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Globally, the widespread utilization of plastic products has resulted in the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the soil. MPs have the potential to impact the loss of soil organic carbon (SOC). Nevertheless, the influence of different types of MPs on SOC loss remains uncertain.In this study, a 38 day incubation experiment with two kinds of conventional MPs (polyethylene, polypropylene) as well as two kinds of biodegradable MPs (polyhydroxyalkanoate [PHA], polylactic acid [PLA]) were added into three types of soil (loam, sandy loam, and sandy soil) in farmland shelterbelts, and the sources of CO2 emissions was distinguished by the difference in 13C isotope abundance between the biodegradable MPs (PHA and PLA) (−10.02‰ to −9.92‰) and the soil (−24.39‰ to −22.86‰) (>10‰).In conjunction with the structural characterization of MPs, as well as soil physicochemical properties and microbial characteristics, we observed that the conventional MPs did not degrade in short term incubation, but significantly enhance soil‐derived CO2 emissions by altering the dissolved N content (NH4+‐N and dissolved total N [DTN]) and reducing microbial biomass carbon content only in sandy loam soil (p < 0.05). Biodegradable MPs degraded significantly, and enhanced soil‐derived CO2 emissions by reducing soil DTN and NO3−‐N contents in loam, sandy loam and sandy soil (p < 0.05).Overall, the input of biodegradable MPs causes a more serious loss of SOC than conventional MPs as the soil sand content increased in short term incubation, which needs to be considered in predicting the global impact of increasing biodegradable MPs pollution. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized using 3-aminopropylthiosilane-methacrylic acid monomer (APTES-MAA) as the functional monomer and 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) as the template, based on computer simulation. The hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers (HMIPs) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, particle size measurement, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It has been shown that HMIPs are irregularly shaped and porous, with particle sizes ranging mainly from 130 to 211 nm. At 298 K, the HMIPs exhibit a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.35 mg·g−1 for HCPT and demonstrate good adsorption specificity (α = 5.38). The pseudo-second-order reaction mechanism suggests that the equilibrium adsorption capacity of HCPT on HMIPs is 8.11 mg·g−1. Finally, HCPT was successfully separated and enriched from the extract of Camptotheca acuminata Decne. seeds using HMIPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the importance of chemical ecology in forest ecosystems. It highlights the role of chemical relationships in the interactions between organisms and the impact on plant growth, reproduction, and defense strategies. The document also explores the use of allelopathy, the production of allelochemicals by plants, to enhance plant productivity and resistance to pests. Additionally, it examines the influence of chemical signaling substances on plant growth and the role of soil microbial communities in nutrient availability. The document concludes by discussing the effects of environmental factors on the production of active substances in plants and the impact of nutrient imbalances on plant health. Overall, this document provides valuable insights into the study of forest chemical ecology and its implications for sustainable forest development. [Extracted from the article]

This study introduced the preparation of a novel HOF-loaded PU sponge (HOF-3@PU) composite for the sustainable and efficient purification of catalpol and ajugol from Rehmannia glutinosa leaves for the first time. HOF-3 was selected as the best adsorbent from the five synthesised HOFs. HOF-3@PU was prepared by ultrasonication, and the loading conditions were optimised. The results showed that the optimum adsorption conditions are as follows: adsorption liquid volume: 160 mL, flow rate: 3.0 mL/min, pH: 6.0, concentration: 1.62 mg/mL for catalpol and 2.18 mg/mL for ajugol. The optimum desorption conditions are as follows: desorption agent: ethanol, volume fraction: 60%, flow rate: 2.0 mL/min, volume: 300 mL and pH: 6.0. Under the optimal process conditions, the adsorption capacities of catalpol and ajugol were 75.62 and 68.41 mg/g, the desorption rates were 78.5 and 86.4% and the purities were 38.7 and 36.5%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]