Salinization of agricultural land is becoming increasingly severe worldwide,posing a significant threat to food security.The exogenous application of bioactive substances has been widely used to enhance plant resistan...Salinization of agricultural land is becoming increasingly severe worldwide,posing a significant threat to food security.The exogenous application of bioactive substances has been widely used to enhance plant resistance to salt stress.In this study,we used corn steep liquor(CSL),myo-inositol(MI),and their combination to improve salt tolerance in Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa L.ssp.pekinensis)under salt stress conditions.All three treatments significantly increased plant biomass and nutrient uptake,and improved soil physicochemical properties,while alleviating oxidative damage and ion toxicity.展开更多
Titanium exhibits outstanding properties,particularly,high specific strength and resistance to both high and low temperatures,earning it a reputation as the metal of the future.However,because of the highly reactive n...Titanium exhibits outstanding properties,particularly,high specific strength and resistance to both high and low temperatures,earning it a reputation as the metal of the future.However,because of the highly reactive nature of titanium,metallic titanium production involves extensive procedures and high costs.Considering its advantages and limitations,the European Union has classified titanium metal as a critical raw material(CRM)of low category.The Kroll process is predominantly used to produce titanium;however,molten salt electrolysis(MSE)is currently being explored for producing metallic titanium at a low cost.Since 2000,electrolytic titanium production has undergone a wave of technological advancements.However,because of the intermediate and disproportionation reactions in the electrolytic titanium production process,the process efficiency and titanium purity according to industrial standards could not be achieved.Consequently,metallic titanium production has gradually diversified into employing technologies such as thermal reduction,MSE,and titanium alloy preparation.This study provides a comprehensive review of research advances in titanium metal preparation technologies over the past two decades,highlighting the challenges faced by the existing methods and proposing potential solutions.It offers useful insights into the development of low-cost titanium preparation technologies.展开更多
Industrial waste salts are commonly used to make value-added snow-melting agents to ensure traffic safety in northern China during winter and spring after snowfall.However,heavy metals in industrial waste salts may po...Industrial waste salts are commonly used to make value-added snow-melting agents to ensure traffic safety in northern China during winter and spring after snowfall.However,heavy metals in industrial waste salts may pose certain environmental risks.Snow-melting agents and snow samples were collected and analyzed from highways,arterial roads,footbridges,and other locations in Beijing after the snowstorm in December 2023.It was found that the main component of snow-melting agents was sodium chloride with high concentrations of Cu,Mn,and Zn,which are not regulated in the current policies,despite the recent promotion of environmentally friendly snow-melting agents.The Pb,Zn and Cr contents of some snow samples exceeded the limitation value of surface water quality standards,potentially affecting the soil and water environment near roadsides,although the snow-melting agents comply with relevant standards,which indicates the policy gap in the management of recycled industrial salts.We reviewed and analyzed the relevant standards for snow-melting agents and industrial waste salts proposed nationally and internationally over the past 30 years.Through comparative analysis,we proposed relevant policy recommendations to the existing quality standards of snow-melting agents and the management regulations of industrial waste salts,and the formulation of corresponding usage strategies,aimed at reducing the potential environmental release of heavy metals from the use of snow-melting agents,thereby promoting more sustainable green urban development and environmentally sound waste management.展开更多
Molten salt reactors,being the only reactor type among Generation Ⅳ advanced nuclear reactors that utilize liquid fuels,offer inherent safety,high-temperature,and low-pressure operation,as well as the capability for ...Molten salt reactors,being the only reactor type among Generation Ⅳ advanced nuclear reactors that utilize liquid fuels,offer inherent safety,high-temperature,and low-pressure operation,as well as the capability for online fuel reprocessing.However,the fuel-salt flow results in the decay of delayed neutron precursors(DNPs)outside the core,causing fluctuations in the effective delayed neutron fraction and consequently impacting the reactor reactivity.Particularly in accident scenarios—such as a combined pump shutdown and the inability to rapidly scram the reactor—the sole reliance on negative temperature feedback may cause a significant increase in core temperature,posing a threat to reactor safety.To address these problems,this paper introduces an innovative design for a passive fluid-driven suspended control rod(SCR)to dynamically compensate for reactivity fluctuations caused by DNPs flowing with the fuel.The control rod operates passively by leveraging the combined effects of gravity,buoyancy,and fluid dynamic forces,thereby eliminating the need for an external drive mechanism and enabling direct integration within the active region of the core.Using a 150 MWt thorium-based molten salt reactor as the reference design,we develop a mathematical model to systematically analyze the effects of key parameters—including the geometric dimensions and density of the SCR—on its performance.We examine its motion characteristics under different core flow conditions and assess its feasibility for the dynamic compensation of reactivity changes caused by fuel flow.The results of this study demonstrate that the SCR can effectively counteract reactivity fluctuations induced by fuel flow within molten salt reactors.A sensitivity analysis reveals that the SCR’s average density exerts a profound impact on its start-up flow threshold,channel flow rate,resistance to fuel density fluctuations,and response characteristics.This underscores the critical need to optimize this parameter.Moreover,by judiciously selecting the SCR’s length,number of deployed units,and the placement we can achieve the necessary reactivity control while maintaining a favorable balance between neutron economy and heat transfer performance.Ultimately,this paper provides an innovative solution for the passive reactivity control in molten salt reactors,offering significant potential for practical engineering applications.展开更多
TiB_(2)coatings can significantly enhance the high-temperature oxidation resistance of molybdenum,which would broaden the application range of molybdenum and alloys thereof.However,traditional methods for preparing Ti...TiB_(2)coatings can significantly enhance the high-temperature oxidation resistance of molybdenum,which would broaden the application range of molybdenum and alloys thereof.However,traditional methods for preparing TiB_(2)coatings have disadvantages such as high equipment costs,complicated processes,and highly toxic gas emissions.This paper proposes an environmentally friendly method,which requires inexpensive equipment and simple processing,for preparing TiB_(2)coating on molybdenum via electrophoretic deposition within Na3AlF6-based molten salts.The produced TiB_(2)layer had an approximate thickness of 60μm and exhibited high density,outstanding hardness(38.2 GPa)and robust adhesion strength(51 N).Additionally,high-temperature oxidation experiments revealed that,at900℃,the TiB_(2)coating provided effective protection to the molybdenum substrate against oxidation for 3 h.This result indicates that the TiB_(2)coating prepared on molybdenum using molten salt electrophoretic deposition possesses good high-temperature oxidation resistance.展开更多
