非饱和带二氧化碳入侵对表生植物及土壤的影响

非饱和带属于地球关键带,与人类生存环境及安全健康关系密切,而CO₂对生态环境及全球气候变化的影响至关重要。为了探索高浓度CO₂入侵非饱和带对生态环境可能带来的风险,基于长安大学水与环境原位试验场CO₂试验平台,向种植有5种典型植物（黑麦草、小麦、玉米、豌豆和苋菜）的土壤中长期注入浓度为5%、10%和15%的CO₂气体,评估CO₂入侵对植物和土壤的潜在影响。对表生植物及土壤样品（深度为20～30 cm）的理化性质分析表明:高浓度CO₂明显抑制了植物的生长,会导致植株高度、叶片数和果实重量下降;土壤矿相和理化性质也有微小变化,表现为土壤pH值的变化以及氮、有效钾、有效磷等的减少。通过分析植物的光合作用、渗透调节作用以及抗氧化系统的变化,不同的植物对CO₂胁迫表现出不同且复杂的响应,总体上C3单子叶植物黑麦草和C4单子叶植物玉米显示出比其他植物更高的敏感性,表明它们有潜力作为评估CO₂生态影响的指示植物。     

慕士塔格夏季近地表大气CO2浓度变化特征

利用CIRAS SC型号的CO₂和H₂O分析仪, 对东帕米尔高原慕士塔格地区2003年夏季(6~8月)近地表大气CO₂浓度和水汽进行精确持续观测, 给出了我国内陆高原大气近地表 CO₂ 浓度夏季的变化特征. 观测表明, 该地夏季CO₂浓度呈整体下降趋势, 并因受陆地植被光合作用、呼吸作用和土壤微生物等的影响, 有明显的日周期变化. 在短时间尺度上, 其变化趋势与瓦里关站点观测结果基本一致, 与Mauna Loa站点观测结果差别明显. 通过考察当地 CO₂浓度与大气水汽的关系, 发现两者具有很显著的反相关性. 上述现象揭示, 慕士塔格近地表大气CO₂含量的变化不仅受植物光合作用的影响,同时大气中水汽的含量在控制CO₂含量方面起着重要作用.     

CO2地质埋藏深度对高阶煤孔隙结构的影响

高阶煤中的CO₂地质埋藏具有存储CO₂和提高煤层气采收率的双重意义。通过压汞测试和低温液氮吸附实验对经过CO₂地质埋藏模拟实验处理前后的煤样品进行分析测试,探讨了不同埋藏深度下煤中孔隙演化的特征与机理。研究表明:煤的真密度、视密度、孔隙体积、煤基质体积变化、有机质膨胀与收缩等参数均表现出不同的演化特征;埋藏过程中温度压力的增大对H₂O–CO₂–煤的地球化学反应效应的影响并非线性,而是存在一个对孔隙特别是微孔孔容和比表面积改造最大的深度范围,该深度将使得高阶煤孔隙结构得到最佳的改造效果,从而进一步更有利CO₂的地质埋藏和提高煤层气的采收率。      

广西渐新世宁明组三种植物碳同位素与古气候分析

渐新世代表地球一个早期的“冰室”期,是地球气候演化和生物演替过程中一段特殊的时期。渐新世植物化石的碳同位素可为研究该时期的古气候提供依据。对广西渐新世宁明组三种植物及其最近现生亲缘种的碳同位素进行分析,化石种Buxus ningmingensis,Chuniophoenix slenderifolia和Cephalotaxus ningmingensis的碳同位素组成（δ13C）分别为-29.0‰,-28.3‰,-28.0‰;碳同位素分馏（Δ13C）分别为23.48‰,22.74‰,22.43‰;叶内细胞间和外界大气的CO₂分压比（C_植物/C_空气）分别为0.84,0.81,0.80;水分利用效率（WUE）分别为42.63μmol CO₂/mol H₂O,51.56μmol CO₂/mol H₂O,55.38 μmol CO₂/mol H₂O。其对应的最近现生亲缘种（NLRs）的δ13C分别为-27.9‰,-29.7‰,-28.8‰;Δ13C分别为20.47‰,22.36‰,21.42‰;C_植物/C_空气分别为0.71,0.79,0.75;WUE分别为72.22 μmol CO₂/mol H₂O,51.28μmol CO₂/mol H₂O,61.76 μmol CO₂/mol H₂O。化石种δ13C值均落在现代C₃植物相应的数值范围内,其Δ13C和C_植物/C_空气均高于相应的NLRs数值;而Buxus ningmingensis和Cephalotaxus ningmingensis的WUE低于相应的NLRs数值;其中Chuniophoenix slenderifolia的WUE稍高于相应的最近现生亲缘种C. hainanensis,推测可能与其NLR标本的母本植物生长在水源充足、空气潮湿的湖溪边湿地环境有关。基于Δ13C、C_植物/C_空气和WUE结果,推测化石种可能生活在一种比现在更为温暖湿润的气候环境中;化石种及同层位化石的古气候重建支持了当前古气候分析结果。     

