Inferring Shallow Surfaces on Sub-Neptune Exoplanets with JWST

Planets smaller than Neptune and larger than Earth make up the majority of the discovered exoplanets. Those with H2-rich atmospheres are prime targets for atmospheric characterization. The transition between the two main classes, super-Earths and sub-Neptunes, is not clearly understood as the rocky surface is likely not accessible to observations. Tracking several trace gases (specifically the loss of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN)) has been proposed as a proxy for the presence of a shallow surface. In this work, we revisit the proposed mechanism of nitrogen conversion in detail and find its timescale on the order of a million years. NH3 exhibits dual paths converting to N2 or HCN, depending on the UV radiation of the star and the stage of the system. In addition, methanol (CH3OH) is identified as a robust and complementary proxy for a shallow surface. We follow the fiducial example of K2-18b with a 2D photochemical model on an equatorial plane. We find a fairly uniform composition distribution below 0.1 mbar controlled by the dayside, as a result of slow chemical evolution. NH3 and CH3OH are concluded to be the most unambiguous proxies to infer surfaces on sub-Neptunes in the era of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Role of Organic/Sulfide Ratios On DNRA Cultivation And The Microbial Community Structure of A Co-Driven Sequencing Biofilm Batch Reactor

Denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), are two competing pathways in nitrate reducing process. In this study, a series of C/S ratios from 8:1 to 2:4 was investigated in a sequencing biofilm batch reactor (SBBR) to determine the role of reducers (sulfide and acetate) on their competition. The results showed the proportion of DNRA increased in high electron system, either in organic rich or in sulfide rich system. The highest DNRA ratio increased to 16.7% at the C/S ratio of 2:3. Excess electron donors, particularly sulfide, were favorable for DNRA in a limited nitrate environment. Moreover, a higher reductive environment (ORP <-400 mV) can be used as an indicator for the occurrence of DNRA. 16s RNA analysis demonstrated that Grobacter was the main functional bacteria of DNRA in the organic rich system, while Alphaproteobacteria and Desulfomicrobium were dominant DNRA bacteria in the sulfide rich system. DNRA cultivation could enrich nitrogen conversion pathways in conventional denitrification systems. This provides the great insight into nitrogen removal in high nitrogen containing sewage with low C/N.