This research is focus on the analysis of microbial diversity and existance of methanotrophic microbial strains in Wu-Shan-Ding mud volcano areas. The microbial distribution and diversity in soil surrounding the mud volcano were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The 16S rDNA sequences from PCR-DGGE bands were used to identify the bacterial strains with NCBI gene bank data. The results showed that the microbial diversity in the fresh erupted mud sample varied with other soil samples. The degrees of diversity were propotion to the distance away from the mud volcano. The main bacterial species found in the mud sample are Brevundimonas terrae, Ralstonia solanacearum, Ralstonia taiwanensis, Pseudonocardiaceae bacterium, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Burkholderia phytofirmans, Stenotrophmonas sp., Methylobacterium sp., Cryseobacterium sp., Sphingobacterium sp., Stenotrophomonas sp. MG-3, and Stenotrophomonas sp. EP01. According to documents, all of the above strains are tolerant to high salt and alkaline. The Ochrobactrum anthropi and Burkholderia phytofirmans were found only in the fresh erupted mud sample and the 5-meter soil sample, while Ralstonia mannitolilytica, Ralstonia pickettii, Amycolatopsis rugosa, and Maricaulis sp. were found only in 10-meter soil sample. In other word, all of the soil samples we examed in this study have their own specified bacterial strains. Two methanotrophic microganisms, Methylobacterium organophilum and Ochrobactrum anthropi were also successfully isolated in pure cultures. The biochemical characteristics of these two strains had been studied. These two strains show a potential might be able to use in the bioremediation of petroleum pollution.

Interpretation of 900 km of a closely spaced grid of high-resolution seismic profiles over the northwestern margin of South Caspian Basin (SCB) allows recognition and study of six late Pleistocene - Holocene depositional sequences. Sequence stratigraphy analysis of sedimentary strata from 117,000 years B.P. to present led to the identification of a highstand systems tract, two transgressive systems tracts and six lowstand systems tracts. Each systems tract is characterized by specific seismic facies. Diverse depositional processes on the northwestern margin of the SCB are suggested by the thirteen seismic facies patterns recognized in the study area. Two distinct progradational complexes were interpreted within Sequence III and Sequences IV and V in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the study area, respectively. Stratigraphic interpretation of the sequences provided important information on parameters that control depositional architectures, such as lake level fluctuations, tectonic dynamics, and sediment supply. High sedimentation rates combined with a series of high-frequency and high-amplitude lake-level fluctuations, abrupt changes at the shelf edge, abnormally high formation pressure, and high tectonic activity during Quaternary time resulted in the development of a variety of complex geologic drilling hazards. I distinguished three types of hazards as a result of this study: mud volcanoes, sediment instability, and shallow gas. The 2D high-resolution seismic dataset from the northwestern margin of the SCB allowed more detailed seismic sequence stratigraphic analysis in the study area than has previously been attempted. In particular, it has a clear application in deciphering sediment supply and relative lake level changes as well as tectonic relationship of the northwestern shelf margin of the SCB. Results of this work led us towards better understanding of recent depositional history, improved our knowledge of the nature of the basin tectonics, climate history and styles of and controls on sedimentation processes within a sequence stratigraphic framework during the late Pleistocene-Holocene time.

