Newly discovered bacterium converts carbon dioxide into chemicals using electricity

Scientists discover bacteria that can both send and receive electricity while turning carbon dioxide into useful chemicals

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Bidirectional extracellular electron transfer and electroautotrophic metabolism in Fundidesulfovibrio terrae

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Credit: Jiaojiao Wang, Jiaqi Huang, Rong Tang, Yue Lai, Mohamed Mahmoud & Yong Yuan

A newly identified soil bacterium may help unlock cleaner ways to recycle carbon dioxide and produce valuable chemicals using electricity. In a recent study, researchers report that the sulfate reducing bacterium Fundidesulfovibrio terrae possesses an unusual ability to both export and absorb electrical energy while converting carbon dioxide into acetate, an industrially important organic compound. The findings reveal a previously unknown microbial strategy that could support future carbon neutral technologies and sustainable chemical production.

The research team isolated the microorganism from paddy soil and discovered that it can perform bidirectional extracellular electron transfer, meaning it can move electrons out of and into its cells. Most organisms generate energy through internal chemical reactions, but some microbes have evolved the capacity to interact electrically with their environment. This ability allows them to exchange electrons with solid materials such as minerals or electrodes, helping them survive in oxygen limited environments and influencing global biogeochemical cycles.

In laboratory experiments, the researchers found that F. terrae can directly transfer electrons to iron minerals, reducing iron compounds without requiring chemical mediators. The bacterium achieved a reduction efficiency exceeding sixty percent, demonstrating its strong respiratory flexibility. Electrochemical measurements further confirmed that the microorganism can both donate electrons to electrodes and accept electrons from them, forming stable biofilms that support continuous electrical interaction with solid surfaces.

“This microorganism demonstrates an exceptional ability to harvest energy directly from electrical sources and channel it into carbon metabolism,” said the study’s corresponding author. “Its metabolic flexibility provides a new biological platform for linking renewable electricity with carbon recycling.”

One of the most striking discoveries was the bacterium’s ability to use electricity to drive carbon fixation. When supplied with electrons from an electrode and carbon dioxide as the only carbon source, F. terrae converted the greenhouse gas into acetate through the Wood Ljungdahl pathway, a highly efficient microbial carbon fixation mechanism. The system produced acetate concentrations exceeding 11 millimolar, demonstrating effective conversion of electrical energy into valuable organic products.

Genomic and biochemical analyses revealed that specialized proteins known as c type cytochromes play a critical role in enabling this electrical communication. These proteins act as molecular conduits that transport electrons across cell membranes. The bacterium also appears to use conductive pili structures that function similarly to microscopic wires, allowing efficient electron flow between cells and external surfaces.

The discovery expands scientific understanding of sulfate reducing bacteria, which are widely recognized for their roles in sulfur cycling, corrosion processes, and environmental remediation. Until now, only a limited number of microorganisms were known to perform bidirectional electron transfer. The newly identified mechanism suggests that these bacteria may play broader roles in natural ecosystems and engineered bioelectrochemical systems than previously recognized.

Beyond advancing microbial ecology, the findings hold promise for sustainable energy applications. Microbial electrosynthesis systems, which use microbes to convert electricity and carbon dioxide into fuels or chemicals, are gaining attention as potential tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By demonstrating efficient carbon conversion driven by electrical energy, F. terrae provides a potential new biological resource for developing environmentally friendly manufacturing technologies.

The researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to optimize microbial electrosynthesis performance and to understand how such organisms function in natural and engineered environments. However, the discovery highlights the growing potential of electroactive microorganisms as bridges between renewable energy and carbon recycling.

As global efforts intensify to address climate change, harnessing microbes capable of transforming waste carbon into useful products may offer an innovative and sustainable pathway toward a low carbon future.

 

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Journal reference: Wang J, Huang J, Tang R, Lai Y, Mahmoud M, et al. 2026. Bidirectional extracellular electron transfer and electroautotrophic metabolism in Fundidesulfovibrio terrae. Energy & Environment Nexus 2: e006 doi: 10.48130/een-0025-0021  

https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/een-0025-0021 

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About Energy & Environment Nexus:
Energy & Environment Nexus (e-ISSN 3070-0582) is an open-access journal publishing high-quality research on the interplay between energy systems and environmental sustainability, including renewable energy, carbon mitigation, and green technologies.