青藏高原高寒湿地CO2通量特征及影响因子分析

利用玉树隆宝湿地2015年的涡动相关系统观测资料,分析了高寒湿地CO₂通量的变化特征及影响因子。结果表明：玉树隆宝湿地生长季CO₂通量日变化呈倒单峰型,夏季日变化幅度大,冬季日变化幅度小。4-9月CO₂净交换量为负值,其余各月CO₂净交换量为正值。全年CO₂净吸收量为465 g·m^-2。白天CO₂通量随着光合有效辐射的增大而减小。CO₂排放量与土壤温度和气温日较差均呈正相关。高寒湿地土壤体积含水量对CO₂通量的影响很微弱。降雨事件发生后, CO₂排放量在短期内有所升高。各影响因子中,光合有效辐射对高寒湿地CO₂通量影响的相关度最高,其次为气温日较差,土壤温度,而土壤体积含水量对CO₂通量影响的相关度最低。     

河南禹州早二叠世山西组二1煤组植物化石

报道了河南省禹州市神垕镇马垌剖面山西组二₁煤组的植物化石21属42种。该植物群以真蕨纲和种子蕨纲繁盛为特征,楔叶纲、瓢叶目、科达纲、苏铁纲及石松纲植物亦有一定的数量,属于华夏植物群中期组合特征,地质时代为早二叠世亚丁斯克期。结合国内同期植物群的对比,首次将该植物群的发育与全球气候变化及海平面升降相联系:当气候由冰室气候转变为暖室气候、海平面上升时,植物群演替加快,光合效率增加引起O₂剧增及CO₂剧降。     

未来百年全球气候变化分析

未来百年全球气候变化的影响是当前学术界激烈争议的议题,深入探讨全球气候变化的驱动机理才能正确认识全球气候变化。持续生长的青藏高原吸收了巨量的CO₂,导致大气中CO₂浓度大幅下降,使地球从温室气候进入到以冰期、间冰期交替出现为特征的冰室气候,青藏高原成为新生碳储库。在间冰期,青藏高原和蒙古高原将淡水输送到中低纬度内陆区(以下简称内陆区),导致内陆区的硅酸岩化学风化强烈,植被和湖相沉积发育,吸收了巨量大气CO₂,是碳汇; 在冰期,青藏高原、蒙古高原将内陆区表层淡水与尘埃最终输送到高纬度地区,导致内陆区荒漠化,对大气CO₂的吸收量远小于其自身的排放量,内陆区成为碳源,使大气CO₂浓度上升。这是中新世以来大气CO₂浓度维持低浓度、准动态平衡的机理。地表平均温度的变化驱动了淡水在高、低纬度地区之间循环。人类巨量碳排放使全球大气CO₂浓度暂时快速上扬,全球变暖,淡水回到内陆区,导致内陆区变绿,硅酸岩化学风化作用增强,吸收大气CO₂的能力大幅提高,内陆区又变成碳汇,抑制大气CO₂浓度的进一步上升; 初步测算,最早2050年、最迟2090年,当大气CO₂浓度达到(510±40)×10^-6时,其快速上升的趋势将得到抑制; 未来百年尺度的全球气候变化受地球和太阳内部的构造活动所驱动,是周期性变化的、是可预测。     

