Comparative studies of the kinetic parameters of various algaenans and kerogens via open-system pyrolyses

Kinetic parameters were determined for the first time, via open-system pyrolyses, on algaenans (highly resistant biomacromolecules that are selectively preserved during kerogen formation) isolated from extant microalgae. Parallel studies were also carried out on 10 kerogens exhibiting, with one exception, a low level of maturity. These kerogens included samples chiefly derived from the selective preservation of the above algaenans and samples mainly, or almost exclusively, derived from the “natural vulcanization” pathway. Important differences in activation energy (E_a) distributions were observed between the four algaenans investigated and correlated with their chemical structures. The kerogens predominantly derived from algaenan-selective preservation (Pula alginite, NE 70 and BJ 248 Torbanites, Rundle Oil Shale) also exhibited pronounced differences in E_a distributions. These distributions provided: (i) information on the diversity of the source materials; and (ii) reflected the occurrence of important differences in chemical structures and thermal behaviour between three of the tested kerogens, even though they are all classified as low maturity type I. The Kimmeridge Clay samples and the Lorca Oil Shale showed broad E_a distributions shifted to low energies when compared with the above algaenans and kerogens. Such shifts reflect an important (or even almost exclusive for some of these kerogens) contribution of materials originating from sulphur incorporation into various lipids during early diagenesis. Finally, the kinetic data derived for the nine low maturity fossil samples were extrapolated to a very low, geological heating rate of 3°C Ma⁻¹ and the generation rate curves and cumulative yield curves thus obtained were compared.     

Groundwater acidification in Triassic sandstones: prediction with MAGIC modelling

 Acidification of groundwater lags behind acid deposition due to the relatively long water residence time in conjunction with various buffering processes in the soil zone and deeper aquifer (chemical weathering, cation exchange, sulfate sorption, and N uptake by the biomass). Extensive field data from eight forested catchments in the Bunter Sandstone of the Black Forest, including results from water budget studies and hydrochemical analysis of stream and spring waters, were used to simulate the future evolution of ground-water acidification with the MAGIC model. The present acid deposition exceeds the “critical load” (here meaning buffering due to chemical weathering and protonation of organic acids) in six of eight catchments. Two catchments are well buffered because they contain carbonate-bearing layers in the Upper Bunter sandstone. Transient buffering (i.e., cation exchange, N uptake, the sulfate sorption) thus far prevents worse acidification, but this effect will decline in the future. For one of the poorly buffered catchments (Seebach), a two-layer simulation was carried out, based on extensive data from 10 years of measurements. Validation of the long-term simulations by hydrochemical and soil data was hampered by strong annual variations but generally supported by paleolimnological studies. In the future, reductions in the S deposition by 20% and the N deposition by 10% up to the year 2030 are assumed as the most probable scenario. N uptake through soil and vegetation will come to an end as suggested by decreasing C/N ratios of the organic matter. This process is arbitrarily included in the simulations. In the periglacial soil layer, acidification will decrease until the year 2030 and then approach a steady-state condition. In the fractured aquifer, acidification will also proceed at a decreasing rate; however, sulfate desorption up to the year 2130, the end of simulated period, will prevent earlier remediation. Despite a significant reduction in S deposition since the mid-1980s, further efforts are necessary to reduce the emission of acidifying substances. Liming in the recharge area is partially effective to ameliorate “shallow” groundwater but largely fails to ameliorate “deeper” groundwater in the sandstone aquifer. Received: 30 July 1996/Accepted: 23 January 1997     

地球化学场精细结构解析方案与应用

为满足勘查地球化学对化探数据处理越来越精细的要求，把人工神经网络和统计分析结合起来形成地球化学场精细结构解析方案。该方案包括对地球化学样品的分类和对各类样品性质的详细研究，目的在于提供便捷的数学和计算机软件工具，以提取化探数据中的深层信息。可以用于：①研究各组样品中元素含量水平和组合特征以解释可能的矿种；②研究元素组合特征与指示元素的关联和区别以揭示可能的成矿作用过程；③研究异常样品的空间组合属性以揭示地球化学场的精细结构；④研究异常样品之间的差异性以缩小找矿靶区；⑤综合分析以确定剥蚀深度和找矿前景。该方案也适用于环境地球化学及矿产资源预测研究。     

Performance of superconducting gravimeters from long-period seismology to tides

The first phase (1997–2003) of the Global Geodynamics Project (GGP) has now been completed. Data from superconducting gravimeters (SGs) within GGP have shown great capabilities in a wide spectrum of geophysical applications from the tidal studies to the long-period seismology. Here, we compare the noise levels of the different contributing stations over the whole spectrum. We use three different processing procedures to evaluate the combined instrument-plus-site noise in the long-period seismic band (200–600 s), in the sub-seismic band (1–6 h) and in the tidal bands (12–24 h). The analysis in the seismic band has demonstrated that SGs are particularly well suited for the studies of the long-period normal modes and thus are complementary to long-period seismometers. In the sub-seismic band, the power spectral densities, computed over a period of 15 continuous days for every GGP station, cross the New Low Noise Model of Peterson from T = 16 min to T = 4.6 h. SG data are therefore appropriate for studying long-period seismic and sub-seismic modes. In the tidal bands, the noise comparison is realised by a least-squares fit to tides, local air pressure and instrumental drift, leading to gravity residuals where we estimate a standard deviation and average noise levels in different tidal frequency bands. Tidal gravity observations using SGs have also shown to be an independent validation tool of ocean tidal models, and they are therefore complementary to tide gauge and altimetric data sets. Knowledge of the noise levels at each station is important in a number of studies that combine the data to determine global Earth parameters. We illustrate it with the stacking of the data in the search for the gravity variations associated with the sub-seismic translational motions of the inner core, the so-called Slichter triplet.     

