Extractable Organic Matter Research Articles

Hydrocarbon generation potential, geochemical characteristics, and accumulation contribution of coal-bearing source rocks in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Shelf Basin

The Xihu Sag is an important petroliferous area in the East China Sea Basin. Petroleum in this sag was generated from coal-bearing source rocks, i.e., coal, carbonaceous mudstone, and mudstone. The lack of detailed studies on the source rocks restricts petroleum exploration. Hydrocarbon generation potential, geochemical characteristics, and relative contribution were assessed using 38 source rock samples and 13 oil/oil sand samples. Results show that source rocks have different hydrocarbon generation potentials. The total organic carbon (TOC), production yield (S1+S2), extractable organic matter (EOM), and total hydrocarbon content suggest that coal has the highest organic matter abundance, followed by carbonaceous mudstone and mudstone. All source rocks are dominated by Type III-II2 kerogen and are, therefore, gas-prone. Biomarker assemblages indicate that the organic matter of coal is mainly derived from terrigenous higher plants with little contribution from phytoplankton, accompanied by strong bacterial modification, which was deposited in an oxidizing depositional environment with a poorly stratified water column. Mudstones, in contrast, have less terrigenous higher plants but higher phytoplankton contributions and were deposited in a more reducing depositional environment. Almost all biomarker parameters of carbonaceous mudstones are between coal and mudstones, suggesting that the organic matter sources and depositional environments for carbonaceous mudstones are between that of the coals and mudstones. The greater phytoplankton contribution to the mudstones is verified by the higher liptinite content. However, the lower organic matter abundance and the lower hydrogen index indicate that vitrinite rather than liptinite is the major hydrocarbon generation maceral. Although coal and carbonaceous mudstone have significantly higher organic matter abundance, more oil-prone kerogen types, and more gold-tube pyrolysis yields, oil-source correlation employing biomarkers and carbon isotopes suggest that mudstones are the major source rocks in the Xihu Sag. This apparent contradiction may be due to the thin layer thickness and limited distribution of the coal. The fact that more contributions of coal and carbonaceous mudstone for oils are found in the western slope belt where coal and carbonaceous mudstone were deposited seems to support this viewpoint. This contradiction may also be caused by the inability of coal to effectively expel the generated high molecular weight hydrocarbons.

Postdiagenetic Bacterial Transformation of Nickel and Vanadyl Sedimentary Porphyrins of Organic-Rich Shale Rock (Fore-Sudetic Monocline, Poland).

Nickel and vanadyl porphyrins belong to the so-called fossil geo- or sedimentary porphyrins. They occur in different types of organic matter-rich sediments but mostly occur in crude oils and their source rocks, oil shales, coals, and oil sands. In this study, we aimed to understand the process of bacterial transformation of geoporphyrins occurring in the subsurface shale rock (Fore-Sudetic Monocline, SW Poland). We studied these transformations in rock samples directly obtained from the field; in rock samples treated with bacterial strain isolated from shale rock (strain LM27) in the laboratory; and using synthetic nickel and vanadyl porphyrins treated with LM27. Our results demonstrate the following: (i) cleavage and/or degradation of aliphatic and aromatic substituents of porphyrins; (ii) degradation of porphyrin (tetrapyrrole) ring; (iii) formation of organic compounds containing 1, 2, or 3 pyrrole rings; (iv) formation of nickel- or vanadium-containing organic compounds; and (v) mobilization of nickel and vanadium. Our results also showed that the described bacterial processes change the composition and content of geoporphyrins, composition of extractable organic matter, as well as nickel and vanadium content in shale rock.

Adsorption of Fulvic Acid and Water Extractable Soil Organic Matter on Kaolinite and Muscovite

The interaction of organic matter with mineral components of the solid phase of soils is the most important process that regulates the cycle and balance of carbon in the biosphere. The adsorption of humic acids on minerals is accompanied by their fractionation in size, composition, and amphiphilicity, thus decreasing their heterogeneity. Despite a strong interest in studying the regularities and mechanisms of the interaction between natural organic matter and layered aluminosilicates, it is necessary to take into account the natural diversity of soil organic matter, adsorption conditions, and mineral composition. This study was designed to investigate the adsorption regularities of fulvic acid (FA) and water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) isolated from horizon H of peaty-podzolic-gleyic soil on kaolinite and muscovite. Sorbates and sorbents were examined by the following methods: high-pressure size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and potentiometric titration. The specific surface areas of the sorbents were determined by the sorption of N2 molecules. We found that hydrophobic components of FA and WEOM are mainly adsorbed on mineral surfaces. The adsorption of FA and WEOM on kaolinite and muscovite is followed by decreased hydrophobicity of organic matter and decreased heterogeneity of its amphiphilic properties in an equilibrium solution. At pH levels around 6, sorption of organic matter from FA solution containing 19% and 81% hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, respectively, onto kaolinite and muscovite occurs mainly due to hydrophobic components. Hydrophobic interactions on siloxane surfaces are the main mechanism to fix FA on both minerals. Kaolinite adsorbs slightly more organic carbon per unit area than muscovite. The adsorption of WEOM from a solution with 41% hydrophilic and 59% hydrophobic components results not only from hydrophobic and hydrophilic components but also from hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions and depends on pH. The most hydrophobic fractions of organic matter are adsorbed from the hydrophobic components on the surface of both minerals. Under conditions of the performed experiments at pH < 5, more WEOM is adsorbed on muscovite than on kaolinite.