赫南特冰期古海洋环境转变及其成因机制研究现状

奥陶纪-志留纪转折期是地质历史时期一个重要的时间节点,形成了广为人知的赫南特冰期。该冰期的形成不仅诱发了显生宙第二大的两幕生物绝灭事件,同样使海水中的地球化学元素循环受到强烈的影响,如海洋碳酸盐与大气CO₂的循环受到扰动,全球海平面的降低促使水体逐渐富氧化,进而导致海洋水体Mo、S、U等同位素值出现波动,而冈瓦纳大陆被冰雪大面积覆盖则削弱了铝硅酸盐岩的风化作用,并限制了陆壳放射性187Os、87Sr同位素向海水的运移。赫南特冰期的成因一直是学界探讨的热点,被归结于风化作用、火山活动的增强或有机碳的大量埋藏等因素,但对冰期的成因机制与持续时间仍具有较多的争论,其原因很多,比如缺乏独立的生物地层单元同时能够控制浅水碳酸盐岩及深水泥页岩区,缺少转折界限处高精度的地球化学信息与全球等时地层格架下的对比,以及未能排除风化作用、成岩作用和构造热事件对古海洋与古气候重建时的扰动等。     

近2 Ma BP以来地球轨道参数周期上全球海平面变化机制

海平面的变化往往对区域生态环境、社会经济造成严重影响.通过对全球相对海平面变化(relative sea level,简称RSL)记录的再分析结果,合成了近2 Ma BP以来的全球RSL变化记录,分析了合成RSL记录对原始RSL记录数理特征的继承性,并基于频谱、滤波等数理分析验证了合成RSL记录的合理性.在此基础上,讨论了合成RSL与大气CO₂浓度、中高纬度海域表层海水温度(sea surface temperature,简称SST)、全球大洋底栖氧同位素(δ18O_B)等参数指标间的相关性,结果显示:(1) 合成RSL不仅与原始RSL记录的变化趋势基本一致,继承了原始RSL记录对全球气候变化的响应特征,而且显示出合成RSL记录对地球轨道参数周期变化响应明显;(2) 近2 Ma BP以来,在冰期-间冰期旋回中,合成RSL与δ18O_B变化呈良好的负相关,相关系数r平均值可以达到约0.81,高于合成RSL与大气CO₂浓度及中高纬度海域SST变化的相关系数;(3) 在地球轨道参数周期上,合成RSL与极地冰盖体积(δ18O_B)的变化几乎同时,在偏心率周期上,合成RSL落后于SST和大气CO₂浓度变化;在斜率周期上,合成RSL落后于SST变化而领先于大气CO₂浓度变化.推测这些变化的诱导因素可能是在太阳辐射量改变的前提下,大气CO₂浓度及大洋SST变化对极地冰盖体积产生了差异影响,进而引起海平面发生变化.      

辽宁海城大房身稀有金属伟晶岩包裹体研究及找矿意义

大房身3号伟晶岩脉是含铀、铌、钽等稀有金属伟晶岩矿床,分异较好,可分为4个岩相带。经对各带石英中包裹体的研究,表明含矿带含挥发份H₂O和CO₂较高,流体包裹体丰度较大,富含纯CO₂包裹体及含液相CO₂包裹体。该伟晶岩与围岩接触界线清楚,其边缘相含有围岩的捕掳体。伟晶岩结晶分异好,矿物成分简单,以长石、石英为主,其核心带产有巨晶状黑云母和微斜长石。包裹体气相成分中不含游离氧（O₂）。这些特点说明该伟晶岩是由硅酸盐熔浆在埋深大、较封闭的环境下,缓慢结晶分异而成。     

海洋酸化对颗石藻的影响

工业革命以来人类活动产生了大量二氧化碳气体（CO2）并释放到大气中。CO2溶于海水,造成海水pH值降低,改变海洋碳酸系统的平衡。海洋酸化对海洋生态系统特别是钙化生物构成威胁。颗石藻作为主要的钙化浮游生物,在海洋碳循环过程中起着重要的作用。大多数培养实验表明CO2浓度上升会促进颗石藻光合作用。而海洋酸化对不同种或不同品系颗石藻钙化作用产生不同的影响。     