On Some Simplifications of Cokriging Neighborhood

Choosing the cokriging neighborhood is often difficult. A poor choice, ignoring influent data, can result in a loss of information as well as in artifacts in simulations based on cokriging. Then it is convenient to use if possible, or to refer to models that lead to simplified cokriging neighborhood. We essentially consider the case of two stationary variables, a target variable and an auxiliary one. By examining possible simplifications, we set up a list of models (essentially models with residuals) that, in general or under specific configurations, lead to simplifications of cokriging neighborhood. Collocated, dislocated, and other types of neighborhood are identified, that are optimal in some models and configurations. Possible extensions to cokriging with unknown means, and to more variables, are included.     

Environmental impact of an urban landfill on a coastal aquifer (El Jadida, Morocco)

The El Jadida landfill is one among many uncontrolled dumping sites in Morocco with no bottom liner. About 150 tons/day of solid wastes from mixed urban and industrial origins are placed directly on the ground. At the site of this landfill, the groundwaters circulate deeply (10–15 m) in the Cenomanian rock (calcareous–marl), which is characterised by an important permeability from cracks. The soil is sand–clay characterized by a weak coefficient of retention.The phreatic water ascends to the bottom of three quarries, which are located within the landfill. These circumstances, along with the lack of a leachate collection system, worsen the risks for a potential deterioration of the aquifer.To evaluate groundwater pollution due to this urban landfill, piezometric level and geochemical analyses have been monitored since 1999 on 60 wells. The landfill leachate has been collected from the three quarries that are located within the landfill. The average results of geochemical analyses show an important polluant charge vehiculed by landfill leachate (chloride = 5680 mg l⁻¹, chemical oxygen demand = 1000 mg l⁻¹, iron = 23 000 μg l⁻¹). They show also an important qualitative degradation of the groundwater, especially in the parts situated in the down gradient area and in direct proximity to the landfill. In these polluted zones, we have observed the following values: higher than 4.5 mS cm⁻¹ in electric conductivity, 1620 and 1000 mg l⁻¹ respectively in chlorides and sulfate (), 15–25 μg l⁻¹ in cadmium, and 60–100 μg l⁻¹ in chromium. These concentrations widely exceed the standard values for potable water.Several determining factors in the evolution of groundwater contamination have been highlighted, such as (1) depth of the water table, (2) permeability of soil and unsaturated zone, (3) effective infiltration, (4) humidity and (5) absence of a system for leachate drainage. So, to reduce the pollution risks of the groundwater, it is necessary to set a system of collection, drainage and treatment of landfill leachates and to emplace an impermeable surface at the site of landfill, in order to limit the infiltration of leachate.     

Effet de la teneur en eau d'un sol sur la réduction bactérienne d'oxydes de fer

Iron-reducing activity of autochthonous bacteria from two temporary hydromorphic soils is evaluated by the study of iron reductive dissolution, as a function of water content. The release of ferrous iron in solution is coupled to the mineralization of soil organic carbon. Water soil saturation is not necessary for iron reductive dissolution, since the highest dissolution is obtained for a wet, but not water-saturated soil (100% of water holding capacity WHC), and dissolution is also very high in a soil at 75% WHC. To cite this article: S.J. Stemmler et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Delayed geochemical hazard: Concept, digital model and case study

Delayed Geochemical Hazard (DGH briefly) presents the whole process of a kind of serious ecological and environmental hazard caused by sudden reactivation and sharp release of long-term accumulated pollutant from stable species to active ones in soil or sediment system due to the change of physical-chemical conditions (such as temperature, pH, Eh, moisture, the concentrations of organic matters, etc.) or the decrease of environment capacity. The characteristics of DGH are discussed. The process of a typical DGH can be expressed as a nonlinear polynomial. The points where the derivative functions of the first and second orders of the polynomial reach zero, minimum and maximum are keys for risk assessment and harzard pridication.The process and mechanism of the hazard is due to the transform of pollutant among different species principally. The concepts of "total releasable content of pollutant", TRCP, and "total concentration of active specie", TCAS, are necessarily defined to describe the mechanism of DGH. The possibility of the temporal and spatial propagation is discussed. Case study shows that there exists a transform mechanism of "gradual release" and "chain reaction" among the species of the exchangeable and the bounds to carbonate, iron and manganese oxides and organic matter, thus causing the delayed geochemical hazard.