The Neogene sediment from the Pattani Basin, Gulf of Thailand, were subjected to detailed organic geochemical study. The results suggest that the Neogene source rocks have potential for hydrocarbon generation (as shown by high TOC content). Sequences 2, 3 and part of Sequence 4 are mature and capable of producing hydrocarbons, while those from Sequence 5 are immature. The top of the oil window estimated from biomarker maturity parameters (i.e. CPI and homohopane ratios) is at approximately 6000 feet. SCI data also support this proposal. The biomarker composition and distributions of the bitumen extracts reflect the abundance of higher plant contributions with varying amount of bacterial input, in oxic to sub-oxic conditions during deposition of the sediments. A strong contribution of terrestrially derived organic matter (higher plants) is indicated by the bimodal distribution of <i>n</i>-alkanes, OEP distribution of the <i>n</i>-alkanes in the range C₂₃-C₃₃, high Pr/Ph ratios, low S%, the occurrence and abundance of several biological markers, including oleanenes, oleanane, bicadinanes, tricyclic terpanes, abnormally high C₃₁ homohopane R epimer, and high C₂₉ steranes. Abundant coals in Sequences 5 and 4 contain higher plant material, interpreted as deposited in deltaic swamp environments. Kerogen typing shows that vitrinite (Type III kerogen) is the dominant organic matter in the samples from the Pattani Basin, suggesting potential to generate gas and condensate. The other organic macerals found include cutinite and spore/pollen (Type II kerogen), amorphous (Type I/II/III kerogen) and inertinite (Type IV). In general, molecular and microscopic examination of the Neogene succession of the Pattani Basin suggests a fluvio-deltaic environment, with peat swamps in Sequence 5 and the upper part of Sequence 4. This interpretation is confirmed by pollen analysis data. The age diagnostic pollen found in a few samples from Sequence 5 suggest the time of deposition as Middle Miocene to Pliocene.

An investigation of shale pore structure and compositional/geochemical heterogeneities has been undertaken to elucidate the controls upon gas capacities of potential shale gas reservoirs in northeastern British Columbia, western Canada. Methane sorption isotherms, pore structure and surface area data indicate a complex interrelationship of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral matter and thermal maturity affect gas sorption characteristics of Devonian-€”Mississippian (D-€”M) and Jurassic strata. Methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacities of D-€”M shales increase with TOC content, due to the microporous nature of the organic matter. Clay mineral phases arealso capable of sorbing gas to their internal structure; hence D-€”M shales which are both TOC- and clay-rich have the largest micropore volumes and sorption capacities on a dry basis. Jurassic shales, which are invariably less thermally mature than D-€”M shales, do not have micropore volumes which correlate with TOC. The covariance of methane sorption capacity with TOC, independent of micropore volume, indicates a solute gas contribution (within matrix bituminite) to the total gas capacity. On a wt% TOC basis, D-M shales sorb more gas than Jurassic shales: a result of thermal-maturation induced, structural transformation of the D-€”M organic fraction. Organic-rich D-€”M strata are considered to be excellent candidates for gas shales in Western Canada. These strata have TOC contents ranging between 1-5.7 wt%, thermal maturities into the dry-gas region, and thicknesses in places of over 1000 m. Total gas capacity estimates range between 60 and 600 bcf/section where a substantial percentage of the gas capacity is free gas, due to high reservoir temperatures and pressures. Inorganic material influences modal pore size, total porosity and sorption characteristics of D-M shales. Carbonate-rich samples often have lower organic carbon contents (oxic deposition) and porosity, hence potentially lower sorbed and free-gas capacities. Highly mature Devonian shales are both silica and TOC-rich (up to 85% quartz and 5 wt% TOC) and as such, deemed excellent potential shale gas reservoirs because they are both brittle (fracable), and gas-charged. However, quartz-rich Devonian shales display tight-rock characteristics, with poorly developed fabric, small median pore diameters and low permeabilities. Hence potential `frac-zones' will require an increased density of hydraulic fracture networks for optimum gas production.

