Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Hydrocarbon accumulation'

Les structures d’échappement de fluides et leurs mécanismes de migration à travers la pile sédimentaire sont un phénomène connu sur les marges continentales. Elles ont été largement étudiées depuis une vingtaine d’années, notamment en raison de l’amélioration de la résolution des données sismiques, et de l’abondance des données dans ces zones, du fait de la prospection pétrolière. Le bassin du Bas Congo, au large de l'Afrique de l’ouest, est une province pétrolière prolifique qui a été largement étudiée et qui est exploitée depuis plus de 30 ans. La zone d’intérêt est située au-dessus d'un champ pétrolier producteur (la zone de Moho), dans laquelle les hydrocarbures sont piégés dans des chenaux turbiditiques. Le travail est principalement basé sur l'analyse de données géophysiques comprenant de la sismique 3D et 2D-THR, de la bathymétrie multifaisceaux et la rétrodiffusion correspondante, ainsi que des données de fond (échantillons prélevés, photos ROV, analyses géochimiques). L'analyse de cet important jeu de données sismiques a révélé de nombreuses évidences de migration de fluides dans la pile sédimentaire mio-pliocène. Ces dernières correspondent principalement à des indices de migration focalisée de fluides, incluant des structures actuelles d’expulsion de fluides sur le fond de l’eau et des structures enfouies, interprétées comme fossiles, et indiquant une activité ancienne du système d’expulsion de fluides. Les indices de migrations de fluides étudiés correspondent principalement à des pockmarks (dépressions) et à des cimentations carbonatées. Ces deux types d’indices peuvent s’empiler sur plusieurs centaines de mètres, mettant en évidence la pérennité des échappements et suggérant le développement de véritables conduits.Un nouveau type de pockmarks a été mis en évidence, les structures en araignée, qui sont localisées au-dessus d'un réservoir turbiditique, et qui résultent d'une migration focalisée des hydrocarbures thermogéniques. Leur fonctionnement est lié aux hydrates de gaz dans le contexte d’un BSR penté (Bottom Simulating Reflector), du fait de la présence du biseau des hydrates. Un modèle dynamique de leur fonctionnement est développé, montrant que ces structures se développent vers l'amont de la pente, du fait de la migration du gaz sous le BSR penté. Une étude du BSR, dans le contexte particulier du biseau des hydrates, permet de proposer un modèle des échappements de gaz liés à la dissociation des hydrates, lors d'une baisse du niveau marin. Ce modèle met en scène une dissociation des hydrates de gaz d'échelle régionale (associée à du gaz biogénique), localisée au niveau du biseau des hydrates du dernier bas niveau marin. Enfin, le réseau de structures d’échappements de fluides de l’intervalle Mio-Pliocène a été investigué dans le but de comprendre son architecture et les mécanismes de migration de fluides dans la zone d’étude. Les hydrocarbures semblent migrer principalement le long de certaines portions de failles et verticalement à travers la pile sédimentaire sous forme de « pipes » ou de cheminées. La base du Pliocène, associée à une baisse du niveau marin, marque la formation des premières paléo-araignées ainsi que d'un niveau contenant de nombreux indices de présence de gaz. Un modèle de ce réseau de migrations de fluides est proposé, intégrant les chemins de migrations des hydrocarbures à travers la pile sédimentaire, et l’événement majeur de la base Pliocène. Cette étude semble indiquer que les phases de baisse du niveau marin constituent des déclencheurs pour la migrations des fluides dans les bassins.Ce travail marque ainsi le point de départ d'une investigation à plus grande échelle qui consiste d'une part à rechercher des structures similaires (araignées et bandes de pockmarks) dans d'autres bassins et d'autres part à comparer les événements d'échappement de fluides à la courbe eustatique
Evidence of fluid flow features and their mechanisms of migration through the sedimentary pile are a known phenomenon on continental margins. It has been widely studied over the past twenty years, notably due to the improved resolution of seismic data and the abundance of data in these areas due to oil and gas exploration.The Lower Congo basin, offshore West Africa, is a prolific petroleum province that has been extensively studied, and has been in operation for over 30 years. The area of interest is located above a producing oil field (the Moho license), in which hydrocarbons are trapped in turbidite channels. The work is primarily based on the analysis of geophysical data including 3D and 2D-THR seismic, multibeam bathymetry and corresponding backscatter, as well as background data (samples taken from ROV photos, geochemical analyses).The analysis of this important seismic dataset revealed abundant evidence of fluid migration in the Mio-Pliocene sedimentary pile. They mainly correspond to indications of vertically focused migration, including current fluid expulsion structures on the seafloor, and buried structures, interpreted as fossile and indicating former activity of the fluid expulsion system. The studied fluid migration features mainly consist of pockmarks (depressions) and carbonate cementations. These two types of indicators can build vertical stacks, over several hundred meters, highlighting the durability of the fluid escapes and suggesting the development of real pipes.A new type of pockmarks has been discovered, the spider structures, which are located above a turbiditic reservoir, and which result from a focused migration of thermogenic hydrocarbons. They are related to gas hydrates, in the context of a sloping BSR (Bottom Simulating Reflector), due to the presence of the hydrate wedge. A dynamic model of their functioning is proposed, showing that these structures develop upslope, due to the gas migration under the sloping BSR. A study of the BSR, in the particular context of the hydrates wedge, allows to propose a model of gas escapes, linked to the dissociation of the hydrates, during a sea level fall. This model presents a dissociation of gas hydrates of regional scale (associated with biogenic gas), localized at the gas hydrate wedge zone of the last lowstand. Finally, the network of fluid escape structures of the Mio-Pliocene interval was investigated in order to understand its architecture and the mechanisms of fluid migration in the study area. Hydrocarbons appear to migrate mainly along certain portions of faults and vertically crosscutting the sedimentary pile through pipes or chimneys. The base of the Pliocene, associated with a sea level fall, marks the formation of the first paleo-spiders, as well as a level containing numerous evidence of gas. A model of this network of fluid migrations is proposed, integrating the indicators of hydrocarbon migrations through the sedimentary pile, and the major event of the Pliocene base. This study seems to indicate that a the sea level fall constitute a trigger for the fluids migrations, in the basin.This work thus marks the starting point of a larger-scale investigation which consists in, on the one hand, searching for similar structures (spiders and bands of pockmarks) in other basins ; and, on the other hand, by comparing fluid flow events with the eustatic curve