China has unique salt lake resources, and they are distributed in the east of Eurasian salt lake subzone of the Northern Hemisphere Salt Lake Zone, mainly concentrated in the regions with modern mean annual precipitat...China has unique salt lake resources, and they are distributed in the east of Eurasian salt lake subzone of the Northern Hemisphere Salt Lake Zone, mainly concentrated in the regions with modern mean annual precipitation lower than 500 mm. This paper preliminarily reviews the progress made in salt lake research in China for the past 60 years. In the research of Paleoclimate and paleoenvironment from salt lake sediments, a series of salts have been proposed to be indicators of paleoclimate, and have been well accepted by scholars. The chloride-sulfate depositional regions of the west Qaidam and the east Tarim have been revealed to be the drought center of China since the Quaternary, and more than 6 spreading stages of arid climate （salt forming） have been identified. Five pan-lake periods with highstands have been proved to exist during the late Quaternary on the Tibetan Plateau. In mineral resource prospecting and theories of the forming of salt deposits： the atlas （1：2500000） of hydrochemical zoning of salt lakes on the Tibetan Plateau has been compiled for the first time, revealing the zonal distribution and transition from carbonate type to chloride type from south to north and presenting corresponding mineral assemblages for different type of salt lakes; several large continental salt deposits have been discovered and the theory of continental potash deposition has been developed, including the salt deposition in deep basins surrounded by high mountains, the mineral deposition from multistage evolution through chains of moderate or shallow lakes with multilevels, the origin of potassium rich brines in gravel layers, and the forming of potassium deposits through the inheriting from ancient salt deposits, thus establishing the framework of ＂Continental Potash Deposition Theory＂; several new types of Mg-borate deposits have been discovered, including the ulexite and pinnoite bed in Da Qaidam Lake, Qinghai, the pinnoite and kurnakovite bed in Chagcam Caka, Tibet, the kurnakovite bed in Lake Nyer, and the corresponding model of borate deposition from the cooling and dissolution of boron rich brines was proposed based on principles of geology, physics and chemistry. The anti-floatation-cold crystallization method developed independently has improved the capacity of KCI production to 3 million tons per year for the Qarham, serving the famous brand of potash fertilizer products. One 1.2 million ton K-sulfate production line, the biggest in the world, has been built in Lop Nor, and K-sulfate of about 1.6 million tons was produced in 2015. Supported by the new technology, i.e. brine preparation in winter-cooling-solarization-isolation-lithium deposition from salt gradient solar pond＂ the highest lithium production base at Zabuye Lake （4421 m）, Tibet, has been established, which is the first lithium production base in China that reaches the year production of 5000 tons of lithium carbonate. The concept of Salt lake agriculture （Salt land agriculture） has been established based on the mass growth of Dunaliella and other bacillus-algae and the occurrence of various halophytes in saltmarsh and salt saline-alkali lands, finding a new way to increase arable lands and develop related green industry in salt rich environments. Finally this paper presents some new thoughts for the further research and development on salt science, and the further progress in salt science and technology will facilitate the maturing of the interdisciplinary science ＂Salinology＂.展开更多
This research optimized the structure of lithium extraction solar ponds to enhance the crystallization rate and yield of Li_(2)CO_(3).Using the response surface methodology in Design-Expert 10.0.3,the authors conducte...This research optimized the structure of lithium extraction solar ponds to enhance the crystallization rate and yield of Li_(2)CO_(3).Using the response surface methodology in Design-Expert 10.0.3,the authors conducted experiments to investigate the influence of four factors related to solar pond structure on the crystallization of Li_(2)CO_(3) and their pairwise interactions.Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD)simulations of the flow field within the solar pond were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software to compare temperature distributions before and after optimization.The results indicate that the optimal structure for lithium extraction from the Zabuye Salt Lake solar ponds includes UCZ(Upper Convective Zone)thickness of 53.63 cm,an LCZ(Lower Convective Zone)direct heating temperature of 57.39℃,a CO32−concentration of 32.21 g/L,and an added soda ash concentration of 6.52 g/L.Following this optimized pathway,the Li_(2)CO_(3) precipitation increased by 7.34% compared to the initial solar pond process,with a 33.33% improvement in lithium carbonate crystallization rate.This study demonstrates the feasibility of optimizing lithium extraction solar pond structures,offering a new approach for constructing such ponds in salt lakes.It provides valuable guidance for the efficient extraction of lithium resources from carbonate-type salt lake brines.展开更多
Based on the service characteristics of fuel elements for molten salt reactors,they need to have a high power density,resistance to coolant infiltration,and excellent thermodynamic properties.To solve the problem of t...Based on the service characteristics of fuel elements for molten salt reactors,they need to have a high power density,resistance to coolant infiltration,and excellent thermodynamic properties.To solve the problem of the graphite used in the fuel element for these reactors being susceptible to molten salt infiltration,carbon black(CB)was added to increase the density of the graphite,and a fuel element(TRISO(tri-structural isotropic)fuel particles were randomly distributed in the modified graphite matrix)was prepared by cold isostatic pressing process.An out-of-pile performance study shows that the densification and pore structure of the modified graphite matrix were improved,as was the resistance to molten salt infiltration.The median pore size of the modified graphite was reduced from 673 to 433 nm and the threshold pressure for molten salt(FLiBe,66%(molar fraction)LiF and 34%BeF_(2))infiltration was increased from 0.88 to 1.37 MPa.The isotropic CB made the graphite matrix less anisotropic,while its thermal conductivity and compressive strength were reduced due to the difficult graphitization of CB.Fuel elements containing 20%(volume fraction)TRISO particles were prepared.Numerical simulations show that the power and temperature distribution of the fuel were in line with the design requirements.The modified graphite matrix had a higher density,smaller pores,a lower anisotropy and a greater resistance to FLiBe infiltration.展开更多
