Boron isotopes reveal how nuclear waste glass slowly dissolves over time

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Boron isotope tracers of diffusion during glass dissolution

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Credit: Thomas L. Goût, Rui Guo, Sambuddha Misra, Edward T. Tipper, Madeleine S. Bohlin, Yandi Hu & Ian Farnan

A new study has uncovered how tiny differences in boron atoms can help scientists better predict the long-term behavior of glass used to store hazardous waste. The findings, published in Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes, could improve forecasts of how radioactive materials are released from storage over thousands of years.

Glass is often used to immobilize contaminants such as radionuclides and heavy metals, locking them safely inside a stable structure. However, when groundwater seeps into disposal sites, the glass can gradually dissolve. Understanding this process is crucial for ensuring the safety of geological waste repositories.

Researchers from Peking University, the University of Cambridge, and partner institutions used boron isotope “fingerprinting” to trace how boron moves within dissolving glass. By comparing two types of borosilicate glass, one containing magnesium and one without, the team discovered that the diffusion of boron atoms depends strongly on the glass composition and the time it has been exposed to water.

In laboratory experiments, the glasses were placed in pure water at 90 degrees Celsius for up to 112 days. Measurements of boron isotopes showed that at early stages, boron was released evenly from the glass surface. Over time, however, diffusion through an altered surface layer became a key mechanism controlling the release. In magnesium-bearing glass, the formation of secondary minerals slowed the dissolution, creating a dense, protective layer. In contrast, the magnesium-free glass developed a surface layer that offered little protection, allowing boron to continue diffusing out.

“Boron isotopes provide a sensitive and direct tracer of how waste glasses interact with water,” said lead author Thomas L. Goût. “They help reveal when the glass dissolves uniformly and when the process becomes controlled by diffusion through a transformed surface layer.”

The research offers a new approach for monitoring and modeling glass corrosion in environmental and nuclear waste management. By identifying how isotopic signatures change as glass ages, scientists can better estimate the long-term release of contaminants into groundwater systems.

This study demonstrates that isotope-based techniques can provide detailed insights into the complex reactions occurring within waste materials. Such knowledge is essential for designing safer storage strategies for nuclear and industrial waste in the coming centuries.

 

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Journal reference: Goût TL, Guo R, Misra S, Tipper ET, Bohlin MS, et al. 2025. Boron isotope tracers of diffusion during glass dissolution. Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes 1: e005  https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/ebp-0025-0004  

 

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About the Journal:

Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on the interactions and processes involving the cycling of elements and compounds between the biological, geological, and chemical components of the environment. 

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DOI

10.48130/ebp-0025-0004 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Boron isotope tracers of diffusion during glass dissolution

 

New technique boosts electron microscope’s clarity

University of Victoria (UVic) research team achieve a major breakthrough in electron microscopy to visualize atomic-scale structures.

University of Victoria

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A team of researchers at the University of Victoria (UVic) have achieved a major breakthrough in electron microscopy that will allow scientists to visualize atomic-scale structures with unprecedented clarity using lower-cost and lower-energy microscopes than ever before.

Led by Arthur Blackburn, co-director of UVic’s Advanced Microscopy Facility, the team developed a novel imaging technique that allowed them to achieve sub-Ångström resolution (less than one ten-billionth of a meter) using a compact, low-energy scanning electron microscope (SEM)—a feat previously possible only with a large, high-cost transmission electron microscope (TEM).

This work shows that high-resolution imaging doesn’t have to rely on expensive, complex equipment. We’ve demonstrated that a relatively simple SEM, when paired with advanced computational techniques, can achieve a resolution that rivals or even surpasses traditional methods.”

Arthur Blackburn, co-director of UVic’s Advanced Microscopy Facility and Hitachi High-Tech Canada Research Chair in Advanced Electron Microscopy

The research, published in Nature Communications , opens the door to more accessible microscopy for labs around the world. The new technique allows for high-resolution, atomic-scale images without the previously prohibitive cost, space and personnel requirements.

The breakthrough was made possible by applying a technique called ptychography, which uses overlapping patterns of scattered electrons to build a highly detailed picture of a sample. Using this technique, the team was able to reach a resolution of just 0.67 Ångström—less than the size of an atom, and 1/10,000 the width of a human hair—using a low-energy beam on a SEM. Previously, achieving sub-Ångström resolution required a high-energy beam and a TEM.