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DOI

10.48130/een-0025-0021 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Bidirectional extracellular electron transfer and electroautotrophic metabolism in Fundidesulfovibrio terrae

 

Scientists reveal major hidden source of atmospheric nitrogen pollution in fragile lake basin

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Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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A new study has uncovered that the Erhai Lake Basin in southwest China is releasing far more atmospheric nitrogen pollution than it absorbs, raising concerns about regional air quality, ecosystem health, and long-distance pollution transport.

Atmospheric reactive nitrogen is a group of nitrogen compounds that influence air pollution, climate, and ecosystem stability. These compounds play important roles in forming fine particulate matter, worsening smog, and driving water eutrophication that threatens biodiversity and drinking water safety. Understanding where these pollutants originate and how they move through the environment is essential for designing effective pollution control strategies.

In the new research, scientists conducted one of the most comprehensive analyses to date of the atmospheric nitrogen budget in the Erhai Lake Basin, a subtropical plateau lake ecosystem widely recognized for its ecological sensitivity and importance to regional tourism and agriculture. By combining emission inventories with field monitoring across multiple sites, the researchers mapped both nitrogen emissions and atmospheric deposition across the entire watershed.

The team estimated that total atmospheric reactive nitrogen emissions in the basin reached more than 10,700 metric tons per year, while deposition returned only a small fraction of that nitrogen back to land and water surfaces. The imbalance created a net surplus of over 8,200 metric tons annually, clearly identifying the basin as a major source of atmospheric nitrogen pollution.

“Our findings reveal that the Erhai Lake Basin functions as a strong atmospheric nitrogen exporter rather than a pollution sink,” said the study’s corresponding author. “This imbalance means that nitrogen emitted locally can travel far beyond the basin, affecting air quality and ecosystems in surrounding regions.”

Agricultural activities were identified as the dominant contributor to ammonia emissions, accounting for more than 90 percent of ammonia-related nitrogen pollution. Livestock farming and fertilizer use contributed nearly equal shares of these emissions. Meanwhile, transportation sources such as trucks and passenger vehicles were responsible for almost all nitrogen oxide emissions, highlighting the growing role of traffic pollution in rapidly developing rural and tourist regions.

Although nitrogen emissions were high, the study found that atmospheric deposition levels in the basin were relatively moderate compared with heavily industrialized regions of China. However, atmospheric nitrogen still represented a significant contributor to nutrient loading in Erhai Lake, potentially accelerating harmful algal blooms and water quality degradation.

“Our results demonstrate that even moderate atmospheric deposition can significantly impact lake ecosystems,” the authors noted. “This is especially critical for plateau lakes like Erhai that are highly sensitive to nutrient enrichment.”

The researchers also identified unique geographical features that may intensify the environmental impact of nitrogen pollution. The basin’s mountain-valley terrain creates local wind circulation patterns that can trap pollutants and enhance their atmospheric lifetime. This mechanism increases the likelihood that nitrogen compounds will be transported over long distances, potentially contributing to regional haze and secondary particulate pollution.

The study emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated pollution control strategies targeting both agricultural and transportation sectors. Improved manure management, precision fertilizer application, and cleaner vehicle technologies were identified as key steps for reducing nitrogen emissions.

Beyond immediate policy implications, the research provides a valuable framework for evaluating atmospheric nitrogen cycling in other vulnerable lake ecosystems worldwide. The authors suggest that future work should focus on improving local emission data, expanding nitrogen monitoring systems, and using atmospheric modeling to track pollution transport pathways.

“Quantifying nitrogen budgets allows us to understand how human activities reshape environmental nutrient cycles,” the researchers explained. “Only by addressing multiple emission sources simultaneously can we effectively reduce nitrogen pollution and protect fragile freshwater ecosystems.”