A tree seemingly growing out of a white salt island in the heart of the Dead Sea isn't something you'd expect to see when visiting the world's saltiest body of water.And yet that's exactly the sight yo...A tree seemingly growing out of a white salt island in the heart of the Dead Sea isn't something you'd expect to see when visiting the world's saltiest body of water.And yet that's exactly the sight you're treated to near the beach of Ein Bokek.展开更多
1 Himalayan salt,a pink organic variety of the essential food sourced from Pakistan,is becoming increasingly popular in China,fueled by growing demand from quality‑conscious consumers.Himalayan salt is on the dining t...1 Himalayan salt,a pink organic variety of the essential food sourced from Pakistan,is becoming increasingly popular in China,fueled by growing demand from quality‑conscious consumers.Himalayan salt is on the dining tables of more Chinese consumers on occasions such as camping,barbecue parties and grilling steak at home,and it has been used to improve taste and for decorative purposes.展开更多
Geological storage in salt caverns plays a critical role in managing energy resources,yet regional assessments often fall short in accounting for specific salt dome morphological variations that can significantly infl...Geological storage in salt caverns plays a critical role in managing energy resources,yet regional assessments often fall short in accounting for specific salt dome morphological variations that can significantly influence cavern engineering and storage capacity.To address this gap,we developed a refined approach to modeling salt domes,incorporating primary axis tilt,ellipticity,and conic taper.These geometric modifications are applied to a cylindrical baseline salt dome model to assess the effects on total salt volume,workable salt volume,and cavern storage potential.Case studies of four salt domes from the East Texas Salt Basin—Mount Sylvan,Boggy Creek,Steen,and Hainesville—validate the observed trends from the models.Our findings reveal that positive cone taper and primary axis tilt configurations enhance storage potential,leading to significant increases in potential cavern volume,while ellipticity and negative cone taper result in reduced storage capacities.The study underscores the importance of refining volumetric assessments by accounting for detailed morphologic variations,providing a more accurate framework for site-specific geological storage evaluations.Additionally,we discuss challenges related to intra-salt heterogeneities,including intra-salt deformation and mineralogical impurities,highlighting the need for improved site characterization to optimize the safety and efficiency of subsurface storage systems.This work contributes to the development of scalable and reliable geological storage infrastructure,essential for meeting future energy demands.展开更多
Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt format...Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations,insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base,thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage(SCGS).This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms,void distribution,and voidage in the Huai'an low-grade salt mine,introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal(TWH)caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge.Experiments comparing“one injection and one discharge”and“two injections and one discharge”modes revealed that(1)compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids,(2)a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice,aligning with field data,and(3)sediment voidage is approximately 46%,validated via air-brine interface theory.The“two injections and one discharge”mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate.Additionally,a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established.These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage(CAES)in low-grade salt mines,advancing their role in renewable energy integration.展开更多
Sodium chloride is one of the most widely used additives in meat curing.However,cured meat products contribute to a portion of the total sodium dietary intake.Consumers and researchers'concern about excessive sodi...Sodium chloride is one of the most widely used additives in meat curing.However,cured meat products contribute to a portion of the total sodium dietary intake.Consumers and researchers'concern about excessive sodium intake has prompted the food industry to consider ways to reduce salt content of cured meat products.The aim of this review is to provide a broad but comprehensive understanding of salt reduction strategies for cured meat products.The implications and limitations of each approach were discussed.Green technologies treatments,such as ultrasonic technology,high-pressure processing,seem to be potential to ensure microbiological safety in low-sodium cured meat products.However,these novel technologies can cause protein and fat oxidization in meat products.A combination of multiple treatments could give the desired effect.In addition,different parameter conditions need to be set according to the specific meat to achieve better salt reduction effect.展开更多
The publisher regrets that the article type for this publication was incorrectly labeled as a Research Article.The correct designation should be Review Article.
Intense evaporation in areas with loess-like sulfate saline soils has resulted in significant ecological challenges that include water shortages and soil salinization.Investigating evaporation rate in loess-like sulfa...Intense evaporation in areas with loess-like sulfate saline soils has resulted in significant ecological challenges that include water shortages and soil salinization.Investigating evaporation rate in loess-like sulfate saline soils under varying salt contents carries crucial implications for understanding regional water loss processes,predicting soil salinization advancement,and formulating effective ecological management strategies.Therefore,this study sampled the loess-like sulfate saline soil that is widely distributed in western China as experimental materials and investigated the impact of different initial salt contents(0.00%,0.50%,1.50%,3.00%,and 5.00%)on the evaporation rate,water content,and temperature of soil.The results showed that the evaporation rate decreased with increasing initial salt content.After a salt accumulation layer formed on the soil surface,the water content of the surface soil fluctuated.An increase in the initial salt content resulted in a corresponding increase in the surface temperature.Considering the evaporation characteristics of loess-like sulfate saline soil and the impact of an anomalous increase in surface soil water content on soil surface resistance,this study proposed a modified evaporation model on the basis of Fujimaki's evaporation model of saline soil by introducing a correction coefficientβto modify the soil surface resistance.A comparison of the calculated evaporation rates before and after the modification with the measured evaporation rates revealed a significant improvement in the calculation accuracy of the modified model,indicating that the modified model is capable of more accurately simulating the evaporation rate of sulfate saline soil with different initial salt contents.This paper proposes an effective method for calculating the evaporation rate of loess-like sulfate saline soils,providing a theoretical basis for evaporation research in saline soil.展开更多
