Investigation of gas content of organic-rich shale:A case study from Lower Permian shale in southern North China Basin,central China

Measuring gas content is an essential step in estimating the commerciality of gas reserves. In this study,eight shale core samples from the Mouye-1 well were measured using a homemade patented gas desorption apparatus to determine their gas contents. Due to the air contamination that is introduced into the desorption canister, a mathematical method was devised to correct the gas quantity and quality.Compared to the chemical compositions of desorbed gas, the chemical compositions of residual gas are somewhat different. In residual gas, carbon dioxide and nitrogen record a slight increase, and propane is first observed. This phenomenon may be related to the exposure time during the transportation of shale samples from the drilling site to the laboratory, as well as the differences in the mass, size and adsorptivity of different gas molecules. In addition to a series of conventional methods, including the USBM direct method and the Amoco Curve Fit(ACF) method, which were used here for lost gas content estimation, a Modified Curve Fit(MCF) method, based on the 'bidisperse' diffusion model, was established to estimate lost gas content. By fitting the ACF and MCF models to gas desorption data, we determined that the MCF method could reasonably describe the gas desorption data over the entire time period, whereas the ACF method failed. The failure of the ACF method to describe the gas desorption process may be related to its restrictive assumption of a single pore size within shale samples. In comparison to the indirect method, this study demonstrates that none of the three methods studied in this investigation(USBM, ACF and MCF) could individually estimate the lost gas contents of all shale samples and that the proportion of free gas relative to total gas has a significant effect on the estimation accuracy of the selected method. When the ratio of free gas to total gas is lower than 45%, the USBM method is the best for estimating the lost gas content, whereas when the ratio ranges from 45% to 75% or is more than 75%, the ACF and MCF methods, are the best options respectively.     

Geodynamic setting,structure, and composition of continuous trachybasalt-trachyandesite-rhyolite series in the north of Altai-Sayan area: the role of crust-mantle interaction in continental magma formation

The geologic positions and geochemical and isotope parameters of the Ordovician-early Silurian and Early-Middle Devonian continuous volcanic series of the Minusa basin and its mountainous framing are compared. Both series are composed mostly of moderately alkaline rocks with variations in SiO₂ contents from 45 to 77 wt.%. The Ordovician-early Silurian series differs from the Early-Middle Devonian one in lower contents of TiO₂ (< 1.7 wt.%) and Fe₂O_3tot and higher contents of Al₂O₃ in all rock varieties and in the more fractionated REE patterns of trachybasalts. The compositions of both series reflect two simultaneous mechanisms of magma evolution. The main process was fractional crystallization leading to the formation of rocks from trachybasalts to trachyrhyodacites. The accessory mechanism was the contamination of fractionated melts by crustal material, anatectic melting of crust, and mixing of deep-seated magmas with crustal melts. These processes had specifics at each stage and were controlled by the composition of the sources of parental melts. Their geochemical and isotopic parameters (high alkalinity, high contents of lithophile elements, negative anomalies of Nb, Ta, and Ti, and enrichment in radiogenic Sr) point to the interaction of mantle plumes with the lithospheric mantle that was metasomatically transformed during the preceding Vendian-early Cambrian subduction processes.     

Hydro-geochemistry of groundwater and surface water in Dschang town(West Cameroon): Alkali and alkaline-earth elements ascertain lithological and anthropogenic constraints

This study focuses on the sources of alkali and alkaline-earth elements based on the geochemistry of groundwater and surface water in Dschang concerning environmental and anthropogenic constraints. A comprehensive set of 50 samples from groundwater and surface water were analyzed by ICPMS and processed by spatial interpolation in a GIS environment. The results highlight a geochemical anomaly at the center of the densely inhabited area subject to a profusion of open dumps discharges. This anomaly with the highest spatial contents of Be(Cs, Rb, Mg) suggests an anthropogenic source that demarcates with the lowest alkali and alkaline-earth elements on the peripheral area of Dschang. Other findings include lithological constraints with volcanic rocks being the main source compared to granitoid.The study points out good correlations between Be, Cs, Rb and Mg spatial distributions and physicochemical parameters of waters(K, EC, TDS), and inversely with the lowest p H. p H is established as the most functioning physico-chemical constraint of alkali and alkaline-earth mobility in Dschang. The p H lowest values within the geochemical anomaly also highlight the impact of human activities on water acidity, which later enhance elements mobility and enrichment. Despite low elements contents relative to WHO standards, our findings point out an example of anthropogenic impact on water geochemistry linked to solid waste pollution; it also demonstrates significant anthropogenic changes of environmental physicochemical parameters of prime importance in the mobility and distribution of elements in the study area.Similar assessments should be extended in major towns in Cameroon.     