“This could be transformative for fields like materials science, nanotechnology and structural biology,” says Blackburn. “The advance will most immediately benefit the research and production of 2D materials, which are promising in the development of next-generation electronics. Long term, it could also assist in determining the structure of small proteins, leading to advances in health and disease research.”

This work was conducted in partnership with Hitachi High-Tech Canada and supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

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Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-025-64133-3 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Sub-ångström resolution ptychography in a scanning electron microscope at 20 keV

Article Publication Date

14-Oct-2025

 

New catalyst unlocks low-temperature hydrogen from methane with reduced carbon emissions

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Modulating lattice distortion of NiO/MgAl2-xFexO4 for low-temperature methane decomposition with CO2 reduction

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Credit: Zhao Sun, Zong Chen & Zhiqiang Sun

Scientists at the Central South University in China have developed a novel catalyst system that could revolutionize clean hydrogen production by making it possible to generate hydrogen from methane at lower temperatures, while simultaneously tackling the challenge of carbon buildup that plagues existing methods.

Hydrogen is a highly coveted energy carrier thanks to its clean footprint and its ability to power fuel cells, but most commercial hydrogen today is made from fossil fuels in energy-intensive processes that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. While direct methane decomposition offers a simpler and theoretically carbon-neutral route, current approaches require very high temperatures and quickly lose effectiveness because carbon deposits build up on the catalyst surface.​

The breakthrough, published recently in Energy Environment Nexus, focuses on a new family of catalysts called Fe-doped nickel magnesium aluminate spinels. By precisely tuning the crystal lattice of materials labeled NiOMgAl2-xFexO4, the team engineered novel distortions in the atomic bonds that optimize the interactions driving methane decomposition. This clever adjustment helped boost hydrogen yields at temperatures as low as 650°C—and significantly reduced the carbon “poisoning” that limits catalyst lifetimes.​

In experimental tests, the best-performing catalyst achieved a methane conversion rate of over 91 percent, with similarly high hydrogen purity, under relatively mild conditions. The catalyst also demonstrated remarkable stability. Even after twenty full cycles of methane conversion and carbon dioxide–assisted cleaning, it retained most of its activity, hinting at a practical path for long-term operation in industrial settings.​

“Our work shows that crystal lattice distortions, tailored through iron doping, are crucial to both activating methane and promoting efficient hydrogen release,” said corresponding author Zhiqiang Sun. “These findings not only reveal new scientific insights but could dramatically advance catalyst design for large-scale hydrogen production.”​

By enabling low-temperature hydrogen creation and offering resilience to carbon blockage, this technology points to cheaper and greener production methods, with potential benefits for clean transportation, sustainable industrial processes, and the global energy transition. The process also produces carbon as a solid byproduct—which may be harvested for valuable industrial uses, further improving the economics of clean hydrogen generation.​

 

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Journal reference: Sun Z, Chen Z, Sun Z. 2025. Modulating lattice distortion of NiO/MgAl2-xFexO4 for low-temperature methane decomposition with CO2 reduction. Energy & Environment Nexus 1: e006  https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/een-0025-0005  

 

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About Energy & Environment Nexus:
Energy & Environment Nexus 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-0025-0005 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Modulating lattice distortion of NiO/MgAl2-xFexO4 for low-temperature methane decomposition with CO2 reduction

 

Biochar helps Mediterranean vineyards hold water and fight erosion

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Soil conservation benefits of biochar in Mediterranean vineyards: enhancing the soil sponge function and mitigating water erosion

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Credit: Behrouz Gholamahmadi, Carla S. S. Ferreira, Oscar Gonzalez-Pelayo, Ana Catarina Bastos & Frank G. A. Verheijen

Mediterranean vineyards face a growing threat from heavy rains and soil degradation that strip away fertile topsoil. New research led by scientists at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, shows that adding biochar, a carbon-rich material made from plant waste, can dramatically reduce erosion and improve the soil’s ability to store water.

The study, published in Biochar, is among the first to test biochar’s impact on the “soil sponge function” under natural rainfall in sloping Mediterranean vineyards. Over 18 months, researchers used outdoor lysimeters filled with vineyard soil and amended half with 4 percent biochar produced from pine wood chips.

Results showed striking benefits. Biochar-treated soils reduced surface runoff by an average of 45 percent and cut overall soil erosion by two-thirds compared with untreated soil. The erosion rate dropped from 11.1 to 3.7 tons per hectare per year. Biochar also improved soil structure, lowering bulk density by 7 percent and increasing infiltration by 28 percent. During dry periods, biochar-amended soils stored up to three times more water than control soils.

