Bugg, T.D.H., Williamson, J.J., Rashid, G.M.M., 2020. Bacterial enzymes for lignin depolymerisation: new biocatalysts for generation of renewable chemicals from biomass. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 55, 26- 33.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1367593119301280 The conversion of polymeric lignin from plant biomass into renewable chemicals is an important unsolved problem in the biorefinery concept. This article summarises recent developments in the discovery of bacterial enzymes for lignin degradation, our current understanding of their molecular mechanism of action, and their use to convert lignin or lignocellulose into aromatic chemicals. The review also discusses the recent developments in screening of metagenomic libraries for new biocatalysts, and the use of protein engineering to enhance lignin degradation activity.

Bura- Nakić, E., Sondi, I., Mikac, N., Andersen, M.B., 2020. Investigating the molybdenum and uranium redox proxies in a modern shallow anoxic carbonate rich marine sediment setting of the Malo Jezero (Mljet Lakes, Adriatic Sea). Chemical Geology 533, 119441.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009254119305704 The molybdenum (Mo) and uranium (U) isotope compositions recorded in carbonate rich sediments are emerging as promising paleo-redox proxies. However, the effects of early diagenetic effects within the sediments on these isotope systems are not well constrained. We examined the Moand U isotopic systematics in anoxic carbonate rich sediments in a semi enclosed karstic marine lake (Malo Jezero) of the Island of Mljet, Adriatic Sea. Measurements of water column redox behavior in the lake since the 1950s, have shown a transition from anoxic-sulfidic conditions in the deeper water column to more oxic conditions and anoxia refined to the sediment and pore- waters. A 50 cm long sediment co re from the deepest part of the lake, show a transition from moderate to high authigenic Mo and U accumulation with depth, consistent with the changing lake redox environment in the past. In the deep euxinic part of the core, the authigenic Mo and Uare isotopically lighter and heavier, respectively, than seawater, following similar systematics as observed in other modern euxinic basins, with high, but non-quantitative, Mo and U uptake into the sediments. 238 235 Based on Bahamas bank carbonate sediments, it has been suggested that the U/ U ratio is ~+0.25‰ higher compared to seawater from the effects of early carbonate sediment diagenesis and this carbonate vs. seawater off-set is applicable to carbonate rich sediments across the geological past. The shallower part of lake sediment core was deposited under similar redox conditions as the Bahamas sediments, and these sediments show an 238 235 238 235 average U/ U ratio +0.31 ± 0.01‰ (2SE) higher than seawater. Although th e average U/ U ratios for 238 235 these two carbonate rich settings are similar, caution is necessary when inferring seawater U/ U compositions from such sediments, as they contain U from different sources (e.g. diagenetic uptake and carbonate-bound). The Mo isotope compositions within the same Malo Jezero sediments are variable but approaches the seawater composition at low pore-water H S concentrations. This show the potential of using the 2 Mo isotope composition from carbonate rich sediments to infer the seawater composition, however, further work is required to establish the link between the Mo isotope composition and the chemistry of the pore water environment.

Buzmakov, S.A., Khotyanovskaya, Y.V., 2020. Degradation and pollution of lands under the influence of oil resources exploitation. Applied Geochemistry 113, 104443.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883292719302483 The research considers the degradation and pollution of soils as a result of oil extraction activities. The object of the research includes the territories of the exploited oil fields located in the Sarmatic mixed forests in Perm