红枫湖夏季分层期间pCO2分布规律的研究

在夏季分层期间对红枫湖南、北湖湖心的水样进行分层采集,同时测定了分层水样的温度、pH、HCO₃-浓度、溶解氧(DO)、叶绿素a(Chl-a)及铵根离子(NH₄+)、硝酸根离子(NO₃-)、磷酸根离子(PO₄3-)的浓度,水体中CO₂的分压(pCO₂)由化学平衡及亨利定律求得。研究结果表明:光合作用、有机质降解及水体热分层是影响红枫湖夏季pCO₂分布的主要因素。其中,温水层CO₂欠饱和是光合作用吸收CO₂引起的,温跃层中pCO₂的急剧增加是光合产物降解产生CO₂引起的。静水层沉积物附近pCO₂最高并且还有持续增加的趋势,说明沉积物中有机质降解是静水层中CO₂增加的主要原因,夏季湖底水温较高加快了沉积物中有机质的降解。分层现象使pCO₂在水体中的分布差别明显,并且使静水层中CO₂得到积累。此外,夏季红枫湖水体中pCO₂的变化与NH₄+、PO₄3-的变化密不可分,表现为温水层中光合作用消耗NH₄+、PO₄3-,有机质降解过程伴随NH₄+、PO₄3-的释放。     

High-density early CO2 fluids in the ultrahigh-temperature granulites of Ihouhaouene (In Ouzzal, Algeria)

Fluid inclusion studies in rocks from the Lower Proterozoic granulites from western Hoggar (Algeria) provide new evidence for the hypothesis that a CO₂-rich, H₂O-poor fluid was present during the high-grade metamorphism. CO₂ inclusions represent the main fluid trapped in the Ihouhaouene ultrahigh-temperature (over 1000 °C) and high-pressure (10 to 14 kbar) granulites. The microthermometric and Raman microspectrometric measurements indicate that the carbonic fluid is mainly composed of CO₂ with minor amounts of CH₄ and N₂ detected in some inclusions (< 4 mol% CH₄). Carbonic fluid densities range from 1.18 to 0.57 g/cm³. The highest densities are recorded in superdense carbonic inclusions presenting evidence of the earliest trapping and they correspond to the fluid densities expected for the P–T conditions of the peak of metamorphism in the area previously determined from mineral geothermobarometers. Lower densities of carbonic fluids mainly result from the reequilibration of earlier trapped fluid inclusions during retrograde metamorphism and final uplift of the metamorphic terrane, but a new influx of carbonic fluids during the retrograde event remains possible. Carbonic fluids can be produced in situ from decarbonation reactions in interlayered impure marbles during the prograde event or derived from CO₂ flushing from underlying basic intrusions. The aqueous fluids present large variations of composition (0.5 to 30 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and densities (1.16 to 0.57 g/cm³). They clearly correspond to post-metamorphic fluids because they mainly occur along microfractures, they do not show any evidence of immiscibility with the carbonic fluids and mixed aquo-carbonic inclusions have not been observed. The percolation of aqueous fluids is related to the Pan-African tectonometamorphic event.     

东海盆地丽水凹陷CO2分布特征及成藏主控因素

基于丽水凹陷钻井和地震资料,综合天然气地球化学参数、基底断裂和岩浆底辟发育特征等,研究丽水凹陷CO₂的分布特征及其成藏主控因素.研究结果表明,丽水凹陷CO₂纵向上主要分布在灵峰组、明月峰组下段及元古界基底片麻岩中,不同层位CO₂的含量差别很大;平面上,温州13-1、丽水35-7和南平5-2 CO₂气藏均位于岩浆底辟体之上或者附近,同时周围亦发育断层,而丽水36-1高含CO₂气藏和LF-1井含CO₂气藏周围底辟不发育,均紧邻灵峰凸起西侧的控洼断裂.丽水凹陷幔源CO₂成藏主要受早中新世和晚中新世两期火山岩浆活动的影响,这两期火山活动将幔源CO₂带到地壳浅层,通过砂体侧向输导进入有利圈闭聚集成藏.      

松辽盆地南部无机CO2成藏机理与分布

松辽盆地南部的幔源CO₂气主要存在3种脱气方式：热底辟体脱气、岩浆房脱气和地幔热底垫体脱气。古近纪末-新近纪时期的岩浆活动和岩石圈断裂是无机CO₂气藏形成的主控因素;属于岩石圈断裂的郯庐断裂北部断裂系,当处于活动期时,诱导幔源岩浆上涌,促使无机CO₂气从幔源岩浆脱出,先期富集在下地壳底部,并沿着下地壳的网状剪切带迂回向上运移到达拆离带;当断至拆离带的低角度基底断裂处于活动期时,无机CO₂气体沿着壳源断裂上移进入地壳浅层圈闭富集成藏。气源断裂体系的展布与幔源火成岩活动脱气是无机CO₂气运聚成藏的两大主控因素。幔源CO₂气藏主要分布在长岭断陷和德惠断陷:前者主要沿着孙吴-双辽断裂带分布,后者受控于哈尔滨-四平断裂带。长岭断陷的幔源CO₂气藏埋藏较深,由于向北西的红岗阶地和东部的德惠断陷层位在变新,导致CO₂气藏埋藏深度逐渐变浅。     