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico
O gÃs natural, cuja maior parte à constituÃda de metano, à um combustÃvel que vem se expandindo no mercado energÃtico global por possuir uma queima mais limpa que outros derivados petrolÃferos e por ser mais eficiente energeticamente. No entanto, ele possui como grande desvantagem frente a outros combustÃveis a dificuldade em ser armazenado devido a sua baixa densidade. Materiais microporosos vÃm sendo utilizados para aumentar tal densidade por meio da adsorÃÃo. No entanto, um dos problemas encontrados na utilizaÃÃo desses materiais se trata da diminuiÃÃo da capacidade adsortiva apÃs ciclos de carga e descarga de tanques de armazenamento. O estudo desse problema, porÃm, demanda um grande nÃmero de experimentos e uma aparelhagem relativamente sofisticada. Este trabalho propÃs a simulaÃÃo molecular como uma metodologia vÃlida a ser utilizada para o estudo da retenÃÃo de alcanos em carbono ativado e em oito estruturas metalorgÃnicas: IRMOF-1, ZIF-8, CuBTC, PCN-11, PCN-14, UiO-66, MIL-100 e MIL-101. Considerou-se o gÃs natural como uma mistura de metano (C1), etano (C2), propano (C3) e butano (C4) nas proporÃÃes de, respectivamente, 84,7:10:0,9:0,1. Para a validaÃÃo dos modelos utilizados nassimulaÃÃes, as isotermas simuladas de C1, C2, C3 e C4 foram ajustadas Ãs experimentais obtidas da literatura para cada um dos materiais. Foram entÃo realizadas isotermas multicomponentes e estudo de sÃtios de adsorÃÃo para o estudo da retenÃÃo de hidrocarbonetos e da influÃncia de fatores composicionais e estruturais nesse fenÃmeno. Observou-se que as MOFs MIL-100 e ZIF-8 sÃo as mais recomendadas para uso em tanques de GNA por critÃrios de capacidade, eficiÃncia adsortiva e estabilidade. Verificou-se ainda que MOFs que apresentam sÃtios de adsorÃÃo pouco dispersos apresentam uma maior tendÃncia à acumulaÃÃo de hidrocarbonetos.
Natural gas, which consists mostly of methane, is a fuel that has been expanding in the global energy market by having a cleaner burning than other petroleum derivatives and are more energy efficient. However, it has a great disadvantage compared to other fuels: it is difficult to be stored due to its low energy density. Microporous materials have been used to increase the energy density by adsorption. However, one of the problems encountered in using these materials it comes to the decrease in adsorption capacity after charge and discharge cycles of the storage tanks. The study of this problem, however, requires a large number of experiments and a relatively sophisticated equipment. This paper proposes themolecular simulation as a valid methodology to study the retention of alkanes in activated carbon, and eight metalorganic structures: IRMOF - 1, ZIF - 8, CuBTC, PCN- 11, PCN -14, UiO -66, MIL -100 and MIL- 101. We considered the natural gas as a mixture of methane (C1), ethane (C2), propane (C3) and butane (C4) in the proportions respectively 84,7:10:0,9:0,1. For the validation of the models used in the simulations, the simulated isotherms of C1, C2, C3 and C4 were adjusted to fit the experimental ones, obtained from the literature data for every material. Multicomponent isotherms were then performed, the retention of hydrocarbons were studied as well as the influence of compositional and structural factors to this phenomenon. We noticed that the MOFs MIL-100 and ZIF-8 are the most recommended to use in GNA tanks according to the criteria of capacity, adsorption efficiency and stability. We verified as well that MOFs that have adsorption sites too localized present a larger tendency to the accumulation of hydrocarbons.

The strength and durability of proton exchange membranes for use in fuel cells has received much attention recently due to the increased push for sustainable alternatives to the internal combustion engine. To be viable, these alternatives must have comparable lifetimes and power outputs to the internal combustion engines they replace. Chemical degradation was once viewed as the most common culprit of early fuel cell failure, but as membranes and catalysts improved, mechanical failure became an important factor. As a result, fundamental research on the mechanically-induced failure mechanisms of fuel cell membranes, coupled with development and processing of less expensive membranes, has become an important topic. The use of the blister test geometry, along with digital image correlation of the deformed shape, creates a self-contained analysis tool useful for measuring the biaxial strength of membranes. In this work, blister tests are used to measure biaxial stress and strain for fuel cell membranes subjected to ramped pressure loading to form stress-strain curves that indicate the onset of yielding under biaxial stress conditions. Stress-life curves are developed experimentally for Gore-Selec? series 57 members using data collected under constant pressure conditions. These results are used to predict blister failure under ramped and fatigue loadings. A newly implemented hydrocarbon membrane system is evaluated with constant-pressure-to-leak blister testing. Improved strength following an isothermal hold at 100°C (pretreatment) is shown to occur. Ramped pressure testing indicates that the material after the pretreatment is stiffer and has a higher yield stress than the material before treatment. Morphological and constitutive characterization indicated differences in the materials that are consistent with the improved performance.
Master of Science

From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
A preliminary survey of several urban lakes in the Phoenix metropolitan area was undertaken to assess the degree of accumulation of priority pollutant metals and petroleum -based hydrocarbons in these impoundments. Three sediment samples were collected from each lake along a transect (from a probable point of stormwater addition to the opposite shore), and were composited on an equal weight basis prior to analysis. Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations ranged from 30 to 8000 mg /kg dry weight. The concentration ranges (mg /kg dry weight) of total metals were: arsenic 7-26, copper 25-2800, chromium 14-55, nickel 5-40, lead < 1-138, selenium < 0.5-1.1, and zinc 33-239. Silver and cadmium were undetectable (< 5.0 and < 0.5 mg /kg, respectively). Factors that may be associated with the magnitude of accumulation in urban lakes include lake age, primary source of influent, reception of stormwater runoff, mechanical aeration of the water, and direct chemical addition.

