Evaluation of compacted urea fertilizers prepared with acid and non-acid producing chemical additives in three soils varying in pH and cation exchange capacity; I. NH3 volatilization

Efficacy of different acid-producing chemical additives was evaluated in terms of pH, urea hydrolysis, NH₄-N dynamics and NH₃ volatilization in an Alfisol, a Vertisol and an Inceptisol. Compacting phosphogypsum (PG), diammonium phosphate (DAP), ZnSO₄ and KCl separately with urea slowed down urea hydrolysis and reduced NH₃ volatilization loss. Peak volatilization loss of NH₃ occurred between 2 to 4 days of fertilizer application in Vertisol and Alfisol, but between 4 to 6 days in Inceptisol. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil influenced more in reducing NH₃ loss than native soil pH, as lower amount of NH₃ was lost from Vertisol (pH=8.0, CEC=43.92 cmol_c kg^-1) than from Alfisol (pH=5.8, CEC=13.82 cmol_c kg^-1). The loss from Inceptisol was in between the above two soils.     

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of AMT and NRT Gene Family in Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) Seedlings Revealed a Preference for NH4+-N

Nitrogen (N) is a major limiting factor for plant growth and crop production. The use of N fertilizer in forestry production is increasing each year, but the loss is substantial. Mastering the regulatory mechanisms of N uptake and transport is a key way to improve plant nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, this has rarely been studied in pecans. In this study, 10 AMT and 69 NRT gene family members were identified and systematically analyzed from the whole pecan genome using a bioinformatics approach, and the expression patterns of AMT and NRT genes and the uptake characteristics of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ in pecan were analyzed by aeroponic cultivation at varying NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratios (0/0, 0/100,25/75, 50/50, 75/25,100/0 as CK, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). The results showed that gene duplication was the main reason for the amplification of the AMT and NRT gene families in pecan, both of which experienced purifying selection. Based on qRT-PCR results, CiAMTs were primarily expressed in roots, and CiNRTs were majorly expressed in leaves, which were consistent with the distribution of pecan NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations in the organs. The expression levels of CiAMTs and CiNRTs were mainly significantly upregulated under N deficiency and T4 treatment. Meanwhile, T4 treatment significantly increased the NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, and NO₂⁻ concentrations as well as the Vmax and Km values of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ in pecans, and Vmax/Km indicated that pecan seedlings preferred to absorb NH₄⁺. In summary, considering the single N source of T5, we suggested that the NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratio of 75:25 was more beneficial to improve the NUE of pecan, thus increasing pecan yield, which provides a theoretical basis for promoting the scale development of pecan and provides a basis for further identification of the functions of AMT and NRT genes in the N uptake and transport process of pecan.     

Effect of limited artificial aeration on constructed wetland treatment of domestic wastewater

To study the effect of limited artificial aeration on domestic wastewater treatment in the constructed wetlands (CWs), four pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow CWs were operated from October 2006 to September 2007. The types of the four units include aerated and planted CW (APCW), planted CW (PCW), aerated CW (ACW) and CW, and all the units have the identical dimensions of 3 m in length, 0.7 m in width and 1 m in depth. The automated aeration was activated when the oxygen concentrations in the units were lower than 0.2 mg/L and ceased when the oxygen concentrations in the CWs were higher than 0.6 mg/L. More stable alkaline pH values were found in aeration units than that in the non-aeration units. APCW, in which the removal efficiencies of BOD, NH₄⁺-N and TN were 94.4% (16.7 g BOD d^− 1 m^− 2), 89.1% (4.54 g NH₄⁺-N d^− 1 m^− 2), and 86.0%( 4.99 g TN d^− 1 m^− 2) respectively, was more effective at pollutant removal than the other three units. There were no significant differences in TP removal between the aeration units and non-aeration units. Less surface area is needed due to high removal efficiency in APCW and the additional cost of operation is quite little. The results from this experiment indicated that limited artificial aeration in constructed wetlands is a cost-effective method for treating domestic wastewater.     