A study of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems, found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are found in the transitional zones between land, sea, and rivers. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the most common environmental pollutants, and oil spills pose a great hazard to mangroves forests. This research was focused on the isolation and characterization of crude oil‐degrading bacteria from mangrove ecosystems at the Persian Gulf. Sixty‐one crude oil‐degrading bacteria were isolated from mangrove samples (plant, sediment, and seawater) that enriched in ONR7a medium with crude oil as only carbon source. Some screening tests such as growth at high concentration of crude oil, bioemulsifier production, and surface hydrophobicity were done to select the most efficient strains for crude oil degradation. Molecular identification of strains was carried out by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene by PCR. The results of this study were indicated that the quantity of crude oil‐degrading bacteria was higher in the root of mangrove plants compare to other mangrove samples (sediment and seawater). Also, identification results confirmed that these isolated strains belong to Vibrio sp. strain NW4, Idiomarina sp. strain BW32, Kangiella sp. strain DP40, Marinobacter sp. strain DW44, Halomonas sp. strain BS53, and Vibrio sp. strain DS35. The application of bioremediation strategies with these bacteria can reduce crude oil pollution in this important marine environment.     

Geographical information system-based groundwater quality index assessment of northern part of Kolkata,India for drinking purpose

Groundwater is a resource under stress. In both developed and developing countries, it has been found that increasing human influence has led to the contamination of the groundwater resource. To understand the magnitude of this problem, a study was conducted in 58 wards within Northern part of Kolkata, India, where water samples from tube wells were collected and analysed on essential drinking water quality parameters, prescribed by WHO. Using Principal component analysis, and Water quality index mapping, the aforementioned results have been interpreted. This has helped to depict that not only is the groundwater unsuitable for drinking, but that the parametric values have a tendency to increase abruptly within the shortest of ranges, indicating urban pollution as the root cause of contamination. This paper shall thus discuss the spatial change in groundwater quality in northern Kolkata and suggest measures which might be implemented to secure a sustainable future for the city.     

Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in deep Gulf of Mexico sediments

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements were determined for surface (top 2 cm) sediment samples collected during the deep Gulf of Mexico benthos (DGoMB) study .These elements and compounds are known to be toxic to organisms at high concentrations and may affect biological communities. There is no indication of major anthropogenic input of the elements Be, Co, Cr, Fe, Si, Tl, V, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Zn, based on normalization to Al. The concentrations of these metals in the sediment are a function of the relative amounts of trace-metal-rich Mississippi River-derived silicate material and trace-metal-poor plankton-derived carbonate. This is not true for the elements Ba, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Cu and Mn, whose concentrations show considerable scatter when normalized to Al and a general enrichment. On a normalized basis, Mn is enriched 5–10 fold, Cu and Ni 2–3 fold and Pb 2 fold over Mississippi River-derived material. These enrichments are likely the result of remobilization of metals from depths in the sediment column where reducing conditions exist. The Ba concentrations at selected sites are higher than those of average clay-rich sediments, but are typical of sediments from near oil well platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In the case of Ba, it seems likely that the enrichments, as high as a factor of 10, are due to disposal of oil well drilling mud. The Ba-enriched samples are from the three shallowest water sites in the Mississippi Trough (sites MT1, 2 and 3) and from site C1 and WC5. All are in an area of intense petroleum exploration and development. PAH concentrations are also elevated at MT1, MT3 and C1. The total PAH concentration ranged from not detected (ND) to 1033 ng/g with a mean of 140 ng/g. Even at the sites most enriched in PAHs and trace elements, the concentrations are not at the levels expected to adversely affect the biota. However, these predicted non-effects are based on research using mostly near-shore estuarine species, not on the indigenous species at the sampling sites.     