The Gulf of Mexico (GoMx) is among the most productive regions for offshore oil and natural gas recovery. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) drilling rig exploded, burned for three days, sank, and released over 4 million barrels of oil in the subsequent 84 days before it was capped. Some oil was buoyant enough to float to the ocean surface, where some was removed via a myriad techniques. Importantly, a plume of oil remained suspended in the water column at approximately 1,100 m water depth, where it drove a marine snow event, and deposited large quantities of oil on the seafloor. The northern GoMx seafloor is complex and dynamic. Submarine canyons, mounds, channels, and salt domes dominate the seafloor along the continental slope surrounding the DWH well. Using high-resolution bathymetric data, variables derived to characterize the seafloor (water depth, distance, slope, and aspect), and spatial relationships between seafloor stations and the DWH well, relationships between concentrations, fluxes and inventories of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other seafloor variables were hypothesized to be statistically significantly related. The most significant seafloor characteristic to predict distributions was water depth, followed by distance, relative aspect, and slope.

Soil that is heavily contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is often found at the sites of former gasworks and wood-impregnation plants. Since PAHs are toxic these sites represent a hazard to human health and the environment, and therefore they need to be treated, preferably by a method that destroys the contaminants, and thus eliminates the problem permanently. However, during biological and chemical degradation of PAHs other toxic compounds may be formed. If these transformation products are sufficiently persistent they could potentially accumulate during remedial processes. In the work underlying this thesis the degradation and transformation of PAHs were studied in three remedial processes: viz. a pilot-scale bioslurry reactor, microcosms with wood-rotting fungi and lab-scale treatments with Fenton's reagent. A group of transformation products referred to as oxygenated-PAHs (oxy-PAHs) was found to be particularly important, as these compounds are toxic and were shown to be relatively persistent in the environment. The oxy- PAHs were, for instance, found at significant concentrations in the gasworks soil used in most of the studies. This soil was highly weathered and had therefore been depleted of the more readily degradable compounds. In addition, experiments in which earthworms were exposed to the gasworks soil showed that the oxy-PAHs were more easily taken up in living organisms than PAHs. To facilitate the studies, new extraction and fractionation methods were developed. For instance, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was investigated for its reliability and efficiency to extract PAHs and oxy-PAHs from soil. Furthermore, a selective PLE-method was developed that can simultaneously extract and separate the PAHs and oxy-PAHs into two different fractions. This was accomplished by adding a chromatographic material (silica or Florisil) to the extraction cell. Under certain conditions all three remedial processes resulted in increasing amounts of oxy- PAHs in the soil. For example, 1-acenaphthenone and 4-oxapyrene-5-one accumulated in the bioslurry reactor. Similarly, in the soil inoculated with a white-rot fungus 9-fluorenone, benzo[a]anthracene-7,12-dione, 4-hydroxy-9-fluorenone and 4-oxapyrene-5-one accumulated. Finally, in an ethanol-Fenton treatment the concentration of some PAH-quinones increased in the soil. The results show that it might be necessary to monitor oxy-PAHs as well as PAHs during the remediation of PAH-contaminated sites. Otherwise, the soil may be considered detoxified too early in the process. In the long term it would be desirable to include analyses with sufficient marker compounds to follow the possible production and elimination of the oxy-PAHs. However, until such compounds can be identified it is suggested that contaminated soil should be screened for oxy-PAHs in general. The selective PLE-method presented in this thesis could be a useful tool for this.