An investigation of shale pore structure and compositional/geochemical heterogeneities has been undertaken to elucidate the controls upon gas capacities of potential shale gas reservoirs in northeastern British Columbia, western Canada. Methane sorption isotherms, pore structure and surface area data indicate a complex interrelationship of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral matter and thermal maturity affect gas sorption characteristics of Devonian-€”Mississippian (D-€”M) and Jurassic strata. Methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacities of D-€”M shales increase with TOC content, due to the microporous nature of the organic matter. Clay mineral phases arealso capable of sorbing gas to their internal structure; hence D-€”M shales which are both TOC- and clay-rich have the largest micropore volumes and sorption capacities on a dry basis. Jurassic shales, which are invariably less thermally mature than D-€”M shales, do not have micropore volumes which correlate with TOC. The covariance of methane sorption capacity with TOC, independent of micropore volume, indicates a solute gas contribution (within matrix bituminite) to the total gas capacity. On a wt% TOC basis, D-M shales sorb more gas than Jurassic shales: a result of thermal-maturation induced, structural transformation of the D-€”M organic fraction. Organic-rich D-€”M strata are considered to be excellent candidates for gas shales in Western Canada. These strata have TOC contents ranging between 1-5.7 wt%, thermal maturities into the dry-gas region, and thicknesses in places of over 1000 m. Total gas capacity estimates range between 60 and 600 bcf/section where a substantial percentage of the gas capacity is free gas, due to high reservoir temperatures and pressures. Inorganic material influences modal pore size, total porosity and sorption characteristics of D-M shales. Carbonate-rich samples often have lower organic carbon contents (oxic deposition) and porosity, hence potentially lower sorbed and free-gas capacities. Highly mature Devonian shales are both silica and TOC-rich (up to 85% quartz and 5 wt% TOC) and as such, deemed excellent potential shale gas reservoirs because they are both brittle (fracable), and gas-charged. However, quartz-rich Devonian shales display tight-rock characteristics, with poorly developed fabric, small median pore diameters and low permeabilities. Hence potential `frac-zones' will require an increased density of hydraulic fracture networks for optimum gas production.

An investigation of shale pore structure and compositional/geochemical heterogeneities has been undertaken to elucidate the controls upon gas capacities of potential shale gas reservoirs in northeastern British Columbia, western Canada. Methane sorption isotherms, pore structure and surface area data indicate a complex interrelationship of total organic carbon (TOC) content, mineral matter and thermal maturity affect gas sorption characteristics of Devonian- Mississippian (D- M) and Jurassic strata. Methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacities of D- M shales increase with TOC content, due to the microporous nature of the organic matter. Clay mineral phases arealso capable of sorbing gas to their internal structure; hence D- M shales which are both TOC- and clay-rich have the largest micropore volumes and sorption capacities on a dry basis. Jurassic shales, which are invariably less thermally mature than D- M shales, do not have micropore volumes which correlate with TOC. The covariance of methane sorption capacity with TOC, independent of micropore volume, indicates a solute gas contribution (within matrix bituminite) to the total gas capacity. On a wt% TOC basis, D-M shales sorb more gas than Jurassic shales: a result of thermal-maturation induced, structural transformation of the D- M organic fraction. Organic-rich D- M strata are considered to be excellent candidates for gas shales in Western Canada. These strata have TOC contents ranging between 1-5.7 wt%, thermal maturities into the dry-gas region, and thicknesses in places of over 1000 m. Total gas capacity estimates range between 60 and 600 bcf/section where a substantial percentage of the gas capacity is free gas, due to high reservoir temperatures and pressures. Inorganic material influences modal pore size, total porosity and sorption characteristics of D-M shales. Carbonate-rich samples often have lower organic carbon contents (oxic deposition) and porosity, hence potentially lower sorbed and free-gas capacities. Highly mature Devonian shales are both silica and TOC-rich (up to 85% quartz and 5 wt% TOC) and as such, deemed excellent potential shale gas reservoirs because they are both brittle (fracable), and gas-charged. However, quartz-rich Devonian shales display tight-rock characteristics, with poorly developed fabric, small median pore diameters and low permeabilities. Hence potential `frac-zones' will require an increased density of hydraulic fracture networks for optimum gas production. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

In recent years, there has been increasing concern with respect to the large dependence across the globe on nonrenewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels. Ethanol has been explored, however, in alleviating this problem; cellulose, a polymer of glucose molecules, is a precursor to this potentially useful biofuel. However, the strength and rigidity of the cellulose structure has proven to be a difficult obstacle to overcome in this multistep synthesis. Harsh conditions are required, often including concentrated sulfuric acid and extremely high temperatures, to complete hydrolysis to a useful extent. In this work, the hydrolysis of cellulose was performed with acidic hydrogen molybdenum bronze in the form of XPell™ R by Xplosafe in place of sulfuric acid. By analyzing total organic carbon present in hydrolyzed samples (after 2 hours) using persulfate oxidation and colorimetric measurements, results were obtained showing that hydrogen molybdenum bronze is successful in catalyzing the hydrolysis of cellulose in comparison to hydrolysis completed in water alone. The values that were obtained in this analysis are as follows: 160 ± 20 ppt/mol at 40 °C, 180 ± 20 ppt/mol at 60 °C, 180 ± 30 ppt/mol at 80 °C, and 280 ± 40 ppt/mol at 100 °C. This determination shows that the catalytic ability of this acid increases with increasing temperature. Hydrogen molybdenum bronze is a useful candidate to explore in biofuel synthesis from cellulose. Comparison to sulfuric acid will be completed in future tests. This method is currently being used to pursue conversion of hydrolyzed cellulose to ethanol using yeast.