 

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Journal Reference: Shen Q, Tang B, Wu X, Kang J, Li J, et al. 2026. A large net source revealed by the atmospheric reactive nitrogen budget in a subtropical plateau lake basin, southwest China. Nitrogen Cycling 2: e006 doi: 10.48130/nc-0025-0018  

https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/nc-0025-0018  

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About Nitrogen Cycling:
Nitrogen Cycling (e-ISSN 3069-8111) is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on the nitrogen cycle. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient, and professional platform for researchers in the field of nitrogen cycling worldwide to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science.

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DOI

10.48130/nc-0025-0018 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

A large net source revealed by the atmospheric reactive nitrogen budget in a subtropical plateau lake basin, southwest China

 

Biochar emerges as a powerful tool for soil carbon neutrality and climate mitigation

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Biochar towards soil carbon neutrality: a critical review

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Credit: Muhammad Mahroz Hussain, Ganghua Zhou, Wan Yang, Longfei Liu, Chenhao Zhao, Yao Huang & Shengsen Wang

Scientists are highlighting biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, as a promising solution to help soils store carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offering new hope in global climate mitigation efforts.

In a new comprehensive review, researchers synthesized current knowledge on how biochar improves soil carbon storage, reduces greenhouse gases, and provides practical frameworks to measure its climate benefits. The findings demonstrate that biochar could play a crucial role in transforming soils into long-term carbon sinks, supporting agricultural sustainability and carbon neutrality goals.

Biochar is created by heating organic biomass such as crop residues, wood, or agricultural waste in low-oxygen conditions. This process converts unstable organic carbon into a stable form that can persist in soil for hundreds to thousands of years. According to the study, biochar not only stores carbon directly but also protects existing soil organic carbon from decomposition, creating a dual carbon sequestration effect.

“Our analysis shows that biochar can simultaneously lock carbon into soils and regulate microbial processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said the study’s corresponding author. “This dual function makes biochar a unique and scalable tool for achieving soil carbon neutrality.”

The review reveals that biochar improves carbon storage through several interconnected mechanisms. Its highly porous structure physically shields soil organic carbon from microbial breakdown while also promoting the formation of soil aggregates that stabilize carbon. In addition, biochar can stimulate what scientists call a negative priming effect, meaning it slows the decomposition of native soil carbon, further enhancing carbon retention.

Beyond carbon storage, biochar also helps reduce emissions of nitrous oxide and methane, two potent greenhouse gases produced by soil microbial activity. The researchers found that biochar alters soil chemistry, microbial communities, and redox processes, encouraging microbial pathways that convert harmful greenhouse gases into less harmful forms.

“Biochar functions like an electron shuttle in soil,” explained the researchers. “It helps regulate microbial reactions that convert nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen gas, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.”

However, the effectiveness of biochar depends strongly on how it is produced and applied. Factors such as feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, soil characteristics, and application rate all influence biochar’s performance. For example, biochar produced at higher temperatures typically has greater stability and carbon sequestration potential, while matching biochar properties to specific soil conditions can maximize environmental benefits.

The study also emphasizes the importance of accurately measuring biochar’s climate impact. The authors evaluated multiple carbon accounting approaches, including isotope tracing methods to measure soil carbon changes and life cycle assessments that track emissions across production and application stages. These integrated frameworks are essential for verifying carbon neutrality claims and supporting carbon credit systems.

Large-scale field studies show encouraging results. Biochar applications have been linked to increased soil organic carbon, improved crop yields, and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The review suggests that optimized biochar deployment could provide both environmental and economic benefits, including reduced fertilizer use and potential revenue from carbon markets.

Despite its promise, the researchers highlight remaining challenges. Long-term field studies are needed to better understand biochar aging, soil interactions, and large-scale implementation strategies. The authors also suggest that advanced engineered biochar materials could further enhance carbon storage while simultaneously remediating soil pollutants.

“Our findings demonstrate that biochar has moved beyond a theoretical concept and is becoming a practical tool for climate-smart agriculture,” the authors said. “With proper optimization and verification, biochar could become a cornerstone technology for sustainable soil management and global carbon neutrality.”