Die Akkumulation von lipophilen und biologisch persistenten Chlorkohlenwasserstoffen in der Nahrungskette und die infolgedessen auftretende relativ hohe Belastung gestillter Säuglinge hat zu Besorgnissen hinsichtlich möglicher negativer Folgen für die Gesundheit dieser Kinder geführt. Ein Fokus der Arbeit ist Frage, ob der Kontamination von Humanmilch mit polychlorierten Dibenzo-p-dioxinen (PCDDs, 'Dioxine'), Dibenzofuranen (PCDFs, 'Furanen') und Biphenylen (PCBs) in Deutschland zu messbaren Veränderungen sensibler biologischer Parametern führt. Blut wurde im Alter von 11 Monaten von gestillten (für mindestens 4 Monate, n=80) und nicht gestillten Kindern (n=21) entnommen zur umfangreichen Untersuchung des Immunsystems, von biologischen Parametern im Plasma und von Parametern der Schilddrüsenfunktion. Die direkte Messung von PCDDs, PCDFs und PCBs im Plasma bei den Kindern und deren Müttern konnte die erwartete Akkumulation dieser Verbindungen bestätigen, die etwa 4-fach höheren Werten beim Kind (im Vergleich zu mütterlichen Werten) nach einer langen Stillperiode vom 40 Wochen entspricht. Es konnte keine signifikante Korrelation von den untersuchten biologischen Parametern mit den Fremdstoff-Konzentrationen gefunden werden. Somit konnten keine biologischen Effekte dieser in der Muttermilch ungewünschten Verbindungen nachgewiesen werden, und die bestehende Stillempfehlung konnte bekräftigt werden. Der zweite Fokus der Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage von biologischen Wirkungen bei zwei Frauen, die gegenüber der am meisten toxischen Dioxin-Verbindung exponiert wurden: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Diese Frauen hatten die höchsten je beim Menschen gemessenen Konzentrationen, eine der beiden leidet unter einer schweren Chlorakne. Es wurde ein breites Spektrum immunologischer Parameter untersucht sowie die Aktivität der Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) Aktivität in der Leber, die mit dem Koffein-Test gemessen wurde. Zum Vergleich wurden zwei Kontrollgruppen bestehend aus 30 Nichtrauchern bzw. 20 starken Rauchern untersucht unter Verwendung der gleichen Methoden. Die Ergebnisse des Koffein-Tests zeigen eine ca. 10-fach höhere CYP1A2-Aktivität bei den hoch TCDD-exponierten Frauen, während Tabakrauch (durchschnittlich 28 Zigaretten pro Tag) zu einem maximal 1,8-fachem Anstieg führte. Die immunologischen Untersuchungen zeigten keine Hinweise auf einen starken Einfluss von TCDD bei den hochexponierten Frauen. Es bestätigte sich, dass der Mensch relativ wenig sensibel ist in Hinblick auf die toxischen Effekte von TCDD.
The accumulation of lipophilic and biologically persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons in the food chain and the following relatively high exposure of breast-fed infants has caused concern about possible negative health effects in these children. One focus of the document is the question whether the contamination of human milk with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs, 'dioxins'), dibenzofurans (PCDFs, 'furans') and biphenyls (PCBs) in Germany leads to measurable changes of sensitive biological parameters. Blood was taken from breast-fed (for at least four months, n=80) and formula-fed infants (n=21) at the age of 11 months for extensive investigations regarding the immune system and biological parameters in plasma including those of the thyroid function. From direct measurements of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in plasma of the children and their mothers, the expected accumulation of the compounds was confirmed, corresponding to about 4-times higher values in the infant (compared to maternal values) following a long duration of breast-feeding of 40 weeks. For the different biological parameters investigated, no significant correlation with concentrations of the xenobiotics was found. Therefore, biological effects of these unwanted compounds in human milk. could not be detected, and the existing recommendation for breast-feeding was emphasized. The second focus of the document is the investigation of biological changes in two women exposed to the most toxic dioxin: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). These women had the highest concentrations of this compound ever measured in adults, one of them suffering from severe chloracne. A broad panel of immunological parameters was measured as well as hepatic cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) activity using the caffeine test. For comparison, two age-matched control groups of 30 non-smokers and 20 heavy smokers were studied using the same methods. Results of caffeine tests showed an about 10-fold increase of CYP1A2 activity in the highly TCDD-exposed women, whereas tobacco smoke (28 cigarettes per day on average) was found to increase the activity 1.8-times maximally. Immunological investigations did not reveal a strong impact of TCDD in these highly exposed women. These results confirm that humans are relatively insensitive to the toxic effects of dioxins.

The primary objective of this study is to provide a greater understanding of the tectonic evolution of the Warburton, Cooper, Eromanga and Lake Eyre Basins in central Australia. However, this study additionally attempts to provide a greater understanding of lineaments. This study compares lineament data with a traditional tectonic analysis in order to evaluate lineaments and to best understand the tectonic evolution of the region.

OBJECTIVE: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) translocates to the nucleus and binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) to regulate biological responses upon ligand activation. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of activation or inhibition of AhR activity on basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from clonal pancreatic β-cells (INS-1) cultured under normal and glucolipotoxic (GLT) conditions (high glucose and fatty acid). METHODS: Insulin content and secretion were measured utilizing homogenous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) insulin assay kit (cisbio). Cells cultured in RPMI media containing 5 mM and 11 mM glucose were pre-incubated with the receptor agonist FICZ or antagonist CH223191 for 96 hours. Insulin secretion over 2 hours was reported as ng/million cells. Intracellular lipid was measured by fluorescence after Nile red staining. RESULTS: Incubation of INS-1 cells with 11 mM glucose and fatty acid increased lipid droplets, basal insulin secretion and inhibited GSIS compared to cells cultured in 4 mM glucose, characteristic of GLT. Incubation of INS-1 cells with 11 mM glucose alone also exhibited GLT characteristics. INS-1 cells cultured at 11 mM glucose and treated with antagonist (1.25 - 10 μM) had decreased lipid content and improved insulin secretion compared to cells cultured in 11 mM glucose alone. INS-1 cells cultured in 5 mM glucose and treated with the AhR agonist (1.25 - 10 μM) exhibited increased intracellular lipid and impaired insulin secretion. CONCLUSION: The AhR may play a mediatory role in the development of GLT in pancreatic β-cells cultured in excess nutrients and β-cell specific activator or inhibitor ligands of this receptor could potentially be a targeted therapeutic treatment of diabetes.