ESR of Gd3+: a surrogate for the study of lanthanide dispersion in zeolitic and amorphous catalysts

Gd³⁺-ESR spectroscopy can be used as a sensitive method for the study of lanthanide additives in catalysts. Here we present the results of a comparative study of Gd/SiO₂-Al₂O₃ and Gd/HZSM-5. ESR gives evidence of rigid bonding of isolated Gd³⁺ ions into both amorphous silica-alumina and into HZSM-5. In addition, the zeolitic matrix stabilizes very small Gd³⁺-clusters (containing only a few ions) capable of interacting with water molecules. Excess Gd is present as non-dispersed, particulate oxide. Strong bonding of PO₃^3- anionic ligands irreversibly changes the local environment and reactivity towards H₂O of the Gd³⁺-clusters in HZSM-5. The Gd³⁺ ions do not block the cationic positions of HZSM-5 from further interaction with paramagnetic Cu²⁺ or Rh²⁺ cations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of Ceria-Zeolite Catalysts by Different Techniques and Its Effect on Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 at High Space Velocities

Several zeolite-based catalysts containing Ce³⁺ and/or CeO₂ were prepared by a variety of catalyst preparation techniques like ion exchange, solid-state ion exchange, impregnation and physical mixing and are characterised. Selective catalytic reduction was evaluated using simulated exhaust gas containing NO _x , NH₃, O₂ and H₂O at high space velocities (>180000 h^–1) in the temperature window 150–600 °C. The activity and selectivity in NO _x reduction was found to strongly depend on the charge compensating ions, crystallite size of the zeolite and CeO₂ content in the catalyst. CeO₂ mixed with zeolite having H⁺ or Ce³⁺ co-cations showed benificial effect and increased the NO _x conversion and selectivity. Among the different zeolite materials studied, the structure and the strength and amount of Brønsted acidity did not influence the NO _x conversion.     

The Remarkable Effect of In2O3 on the Catalytic Activity of In/HZSM-5 for the Reduction of NO with CH4

In/HZSM-5/In₂O₃ catalyst that contained two different kinds of In induced by the impregnating and the physical mixing method respectively has shown remarkable activity for the CH₄-SCR of NO _x comparing with In/HZSM-5. The addition of In₂O₃ into In/HZSM-5 improved the NO conversion through enhancing the adsorption of NO _x over In/HZSM-5.     

FT-IR spectroscopic investigation of the surface reaction of CH4 with NO x species adsorbed on Pd/WO3–ZrO2 catalyst

The interaction of methane at various temperatures with NO _x species formed by room temperature adsorption of NO + O₂ mixture on tungstated zirconia (18.6 wt.% WO₃) and palladium(II)-promoted tungstated zirconia (0.1 wt.% Pd) has been investigated using in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. A mechanism for the reduction of NO over the Pd-promoted tungstated zirconia is proposed, which involves a step consisting of thermal decomposition of the nitromethane to adsorbed NO and formates through the intermediacy of cis-methyl nitrite. The HCOO⁻ formed acts as a reductant of the adsorbed NO producing nitrogen.     

The potential of di-methyl ether (DME) as an alternative fuel for compression-ignition engines: A review

This paper reviews the properties and application of di-methyl ether (DME) as a candidate fuel for compression-ignition engines. DME is produced by the conversion of various feedstock such as natural gas, coal, oil residues and bio-mass. To determine the technical feasibility of DME, the review compares its key properties with those of diesel fuel that are relevant to this application. DME’s diesel engine-compatible properties are its high cetane number and low auto-ignition temperature. In addition, its simple chemical structure and high oxygen content result in soot-free combustion in engines. Fuel injection of DME can be achieved through both conventional mechanical and current common-rail systems but requires slight modification of the standard system to prevent corrosion and overcome low lubricity. The spray characteristics of DME enable its application to compression-ignition engines despite some differences in its properties such as easier evaporation and lower density. Overall, the low particulate matter production of DME provides adequate justification for its consideration as a candidate fuel in compression-ignition engines. Recent research and development shows comparable output performance to a diesel fuel led engine but with lower particulate emissions. NO_x emissions from DME-fuelled engines can meet future regulations with high exhaust gas recirculation in combination with a lean NO_x trap. Although more development work has focused on medium or heavy-duty engines, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the technical feasibility of DME as a candidate fuel for environmentally-friendly compression-ignition engines independent of size or application.