According to the literature, the deterioration of water quality in pipeline networks of water distribution is not solely due to the deterioration of raw water quality outlet from water treatment plants, but primarily due to the multiplication of microorganisms in water distribution pipelines, a phenomenon known as after-growth or re-growth. Presently, the most effective method of a biological stability in treated water for controlling microbial re-growth is by limiting nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon. The content of assimilable organic carbon (AOC) within organic carbon is considered to be the most main factor for controlling the growth of microorganisms in the water distribution systems. The objects of this work were to study the Cheng Ching Lake Water Treatment Plant (CCLWTP) in Kaohsiung and the Gong Yuan Water Treatment Plant (GYWTP) in Chiayi. Water samples were collected once a month from December 2008 to November 2009. The major difference between the study objects was that front one is an advanced water treatment plant, and the other a traditional one. In order to understand the difference in biological stability between these two water treatment plants, AOC meaurement was conducted. The goals of this study were: (1) to understand the water purification process of advanced and traditional water treatment plants, and to understand the concentration in AOC fluctuation in their water distribution networks; (2) to learn about differences in how the two water treatment plants remove AOC, and to know where is improvement ; (3) to use program analysis to produce a simple formula and AOC-related water quality parameters for the two water treatment plants, providing AOC control and management strategies in the future. The results concluded that the raw water of the two water treatment plants was primarily a hybrid of hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules, and the highest values of AOC were found in winter. The CCLWTP had an overall removal rate of 54 %, and the GYWTP had an overall removal rate of 36 %. The CCLWTP conformed to the additions of an advanced water purification unit, but the water treatment process was relatively complex. Its AOC concentration varied considerably during the course of the water treatment process, while that of the GYWTP showed more stable measurements. The CCLWTP used coagulation precipitation, rapid filtration, and biological activated carbon filtration to effectively remove the AOC. The coagulation precipitation unit used by the GYWTP was most effective process in the removal of AOC and rapid filtering was less effective one. The treated water of CCLWTP maintained an AOC concentration under 51 £gg acetate-C/L in its water distribution network, while the treated water of GYWTP mostly kept a concentration of AOC lower than 71 £gg acetate-C/L. Although the CCLWTP water pipe network had lower AOC values, it demonstrated unstable changes in levels of AOC concentration. This shows that oxidation and disinfectants in the water treatment process cannot successfully oxidize all organic matter into AOC. In contrast, the GYWTP showed a more stable removal in AOC content. For the artificial neural network system simulation, the simulation values of CCLWTP water treatment process and water distribution network are correlated less closely with the measured actual value than those of the GYWTP do. This is found to be mostly due to the relatively large fluctuations in AOC in the CCLWTP. The AOC values in the CCLWTP water treatment process and water distribution network are highly correlated to TOC, TDS, and NH3-N. For the GYWTP, AOC values were mostly correlated to TOC, temperature, and NH3-N. Finally, the two common factors for water quality at both water plants were TOC and NH3-N, we recommend that these two items can be taken into consideration to control and manage AOC in water treatment.

Because of high intense population is in Taiwan, households water use requires a considerable amount. It is substantially reduce daily water use to share primary water resources, if we can reclaim domestic wastewater properly and make it support. Currently, reclaiming water is an emerging requirement for management and application. If we can adequately monitor and treat reclaimed water, reducing environmental contaminants, costs, and environmental feedback is possible. The study treated domestic wastewater of Feng-Shan river using GAC trickling filter with two column in a series and the removal efficiency of organic carbon was observed. The experimental results indicated that removal efficiency of organic carbon concentration was decreased as the empty-bed contact time (EBCT) increased. The best average removal efficiency of TOC and DOC was about 72% and 78%. According to the TOC removal rates using GAC at different temperatures, the TOC removal rates at room temperature and 4¢Jwere respectively 95% and 90% in the first column of the experiment and 85% and 80% in the second column. The removal rates of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) using GAC folter system at room temperature and 4¢J were respectively 95% and 90% in the first column of the experiment and 90% and 87% in the second column. Obviously,the TOC removal rate treated using GAC filter system at room temperature was superior to that treated at 4¢J In comparing treated water and recycled water,most of the water quality parameters (temperature¡BSuspended solids¡BBOD¡BCOD¡BpH) were to meet recycled water quality standards.However, the system due to use GAC trickling filter system treatment that easily decrease dissolved oxygen in treated water but conductivity in treated water without changes. These two water parameters were failed to meet the recycled water standards. By the way, we found trained GAC through SEM irradiation the biofilm area of trained GAC surface at 25¢Jwas superior to that treated at 4¢J. It corresponds to the removal efficiency of organic carbon, the removal efficiency of 25¢J was higher than result of 4¢J. Therefore, a certain relationship between the biofilm area and removal efficiency of organic carbon is existed in this work.