2D and 3D basin models have been constructed of the southern and central parts of the Vulcan Sub-Basin, which is located in the Timor Sea, north-western Australia. This work was carried out in order to better elucidate the petroleum migration and accumulation histories and exploration potential of the region. The study area extended from the southern limit of the Swan Graben in the south-west to the northern part of the Cartier Trough in the north-east. The results from the basin modelling have been compared with the seafloor bathymetry and physiography, the spatial distributions of hydrocarbon related diagenetic zones (HRDZs) in the region, as well as the distribution of other leakage and seepage indicators. A new method for identifying potential HRDZs using seismic data has also been developed. The 2D/3D modeling results from the Swan Graben indicate that horizontal and downward oil expulsion from the source rocks of the Late Jurassic Lower Vulcan Formation into the upper Plover Formation sandstones was active from the Early Cretaceous to the present day. Oil migration from the Lower Vulcan Formation into the Late Cretaceous Puffin Formation sands in the Puffin Field was simulated via lateral migration along the bottom of an Upper Vulcan Formation seal and by vertical migration above the seal edge. Modelling also indicates that Late Jurassic sequences over the Montara Terrace are thermally immature and did not contribute to the hydrocarbon accumulations in the region. On the other hand, 3D modelling results indicate that the Middle Jurassic Plover Formation in the Montara Terrace became thermally mature after the Pliocene and hence it could have contributed to both the specific hydrocarbon accumulations and the overall hydrocarbon inventory in the area. In the southern Cartier Trough, the Lower Vulcan Formation is typically at a lower thermal maturity than that seen in the Swan Graben, due to a combination of a relatively recent (Pliocene) increased burial and a thinner Lower Vulcan Formation. Here, horizontal and downward oil/gas expulsion from the Lower Vulcan Formation into the Plover Formation sandstone was active from the Late Tertiary to the present day, which is significantly later than the timing of the expulsion in the Swan Graben. In the central Cartier Trough, the areal extent of both generation and expulsion increased as a result of rapid subsidence and deposition from about 5.7 Ma to the present day. This Pliocene loading has resulted in the rapid maturation of the Early to Middle and Late Jurassic source system and expulsion of oil very recently. Oil migration from the Lower Vulcan Formation into the Jabiru structure, via the Plover Formation carrier bed, was simulated in both the 2D and the 3D modelling. In particular, the 3D modelling simulated oil migration into the Jabiru structure, both from the southern Cartier Trough (after the Miocene) and also from the northern Swan Graben (in the Early Cretaceous). Early gas migration, and the attendant formation of a gas cap, was also simulated. Importantly, this result provides a potential alternative interpretation for the formation of at least some of the residual zones in the Timor Sea, as well as in other areas. Traditionally, most of the residual zones within the Timor Sea have been attributed to fault seal reactivation and failure. However, the simulated early gas cap in the Jabiru structure has formed as a result of gas exsolution as the migrating hydrocarbons entered the Jabiru trap (and its shallow flanks), which was then only located a few hundred metres below the surface. The rapidly decreasing pressure allowed the gas to form a separate phase, with the result that in the Early Cretaceous, in the 3D model, the Jabiru trap was composed of a relatively large gas cap with a thinner (“black oil”) oil leg. Progressive burial through the Tertiary, and the attendant increase in pressure, resulted in the gas going back into solution. The associated decrease in the bulk volume of the hydrocarbon accumulation produced a “residual” oil zone at the base of the column, purely through a change in phase, rather than through loss of hydrocarbons from fault seal failure, for example. The processes outlined in this scenario would be essentially indistinguishable from those produced by fault seal failure when assessing traps using fluid history tools such as GOI. Such a process could be critically important in the case of shallow, low-relief traps, where only the exsolved gas could be trapped, with the “black oil” component displaced below the spill of the trap. Small, sub-commercial gas fields would thus be located around the periphery of the source depocentres - though these would be the result of an early, rather than late, gas charge. Small black oil accumulations could be developed inboard from such gas fields. A new method to extract HRDZs from 3D seismic data has predicted the location of new HRDZs in the northern Vulcan Sub-basin. Further investigation is needed to confirm/refine the method but it has the potential to significantly aid HRDZ mapping (and seal assessment and hydrocarbon migration studies). A workflow for future studies is proposed which includes inputs from basin modelling, leakage and seepage mapping, and fault seal and fault reactivation studies. Implementation of this workflow should ultimately allow a more reliable estimation of GOR prior to drilling.
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Thesis(M.Sc.)-- Australian School of Petroleum, 2007.

The distribution and potential sources of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and Digitaria eriantha in the vicinity of three South African coal-fired power plants, Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. An ultrasonic assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) method was developed for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in soil, followed by determination using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The study showed that an extraction protocol based on acetonitrile as dispersive solvent and C2H2Cl2 as extracting solvent, gave extraction efficiencies comparable to conventional soxhlet extraction for soil samples. The extraction time using ultrasonication and the volume of the extraction solvent was also investigated. Using a certified reference material soil (CRM), the extraction efficiency of UA-DLLME ranged from 64 to 86% in comparison with the Soxhlet result of 73 to 95%. In comparison with the real sample, the CRM result did not show a significant difference at 95% C.I. The UA-DLLME proved to be a convenient, rapid, cost-effective and greener sample preparation approach for the determination of PAHs in soil samples. PAH compound ratios such as phenanthrene/phenanthrene + anthracene (Phen/ Phen + Anth) were used to provide a reliable estimation of emission sources. The total PAH concentration in the soils around three power plants ranged from 9.73 to 61.24 μg g−1, a range above the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry levels of 1.0 μg g−1 for a significantly contaminated site. Calculated values of the Phen/Phen + Anth ratio were 0.48±0.08, 0.44±0.05, and 0.38+0.04 for Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal, respectively. The flouranthene/fluoranthene + pyrene (Flan/ Flan + Pyr) levels were found to be 0.49±0.03 for Matla, 0.44±0.05 for Lethabo, and 0.53±0.08 for Rooiwal. Such values indicate a xx pyrolytic source of PAHs. Higher molecular weight PAHs (five to six rings) were predominant, suggesting coal combustion sources. The carcinogenic potency B[a]P equivalent concentration (B[a] Peq) at the three power plants ranged from 3.61 to 25.25, indicating a high carcinogenic burden. The highest (B[a] Peq) was found in samples collected around Matla power station. It can, therefore, be concluded that the soils were contaminated with PAHs originating from coal-fired power stations. Nine metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr and Zn) were analysed in soil and the Digitaria eriantha plant around three coal power plants (Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal), using ICP-OES and GFAAS. The total metal concentration in soil ranged from 0.05 ± 0.02 to 1835.70 ± 70 μg g-1, 0.08 ± 0.05 to 1743.90 ± 29 μg g-1 and 0.07 ± 0.04 to 1735.20 ± 91 μg g-1 at Matla, Lethabo and Rooiwal respectively. The total metal concentration in the plant (Digitaria eriantha) ranged from 0.005 ± 0.003 to 534.87 ± 43 μg g-1 at Matla, 0.002 ± 0.001 to 400.49 ± 269 μg g-1 at Lethabo and 0.002 ± 0.001 to 426.91 ± 201 μg g-1 at Rooiwal. The accumulation factor (A) of less than 1 (i.e. 0.003 to 0.37) at power plants indicates a low transfer of metal from soil to plant (excluder). The enrichment factor values obtained (2.4 – 5) indicate that the soils are moderately enriched, with the exception of Pb that had significant enrichment of 20. The Geo-accumulation Index values of metals indicate that the soils are moderately polluted (0.005 – 0.65), except for Pb that showed moderate to strong pollution (1.74 – 2.53).
Chemistry
D. Phil. (Chemistry)