En 2004 et 2007, neuf structures d'échappements de fluides (SEF), constituées de volcans de boue (VdB), d'évents de gaz (GS, gas seeps en anglais) et/ou de sources, ont été échantillonnées dans la partie émergée du Bassin de la Côte Est (BCE) de l'île nord de la Nouvelle-Zélande.L'étude granulométrique indique que la boue émise par les VdB, les roches encaissantes et les niveaux de décollement voisins sont composés d'argiles et de silts en majorité. L'étude de la fraction argileuse et de la roche totale par diffraction des rayons X (DRX) a révélé de nombreuses similitudes. Les volcans de boue, les roches encaissantes et les niveaux de décollement présentent ainsi le même assemblage minéralogique, à savoir smectite, illite, chlorite, kaolinite, quartz et feldspaths. Les proportions sont variables d'un échantillon à un autre mais le couple smectite-illite est toujours majoritaire.L'étude géochimique de la fraction solide indique que les échantillons sont riches en Si02, pauvres en Fe2O3, MgO, MnO et en alcalins, à quelques exceptions près. La composition en éléments majeurs s'organise entre un pôle argileux alcalin et un pôle carbonaté. Les spectres de terres rares sont similaires et caractéristiques des argiles ; Ils présentent également un faible degré de fractionnement, lié à la formation des carbonates. Ce sont donc les mêmes minéraux qui contrôlent la chimie des échantillons.L'étude géochimique de la phase liquide montre que l'eau impliquée dans les volcans de boue est d'origine marine essentiellement, et des réactions eau/roche similaires, notamment l'altération de smectite en illite. Cette étude a permis aussi d'obtenir une estimation de la température d'équilibre, comprise entre 60 et 110°C, impliquant une profondeur d'origine de 2 à 3 km, voire plus.L'étude géophysique indique qu'à l'aplomb des VdB et des deux sources chaudes étudiés, la croûte continentale a sensiblement la même épaisseur et que la profondeur de la croûte océanique en subduction avoisine les 20 km. A cette profondeur, la fusion de la péridotite n'est pas possible et la fusion résultante de la croûte continentale, responsable du volcanisme d'arc, non plus. Le gradient géothermique mesuré à TePuia est donc influencé par un autre phénomène, mais la modélisation de la lithosphère ne nous a pas permis de trouver lequel.Ces différentes études mettent en évidence des caractéristiques géochimiques, pétrographiques et minéralogiques communes aux volcans de boue de Nouvelle-Zélande. Les fluides impliqués dans ces structures proviendraient donc d'un même niveau source, recouvert du même assemblage sédimentaire. L'étude géophysique ne nous apporte aucune information à ce sujet mais permet cependant d'établir avec certitude que le régime thermique est le même du Nord de Hawke's Bay au Sud du BCE ; la région de TePuia est un cas particulier, peut-être influencée par le complexe volcanique de Matakaoa. / In 2004 and 2007, nine areas of fluids escapes structures (FES) with mud volcanoes (MVs), gas seeps (GSs) and springs, were sampled in the East Coast Basin (ECB) emerged part of New Zealand's north island.The grain size study indicates that the mud emitted by MVs, like surrounding rocks and decollement layers in the vicinity, is mainly composed of clays and silts. Clay fraction and whole rock XRD study revealed many similarities. Mud volcanoes, surrounding rocks and decollement layers have exactly the same mineral assemblage, i.e. smectite/illite, chlorite, kaolinite, quartz and feldspars. The proportions vary from one sample to another but the couple smectite/illite is always majority.The geochemical study of the solid fraction indicates that the samples are rich in Si02, low in Fe2O3, MgO, MnO and alkaline, with a few exceptions. The major element composition is organized between a pole and a pole clay alkaline carbonate. The REE patterns are similar and characteristics of clays They also have a low degree of fractionation, due to the formation of carbonates. So these are the same minerals that control the chemistry of samples.The liquid phase geochemical study shows that water involved in the MVs is mainly of marine origin, that water/rock reactions are similar, including weathering of illite in smectite, allowed us to obtain an estimate of the water equilibrium temperature between 60 and 110°C, implying an origin depth of 2-3 km.The geophysical study indicates that directly above the MVs and the two hot springs studied, the continental crust has substantially the same thickness and the depth of the subducting oceanic crust is around 20 km. At this depth, the melting of the peridotite is not possible and the resulting fusion of continental crust, responsible of arc volcanism, neither. The geothermal gradient measured at TePuia is influenced by another phenomenon, but the modeling of the lithosphere does not allow us to find which one.These studies show geochemical, petrographical and mineralogical characteristics common to mud volcanoes in New Zealand. Fluids involved in these structures therefore come from the same parent bed, covered with the same sedimentary package. The geophysical study gives us no information about it but nevertheless allows us to establish with certainty that the thermal regime is the same from Northern Hawke's Bay to the south of the ECB; TePuia region is a special case, perhaps influenced by the Matakaoa volcanic complex.

Mud volcanoes constitute an important component of petroliferous basins and their understanding is essential for successful exploration and development of hydrocarbon fields. They occur in both extensional and compressive tectonic settings, along with passive and active continental margins. Although extensive research exists on the geochemistry, geomorphology and stratigraphic evolution of these localized fluid flow structures, little is known about their geomechanical characteristics. This research investigates the geomechanics of mud volcanoes from the South Caspian Basin and West Nile Delta. This is achieved by establishing a workflow for geomechanical assessment of mud volcanoes using a P-wave velocity dataset from across the mud volcano within the offshore South Caspian Basin. This objective is developed further with the availability of seismic and wellbore data from around the Giza mud volcano, offshore West Nile Delta. Preliminary results of this study from the South Caspian Basin enable confidence in estimating the realistic magnitudes of elastic rock properties, stresses and fluid pressures from empirical and analytical correlations. Moreover, analysis of the variations in fluid pressures allow the fluid flow models around the mud volcano to be constrained and their gradients provide preliminary estimates of the drilling window. Structural and stratigraphic analysis around the Giza mud volcano offers insight into the formation of the mud volcano during the Quaternary and how the fault networks on the hanging wall of the arcuate tectonic fault have acted as conduits for primarily the pre-Pliocene fluids exploiting the areas of weakness along the hanging wall of the fault by entraining the Pliocene sediments. Fluid pressure evaluation reveals small overpressures caused by disequilibrium compaction. Further analysis offers insight into the critical fluid pressures that control fault movement, the stresses responsible for rock deformation around the wellbore and the width of the drilling window constrained by the fracturing of the strata. Analysis presented here provides details on the geomechanical significance of mud volcano environments, with implications for engineering practices. Overall, findings contribute to a systematic understanding of mud volcano settings not only from a field exploration and development point of view, but also at a wider scale for basin analysis and relatively small scale for play analysis.