Recent advances in elaborate interface regulation of BiVO_(4)photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Bismuth vanadate(BiVO_(4))is an excellent photoanode material for photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting system,possessing high theoretical photoelectrocatalytic conversion efficiency.However,the actual PEC activity and stability of BiVO_(4)are faced with great challenges due to factors such as severe charge recombination and slow water oxidation kinetics at the interface.Therefore,various interface regulation strategies have been adopted to optimize the BiVO_(4)photoanode.This review provides an in-depth analysis for the mechanism of interface regulation strategies from the perspective of factors affecting the PEC performance of BiVO_(4)photoanodes.These interface regulation strategies improve the PEC performance of BiVO_(4)photoanode by promoting charge separation and transfer,accelerating interfacial reaction kinetics,and enhancing stability.The research on the interface regulation strategies of BiVO_(4)photoanode is of great significance for promoting the development of PEC water splitting technology.At the same time,it also has inspiration for providing new ideas and methods for designing and preparing efficient and stable catalytic materials.

Analysis on the daily courses of water potential of nine woody species from Cerrado vegetation during wet season

The water potential (Ψ) daily courses of 9 woody species from Cerrado vegetation in different weather conditions during wet season were observed and analyzed. The adjusting strategies of 9 species could be divided into 3 groups according to Cluster Analysis and based on the data observed on the January 18, March 20 and April 6. The Ψ values of the first group, which included 2 species, were maintained at the higher level consistently. The Ψ values of the second group, which included 5 species, were intermediate level. The Ψ values of the third group, which included 2 species, were kept in the lower level. The Ψ values of all species always kept pace with the weather condition, especially water condition. During the clear day only one Ψ value peak for all species occurred at midday (12∶30–13∶30). When the overcast or raining occurred for a short period, the fluctuation of Ψ values would appear after about 15–30 min responding to the change of weather condition. Even in the same group under the same external circumstance, there was a clear variation of the leaf Ψ values among different species, which showed that the strategy diversity for plant to balance water relation. From January to April, the Ψ values of 9 species reduced in response to the drought condition. The species with the lower values of water saturation deficiency at turgid loss point (W sdtlp) the osmotic potential at saturation (πsat), the osmotic potential at turgid lose point (πtip) or lower predawn water potential (Ψpd) usually had the lower Ψ values at midday. The mechanism of water balance controlled by many systems has been assumed.

Stable oxygen-hydrogen isotopes reveal water use strategies of Tamarix taklamakanensis in the Taklimakan Desert, China

Tamarix taklamakanensis,a dominant species in the Taklimakan Desert of China,plays a crucial role in stabilizing sand dunes and maintaining regional ecosystem stability.This study aimed to determine the water use strategies of T.taklamakanensis in the Taklimakan Desert under a falling groundwater depth.Four typical T.taklamakanensis nabkha habitats(sandy desert of Tazhong site,saline desert-alluvial plain of Qiemo site,desert-oasis ecotone of Qira site and desert-oasis ecotone of Aral site)were selected with different climate,soil,groundwater and plant cover conditions.Stable isotope values of hydrogen and oxygen were measured for plant xylem water,soil water(soil depths within 0–500 cm),snowmelt water and groundwater in the different habitats.Four potential water sources for T.taklamakanensis,defined as shallow,middle and deep soil water,as well as groundwater,were investigated using a Bayesian isotope mixing model.It was found that groundwater in the Taklimakan Desert was not completely recharged by precipitation,but through the river runoff from snowmelt water in the nearby mountain ranges.The surface soil water content was quickly depleted by strong evaporation,groundwater depth was relatively shallow and the height of T.taklamakanensis nabkha was relatively low,thus T.taklamakanensis primarily utilized the middle(23%±1%)and deep(31%±5%)soil water and groundwater(36%±2%)within the sandy desert habitat.T.taklamakanensis mainly used the deep soil water(55%±4%)and a small amount of groundwater(25%±2%)within the saline desert-alluvial plain habitat,where the soil water content was relatively high and the groundwater depth was shallow.In contrast,within the desert-oasis ecotone in the Qira and Aral sites,T.taklamakanensis primarily utilized the deep soil water(35%±1%and 38%±2%,respectively)and may also use groundwater because the height of T.taklamakanensis nabkha was relatively high in these habitats and the soil water content was relatively low,which is associated with the reduced groundwater depth due to excessive water resource exploitation and utilization by surrounding cities.Consequently,T.taklamakanensis showed distinct water use strategies among the different habitats and primarily depended on the relatively stable water sources(deep soil water and groundwater),reflecting its adaptations to the different habitats in the arid desert environment.These findings improve our understanding on determining the water sources and water use strategies of T.taklamakanensis in the Taklimakan Desert.

