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Can microorganisms in the soil be hidden producers of toxic gases?
Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) are gradually becoming a hot topic in environmental science research. These compounds not only play an important role in atmospheric chemistry, but also may become potential sources of toxic gases under the action of soil microorganisms. Many scientists are trying to unravel how these tiny organisms and the compounds they produce affect our environment and health.
NMVOCs are a group of organic compounds that are generally photochemically reactive in the atmosphere and are important for understanding atmospheric reactivity and pollutants.
These compounds include benzene, ethanol, formaldehyde, etc., with many chemical differences and uses. The main sources of NMVOCs include vegetation, waste burning, underground geological sources, and human activities. In soil, the action of microorganisms may be a hidden source of these organic substances, especially in agricultural and natural ecosystems.
The role of microorganisms in soil
Many studies have shown that soil microorganisms not only release harmful NMVOCs but can also significantly increase the concentrations of these compounds under certain conditions. While most of the time soil acts as a sink for NMVOCs, in some cases the activities of these microorganisms can act as a source.
Many NMVOCs are produced by soil microorganisms, although they may also be metabolized by other microorganisms, leading to an underestimate of NMVOC emissions.
Among the volatile organic compounds released by microorganisms, methane, ethylene and isobutylene are among them. The presence of these gases in the environment may have an impact on human health and ecological balance. However, many people may not be aware of the close connection between the activities of microorganisms in the soil and environmental pollution.
NMVOCs emissions from biogenic sources
In some non-urban areas, the amount of NMVOCs released by plants may be equal to or even higher than that emitted by human activities. This shows that the influence of natural vegetation on the composition of the atmosphere cannot be underestimated. In addition, the NMVOCs released by different types of plants are different. For example, some trees can release a large amount of terpenoids, which further affect the formation of ozone in the atmosphere.
For example, green plants release specific NMVOCs during photosynthesis. These compounds are carried to different places by the wind, further affecting the climate and air quality. Additionally, when plants are stressed, such as by drought or pests and diseases, they can also emit special compounds to respond to external challenges.
Relationship between human activities and NMVOCs
Compared with natural sources, anthropogenic activities also make a significant contribution to the emission of NMVOCs. According to the study, the growth of these emissions is putting pressure on the environment, especially in areas such as energy production, manufacturing and transportation. In addition, anthropogenic NMVOCs emissions vary from region to region, which is closely related to the degree of industrialization and management policies of each region.
According to the European Database for Earth and Atmosphere Research (EDGAR), NMVOCs emitted by human activities reached 120 million tons in 2015.
As global demand for clean energy increases, countries are moving toward more environmentally friendly fuel standards, which has reduced NMVOCs emissions to a certain extent. The United States and Europe have shown a significant reduction trend in this regard, but the situation in Africa and Asia is relatively severe, with emissions showing an upward trend.
Future Challenges and Prospects
The challenge facing Chinese scientists is how to accurately measure and screen out specific data on the impact of these microorganisms and the NMVOCs they produce on the environment. In addition, popular education and research should continue to explore the role of soil microorganisms in environmental change, and comprehensive control measures against these compounds must be developed.
From these studies, we can't help but wonder: Could soil microorganisms become an important factor that is overlooked in our future environmental protection policies, leading to unexpected consequences?
