Microbiome and soil chemistry characterization at long-term bioenergy research sites challenges idea that switchgrass increases carbon accrual in surface soils of marginal lands.
The map fills in a portion of the study site missing from sampling studies and enables a better understanding of hydrological dynamics in a complex river corridor.
Soil microbial communities produced more water retaining molecules when enriched with insoluble organic carbon, chitin, compared to a soluble carbon source, N-acetylglucosamine.
To study the impact of accelerated dryland expansion and degradation on global dryland gross primary production (GPP,) PNNL and Washington State University researchers assessed GPP data from 2000-2014 and the CMIP5 aridity index (AI).
Researchers performed controlled laboratory experiments using river sediment to test organic matter thermodynamics as a mechanism of metabolic control in areas where groundwater and surface water mix.
Researchers performed a combined analysis of metabolic and gene co-expression networks to explore how the soil microbiome responds to changes in moisture and nutrient conditions.
By studying discrete functional components of the soil microbiome at high resolution, researchers obtained a more complete picture of soil diversity compared to analysis of the entire soil community.
DOE researchers have developed an infrared nano-imager that may be used to visualize and fingerprint biological molecules in their native liquid environments.