Editor’s Note:On the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,Qinghai weaves a dynamic ecological symphony composed of four distinct natural languages.Here,one can find not only solidified waves-represented by...Editor’s Note:On the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,Qinghai weaves a dynamic ecological symphony composed of four distinct natural languages.Here,one can find not only solidified waves-represented by the crystal-clear Qarhan Salt Lake-but also flowing flames-the passionate hues of the Guide Danxia landscape.展开更多
To ensure the airtightness of salt cavern oil storage in layered salt rock,this study investigates the porosity and permeability characteristics and seepage laws of the surrounding rock of the storage caverns under th...To ensure the airtightness of salt cavern oil storage in layered salt rock,this study investigates the porosity and permeability characteristics and seepage laws of the surrounding rock of the storage caverns under the erosion of crude oil and brine.Salt rock,interlayer,and cap rock samples from the Jintan salt cavern storage in Jiangsu,China,were used.The porosity and permeability changes of the samples were measured under different static water pressures,different erosion times,and different working conditions(crude oil erosion and brine erosion).Finally,based on the theory of single-phase liquid stable seepage,liquid seepage models for interlayer and cap rock were established.The results show that the porosity and permeability parameters of the surrounding rock are not affected by stress changes under different working conditions.The wetting of crude oil covers the pore structure inside the surrounding rock,enhancing its airtightness macroscopically and thus favoring the long-term airtightness of the salt cavern oil storage.In contrast,brine erosion destroys the pore structure inside the surrounding rock,severely deteriorating its airtightness macroscopically,which seriously affects the lifespan of the storage cavern and is detrimental to the long-term airtightness of the salt cavern oil storage.Based on the assumption of single-phase liquid stable seepage,the leakage of the storage cavern was calculated.The calcu-lations of gas and liquid leakage were corrected according to the airtightness standards of gas storage caverns and combined with existing simulation parameters,which to some extent proved the accuracy of the liquid seepage models for interlayer and cap rock.展开更多
Soil salinization is an essential environmental stressor,threatening agricultural yield and ecological security worldwide.Saline soils accumulate excessive soluble salts which are detrimental to most plants by limitin...Soil salinization is an essential environmental stressor,threatening agricultural yield and ecological security worldwide.Saline soils accumulate excessive soluble salts which are detrimental to most plants by limiting plant growth and productivity.It is of great necessity for plants to efficiently deal with the adverse effects caused by salt stress for survival and successful reproduction.Multiple determinants of salt tolerance have been identified in plants,and the cellular and physiological mechanisms of plant salt response and adaption have been intensely characterized.Plants respond to salt stress signals and rapidly initiate signaling pathways to re-establish cellular homeostasis with adjusted growth and cellular metabolism.This review summarizes the advances in salt stress perception,signaling,and response in plants.A better under-standing of plant salt resistance will contribute to improving crop performance under saline conditions using multiple engineering approaches.The rhizosphere microbiome-mediated plant salt tolerance as well as chemical priming for enhanced plant salt resistance are also discussed in this review.展开更多
5-Aminolevulinic acid(ALA),is a novel plant growth regulator that can enhance plant tolerance against salt stress.However,the molecular mechanism of ALA is not well studied.In this study,ALA improved salt tolerance of...5-Aminolevulinic acid(ALA),is a novel plant growth regulator that can enhance plant tolerance against salt stress.However,the molecular mechanism of ALA is not well studied.In this study,ALA improved salt tolerance of apple(Malus×domestica'Gala')when the detached leaves or cultured calli were used as the materials.The expression of MdWRKY71,a WRKY transcription factor(TF)gene was found to be responsive to NaCl as well as ALA treatment.Functional analysis showed that overexpressing(OE)-MdWRKY71 significantly improved the salt tolerance of the transgenic apple,while RNA interfering(RNAi)-MdWRKY71 reduced the salt tolerance.However,exogenous ALA alleviated the salt damage in the RNAi-MdWRKY71 apple.When MdWRKY71 was transferred into tobacco,the salt tolerance of transgenic plants was enhanced,which was further improved by exogenous ALA.Subsequently,MdWRKY71 bound to the W-box of promoters of MdSOS2,MdNHX1,MdCLC-g,MdSOD1,MdCAT1 and MdAPX1,transcriptionally activating the gene expressions.Since the genes are responsible for Na+and Cl-transport and antioxidant enzyme activity respectively,it can be concluded that MdWRKY71,a new TF,is involved in ALA-improved salt tolerance by regulating ion homeostasis and redox homeostasis.These results provided new insights into the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of ALA in enhancing apple salt tolerance.展开更多
FCS-like zinc finger(FLZ)gene family members are C2-C2 zinc finger proteins that take part in seed dormancy,resistance to Myzus persicae 1,sucrose signaling and abiotic stresse tolerance.However,their functions,especi...FCS-like zinc finger(FLZ)gene family members are C2-C2 zinc finger proteins that take part in seed dormancy,resistance to Myzus persicae 1,sucrose signaling and abiotic stresse tolerance.However,their functions,especially the molecular mechanism through which FLZs function,are not well understood.In this study,we characterized 120FLZs in wheat and revealed the function and mechanism of TaFLZ54D increasing salt stress tolerance in transgenic wheat.Expression analysis demonstrated that TaFLZ54D can be induced by NaCl treatment and it had the highest expression level under NaCl treatment among the 120 FLZs.Over-expression of TaFLZ54D increased wheat salt stress tolerance and the transgenic plants had higher levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and peroxidase(POD)activities and soluble sugar content,but a lower Na^(+)/K^(+)ratio and malondialdehyde(MDA)content than the wild type(WT)plants.Potassium ion transmembrane transporters and serine/threonine kinase inhibitor proteins showed differential expression between Ta FLZ54D transgenic wheat and the WT.Yeast two hybrid and luciferase complementation assays revealed that TaSGT1 and TaPP2C are the proteins that interact directly with TaFLZ54D.In summary,TaFLZ54D enhances salt stress tolerance through interaction with TaSGT1 and TaPP2C to reduce Na^(+)absorption and mitigate oxidative stress.The interaction between TaFLZ54D and TaSGT1,as well as TaPP2C indicated a link between salt stress tolerance of TaFLZ54D and the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of negative regulatory proteins.展开更多
基金supported by the sub-project“Research and Application of In-Situ Value-Added Water-Soluble Fertilizer Application Technology”(Grant No.2023YFD1700204-3)under the 14th Five-Year National Key R&D Program Project“Development and Industrialization of Novel Green Value-Added Fertilizers”.