碩士
國立東華大學
海洋生物多樣性及演化研究所
100
In this study, high ( 1×106 cells/ml、1×105 cells/ml ) and low ( 1×104 cells/ml ) concentrations of varies sample sizes and species of marine algae groups are used to compare the degradation and accumulation of 7 different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In Taiwan, Nanno chloropsisoculata and Tetraselmis chui are common marine algal. Within 7 days, N. oculata and T. chui are capable of degrading 4-6 ringed PAHs by 20.5% and 36.7% while accumulation of PAHs by 55.0% and 48.7% respectively. 3 ringed PAHs are difficult for algae to degrade and accumulate; N. oculata and T. chui accumulate PAHs at 10.0% and 7.0% and degraded PAHs at 4.6% and 16.2% respectively. For section of PAHs ( Benzo[b]- fluoranthene、Benzo[k]fluoranthene、Indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene、Benzo[g,h,i]- perylene ) had higher degradation percentage in high numbers algal. In the distribution, algae-water coefficient log Kd has a good linear relationship between log Kow (octanol-water coefficient), and high number algal reduce the equilibrium time. This indicates that PAHs’ distribution in algae and water is a result of their physio-chemical properties. Present study suggests that algae can degrade 4-6 ringed PAHs effectively, but it may also be a result of accumulation of PAHs in the organism.

碩士
國立高雄海洋科技大學
海洋環境工程研究所
95
Twenty surface sediment samples were collected seasonally from Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan from March to October 2005. Concentrations of 17 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were monitored by gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrometry detector (GC/MSD). Total concentrations of the PAHs ranged from 517 to 7,389 μg kg-1 dry weight. Sediment samples with the highest PAH concentrations occurred at the area located near to the industrial parks. Municipal sewage also contributed to the PAH contamination in the sediments. According to the observed molecular indices, PAHs contamination in Kaohsiung Harbor generally originated from the high-temperature pyrolytic processes. According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) of the United States, the levels of PAHs at most studied sites in the Kaohsiung Harbor would not exert adverse biological effects.

碩士
國立東華大學
海洋生物多樣性及演化研究所
101
Planktonic organisms play an important role in driving the fate of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the marine environment. As a first step in the aquatic food web, plankton is a key to bring POPs from the aquatic environment into the food web. The objectives of this study are (i) to investigate the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocabons (PAHs) in rotifer (Briachionus sp.), (ii) to compare the sorption and accumulation kinetics of PAHs in rotifer by diffusive uptake, feeding on phytoplankton, and both, and (iii) to discuss the relationship between bioconcentration factor (BCF),bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and octanol-water partition coeffient (Kow).This study includes three experiments. First, use gas-purging system to maintain constant dissolved PAH levels in the reactor and carry on sorption experiment. Second, feed rotifer on contaminated Nannochlorpsis oculata (as the ingestion experiment). Third, we maintain constant dissolved PAH levels in the reactor and feed rotifer on contaminated Nannochlorpsis oculata for the mixing experiment. For each experiment, we sampled every 24 hours to analysis PAHs concentration and biology condition for 120 hours. This study shows that the adsorption of four PAHs on rotifer approaches to saturation after 72 hours. Furthermore, there is no obvious biomagnification in transfer from phytoplankton to rotifer. Lastly, the passive uptake instead of active ingestion dominates the accumulation of PAHs in rotifer. Distribution of BCF and BAF of PAHs are correlated with their hydrophobicities ( Kow values). The knowledge of the PAHs accumulation in rotifer through sorption and ingestion opens a door to future understanding of the biogeochemical exchanges of PAHs in field primary food webs.

碩士
國立中山大學
海洋生物科技暨資源學系研究所
104
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the persistent organic (POPs), which have the following characteristics: carcinogenic, bioaccumulation, biomagnification and long-distance shift with the atmosphere and biology. PAHs are mainly produced by the incomplete combustion of wood, coal and fossil fuels, influencing the land and marine ecosystems. Zooplankton are the primary consumer and play an important role in the marine food web. The observation of the PAHs accumulation in zooplankton provides us with more knowledge, which is essential information to further understand the spread of PAHs in the marine ecological environment. Zooplankton samples were collected at 16 stations in the Gaoping coastal waters from three Ocean Research III cruises: August, December 2014 and April 2015. Significant seasonal difference in zooplankton abundance was observed in the study, with the higher mean abundances in December (1246 ± 399 ind./m3) and April (1371 ± 521 ind./m3) than in August (463 ± 80 ind./m3). In general, copepods are the most dominant group (with a relative abundance >70%) at all sampling stations, except for April at station 1 (cladocera, 74%). The PAHs concentration of zooplankton ranged between 25 and 5440 ng / g dw. Higher PAHs concentrations were noted in Gaoping River estuary transect than in transects of Kaohsiung harbor and Fangshan. However, in terms of PAHs concentration of zooplankton biomass in seawater, PAHs concentration changed between 4 and 203 ng/m3, and the higher concentrations were found in Gaoping River estuary transect. Six PAHs, 1-Methylnaphthalene, 2-Methylnaphthalene, 2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene, Phenanthrene, Fluoranthene and Pyrene, produced by petroleum and petrochemical fuel, were the most abundant components in zooplankton in the study. They are common low rings PAHs in the marine environment. Among the above-mentioned components, the concentration of 2,6-Dimethylnaphthalene showed significant negative correlation with zooplankton abundance. The results demonstrated that the Gaoping coastal waters have been greatly influenced by petroleum pollutions produced from shipping and industrial activities. Keywords: Zooplankton, POPs, Gaoping coastal water, Assemblage structure, Bioaccumation

