly constrained to a molar ratio of 10:1 despite wide variation in surface water N:P. Immobilization rates were temperature-dependent in riparian zones but not related to temperature in rivers. However, in rivers nutrient supply ultimately controlled whether microbes could achieve the maximum expected decomposition rate at a given temperature
Interfacial engineering enables Bi@C-TiOâ microspheres as superpower and long life anode for lithium-ion batteries
202402 bcchAccepted ManuscriptOthersNational Natural Science Foundation of China; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD); Jiangsu National Synergistic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM); Foundation of NJUPT; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Guangdong Province Technical Plan ProjectPublishedGreen (AAM