“Biochar acted like a sponge in the soil, soaking up rainfall and releasing it slowly,” said lead author Behrouz Gholamahmadi of the University of Aveiro’s Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM). “This helped prevent intense runoff that carries away topsoil and nutrients.”

The team found that biochar’s porous structure and coarse particles enhanced the soil’s capacity to absorb and retain water, even under intense Mediterranean rainstorms. The effects were especially strong during dry months when soil moisture was lowest.

Co-author Frank Verheijen noted that vineyard soils are often exposed and located on slopes, making them highly vulnerable to erosion. “Our findings show that biochar can be a sustainable management tool to increase vineyard resilience to extreme weather and support long-term soil health,” he said.

The researchers recommend monitoring biochar’s effects through full hydrological cycles to capture seasonal changes and variations caused by atmospheric river events. They also see potential to combine biochar with other soil conservation practices such as cover crops or mulching.

The study highlights biochar’s promise as a climate-smart strategy for Mediterranean agriculture, capable of conserving soil, improving water use efficiency, and helping combat land degradation across Europe’s most erosion-prone vineyards.

 

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Journal Reference:  Gholamahmadi, B., Ferreira, C.S.S., Gonzalez-Pelayo, O. et al. Soil conservation benefits of biochar in Mediterranean vineyards: enhancing the soil sponge function and mitigating water erosion. Biochar 7, 106 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00483-x  

 

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About Biochar

Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field. 

Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky.  

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Journal

Biochar

DOI

10.1007/s42773-025-00483-x 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Soil conservation benefits of biochar in Mediterranean vineyards: enhancing the soil sponge function and mitigating water erosion

 

Nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar boosts soil health and rice productivity

Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University

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Nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar impacts soil properties, root growth and basmati rice yield

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Credit: Aakash Kumar Saini, Vikas Abrol, Peeyush Sharma, Cherukumalli Srinivasarao, Avanish Singh Parmar, Marcos Lado, Ajay Kumar, Manish Kumar, Abeer Hashem, Khalid F. Almutairi & Elsayed Fathi Abd-Allah

A new study in Biochar reveals that nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar could significantly improve soil fertility and rice yields while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Researchers from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, India, found that combining a reduced nitrogen fertilizer dose with nanobiochar enhanced both soil properties and crop performance in nitrogen-deficient soils.

Nanobiochar, biochar particles engineered at the nanoscale, has attracted attention for its porous structure, high surface area, and ability to retain and slowly release nutrients. When fortified with nitrogen, it acts as a “smart” soil amendment that improves nutrient availability and water retention, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers.

The team tested twelve treatments in a pot experiment with basmati rice, comparing full and partial doses of mineral nitrogen fertilizer with varying rates of nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar (1, 2.5, and 5 kilograms per hectare). The best performance was achieved with 75 percent of the recommended fertilizer dose combined with 5 kilograms per hectare of nanobiochar. This treatment increased soil moisture, infiltration rate, and aggregate stability by up to 42 percent compared with conventional fertilization.

Soil organic carbon and available nitrogen, ammonium, and nitrate levels also rose markedly, enhancing root growth and nutrient uptake. Root weight, length, and volume increased by 24.6, 15.8, and 18.7 percent, respectively, while grain yield climbed by 26.8 percent compared to the same fertilizer rate without nanobiochar. The study found strong positive correlations between yield and soil physical and chemical properties, confirming the role of nanobiochar in improving soil structure and nutrient dynamics.

Beyond boosting productivity, the researchers highlight environmental advantages. “Incorporating nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar allows farmers to cut fertilizer use without sacrificing yield, which could lower greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses,” said lead author Aakash Kumar Saini. “It also transforms agricultural residues such as rice husk into high-value soil amendments, closing the loop for sustainable farming.”

The findings suggest that integrating engineered nanobiochar with moderate fertilizer inputs could strengthen soil health, enhance crop resilience, and support climate-smart agriculture in regions struggling with nutrient depletion and fertilizer overuse.

 

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Journal Reference: Saini, A.K., Abrol, V., Sharma, P. et al. Nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar impacts soil properties, root growth and basmati rice yield. Biochar 7, 102 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00503-w  

 

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About Biochar

Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field. 

Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky.  

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Journal

Biochar

DOI

10.1007/s42773-025-00503-w 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar impacts soil properties, root growth and basmati rice yield