文摘Salinization of agricultural land is becoming increasingly severe worldwide,posing a significant threat to food security.The exogenous application of bioactive substances has been widely used to enhance plant resistance to salt stress.In this study,we used corn steep liquor(CSL),myo-inositol(MI),and their combination to improve salt tolerance in Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa L.ssp.pekinensis)under salt stress conditions.All three treatments significantly increased plant biomass and nutrient uptake,and improved soil physicochemical properties,while alleviating oxidative damage and ion toxicity.
基金financial support from the Yunnan Province Key Industries Science and Technology Special Project for Colleges and UniversitiesChina(No.FWCY-QYCT2024006)+6 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52104351 and 52364051)Science and Technology Major Project of Yunnan Province,China(No.202202AG050007)the Yunnan Fundamental Research ProjectsChina(No.202401AT070314)the Key Technology Research and Development Program of Shandong Province,China(No.2023CXGC010903)Central Guidance Local Scientific and Technological Development Funds,China(No.202407AB110022)Yunnan Province Xingdian Talent Support Plan Project,China。
文摘Titanium exhibits outstanding properties,particularly,high specific strength and resistance to both high and low temperatures,earning it a reputation as the metal of the future.However,because of the highly reactive nature of titanium,metallic titanium production involves extensive procedures and high costs.Considering its advantages and limitations,the European Union has classified titanium metal as a critical raw material(CRM)of low category.The Kroll process is predominantly used to produce titanium;however,molten salt electrolysis(MSE)is currently being explored for producing metallic titanium at a low cost.Since 2000,electrolytic titanium production has undergone a wave of technological advancements.However,because of the intermediate and disproportionation reactions in the electrolytic titanium production process,the process efficiency and titanium purity according to industrial standards could not be achieved.Consequently,metallic titanium production has gradually diversified into employing technologies such as thermal reduction,MSE,and titanium alloy preparation.This study provides a comprehensive review of research advances in titanium metal preparation technologies over the past two decades,highlighting the challenges faced by the existing methods and proposing potential solutions.It offers useful insights into the development of low-cost titanium preparation technologies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22176200)the Industrial Innovation Entrepreneurial Team Project of Ordos 2021.
文摘Industrial waste salts are commonly used to make value-added snow-melting agents to ensure traffic safety in northern China during winter and spring after snowfall.However,heavy metals in industrial waste salts may pose certain environmental risks.Snow-melting agents and snow samples were collected and analyzed from highways,arterial roads,footbridges,and other locations in Beijing after the snowstorm in December 2023.It was found that the main component of snow-melting agents was sodium chloride with high concentrations of Cu,Mn,and Zn,which are not regulated in the current policies,despite the recent promotion of environmentally friendly snow-melting agents.The Pb,Zn and Cr contents of some snow samples exceeded the limitation value of surface water quality standards,potentially affecting the soil and water environment near roadsides,although the snow-melting agents comply with relevant standards,which indicates the policy gap in the management of recycled industrial salts.We reviewed and analyzed the relevant standards for snow-melting agents and industrial waste salts proposed nationally and internationally over the past 30 years.Through comparative analysis,we proposed relevant policy recommendations to the existing quality standards of snow-melting agents and the management regulations of industrial waste salts,and the formulation of corresponding usage strategies,aimed at reducing the potential environmental release of heavy metals from the use of snow-melting agents,thereby promoting more sustainable green urban development and environmentally sound waste management.
基金supported by Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.2020261)Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA02010000)the Young Potential Program of Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.SINAP-YXJH-202412).
文摘Molten salt reactors,being the only reactor type among Generation Ⅳ advanced nuclear reactors that utilize liquid fuels,offer inherent safety,high-temperature,and low-pressure operation,as well as the capability for online fuel reprocessing.However,the fuel-salt flow results in the decay of delayed neutron precursors(DNPs)outside the core,causing fluctuations in the effective delayed neutron fraction and consequently impacting the reactor reactivity.Particularly in accident scenarios—such as a combined pump shutdown and the inability to rapidly scram the reactor—the sole reliance on negative temperature feedback may cause a significant increase in core temperature,posing a threat to reactor safety.To address these problems,this paper introduces an innovative design for a passive fluid-driven suspended control rod(SCR)to dynamically compensate for reactivity fluctuations caused by DNPs flowing with the fuel.The control rod operates passively by leveraging the combined effects of gravity,buoyancy,and fluid dynamic forces,thereby eliminating the need for an external drive mechanism and enabling direct integration within the active region of the core.Using a 150 MWt thorium-based molten salt reactor as the reference design,we develop a mathematical model to systematically analyze the effects of key parameters—including the geometric dimensions and density of the SCR—on its performance.We examine its motion characteristics under different core flow conditions and assess its feasibility for the dynamic compensation of reactivity changes caused by fuel flow.The results of this study demonstrate that the SCR can effectively counteract reactivity fluctuations induced by fuel flow within molten salt reactors.A sensitivity analysis reveals that the SCR’s average density exerts a profound impact on its start-up flow threshold,channel flow rate,resistance to fuel density fluctuations,and response characteristics.This underscores the critical need to optimize this parameter.Moreover,by judiciously selecting the SCR’s length,number of deployed units,and the placement we can achieve the necessary reactivity control while maintaining a favorable balance between neutron economy and heat transfer performance.Ultimately,this paper provides an innovative solution for the passive reactivity control in molten salt reactors,offering significant potential for practical engineering applications.