Comment： Closing phosphorus cycle from natural waters： re-capturing phosphorus through an integrated water-energy-food strategy

Phosphorus （P） reserve, largely derived from phosphate rock, is essential for crop growth to support the growing world population. However, a significant proportion of phosphorus used as a fertilizer runs into natural waters, causing eutro- phication and ecological damage. Moreover, most P in the food is eventually discharged as waste after being digested by human and animals. Thus, industrial activities have created a one-way flow of non-renewable P from rocks to farms to lakes, rivers and oceans.

Differential water use strategies among selected rare and endangered species in West Ordos Desert of China

Aims West Ordos Desert(WOD)in Inner Mongolia of China is charac-terized by unique geographical and ecological features to avoid the direct invasion of Quaternary Continental Glaciation,so it hosts many endangered relic species such as Tetraena mongol-ica,Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and Potaninia mongolica from Tertiary.However,how these plants utilize available water sources remains unknown.The objective of this study was to investigate the water utilization strategies of selected rare and endangered plant species in WOD by comparing hydrogen isotope ratios between their xylem water and possible water sources following four rainfall events of varying-intensities.Methods We measured the hydrogen isotope ratios of xylem water from T.mongolica,A.mongolicus and P.mongolica and an accom-panying species Sarcozygium xanthoxylum and potential water sources(including precipitation and soil water in different soil layers from 0 to 150 cm)over 9 days following each of four varying-intensity rainfall events during the summer of 2012.And then calculated the percentage utilization of potential water sources by each species after each rainfall events using the linear mixing model.We also made the measurements of soil moisture and root biomass in favor of interpretation of plant water use strategies.Important Findings Tetraena mongolica,A.mongolicus and S.xanthoxylum primarily relied on deep soil water,whereas P.mongolica depended predomi-nantly on rainwater.These rare and endangered desert plants had differential utilizations of available water sources,so some com-petition for limited water existed among some species.Tetraena mongolica had a competitive relationship in absorption of soil moisture with the same family species S.xanthoxylum,suggesting that T.mongolica and S.xanthoxylum should be restored separately at different areas in the WOD.Overall,this study provides a better understanding of water use strategies of these four plants and scien-tific evidence for protecting rare and endangered plants,maintain-ing regional species diversity,and developing effective vegetation restoration plans in the WOD.

Understanding plant drought resistance in a Mediterranean coastal sand dune ecosystem:differences between native and exotic invasive species

Aims Mediterranean coastal dunes are habitats of great conservation interest,with a distinctive and rich flora.In the last century,Acacia spp.,native from Australia,have been introduced in Portugal,with the objective of stabilizing sand dunes,and since have become dominant in numerous sand dune habitats.This invasion process led to the reduction of native plant species richness,changed soil characteristics and modified habitat’s microclimatic char-acteristics.The aim of this research was to typify and compare,in Mediterranean sand dune ecosystems,the ecophysiological responses to drought of Helichrysum italicum and Corema album,two native species,and Acacia longifolia,an exotic invasive spe-cies.We addressed the following specific objectives:(i)to com-pare water relations and water use efficiencies,(ii)to evaluate water stress,(iii)to assess water use strategies and water sources used by plants and(iv)to evaluate the morphological adaptations at leaf and phyllode level.Methods In order to obtain an integrative view of ecophysiological patterns,water relations and performance measuring methods have been applied:predawn(ψPD)and midday(ψMD)water potential,chloro-phyll a fluorescence,oxygen isotopic composition of xylem,rain and groundwater(δ18O)and leaf carbon isotopic discrimination(Δ13C).The leaf characteristics of the three species,as well as the histochemistry of non-glandular trichome cell walls,were also studied to identify morpho-traits related to drought resistance.Important Findings The results support our initial hypothesis:although A.longifolia clearly possesses a degree of resistance to water stress,such ability is provided by a different water strategy,when compared to native species.Natives relied on morphological adaptations to restrict water loss,whereas the invasive species adjusted the water uptake as a way to balance their limited ability of restricting water loss.We corroborate that woody native species(i)have a conservative water-saving strategy and minor seasonal variations relative to invasive species,(ii)use enriched water sources during drought periods,indicating different water sources and root systems com-paring with invasive species and(iii)present drought leaf morpho-functional adaptations related with limiting water loss.Comparing the physiological performance of invasive and native species can offer causal explanations for the relative success of alien plant invasions on sand dunes ecosystems.