Abstract: Exploring the complex and dynamic relationship between new urbanization (NUR) and land green use efficiency (LGUE) contributes to optimizing the allocation of land resources and facilitating the process of NUR. This paper employed the linear weighted method to evaluate the NUR of urban agglomerations in Southwest China and utilized the Super-SBM model to calculate the LGUE. Utilizing the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, the NUR, LGUE and spatial alterations of 33 cities in the urban agglomeration from 2008 to 2021 were analysed, and three key findings were obtained. (1) The NUR process in the study area is sluggish, and the NUR level is significantly lower than the LGUE level. (2) There are substantial spatial disparities in NUR and LGUE in the study area. The values of NUR and LGUE in provincial capital cities are relatively high. (3) The CCD of NUR and LGUE in the study area have slowly increased. The number of people engaged in scientific research and technical services and fiscal revenue are the key factors impacting the CCD. This work can serve as a reference for promoting the coordinated development of NUR and LGUE and coordinating the economic and social development and protection of the ecological environment. Read More

Abstract: The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is home to the world's highest-altitude and largest number of plateau lake groups. In recent decades, the lakes on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau have undergone significant changes in terms of water volume and other aspects such as salt content and nutrient content. In addition, the ecology of these lake areas has also changed significantly, including changes in microorganisms and plants The logic and mechanism behind these continuous changes are outlined in this article, especially the review of the lake system changes under the increase of lake water volume. In addition, the ecological risks of lakes on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and their countermeasures are proposed, and case analyses are conducted in combination with the two large lakes, Selin Co and Qinghai Lake. Read More

Abstract: Biochar, a porous carbon-rich material produced through high-temperature pyrolysis of biomass, has shown great potential in environmental remediation and sustainable development. This article systematically reviews the development trajectory of biochar technology. Firstly, it elaborates on the structure-activity relationship between its preparation parameters and physicochemical properties. Secondly, it focuses on its application mechanisms and efficacy in three major environmental media: as a soil amendment and long-term carbon sequestration carrier in soil; as an efficient adsorption/catalytic material for pollutants in water; and its production process itself also contributes to greenhouse gas reduction. Despite its promising prospects, the large-scale application of biochar still faces challenges such as unclear long-term environmental behavior, incomplete ecological effect assessment, and the absence of standards. Finally, suggesting that long-term research and interdisciplinary collaboration are needed to quantify its long-term ecological safety and carbon sequestration potential, and to establish engineering standards and a life-cycle assessment system, in order to promote its transformation from a potential material to a reliable environmental solution. Read More

Abstract: Urban green spaces are an essential component of urban ecosystems, and their spatiotemporal evolution and landscape structural changes have a significant impact on urban ecological functions. This study focuses on the central urban area of Zhengzhou and utilizes long-term Landsat remote sensing imagery data from 2000 to 2024. A combination of methods, including urban green space interpretation, buffer zone analysis, standard deviation ellipse, and landscape pattern indices, is applied to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and landscape pattern changes of urban green spaces. The results show that: (1) The scale of urban green spaces has continuously expanded during the study period, with the total green space area increasing from 115.79 km² to 417.00 km², and the green space coverage rate surpassing 40%. The expansion process demonstrates a distinct phase progression, shifting from early-stage peripheral aggregation to a simultaneous "infill and outward expansion" approach. (2) The coverage of green space services has evolved from contraction to balance. The 300-meter buffer zone analysis indicates a significant improvement in green space accessibility after 2020, with near-complete coverage of the central urban area by 2024. (3) The spatial center of gravity of green spaces has generally maintained a "northwest-southeast" axial alignment, with a migration trend converging from the periphery towards the center. (4) Landscape pattern analysis shows that the increase in the number and density of patches has led to a rise in micro-level fragmentation. However, the largest patch index and connectivity index have remained at relatively high levels, maintaining a stable overall network structure for the urban green space system. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing urban green space systems in rapidly urbanizing areas. Read More

Abstract: The global carbon cycle is fundamentally a biological achievement of spatial organization, yet conventional soil carbon models frequently overlook the active role of microbial motility by assuming spatial homogeneity. This review challenges that assumption by elucidating the impact of bacterial chemotaxis—mediated by the Che A/Che Y signal transduction pathway—on the formation of metabolic hotspots. We demonstrate how microorganisms navigate tortuous pore networks to sense chemical fingerprints (e.g., root exudates), generating micrometer-scale zones where metabolic activity increases by two to three orders of magnitude. The physical disruption of this spatial order, particularly through tillage, leads to a profound "decoupling" of the carbon cycle, evidenced by a 27%–34% reduction in soil respiration and a loss of carbon sink capacity. By integrating molecular ecology with microscale process dynamics, we propose a novel framework that elucidates the cascade mechanism extending from chemical fingerprint recognition to community self-organization, and ultimately to carbon flux regulation." This approach links chemotactic protein signaling to gas diffusion processes, offering a robust theoretical foundation for the precise regulation of soil carbon sinks in the pursuit of carbon neutrality. Read More

Abstract: Global warming is accelerating glacier dynamics in High Mountain Asia, which underscores the importance of high-precision monitoring for regional water security. This study investigates the surface velocity of the Muztagh Ata glacier group through a joint observation framework. We utilize the ASF-HyP3 cloud platform for efficient SAR preprocessing via the ISCE2 processor and MintPy for time-series InSAR inversion. By incorporating ERA5 meteorological data for tropospheric correction and performing geometric decomposition on multi-orbit Sentinel-1 data, we identify a radial flow pattern with peak horizontal velocities of approximately −2.0 m/year. Read More

Abstract: In recent years, CNPC’s operating companies have carried out intensive R&D programs to address key bottlenecks that limit drilling efficiency and well construction performance, including rate-of-penetration (ROP) improvement for horizontal wells, deep-well drilling, casing-exit sidetracking for mature wells, and wellbore strengthening and loss-circulation control. Through targeted technology breakthroughs and systematic integration of mature practices, a series of distinctive, field-proven technology packages has been developed. The main advances reviewed in this paper include: (i) one-run drilling enabled by an integrated “four-in-one” bottom-hole assembly (BHA); (ii) deep formation ROP improvement technologies for the Cambrian and Changcheng (Great Wall) formations; (iii) “aggressive drilling” practices for ROP optimization; (iv) 3D horizontal-well profile design and the “pre-separation” anti-collision methodology for large pad drilling; (v) casing-window milling and sidetracked horizontal-well drilling and completion; (vi) drilling and completion for super-long horizontal laterals in tight-gas reservoirs; (vii) nitrogen drilling; (viii) wellbore pressure management (managed pressure drilling, MPD) techniques; (ix) slim-hole super-long horizontal drilling; and (x) specialized drilling-fluid systems. After several rounds of technological evolution, an integrated R&D framework characterized by a coordinated “process–tools–fluids” approach has been established. Looking forward, further efforts should be devoted to automation and intelligent drilling/completion, cost-effective development of tight and shale reservoirs, deep and ultra-deep drilling technologies, continuous upgrading of specialized drilling-fluid and environmental compliance technologies, and the development of integrated geo-engineering decision-making workflows. These innovations will support safe, efficient, and high-quality growth of China’s oil and gas industry. Read More