Dynamics of soil inorganic nitrogen and their responses to nitrogen additions in three subtropical forests, south China

Three forests with different historical land-use, forest age, and species assemblages in subtropical China were selected to evaluate current soil N status and investigate the responses of soil inorganic N dynamics to monthly ammonium nitrate additions. Results showed that the mature monsoon evergreen broadleaved forest that has been protected for more than 400 years exhibited an advanced soil N status than the pine （Pinus massoniana） and pine-broadleaf mixed forests, both originated from the 1930＇s clear-cut and pine plantation. Mature forests had greater extractable inorganic N pool, lower N retention capacity, higher inorganic N leaching, and higher soil C/N ratios. Mineral soil extractable NH4^＋-N and NO3-N concentrations were significantly increased by experimental N additions on several sampling dates, but repeated ANOVA showed that the effect was not significant over the whole year except NH4^＋-N in the mature forest. In contrast, inorganic N （both NH4^＋-N and NO3^--N） in soil 20-cm below the surface was significantly elevated by the N additions. From 42% to 74% of N added was retained by the upper 20 cm soils in the pine and mixed forests, while 0%-70% was retained in the mature forest. Our results suggest that land-use history, forest age and species composition were likely to be some of the important factors that determine differing forest N retention responses to elevated N deposition in the study region.

Effect of Seawater Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Five Jerusalem Artichoke Ecotypes

Three treatments consisting of 0%,15%,and 30%seawater were investigated to analyse the ecotypic variabilities among five populations of Jerusalem artichoke(Helianthus tuberosus)regarding their responses to seawater stress under a hydroponic culture system.Analyses were done 2,4,and 6 days after treatments.The 15%and 30%seawater treatments reduced the growth rates of roots and shoots of H.tuberosus populations.The activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase,and catalase majored in the leaves were stimulated under the seawater stress.The electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde contents of the leaves were also stimulated owing to seawater stress.The contents of proline and soluble- sugars in the leaves increased significantly with increasing seawater concentrations.The concentrations of Na+,K+,and Cl-in the aerial parts and roots increased with an increase in the seawater concentration throughout the experimental period.There were ecotypic differences among the five populations of H.tuberosus as evidenced by the analyses of the above items in both aerial parts and roots under seawater treatment.The magnitude of the ecotypic variance components indicated that a substantial proportion of the total variation for these physiological and biochemical responses were owing to ecotype,indicating the possibility of improvement through hybridization and selection.

Preparation of jarosite by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans oxidation

The formation ofjarosite in the presence of Acidithiobacillusferrooxidans （A. ferrooxidans） was researched to ascertain the conditions of producing minimum precipitation. The effects of salt concentration and pH on the characteristics ofjarosite formed in K2SO4/（NHa）2SOa-FeSO4 inorganic salt solution and 9K medium were studied by using the measurements of scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourierism transform infrared analysis, thermogravity/differential thermogravity analysis and particle size analysis to evaluate the product. The results indicate that the formation of jarosite begins when A. ferrooxidans reaches logarithmic growth phase in 9K medium, and a higher pH value is beneficial to the formation of jarosite. The jarosite formed in 9K medium has smaller and more concentrative particle size and smoother surface than that formed in inorganic salt solution.

Fluorescence Retention of Organosilane-polymerized Carbon Dots Inverse Opals in CuCl Suspension

A novel and fluorescence retention inverse opal has been achieved from organosilane-polymerized carbon dots（SiCDs）, which is prepared via infiltrating SiCD solution into the interstice of photonic crystal（PC） template, low temperature treatment, heating polymerization and removing the colloidal template. The as-prepared SiCD inverse opals demonstrate close-cell structure, which is completely different from conventional open-cell structure. Then the fluorescence signal of as-prepared sample keeps almost unchanged in CuCl suspension while the fluorescence of SiCD solution can be quenched by CuCl suspension through an effective electron transfer process. This phenomenon can be attributed to the combined effect of high hydrostatic pressure in the pore structure, stable crosslinking network and fluorescence enhancement by PC structure. The SiCD inverse opals have advantages of unique close-cell structure, easy preparation and good repeatability that give an important insight into the design and manufacture of novel and advanced optical devices.