基金supported by the Original Exploratory Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52450012)。
文摘TiB_(2)coatings can significantly enhance the high-temperature oxidation resistance of molybdenum,which would broaden the application range of molybdenum and alloys thereof.However,traditional methods for preparing TiB_(2)coatings have disadvantages such as high equipment costs,complicated processes,and highly toxic gas emissions.This paper proposes an environmentally friendly method,which requires inexpensive equipment and simple processing,for preparing TiB_(2)coating on molybdenum via electrophoretic deposition within Na3AlF6-based molten salts.The produced TiB_(2)layer had an approximate thickness of 60μm and exhibited high density,outstanding hardness(38.2 GPa)and robust adhesion strength(51 N).Additionally,high-temperature oxidation experiments revealed that,at900℃,the TiB_(2)coating provided effective protection to the molybdenum substrate against oxidation for 3 h.This result indicates that the TiB_(2)coating prepared on molybdenum using molten salt electrophoretic deposition possesses good high-temperature oxidation resistance.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China and joint foundation(grants DD20160054 and 21422036)projects of China Geological Survey(grants U1407207)
文摘China has unique salt lake resources, and they are distributed in the east of Eurasian salt lake subzone of the Northern Hemisphere Salt Lake Zone, mainly concentrated in the regions with modern mean annual precipitation lower than 500 mm. This paper preliminarily reviews the progress made in salt lake research in China for the past 60 years. In the research of Paleoclimate and paleoenvironment from salt lake sediments, a series of salts have been proposed to be indicators of paleoclimate, and have been well accepted by scholars. The chloride-sulfate depositional regions of the west Qaidam and the east Tarim have been revealed to be the drought center of China since the Quaternary, and more than 6 spreading stages of arid climate （salt forming） have been identified. Five pan-lake periods with highstands have been proved to exist during the late Quaternary on the Tibetan Plateau. In mineral resource prospecting and theories of the forming of salt deposits： the atlas （1：2500000） of hydrochemical zoning of salt lakes on the Tibetan Plateau has been compiled for the first time, revealing the zonal distribution and transition from carbonate type to chloride type from south to north and presenting corresponding mineral assemblages for different type of salt lakes; several large continental salt deposits have been discovered and the theory of continental potash deposition has been developed, including the salt deposition in deep basins surrounded by high mountains, the mineral deposition from multistage evolution through chains of moderate or shallow lakes with multilevels, the origin of potassium rich brines in gravel layers, and the forming of potassium deposits through the inheriting from ancient salt deposits, thus establishing the framework of ＂Continental Potash Deposition Theory＂; several new types of Mg-borate deposits have been discovered, including the ulexite and pinnoite bed in Da Qaidam Lake, Qinghai, the pinnoite and kurnakovite bed in Chagcam Caka, Tibet, the kurnakovite bed in Lake Nyer, and the corresponding model of borate deposition from the cooling and dissolution of boron rich brines was proposed based on principles of geology, physics and chemistry. The anti-floatation-cold crystallization method developed independently has improved the capacity of KCI production to 3 million tons per year for the Qarham, serving the famous brand of potash fertilizer products. One 1.2 million ton K-sulfate production line, the biggest in the world, has been built in Lop Nor, and K-sulfate of about 1.6 million tons was produced in 2015. Supported by the new technology, i.e. brine preparation in winter-cooling-solarization-isolation-lithium deposition from salt gradient solar pond＂ the highest lithium production base at Zabuye Lake （4421 m）, Tibet, has been established, which is the first lithium production base in China that reaches the year production of 5000 tons of lithium carbonate. The concept of Salt lake agriculture （Salt land agriculture） has been established based on the mass growth of Dunaliella and other bacillus-algae and the occurrence of various halophytes in saltmarsh and salt saline-alkali lands, finding a new way to increase arable lands and develop related green industry in salt rich environments. Finally this paper presents some new thoughts for the further research and development on salt science, and the further progress in salt science and technology will facilitate the maturing of the interdisciplinary science ＂Salinology＂.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U20A20148)the Major Science and Technology Projects of the Xizang(Tibet)Autonomous Region(XZ202201ZD0004G and XZ202201ZD0004G01).
文摘This research optimized the structure of lithium extraction solar ponds to enhance the crystallization rate and yield of Li_(2)CO_(3).Using the response surface methodology in Design-Expert 10.0.3,the authors conducted experiments to investigate the influence of four factors related to solar pond structure on the crystallization of Li_(2)CO_(3) and their pairwise interactions.Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD)simulations of the flow field within the solar pond were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software to compare temperature distributions before and after optimization.The results indicate that the optimal structure for lithium extraction from the Zabuye Salt Lake solar ponds includes UCZ(Upper Convective Zone)thickness of 53.63 cm,an LCZ(Lower Convective Zone)direct heating temperature of 57.39℃,a CO32−concentration of 32.21 g/L,and an added soda ash concentration of 6.52 g/L.Following this optimized pathway,the Li_(2)CO_(3) precipitation increased by 7.34% compared to the initial solar pond process,with a 33.33% improvement in lithium carbonate crystallization rate.This study demonstrates the feasibility of optimizing lithium extraction solar pond structures,offering a new approach for constructing such ponds in salt lakes.It provides valuable guidance for the efficient extraction of lithium resources from carbonate-type salt lake brines.
文摘Based on the service characteristics of fuel elements for molten salt reactors,they need to have a high power density,resistance to coolant infiltration,and excellent thermodynamic properties.To solve the problem of the graphite used in the fuel element for these reactors being susceptible to molten salt infiltration,carbon black(CB)was added to increase the density of the graphite,and a fuel element(TRISO(tri-structural isotropic)fuel particles were randomly distributed in the modified graphite matrix)was prepared by cold isostatic pressing process.An out-of-pile performance study shows that the densification and pore structure of the modified graphite matrix were improved,as was the resistance to molten salt infiltration.The median pore size of the modified graphite was reduced from 673 to 433 nm and the threshold pressure for molten salt(FLiBe,66%(molar fraction)LiF and 34%BeF_(2))infiltration was increased from 0.88 to 1.37 MPa.The isotropic CB made the graphite matrix less anisotropic,while its thermal conductivity and compressive strength were reduced due to the difficult graphitization of CB.Fuel elements containing 20%(volume fraction)TRISO particles were prepared.Numerical simulations show that the power and temperature distribution of the fuel were in line with the design requirements.The modified graphite matrix had a higher density,smaller pores,a lower anisotropy and a greater resistance to FLiBe infiltration.
