Assessment of the nitrogen and carbon budget of two managed temperate grassland fields

Greenhouse gas budgets as well as the productivity of grassland systems are closely related to the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles. Within the framework of the CarboEurope and NitroEurope projects we have measured C and N exchange on the field scale at the grassland site Oensingen previously converted from arable rotation. The site is located on the Swiss Central Plateau and consists of two parallel fields of equal size. One field was subjected to intensive management with average nitrogen input of 230 kg-N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 4–5 cuts per year, and the other to an extensive management with no fertilisation and less frequent cutting. The total C budget of the fields was assessed by measuring the CO₂ exchange by eddy covariance and analysing the carbon import by manure application and export by harvest. The N budget of the managed grassland is more complex. Besides the management related import and export, it includes gaseous exchange in many different forms (NO, NO₂, HNO₃, N₂O, NH₃, N₂) needing different analytical techniques, as well as input by rain and leaching of N-compounds with the soil water. The main (“level-3”) field sites in the NitroEurope project are supposed to measure 95% of the N fluxes at the field scale. For several of the N fluxes specific measurements have been performed for 1 year or longer at the site. Some of the remaining N budget components (dry and wet deposition) could be estimated from results of a national deposition network, while other components (NH₃ and N₂ emission) were estimated based on literature parameterisations. However, we found indications that the (systematic) uncertainties of these estimated N-fluxes are large and that it is important to make site-specific measurement for all relevant budget components. The suitability of corresponding experimental methods is discussed.Analysis of the C budget over a 6-year period (2002–2007) showed a significant mean difference between the two newly established grassland fields with a likely net carbon loss for the extensive management and a net sequestration for the intensive management. Since the C/N ratio of the soil organic matter of the grassland is constrained in a rather narrow range around 9.3, the change in the soil carbon pool is supposed to be accompanied by a corresponding change in the N storage. This approach provided an alternative method to check the N budget of the two grassland fields derived from the individual N fluxes.     

Cadaver decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems

A dead mammal (i.e. cadaver) is a high quality resource (narrow carbon:nitrogen ratio, high water content) that releases an intense, localised pulse of carbon and nutrients into the soil upon decomposition. Despite the fact that as much as 5,000 kg of cadaver can be introduced to a square kilometre of terrestrial ecosystem each year, cadaver decomposition remains a neglected microsere. Here we review the processes associated with the introduction of cadaver-derived carbon and nutrients into soil from forensic and ecological settings to show that cadaver decomposition can have a greater, albeit localised, effect on belowground ecology than plant and faecal resources. Cadaveric materials are rapidly introduced to belowground floral and faunal communities, which results in the formation of a highly concentrated island of fertility, or cadaver decomposition island (CDI). CDIs are associated with increased soil microbial biomass, microbial activity (C mineralisation) and nematode abundance. Each CDI is an ephemeral natural disturbance that, in addition to releasing energy and nutrients to the wider ecosystem, acts as a hub by receiving these materials in the form of dead insects, exuvia and puparia, faecal matter (from scavengers, grazers and predators) and feathers (from avian scavengers and predators). As such, CDIs contribute to landscape heterogeneity. Furthermore, CDIs are a specialised habitat for a number of flies, beetles and pioneer vegetation, which enhances biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems.     

The use of Ecological and Carbon Footprint Analysis in regional policy making: application and insights using the REAP model

This paper builds on and extends previous research to contribute to ongoing discussion on the use of resource and carbon accounting tools in regional policy making. The Northern Visions project has produced the first evidence-based footpath setting out the actions that need to be taken to achieve the step changes in the Ecological and Carbon Footprint of Northern Ireland. A range of policies and strategies were evaluated using the Resources and Energy Analysis Programme. The analysis provided the first regional evidence base that current sustainable development policy commitments would not lead to the necessary reductions in either the Ecological Footprint or carbon dioxide emissions. Building on previous applications of Ecological Footprint analysis in regional policy making, the research has demonstrated that there is a valuable role for Ecological and Carbon Footprint Analysis in policy appraisal. The use of Ecological and Carbon Footprint Analysis in regional policy making has been evaluated and recommendations made on ongoing methodological development. The authors hope that the research can provide insights for the ongoing use Ecological and Carbon Footprint Analysis in regional policy making and help set out the priorities for research to support this important policy area.     

A well to wire LCA model development and sensitivity analysis for carbon footprint of combined cycle power plants in Iranian electricity network

The present research introduces a well to wire pseudo comprehensive carbon footprint model for combined cycle power plants. The mentioned model integrates land use change model, operational model and transmission and distribution model into one comprehensive model. The parameters which their effects are considered in the integrated model are: fuel type, fuel transmission type, emission for fuel extraction and processing, own consumption of the plant, degradation, site ambient condition, transmission and distribution losses. For quantifying the effectiveness of each parameter, sensitivity analyses based on different life cycle scenarios are performed. The result shows that the effect of land use change is negligible. The carbon footprint of electrical energy produced in combined cycle plant until it is delivered to the end users varies from 321 to 522 g CO₂ eq/kWh.     

