Promoting desert biocrust formation using aquatic cyanobacteria with the aid of MOF-based nanocomposite

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134824
• Publication Date: 2019-11-20T02:47:39Z
• Authors: Zhaohuan Li; Jianmin Xiao; Chaowen Chen; Lina Zhao; Zhengyan Wu; Lichao Liu; Dongqing Cai
• Keywords: Soil; Nitrogen; 13. Climate action; 0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; 14. Life underwater; Eutrophication; 15. Life on land; Cyanobacteria; Ecosystem; Nanocomposites

Desertification and eutrophication are two global environmental problems human beings face. Inoculating cyanobacteria to form biocrusts is considered an effective technology to inhibit desertification. The main limitation of biocrust formation is the lack of propagules and nutrients in deserts. A possible low cost source of propagules and nutrients is eutrophic water containing aquatic cyanobacteria (AC), nitrogen and phosphorus. In this study, we fabricated a network-structured nanocomposite (designated as MC) using a metal-organic framework (MOF) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). MC, with a large specific surface area and numerous surface groups, had a high retention capacity for water and nutrients and good biosafety. The combination of AC-containing water (ACW) and MC could provide a suitable microenvironment in the soil, promote the growth of desert cyanobacteria (DC), formation of biocrusts and inhibition of desertification. This study provides a novel approach to simultaneously relieve desertification and eutrophication.