文摘A tree seemingly growing out of a white salt island in the heart of the Dead Sea isn't something you'd expect to see when visiting the world's saltiest body of water.And yet that's exactly the sight you're treated to near the beach of Ein Bokek.
文摘1 Himalayan salt,a pink organic variety of the essential food sourced from Pakistan,is becoming increasingly popular in China,fueled by growing demand from quality‑conscious consumers.Himalayan salt is on the dining tables of more Chinese consumers on occasions such as camping,barbecue parties and grilling steak at home,and it has been used to improve taste and for decorative purposes.
基金funded by the State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery(STARR)programthe GeoH2 Industrial Associate program at the Bureau of Economic Geology,Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin。
文摘Geological storage in salt caverns plays a critical role in managing energy resources,yet regional assessments often fall short in accounting for specific salt dome morphological variations that can significantly influence cavern engineering and storage capacity.To address this gap,we developed a refined approach to modeling salt domes,incorporating primary axis tilt,ellipticity,and conic taper.These geometric modifications are applied to a cylindrical baseline salt dome model to assess the effects on total salt volume,workable salt volume,and cavern storage potential.Case studies of four salt domes from the East Texas Salt Basin—Mount Sylvan,Boggy Creek,Steen,and Hainesville—validate the observed trends from the models.Our findings reveal that positive cone taper and primary axis tilt configurations enhance storage potential,leading to significant increases in potential cavern volume,while ellipticity and negative cone taper result in reduced storage capacities.The study underscores the importance of refining volumetric assessments by accounting for detailed morphologic variations,providing a more accurate framework for site-specific geological storage evaluations.Additionally,we discuss challenges related to intra-salt heterogeneities,including intra-salt deformation and mineralogical impurities,highlighting the need for improved site characterization to optimize the safety and efficiency of subsurface storage systems.This work contributes to the development of scalable and reliable geological storage infrastructure,essential for meeting future energy demands.
基金financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2024YFB4007100)the Basic ForwardLooking Project of the Sinopec Science and Technology Department,“Research on the Long-Term Sealing Mechanism of Multi-layer Salt Cavern Hydrogen Storage”(No.P24197-4)。
文摘Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations,insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base,thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage(SCGS).This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms,void distribution,and voidage in the Huai'an low-grade salt mine,introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal(TWH)caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge.Experiments comparing“one injection and one discharge”and“two injections and one discharge”modes revealed that(1)compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids,(2)a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice,aligning with field data,and(3)sediment voidage is approximately 46%,validated via air-brine interface theory.The“two injections and one discharge”mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate.Additionally,a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established.These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage(CAES)in low-grade salt mines,advancing their role in renewable energy integration.
基金financially supported by Youth Talent Support Programme of Guangdong Provincial Association for Science and Technology(SKXRC202317)the Open Project of Beijing Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety/Key Laboratory of Alcoholic Beverages Quality and Safety of China Light Industry(FQS-202201)+3 种基金Characteristic Innovation Project of Guangdong Universities(2022KTSCX058)Special Projects in Key Field of Guangdong Universities(2022ZDZX4015,2022ZDZX4016)Guangdong Maoming Binhai New Area Marine Fishery Industrial Park Project(0835-220FA8102621)Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Lingnan Specialty Food Science and Technology(2021B1212040013)。
文摘Sodium chloride is one of the most widely used additives in meat curing.However,cured meat products contribute to a portion of the total sodium dietary intake.Consumers and researchers'concern about excessive sodium intake has prompted the food industry to consider ways to reduce salt content of cured meat products.The aim of this review is to provide a broad but comprehensive understanding of salt reduction strategies for cured meat products.The implications and limitations of each approach were discussed.Green technologies treatments,such as ultrasonic technology,high-pressure processing,seem to be potential to ensure microbiological safety in low-sodium cured meat products.However,these novel technologies can cause protein and fat oxidization in meat products.A combination of multiple treatments could give the desired effect.In addition,different parameter conditions need to be set according to the specific meat to achieve better salt reduction effect.
文摘The publisher regrets that the article type for this publication was incorrectly labeled as a Research Article.The correct designation should be Review Article.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51769013,52168052)。
文摘Intense evaporation in areas with loess-like sulfate saline soils has resulted in significant ecological challenges that include water shortages and soil salinization.Investigating evaporation rate in loess-like sulfate saline soils under varying salt contents carries crucial implications for understanding regional water loss processes,predicting soil salinization advancement,and formulating effective ecological management strategies.Therefore,this study sampled the loess-like sulfate saline soil that is widely distributed in western China as experimental materials and investigated the impact of different initial salt contents(0.00%,0.50%,1.50%,3.00%,and 5.00%)on the evaporation rate,water content,and temperature of soil.The results showed that the evaporation rate decreased with increasing initial salt content.After a salt accumulation layer formed on the soil surface,the water content of the surface soil fluctuated.An increase in the initial salt content resulted in a corresponding increase in the surface temperature.Considering the evaporation characteristics of loess-like sulfate saline soil and the impact of an anomalous increase in surface soil water content on soil surface resistance,this study proposed a modified evaporation model on the basis of Fujimaki's evaporation model of saline soil by introducing a correction coefficientβto modify the soil surface resistance.A comparison of the calculated evaporation rates before and after the modification with the measured evaporation rates revealed a significant improvement in the calculation accuracy of the modified model,indicating that the modified model is capable of more accurately simulating the evaporation rate of sulfate saline soil with different initial salt contents.This paper proposes an effective method for calculating the evaporation rate of loess-like sulfate saline soils,providing a theoretical basis for evaporation research in saline soil.