台湾屏东县东港溪拦溪对其周边地下水水质及水产养殖的影响

为了解设于屏东县新园乡界河以东港溪上的拦河堰对当地地下水的影响进行一系列研究.首先对台湾西南沿海的屏东县新园乡1989年10月东港溪拦溪建堰前后地下水水质及等水位线数据进行了分析,同时逐月收集东港溪拦溪堰周边的佳冬乡养殖池所用的井水、池水、浮游生物、日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica)及虾等数据,进行分析与比较.此外,用以上2个乡的地下水进行了鳗鲡幼苗水族箱养殖试验,并检验分析试验后的鳗鱼.各项分析结果表明,拦溪堰的兴建使新园乡的地下水水位降低,附近污染河川的水渗入了地下,对养殖生物的健康产生不同程度的影响.因此建议,在旱季应减少对东港溪拦溪堰水的抽取量;台湾西部尤其是新园乡的水产养殖活动应予以减少.     

Population ecology of the endangered Himalayan Yew in Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary of North Western Himalaya for conservation management

The Himalayan Yew （Taxus baccata subsp, wallichiana） is an endangered native high value medicinal plant of the Himalayan Region. The several medicinal properties of the bark and leaves of this species have increased its risk of extinction due to pressures for utilization. It is also subjected to harvest for fuelwood. The species does not regenerate well from seed and that is another risk factor. The objective of this research was to investigate the population ecology of the species as a foundation for its conservation. Six forest communities in the Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary where the species is present were sampled. The abundance of the species, impacts of harvesting and its current regeneration patterns indicate that it may soon be extirpated from the Sanctuary. A plan for conserving the remaining sub-populations is presented. It could provide a template for conservation in other locations where the species is at risk.     

海鞘血细胞培养和细菌污染控制

以海鞘(Ciona savignyi)为研究对象,考察了海鞘血细胞原代培养方法及培养中细菌污染的鉴定和控制.血细胞在培养1 h后贴壁,细胞基本以圆形细胞为主,变形细胞一般呈不规则形.变形细胞存活时间较短,而圆形细胞存活时间较长.对于培养过程中的细菌污染,通过细菌分离、培养和纯培养发现两类菌株检出率较高,均为革兰氏阴性菌.经PCR扩增16S rDNA基因序列片断,结果显示这两类菌株分别属于弧菌属(Vibrio)和施万氏菌属(Shewanella).药敏试验结果显示,弧菌属对氯霉素和环丙沙星等具有较强的敏感性;对施万氏菌属较敏感的药物依次为亚胺培南和氯霉素等.最后比较了几种抗生素组合控制血细胞培养中细菌污染的使用效果,其中氯霉素、亚胺培南加双抗的组合有较好的抑菌效果并对培养细胞的贴壁和生长没有影响.     

江西德兴矿集区水系沉积物重金属污染的时空对比

对比研究矿山开采一定时段内区域环境污染的时空变化特征,对于动态监测矿山开采对区域环境质量的影响情况、污染趋势等,具有重要的科学意义和实际价值。本文在利用2004年野外采集与测试分析的330个水系沉积物样品重金属含量数据基础上,充分利用矿山开采早期(1989)的1:20万乐平幅(As、Hg、Cd、Cr、Zn、Cu、Pb)水系沉积物地球化学图,通过数据预处理,分别对样品采集点重金属元素含量的统计分析和地质累积指数法评价的基础上,采用GIS的三维空间分析功能,对比研究德兴地区水系沉积物重金属污染时空变化。研究结果表明,十几年来,矿山开采对区域水系沉积物已造成了严重的污染,主要集中分布在是德兴铅锌和铜钼矿区德兴河与大坞河流域及其周边地区、乐安河下游沿岸局部地区、西北煤矿区以及乐安河下游乐平附近的煤矿区。