The Paleoceanography during the Time with High δ13C of Phanerozoic marine carbonates

Carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonates is a record for various important geological events in the process of earth development and evolution. The carbonates of Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic, as the transition from Paleozoic to Mesozoic-Cenozoic have very high ¹³C value. Taking this as the main point, and combined with the oxygen, strontium isotopic composition in carbonates, distribution of carbonate basin area through geologic time, the correlation of carbon isotopic composition of marine carbonates to sea level change, organic carbon burial flux, exchange of CO₂ content in atmosphere and ocean, and long cycle evolution of the earth ecosystems were approached. The results are shown as follows: ①The interval of ¹³C >3‰ during Phanerozoic was concentrated in Carboniferous, Permian and the beginning of Triassic, but the beginning of Triassic was characterized by higher frequency and larger fluctuations in ¹³C value during a short time, whereas the Carboniferous-Permian presented a continuously stable high ¹³C value, indicating a larger amount of organic carbon accumulation in this time interval. Relatively high ¹⁸O values during this time was also observed, showing a long time of glaciations and cold climate, which suggest a connection among rapid organic carbon burial, cold climate, as well as pCO₂ and pO₂ states of atmosphere. ②The over consumption of atmosphere CO₂ by green plants during the time with high ¹³C of seawater forced CO₂ being transferred from ocean to atmosphere for the balance, but the decrease in the seawater amount and water column pressure caused by the global cooling could weaken dissolution capacity of CO₂ in seawater and carbon storage of marine carbonates, and also reduce the carbonate sedimentary rate and decrease the carbonate basin area globally from Devonian to Carboniferous and Permian. During the middle-late Permian carbonate was widely replaced by siliceous sediments even though in shallow carbonate platform, which resulted in the decrease of marine invertebrates, suggesting the Permian chert event should be global. ③The Phanerozoic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr trend of seawater showed a sharp fall in Permian and drop to a minimum at the end of the Permian, indicting input of strontium from the submarine hydrothermal systems (mantle flux). Such process should accompany with a supplement of CO₂ from deep earth to atmosphere and ocean system, but the process associated with widespread volcanism and rises of earth’s surface temperature pricked up the mass extinction during the time of end Permian. ④Cold climate and increase of continental icecap volume, the amalgamation of northern Africa and Laurentia continentals were the main reasons responsible for the sea level drop, but the water consumption result from the significantly increased accumulation of organic carbon should also be one of the reasons for the sea level drop on the order of tens of meters. ⑤The mass extinction at the end Permian was an inevitable event in the process of earth system adjustment. It was difficult for marine invertebrates to survive because of the continuously rapid burial of organic carbon, and of the decrease of sea water amount and its dissolution ability to CO₂. At last, at the end of Paleozoic, the supplement of CO₂ to atmosphere and ocean by widely magma activities resulted in a high temperature of earth surface and intensified mass extinction.     

CO2驱微观可视化技术在超低渗储层中的应用可行性研究:以鄂尔多斯盆地为例

CO₂驱油是提高特低渗、超低渗油藏驱油效率的重要途径,但目前由于匮乏CO₂驱油微观可视化实验技术,制约了CO₂驱油微观机理研究及驱油效果评价。本研究提出特低、超低渗油藏高温高压下CO₂驱油微观可视化实验技术,为该类油藏CO₂驱油机理研究提供良好的研究手段。以鄂尔多斯盆地超低渗储层为例,利用首次研制成功的高温、高压、防暴真实砂岩模型,成功进行了CO₂驱油微观可视化实验研究,首次镜下观察不同相态CO₂在超低渗储层复杂孔喉中驱替原油的动态现象,重新认识超低渗油藏注CO₂驱油时不同孔喉结构中CO₂赋存状态和渗流规律。结果表明,储层微观孔喉结构,尤其是孔喉大小分布的均匀程度,对CO₂驱油效率的重要影响超出预期,直接决定着CO₂能否进入储层以及其后的渗流路径。CO₂驱油微观可视化实验技术可有效进行CO₂驱油微观机理研究及驱油效果评价研究,并为后期进行油藏矿场试验提供指导意见。     