博士
國立中興大學
生命科學系
93
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the environment. PAHs are by-products of the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic materials or plastics. Incineration, internal combustion engines, industrial activities and residential heating all are important sources of PAHs. PAHs are a major health concern because many kinds of PAHs are carcinogenic and mutagenic. PAHs persist in the environment and may accumulate in vegetation. In Taiwan, there were only few studies concerning the effects of PAHs on plants as well as the uptake and accumulation of PAHs in plants. Four items were studied in this research, including: (1) to set up the adequate analytical method of PAHs in vegetation and in air; (2) to investigate the accumulation of PAHs in plants in the vicinity of different pollution sources; (3) to evaluate the scale of polluted area from pollution source by the PAHs accumulation in plants; (4) to choose the suitable plant species as indicators for active or passive biomonitoring PAHs in the environment. The extraction and analysis of PAHs from plant tissues are essential steps for determining PAHs accumulation. This study developed a precise method for simultaneous detecting 16 PAHs by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence or UV detector. Leaf samples were extracted with dichloromethane solvent. The extract was then cleaned up by aluminum oxide column before being subjected to HPLC analysis. The correlation coefficients of calibration curve of 16 PAHs were 0.9950 - 0.9999. For the 11 tested plant species, all the 16 PAHs contents in leaves could be simultaneously determined by this developed method. The detection limits of 16PAHs were 1.27 - 8.21 ng g-1. Among the 94 leaf samples from different sites in the vicinities of pollution sources, 18 samples were detected with PAHs contents. That implied that PAHs accumulation was found in the plants in the polluted areas in Taiwan. Bidens pilosa var. radiata accumulated higher levels of PAHs than the other species. Kinds of PAHs in leaves varied with pollution sources. Phenanthrene and pyrene were detected in leaves of B. pilosa var. radiata from the vicinity of incinerator. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene were detected in B. pilosa var. radiata from the industrial area. An opportunity arose to examine the factors that govern the dispersion of PAHs following a massive waste plastic fire at Yunlin, central Taiwan, on Dec. 7 of 2002. With the aim of investigating the applicability of biomonitoring for PAHs contamination, leaves of Mangifera indica, Broussonetia papyrifera and B. pilosa var. radiata were collected from 11 sites in the vicinity of the burned warehouse after the large-scale waste plastic fire, and were analyzed for 16 PAHs. B. pilosa var. radiata leaves contained higher PAHs than M. indica and B. papyrifera. The concentration of ΣPAHs in leaves of B. pilosa var. radiata, M. indica and B. papyrifera on site SW4 (400m southwest from the warehouse) was 2221.9, 940.3 and 1158.0 ng g-1 f.w., respectively. The levels of ΣPAHs in leaves declined as the distance from the burned warehouse increased. The zone of contamination was estimated to be less than 700m from this plastic fire. The concentrations of PAHs in leaves declined rapidly with time. B. pilosa var. radiata, M. indica and B. papyrifera accumulated high levels of PAHs and could be used as passive biomonitors to evaluate gradient of atmospheric PAHs contamination after a plastic fire. B. pilosa var. radiata, that is one kind of widespread naturalized vegetation and is relatively tolerant to PAH pollution, is a suitable species in Taiwan for monitoring PAHs pollution through leaf analyses. B. pilosa var. radiata accumulated higher level of PAHs than the other species both in the vicinity of incinerators and after a plastic fire. It showed no injured symptoms. In this study, B. pilosa var. radiata were studied for active and passive biomonitorings. The concentrations of 3- and 4-ring PAHs (phenanthrene, pyrene and chrysene), instead of 5- and 6-ring PAHs, were detected among all the B. pilosa var. radiata samples in the vicinity of incinerator. The concentrations of PAHs increased with time in active biomonitoring. The accumulation of PAH in B. pilosa var. radiata yielded useful information on the deposition of PAH and was a good indicator of pollution. B. pilosa var. radiata can be easily cultivated and widespread installed in the vicinity of pollution source and is suitable to be used as accumulator for active biomonitoring of PAHs pollution.