 

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Journal reference: Hussain MM, Zhou G, Yang W, Liu L, Zhao C, et al. 2026. Biochar towards soil carbon neutrality: a critical review. Biochar X 2: e006 doi: 10.48130/bchax-0026-0004  

https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/bchax-0026-0004  

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About the Journal: 

Biochar X (e-ISSN: 3070-1686) is an open access, online-only journal aims to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries by providing a multidisciplinary platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research in both fundamental and applied aspects of biochar. The journal is dedicated to supporting the global biochar research community by offering an innovative, efficient, and professional outlet for sharing new findings and perspectives. Its core focus lies in the discovery of novel insights and the development of emerging applications in the rapidly growing field of biochar science. 

Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky.  

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DOI

10.48130/bchax-0026-0004 

Method of Research

Literature review

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Biochar towards soil carbon neutrality: a critical review

Article Publication Date

14-Feb-2026

 

Antipathy toward snakes? Your parents likely talked you into that at an early age

Oregon State University

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Juvenile gopher snake

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Credit: Steve Lundeberg, Oregon State University

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A study of more than 100 kindergarten-age children suggests kids tend to think of snakes differently than they do other animals and that hearing negative or objectifying language about the slithery reptiles might contribute to that way of thinking.

The study also suggests it takes minimal intervention to “inoculate” a child against snake negativity.

The findings, published in Anthrozoös, are important for multiple reasons, explains co-author Jeff Loucks of Oregon State University.

Snakes are reviled in many human cultures but little is known about how children develop feelings of fear and vilification toward an animal that plays an important role in the balance of many ecosystems.

At least 450 of the more than 4,000 identified snake species are facing elevated risk of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but public support for protecting them and restoring their habitat is weak – probably because of a general societal hatred of snakes.

“Childhood is a critical time for shaping someone’s attitudes and behaviors toward animals,” Loucks said. “Snakes have a very negative reputation in Western societies and are commonly misunderstood.”

Loucks, professor of teaching in OSU’s College of Liberal Arts, cites earlier research that shows snakes trigger some level of anxiety in 54% of all people and that the average American has a negative attitude toward snakes.

“Data indicate that it’s common for U.S. drivers to go out of their way to run over a snake,” he said.

Loucks and study leader Denée Buchko of the University of Regina sought to find the roots of that antipathy and the roles language and education play in its development. The three-part project involved 5-year-olds, their parents, pictures of snakes and descriptive language that might suggest snakes were more like other animals than inanimate objects or vice-versa.

The scientists used a technique known as an induction task to assess how similar kids think snakes are to humans, to other non-human animals and to non-living things.

“Before we gave them this task, we had parents look through a picture book of snakes with their child, and we also read children a story book about a day in the life of a snake,” Loucks said. “The story book either referred to the snakes more like an object – with ‘it’ pronouns and not referencing feelings or thoughts – or more like a person, with ‘she’ pronouns and references to thoughts and feelings.”

The researchers found that when parents used negative language when talking about snakes, children were encouraged to think about snakes as being different from humans. They also found that the objectifying language in the storybook had the same effect.

“Something unexpected, though, was that kids generally thought that snakes were similar to other non-human animals,” Loucks said. “So, we did a second study with different subjects, took away the picture book and the storybook and just gave kids the induction task. In this case, they did not think that snakes were similar to humans or other animals.”

With another set of subjects, Louck and Buchko brought back the picture book and the storybook, and again they found that kids thought snakes were similar to other animals but not to humans, replicating the findings from the first part of the research.

“It seems as though 5-year-old kids, from Western cultures anyway, tend to think that snakes are very different from other animals, and negative and objectifying language might contribute to that,” Loucks said. “But some exposure to snakes and learning about their biological needs can act as an inoculation against negative attitudes toward snakes, which can help to engender care and respect for these animals.”

This research was supported by a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery grant.

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DOI

10.1080/08927936.2025.2597083 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The Role of Objectification and Negativity in Young Children’s Conceptualization of Snakes