文摘Editor’s Note:On the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,Qinghai weaves a dynamic ecological symphony composed of four distinct natural languages.Here,one can find not only solidified waves-represented by the crystal-clear Qarhan Salt Lake-but also flowing flames-the passionate hues of the Guide Danxia landscape.
基金financial supports of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Science Foundation Project(52204152,52204111,52204153)the Postdoctoral Innovation Talent Support Program(BX2020275)the Postdoctoral Science Foun-dation(2020M683521).
文摘To ensure the airtightness of salt cavern oil storage in layered salt rock,this study investigates the porosity and permeability characteristics and seepage laws of the surrounding rock of the storage caverns under the erosion of crude oil and brine.Salt rock,interlayer,and cap rock samples from the Jintan salt cavern storage in Jiangsu,China,were used.The porosity and permeability changes of the samples were measured under different static water pressures,different erosion times,and different working conditions(crude oil erosion and brine erosion).Finally,based on the theory of single-phase liquid stable seepage,liquid seepage models for interlayer and cap rock were established.The results show that the porosity and permeability parameters of the surrounding rock are not affected by stress changes under different working conditions.The wetting of crude oil covers the pore structure inside the surrounding rock,enhancing its airtightness macroscopically and thus favoring the long-term airtightness of the salt cavern oil storage.In contrast,brine erosion destroys the pore structure inside the surrounding rock,severely deteriorating its airtightness macroscopically,which seriously affects the lifespan of the storage cavern and is detrimental to the long-term airtightness of the salt cavern oil storage.Based on the assumption of single-phase liquid stable seepage,the leakage of the storage cavern was calculated.The calcu-lations of gas and liquid leakage were corrected according to the airtightness standards of gas storage caverns and combined with existing simulation parameters,which to some extent proved the accuracy of the liquid seepage models for interlayer and cap rock.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170295 to H.Z.)the National Key R&D Pro-gram of China(2022YFA1303400 to Y.G.)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(KYZZ2023004 to H.S.)the Institutional Research Fund of Sichuan University(2020SCUNL212 to H.L)。
文摘Soil salinization is an essential environmental stressor,threatening agricultural yield and ecological security worldwide.Saline soils accumulate excessive soluble salts which are detrimental to most plants by limiting plant growth and productivity.It is of great necessity for plants to efficiently deal with the adverse effects caused by salt stress for survival and successful reproduction.Multiple determinants of salt tolerance have been identified in plants,and the cellular and physiological mechanisms of plant salt response and adaption have been intensely characterized.Plants respond to salt stress signals and rapidly initiate signaling pathways to re-establish cellular homeostasis with adjusted growth and cellular metabolism.This review summarizes the advances in salt stress perception,signaling,and response in plants.A better under-standing of plant salt resistance will contribute to improving crop performance under saline conditions using multiple engineering approaches.The rhizosphere microbiome-mediated plant salt tolerance as well as chemical priming for enhanced plant salt resistance are also discussed in this review.
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32230097 and 32172512)the Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund[Grant No.CX(20)2023]+1 种基金the Jiangsu Special Fund for Frontier Foundation Research of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization(Grant No.BK20220005)a project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions。
文摘5-Aminolevulinic acid(ALA),is a novel plant growth regulator that can enhance plant tolerance against salt stress.However,the molecular mechanism of ALA is not well studied.In this study,ALA improved salt tolerance of apple(Malus×domestica'Gala')when the detached leaves or cultured calli were used as the materials.The expression of MdWRKY71,a WRKY transcription factor(TF)gene was found to be responsive to NaCl as well as ALA treatment.Functional analysis showed that overexpressing(OE)-MdWRKY71 significantly improved the salt tolerance of the transgenic apple,while RNA interfering(RNAi)-MdWRKY71 reduced the salt tolerance.However,exogenous ALA alleviated the salt damage in the RNAi-MdWRKY71 apple.When MdWRKY71 was transferred into tobacco,the salt tolerance of transgenic plants was enhanced,which was further improved by exogenous ALA.Subsequently,MdWRKY71 bound to the W-box of promoters of MdSOS2,MdNHX1,MdCLC-g,MdSOD1,MdCAT1 and MdAPX1,transcriptionally activating the gene expressions.Since the genes are responsible for Na+and Cl-transport and antioxidant enzyme activity respectively,it can be concluded that MdWRKY71,a new TF,is involved in ALA-improved salt tolerance by regulating ion homeostasis and redox homeostasis.These results provided new insights into the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of ALA in enhancing apple salt tolerance.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31871622)the Key R&D Program of Shandong Province,China(2022LZG001)。
文摘FCS-like zinc finger(FLZ)gene family members are C2-C2 zinc finger proteins that take part in seed dormancy,resistance to Myzus persicae 1,sucrose signaling and abiotic stresse tolerance.However,their functions,especially the molecular mechanism through which FLZs function,are not well understood.In this study,we characterized 120FLZs in wheat and revealed the function and mechanism of TaFLZ54D increasing salt stress tolerance in transgenic wheat.Expression analysis demonstrated that TaFLZ54D can be induced by NaCl treatment and it had the highest expression level under NaCl treatment among the 120 FLZs.Over-expression of TaFLZ54D increased wheat salt stress tolerance and the transgenic plants had higher levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and peroxidase(POD)activities and soluble sugar content,but a lower Na^(+)/K^(+)ratio and malondialdehyde(MDA)content than the wild type(WT)plants.Potassium ion transmembrane transporters and serine/threonine kinase inhibitor proteins showed differential expression between Ta FLZ54D transgenic wheat and the WT.Yeast two hybrid and luciferase complementation assays revealed that TaSGT1 and TaPP2C are the proteins that interact directly with TaFLZ54D.In summary,TaFLZ54D enhances salt stress tolerance through interaction with TaSGT1 and TaPP2C to reduce Na^(+)absorption and mitigate oxidative stress.The interaction between TaFLZ54D and TaSGT1,as well as TaPP2C indicated a link between salt stress tolerance of TaFLZ54D and the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of negative regulatory proteins.