Water quality is of great importance for ecosystems and society. This thesis characterized and modeled the variation in several key constituents of Swedish surface waters, with particular consideration given to intra-annual variability and sensitivity to climate change. Cyanobacterial data from 29 lakes and basins as well as total organic carbon (TOC) from 215 watercourses were used. Extensive data on catchment characteristics, morphometry, discharge, temperature and other water chemistry data were also analyzed. Models characterizing the seasonality in cyanobacterial concentration and relative cyanobacterial abundance were developed with common lake variables. Concentrations of TOC, iron and absorbance were simulated using discharge, seasonality and long-term trend terms in the Fluxmaster modeling system. Spatial patterns in these model terms were investigated, and the sensitivity of cyanobacteria and TOC to future climate was explored. Nutrients were the major control on cyanobacterial concentration seasonality, while temperature was more important for relative cyanobacterial abundance. No cyanobacterial blooms occurred below a total phosphorus threshold of 20 µg l-1. Discharge and seasonality explained much of the intra-annual variability in TOC, but catchment characteristics could only explain a limited amount of the spatial patterns in the sensitivity to these influences. North of Limes Norrlandicus the discharge term had a larger impact on the TOC concentration in large catchments than in small catchments, while south of Limes Norrlandicus the seasonality had a larger impact in small catchments than in larger catchments. According to the climate change scenarios, both TOC and cyanobacterial concentrations will be higher in the future. The cyanobacterial dominance will start earlier and persist longer. The spring TOC concentration peak will come earlier. The changes in TOC loads are more uncertain due to predicted declines in discharge. Parsimonious statistical regression models could explain observed variability in cyanobacteria and TOC. For predictions, these models assume that future aquatic ecosystems will exhibit the same sensitivity to major drivers as in the past. If this proves not to be the case, the modeling can serve as a sentinel for changing catchment function as indicated by degradation in model performance when calibrations on older data are used to model later observations.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 LíssiaLPO_DISSERT.pdf: 1518111 bytes, checksum: e44cfc47871a21a80b0501efe13b68d3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Inadequate management systems can promote the degradation of the physical and chemical soil quality, with environmental reflexes and productivity. In this sense, the objective of this work was to seek a direction regarding the water retention, the influence of organic matter, Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in soil aggregation and the physical and chemical attributes of the soil due to the different agricultural practices and soil management, to identify which of these are the most sensitive in the environments distinction, having the forest preserved as a reference. But also specifically evaluate the attributes of soil, indicating which of these have provided improvements or restrictions in the evaluated environments, in a Cambisol the Settlement Project Land of Hope, located in the city of Governador Dix-sept Rosado - RN, located in the middle region of the West Potiguar and the micro-region of Apodi Chapada. The areas analyzed were preserved forest area (AMP), cajaranas orchard area (AP) consortium area corn / beans (ACMF), watermelon consortium Area / jerimum (ACMJ) and agroecological area (AA). collection of disturbed and undisturbed samples were carried out in layers from 0.00 to 0.10; .10 To .20; 0.20 to 0.30 m, benefited the Soil Analysis Laboratory Water and Plant - LASAP / DADA / UFERSA. The analysis constituted the particle size, particle density, bulk density, porosity, macro and micro porosity, field capacity, permanent wilting point, available water, water retention curve in the soil, aggregate, EC, pH, TOC , P, K, Na, Ca, Mg and TOC PST, Ca and Mg added within each class. The greatest amount of TOC was observed in the AP, due probably to supply litter found in the location associated with the excrement of animals (goats, cattle, horses and donkeys) in the grazing area. Regarding the texture, the soils of ACMJ had higher clay content (0.55, 0.58 and 0.63 kg kg-1) in the three layers studied and can be justified because it is a colluvial area. It was observed that the soils under conventional tillage (ACMF and ACMJ), regardless of plant cultivation, possibly