Freshwater planarians are animals that possess a set of features that has made them pivotal for research areas such as stem cell research, neurophar-macology, or ageing research. The appeal of these animals has stemmed from features such as the existence of adult stem cells distributed over their bodies, the presence of a simple brain sharing similarities with the vertebrate nervous system, or their apparent lack of ageing. The interest in freshwater planarians as experimental animals has spread to ecotoxicity testing, given features such as easy maintenance in laboratory setting, their sensitivity to environmental contaminants, and also the range of effects that can be evaluated in response to contaminants, such as teratogenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive and be-havioural toxicity or neurotoxicity. Their predatory nature offers yet another interesting opportunity to include them in multi-species tests as epibenthic in-vertebrate predators. In the context of exploring the sensitivity of freshwater planarian endpoints to environmental contaminants, the present work used polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as model compounds. PAHs are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment, given the multitude of natural and anthropogenic sources and their ability to be transported over long distances through the air. As a major contaminant class in the environment, the risk as-sessment of PAHs has been challenging, given the array of metabolizing abili-ties among invertebrates, as well as the multitude of effects these compounds can elicit. For some invertebrate groups, such as freshwater planarians, there is virtually no (eco)toxicological information. With the ultimate goal of exploring freshwater planarians in the context of ecotoxicological research, this work used the freshwater Girardia tigrina as experimental animal and three PAHs with distinct number of aromatic rings, the 3-, 4- and 5-ringed phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively. Several specific objectives were ad-dressed: development of novel planarian bioassays, evaluation of PAH toxicity potential accumulation in G. tigrina under different exposure scenarios. Along 6 experimental chapters, experimental protocols were refined and, more specifi-cally, a feeding protocol was developed in accordance with the specific features of G. tigrina. This freshwater planarian was also shown to be sensitive to PAHs, with mortality, disintegration of tissues, regeneration delays, behavioural impairments, biochemical changes, decreases in reproductive output and de-creased newborn fitness being observed: The severity of effects was well relat-ed with the concentration-dependent increase of PAH-type compounds in pla-narian tissues. However, despite chemical similarities, each PAH elicited differ-ent effects in planarians. The evaluation of feeding and locomotion in response to chemical stress was evidenced to be sensitive at short exposure periods, showcasing the potentialities of planarian behavioural endpoints for ecotoxicity testing. With longer exposure periods, fecundity was shown to be a sensitive endpoint, while increased behavioural anomalies in unexposed newborns re-sulting from B[a]P-exposed parents, evidenced the importance of newborn condition as a reproduction-related endpoint in planarians and for transgenera-tional studies. The evaluation of internal concentrations of PAH-type com-pounds in the head and tail portions of exposed planarians revealed that these compounds accumulated more in the heads of planarians, providing a hint on the potential neurotoxicity of these compounds, as suggested by the observed behavioural effects. Moreover, the accumulation of PAH-type compounds in G. tigrina exposed to B[a]P-contaminated sediments or to contaminated prey, evidenced their potential for ecotoxicological experiments with contaminated sediments and to evaluate trophic transfer of contaminants. The results ob-tained in the present work indicate that planarians are sensitive to chemical stress, with a multitude of available endpoints, while showing potential for in-clusion as invertebrate predators in multispecies studies as invertebrate preda-tors. Therefore, their usage for ecotoxicological research is strongly recom-mended.
As planárias de água doce são animais que possuem uma variedade de carac-terísticas que as tornou fundamentais para várias áreas do conhecimento, tais como a investigação em células estaminais, a neurofarmacologia ou a investi-gação sobre envelhecimento. O interesse por estes animais deve-se a atributos únicos como a existência de células estaminais distribuídas pelos seus corpos, a presença de um cérebro simples, mas com semelhanças ao sistema nervoso dos vertebrados, ou a sua aparente ausência de envelhecimento. O interesse pelas planárias como animais experimentais difundiu-se à área da investigação ecotoxicológica, não só devido à sua fácil manutenção em contexto laboratorial e sensibilidade a contaminantes ambientais, mas também à vasta gama de respostas que podem ser usadas para avaliar a teratogénese, a carcinogénese, a toxicidade comportamental e reprodutiva ou a neurotoxicidade. Para além disto, as planárias podem ser usadas em testes com múltiplas espécies como invertebrados epibentónicos predadores. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho pretendeu explorar os parâmetros ecotoxicológicos das planárias de água doce em resposta a contaminantes ambientais, através da utilização de hidrocarbo-netos aromáticos policíclicos (PAHs) como compostos modelo. Os PAHs são contaminantes ubíquos no ambiente, devido à variedade de fontes emissoras, tanto naturais, como antropogénicas, e à sua capacidade de serem transporta-dos através do ar por longas distâncias. Contudo, a avaliação de risco ambien-tal dos PAHs tem-se mostrado difícil, devido à variabilidade das capacidades de metabolização destes compostos nos invertebrados e à grande variedade de efeitos que os PAHs podem provocar nos organismos. Para alguns grupos de invertebrados, como é o caso das planárias, os efeitos destes compostos são (quase) desconhecidos. No sentido de explorar a potencial utilização das planá-rias de água doce no contexto da ecotoxicologia, este trabalho utilizou a espé-cie Girardia tigrina como organismo modelo e três PAHs com diferentes núme-ros de anéis aromáticos, o fenantreno, o pireno e o benzo[a]pireno (B[a]P), de 3, 4 e 5 anéis aromáticos, respetivamente. Foram delineados vários objetivos específicos: o desenvolvimento de ensaios para a avaliação dos parâmetros ecotoxicológicos nas planárias de água doce, a avaliação da toxicidade dos PAHs e a potencial acumulação dos PAHs em diferentes cenários de exposi-ção. Ao longo de 6 capítulos experimentais, os protocolos para a avaliação dos parâmetros ecotoxicológicos foram refinados e, mais especificamente, foi de-senvolvido um protocolo para avaliar a inibição alimentar de acordo com as características específicas da planária G. tigrina. Também se verificou que esta espécie de planária é sensível aos PAHs, tendo sido observada mortalidade, desintegração de tecidos, atrasos na regeneração, alterações comportamen-tais, alterações bioquímicas, diminuição da taxa reprodutiva e efeitos em planá-rias recém-nascidas. A severidade dos efeitos observados aumentou de acordo com as concentrações internas de PAHs nos tecidos das planárias. No entanto, apesar das semelhanças químicas entre os compostos, cada um dos PAHs provocou diferentes efeitos nas planárias. A avaliação da taxa de alimentação e locomoção mostrou ser sensível em resposta aos contaminantes em exposi-ções de curta duração, e evidenciou o potencial destes parâmetros para a ava-liação ecotoxicológica. Em períodos de exposição mais longos, a fecundidade mostrou ser um parâmetro sensível. Para além disso, através da observação dos recém-nascidos resultantes de progenitores expostos ao B[a]P, foi verifica-do que estes apresentavam anomalias comportamentais, evidenciando, assim, a importância da avaliação da condição dos recém-nascidos como um parâme-tro reprodutivo e em exposições multigeracionais. Constatou-se ainda que, nos tecidos das planárias, os PAHs se acumularam em maior quantidade na zona cefálica, potencialmente indicando que estes compostos poderão ser neurotóxi-cos para as planárias, como sugerem também as alterações comportamentais. Para além disto, a bioacumulação de PAHs em planárias expostas a sedimen-tos contaminados ou que consumiram presas contaminadas com B[a]P, de-monstrou o potencial destes animais para testes de avaliação ecotoxicológica de sedimentos e na avaliação da transferência trófica de contaminantes. Os resultados obtidos no presente trabalho indicam que as planárias são sensíveis a contaminantes, permitem a avaliação de uma grande variedade de parâme-tros e podem também ser usadas como predadores em testes com múltiplas espécies. Assim, a utilização das planárias de água doce para a investigação ecotoxicológica é fortemente recomendada.
Programa Doutoral em Biologia e Ecologia das Alterações Globais