Carbon dioxide adsorption and cycloaddition reaction of epoxides using chitosan–graphene oxide nanocomposite as a catalyst

One of today's major challenges is to provide green materials for a cleaner environment. We have conducted studies on carbon dioxide(CO2) adsorption and conversion to valuable products by an ecofriendly approach based in chitosan/graphene oxide(CSGO) nanocomposite film. Rheological behavior indicates that the CSGO has a better solvation property than the pure chitosan. An adsorption capacity of 1.0152 mmol CO_2/g of CSGO nanocomposite at4.6 bar was observed. The catalytic behavior of the CSGO nanocomposite in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide(n-Bu4 NI) as co-catalyst was evaluated for the cycloaddition of CO_2 to epoxides, to give cyclic carbonates, in the absence of any solvent. These results strongly suggest that the CSGO nanocomposite may open new vistas towards the development of ecofriendly material for catalytic conversion and adsorption of CO_2 on industrial scale.     

电厂二氧化碳捕集分离技术研究综述

电厂二氧化碳捕集与封存是二氧化碳减排措施研究热点,也是全球二氧化碳减排的重要任务之一,可分为物理吸附/吸收、化学吸收、物理-化学吸收、膜技术及生物技术等。其中物理吸附/吸收、化学吸收为电厂二氧化碳捕集主流技术。开发具有高选择性、高效率吸收剂及捕集技术,提高能源利用效率,合理布置尾部烟气脱碳处理设施是电厂二氧化碳捕集技术面临的挑战。     

中国发展低碳经济的若干思考

全球气候变化是世界面临的最严峻的环境问题,中国作为发展中国家及温室气体排放大国。急需探索出适合中国发展的低碳之路。中国碳排放总量持续增加,且以工业碳排放为主,严重威胁中国的环境安全与能源安全。中国发展低碳经济主要面临低碳理论欠缺、能源利用效率低、经济发展粗放、以煤炭为主的能源结构等问题．可以从健全相关的政策体系、研发低碳技术和低碳产品、加强公众参与、加强国际合作及树立示范等方面去探索适合中国的低碳经济发展模式。     

Motivations and barriers for Western Australian broad-acre farmers to adopt carbon farming

Carbon farming policies aim to contribute to climate change mitigation, but their success strongly depends on whether landholders actually adopt desired practices or participate in offered programs. The Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative and Emissions Reduction Fund policies were designed to incentivise the adoption of carbon farming practices. Although these policies have been active since December 2011, farmer engagement has been limited, and net emissions reductions low as a result. We surveyed broad-acre farmers in the Western Australian wheatbelt to explore their drivers and barriers to adopting carbon farming practices and participating in carbon farming policy programs. Drivers of adoption included knowledge and perception of co-benefits (for yield, productivity, and the environment), knowing another adopter, and believing that changes to farm management are an appropriate method to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Barriers to adoption included lack of information, uncertainty and costs. The key barrier to participation was policy and political uncertainty. The determinants of adoption and participation that we identify in our study offer important insights into how to best ensure the success of Australia’s land sector-based climate change policies. We conclude that, to increase landholder engagement, the co-benefits and climate change benefits of carbon farming practices must be actively promoted, and additional information is needed about the costs associated with adoption. Information diffusion is best achieved if it actively leverages landholder social networks. Finally, our results indicate that landholder buy-in to carbon farming could be greatly enhanced by achieving more continuity in Australian climate change policies and politics.     

深水人工湖环境生物地球化学过程研究:以贵州红枫湖-百花湖为例

红枫湖和百花湖地处长江支流乌江水系猫跳河流域,位于黔中人为活动高强度地区,具低纬度-高海拔的地理区位;是河道型梯级开发的人工湖,具碳酸盐岩的地质背景、水寄宿时间小、水深变幅大、水体多功能、农区与覆水区镶嵌等重要特征。红枫湖表层沉积物Pb稳定同位素组成表明其污染具多源特征;剖析百花湖-红枫湖突发性水质恶化相互关联水质指标表明湖泊黑潮是特定季节、特殊气候条件下,沉积有机质生物氧化作用的耦合;脱氮过程受阻的pH控制导致亚硝酸根浓度增高;维护该湖泊水系环境质量需预防工业污染、流域侵蚀、生活污染并综合治理湖区。     

The role of economic,policy, and ecological factors in estimating the value of carbon stocks in Everglades mangrove forests,South Florida,USA

Old growth mangroves in existing protected areas store more carbon than restored forests or plantations. Carbon storage in such forests has economic value independent of additionality, offering opportunities for policy makers to ensure their maintenance, and inclusion in climate change mitigation strategies. Mangrove forests of the Everglades National Park (ENP), South Florida, though protected, face external stressors such as hydrological alterations because of flooding control structures and agriculture impacts and saltwater intrusion as a result of increasing sea level rise. Moreover, decreased funding of Everglades’ restoration activities following the recent economic crisis (beginning 2008) threatens the restoration of the Greater Everglades including mangrove dominated coastal regions. We evaluate several economic and ecological challenges confronting the economic valuation of total (vegetation plus soil) organic carbon (TOC) storage in the ENP mangroves. Estimated TOC storage for this forested wetland ranges from 70 to 537 Mg C/ha and is higher than values reported for tropical, boreal, and temperate forests. We calculate the average abatement cost of C specific for ENP mangroves to value the TOC from $2–$3.4 billion; estimated unit area values are $13,859/ha–$23,728/ha. The valuation of the stored/legacy carbon is based on the: 1) ecogeomorphic attributes, 2) regional socio-economic milieu, and 3) status of the ENP mangroves as a protected area. The assessment of C storage estimates and its economic value can change public perception about how this regulating ecosystem service of ENP mangrove wetlands (144,447 ha) supports human well-being and numerous economic activities. This perception, in turn, can contribute to future policy changes such that the ENP mangroves, the largest mangrove area in the continental USA, can be included as a potential alternative in climate change mitigation strategies.