promoted a greater aeration of the soil and a lower DS, as evidenced by an increase of macropores in the superficial layer. AP provided the best water retention conditions compared to the other treatments, due to the maintenance of soil cover and increase soil organic carbon. In conventional management areas ACMF and ACMJ percent aggregation , aggregate stability and mean weight diameter were reduced compared to the preserved area ( AMP) in all layers. Agricultural uses ACMF (area of corn consortium / beans) and ACMJ ( watermelon consortium of area / pumpkin ) altered the degradation of the physical attributes ( bulk density and aggregation ) and chemical (total organic carbon and Mg 2+ ) soil compared to preserved forest area (AMP) / Os sistemas de manejo inadequados podem promover a degradação da qualidade físico-química do solo, com reflexos ambientais e na produtividade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi buscar um direcionamento a respeito da retenção de água, da influencia da matéria orgânica, Ca2+ e Mg2+ na agregação do solo e dos atributos físico-químicos do solo em função dos diferentes usos agrícolas e manejo do solo, visando identificar qual destes foram os mais sensíveis na distinção dos ambientes, tendo a mata preservada como referência. Como também avaliar especificamente os atributos do solo, apontando qual destes proporcionaram melhorias ou restrições nos ambientes avaliados, em um Cambissolo Háplico no Projeto de Assentamento Terra de Esperança, situado no município de Governador Dix-sept Rosado - RN, localizado na mesorregião do Oeste Potiguar e na microrregião da Chapada do Apodi. As áreas analisada foram: Área de mata preservada (AMP), Área de Pomar de cajaranas (AP), Área de consórcio milho/feijão (ACMF), Área de consórcio de melancia/jerimum (ACMJ) e Área agroecológica (AA). Foram realizadas coletas de amostras deformadas e indeformadas nas camadas de 0,00 – 0,10; 0,10 – 0,20; 0,20 – 0,30 m, beneficiadas no Laboratório de Análise de Solo Água e Planta – LASAP/DCAT/UFERSA. As análises constituíram as de granulometria, densidade de partículas, densidade do solo, porosidade total, macro e micro porosidade, capacidade de campo, ponto de murcha permanente, água disponível, curva de retenção de água no solo, agregação, CE, pH, COT, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, PST e COT, Ca e Mg dentro de cada classe de agregado. A maior quantidade de COT foi observada na AP, devido provavelmente, ao aporte de serapilheira encontrada no local, associada ao excremento de animais (caprinos, bovinos, equinos e muares) no pastejo na área. Com relação à textura, os solos da ACMJ tiveram maior teor de argila (0,55; 0,58 e 0,63 kg kg-1) nas três camadas estudadas, podendo ser justificado por se tratar de uma área de colúvio. Observou-se que os solos sob preparo convencional (ACMF e ACMJ), independente do cultivo das plantas, promoveram possivelmente uma maior aeração do solo e uma menor DS, fato evidenciado pelo aumento de macroporos, especialmente na camada superficial. A AP proporcionou as melhores condições de retenção de água quando comparadas com os demais tratamentos, devido à manutenção da cobertura do solo e incremento do carbono orgânico do solo. Nas áreas de manejo convencional ACMF e ACMJ a percentagem de agregação, estabilidade de agregados e diâmetro médio ponderado foram reduzidas quando comparadas com a área de mata preservada (AMP) em todas as camadas. Os usos agrícolas ACMF (área de consócio de milho/feijão) e ACMJ (área de consórcio de melancia/jerimum) alteraram na degradação dos atributos físicos (densidade do solo e agregação) e químicos (carbono orgânico total e Mg 2+) do solo em comparação a área de mata preservada (APM) / 2016-10-27

At the Castle Creek study area, levee deposits are well-exposed over an area of ~2.6 km wide and ~90 m thick. This provides an opportunity to describe their lateral and vertical lithological changes, and accordingly details about their reservoir geometry and stratal continuity. Here, levee deposits are divided vertically into packages, each consisting of a sand-rich lower part overlain sharply by a mud-rich upper part. Each lower part displays a consistent thickening then thinning trend laterally away from its genetically related channel. The characteristics of these packages suggest that they were controlled by recurring changes in the structure of channellized flows, which in turn was controlled by grain size and grain sorting. This ultimately was controlled by short-term changes in relative sea level. Moreover, some mud- and sand-rich strata are rich in residual carbon suggesting that mid-fan levees can serve as source rocks for hydrocarbon generation, and also reservoirs.