Thermobarometry and fluid evolution of enderbites within the Magondi Mobile Belt, northern Zimbabwe

Metamorphic conditions within arenaceous, calcareous and argillaceous supracrustal rocks of the Magondi Mobile Belt (Zimbabwe) range from greenschist to granulite facies. Within the high-grade segment, basement gneisses of early Proterozoic age and argillaceous rocks of the Mid-Proterozoic Piriwiri Group are intruded by charnockites and enderbites. Metamorphic mineral assemblages and thermobarometric data for enderbitic granulites of Nyaodza show temperatures of 700–800°C and pressures of 5–7 kbar for the peak of granulite-facies metamorphism. Microthermometry and Raman microspectroscopy reveal that CO₂, associated with minor N₂, has been the dominant fluid phase during granulite-facies metamorphism. The chronology of the CO₂ inclusions and the development of microtextures and mineral assemblages in the enderbites indicates that isolated negative crystal shaped CO₂ inclusions in quartz and plagioclase porphyroclasts entrap syn-metamorphic fluids of medium-high densities (0.88–0.90 g/cm³). Lower density (0.71–0.77 g/cm³) CO₂ inclusions in trails and clusters within the same minerals were formed from local re-equilibration and re-entrapment of the former (near-) peak granulitic CO₂ inclusions. As in many other granulites, syn-metamorphic CO₂ is associated with intrusives emplaced near the peak of metamorphism.     

Coupled redox transformations of catechol and cerium at the surface of a cerium(III) phosphate mineral

Highly insoluble Ce-bearing phosphate minerals form by weathering of apatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃.(OH,F,Cl)], and are important phosphorous repositories in soils. Although these phases can be dissolved via biologically-mediated pathways, the dissolution mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper we report spectroscopic evidence to support coupling of redox transformations of organic carbon and cerium during the reaction of rhabdophane (CePO₄·H₂O) and catechol, a ubiquitous biogenic compound, at pH 5. Results show that the oxic–anoxic conditions influence the mineral dissolution behavior. Under anoxic conditions, the release of P and Ce occurs stoichiometrically. In contrast, under oxic conditions, the mineral dissolution behavior is incongruent, with dissolving Ce³⁺ ions oxidizing to CeO₂. Reaction product analysis shows the formation of CO₂, polymeric C, and oxalate and malate. The presence of more complex forms of organic carbon was also confirmed. Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy measurements at Ce-M_4,5 and C-K absorption edges on reacted CePO₄·H₂O samples in the absence or presence of catechol and dissolved oxygen confirm that (1) the mineral surface converts to the oxide during this reaction, while full oxidation is limited to the near-surface region only; (2) the Ce valence remains unchanged when the reaction between CePO₄·H₂O and O₂ but in the absence of catechol. Carbon K-edge spectra acquired from rhabdophane reacted with catechol under oxic conditions show spectral features before and after reaction that are considerably different from catechol, indicating the formation of more complex organic molecules. Decreases in intensity of characteristic catechol peaks are accompanied by the appearance of new π^* resonances due to carbon in carboxyl (ca. 288.5 eV) and carbonyl (ca. 289.3 eV) groups, and the development of broad structure in the σ^* region characteristic of aliphatic carbon. Evolution of the C K-edge spectra is consistent with aromatic-ring cleavage and polymerization. These results further substantiate that the presence of catechol, O₂ (aq) causes both the oxidation of structural Ce³⁺ and the transformation of catechol to more complex organic molecules. Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy measurements at the C K and Ce M_4,5 edges indicate three dominant organic species, varying in complexity and association with the inorganic phase. Untransformed catechol is loosely associated with CeO₂, whereas more complex organic molecules that exhibit lower aromaticity and stronger CO π^* resonances of carboxyl-C and carbonyl-C groups are only found in association with the grains. These results further serve as basis to postulate that, in the presence of O₂, CeO₂ can mediate the oxidative polymerization of catechol to form higher molecular weight polymers. The present work provides evidence for a pathway of biologically-induced, non-enzymatic oxidation of cerium and formation of small CeO₂ particles at room temperature. These findings may have implications for carbon cycling in natural and cerium-contaminated soils and aqueous environments.