Environmental impact assessment of Egyptian Damietta governorate soils contamination with cadmium

Soil parental materials and anthropogenic activities are the sources of increasing Cd in soils and enrichment in edible parts of plants and creating hazards to animals and human. Thus, it is an important issue to estimate the levels of Cd in soils; straw and grains of rice and wheat plants grown in the soils contaminate with Cd and evaluates human health risk. In surface soil, total Cd (899±497µg kg-1) and Diethylene Triamine Penta Acetate (DTPA) extractable Cd (16.41±13.83µg kg-1) slightly higher by 1.02±0.20 and 1.31±0.45 folds than the subsurface layers, respectively. The DTPA extractable Cd concentration is significantly increased linearly with increasing total soil Cd (r=0.90). Positive significant correlation was found between soils DTPA extractable Cd and soil organic matter (OM) content (r=0.95), while significant negative correlation for both CaCO3 content (r=-0.92) and pH (r=-0.94). In rice Cd concentrations of straw (374±156µg kg-1) and grains (35±16µg kg-1) are significantly correlated with total soil Cd (r=0.89, r=0.86) and DTPA extractable Cd (r=0.84, r=0.74), respectively. Whereas, rice grains Cd is increased with increasing straw Cd (r=0.98). Wheat Cd concentrations of straw (194±71µg kg-1) and grains (18±13µg kg-1) are significantly correlated with total soil Cd (r=0.90, r=0.96) and DTPA extractable Cd (r = 0.91, r=0.95), respectively. Wheat grains Cd is increased with increasing straw Cd (r=0.95). The Cd Transfer factors (TF) as an average is higher in rice grains (0.04±0.014) than wheat grains (0.021±0.016). However, Cd concentrations in the wheat and rice grains are lower than the both EU and WHO/FAO permissible limits (0.24mg kg-1 and 0.4mg kg-1 dry wt., respectively) and so far no potential human health risk is concluded yet.

Distribution of soil organic matter fractions are altered with soil priming

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a central role in mediating soil productivity through its impacts on nutrient cycling and retention, aggregate stability and water retention. Thus, management techniques or technologies including novel soil amendments could benefit farmers through the accumulation of carbon (C) and other nutrients in SOM. However, these same inputs can also lead to accelerated mineralization of native SOM through the process known as priming. This unresolved paradox may be due to the limited understanding of how different SOM fractions respond to priming and in which direction. In this study, we examine the response of functionally distinct SOM fractions to priming when soils are amended with lactobionate, a low molecular weight sugar acid byproduct of cheese manufacturing. Liquid-based 13C lactobionate was added to an agricultural silty loam soil to study its persistence, priming effects, and response of different SOM fractions to lactobionate over 84 days. Cumulative soil carbon dioxide (CO2) was greater in lactobionate-amended soils versus control and by the end of the experiment, 53% of added lactobionate was mineralized. In total, positive priming of 40% of extant SOM was observed from 14 to 84 days. Lactobionate-induced changes to SOM fractions were determined at days 14, 28, 56 and 84 of the incubation to examine if and how priming altered the distribution of C between fast and slow-cycling SOC fractions. In response to lactobionate, the total C content of the water extractable organic matter (WEOM) fraction initially increased by 100% from the dissolved lactobionate we added, but then declined and at a faster rate than other SOM fractions. In addition, the total C of the light-fraction particulate organic matter (LF-POM) fraction also declined. At the same time, we observed total C increases in the slower-cycling sand-sized POM (H-POM) and mineral-associated organic (MAOM) C fractions, in response to lactobionate additions. We also saw a marginal increase in total soil C in the lactobionate-amended soils. Our findings therefore suggest that the application of lactobionate to soils may induce positive priming of the faster cycling LF-POM and WEOM fractions, but also concurrent gains in the H-POM and MAOM C fractions associated with long-term persistence and relative resiliency to disturbance with no net loss of total soil carbon. Thus, the application of low-molecular weight C-based materials such as lactobionate presents an avenue to building more persistent SOM through its impacts on the internal cycling and transformation of SOM fractions.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reverse selenium stress in Zea mays seedlings by improving plant and soil characteristics

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial trace element for certain animals including humans, while remaining controversial for plants. High Se concentration in soil is toxic to plants especially at seedling stage of the plants. Although, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important for plant stress resistance; but the mechanisms by which AMF alleviate Se stress in crop seedlings are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the potential strategies of AMF symbiosis to alleviate Se stress in maize (Zea mays) from plants and soil perspectives. Results showed that Se stress (Se application level > 5 mg kg−1) significantly inhibited leaf area, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight of maize (P < 0.05). In contrast, AM symbiosis significantly improved root morphology, increased nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition, promoted shoot growth, inhibited the transport of Se from soil/roots to shoots, and then diluted the concentration of Se in shoots (32.65–52.80%). In general, the response of maize growth to AMF was mainly observed in shoots rather than roots. In addition, AMF inoculation significantly increased the easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein and organic matter contents and decreased the availability of soil Se to the plant. Principal component analysis showed that AMF promoted growth and nutrition uptake of maize was the most dominant effect of Se stress alleviation, followed by the decrease of soil Se availability, limiting Se transport from soil/roots to shoots. Moreover, the expression of Se uptake-related ion transporter genes (ZmPht2, ZmNIP2;1, and ZmSultr1;3) in maize roots were down-regulated upon AM symbiosis which resultantly inhibited the uptake and transport of Se from soil to maize roots. Thus, AMF could impede Se stress in maize seedlings by improving plant and soil characteristics.

Effect of using different levels of cassava meal in a concentrate cassava peel diet on chemical composition, in vitro gas production, and rumen fermentation

This study was designed to evaluate effects of using different levels of cassava meal in a concentrate cassava peel diet on chemical composition, in vitro gas production (IVGP) and rumen fermentation. The treatments applied were: A=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (70%)+cassava leaves (5%)+moringa leaves (5%); B=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (60%)+cassava leaves (10%)+moringa leaves (10%); C=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (50%)+cassava leaves (15%)+moringa leaves (15%) cassava meal; D=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (40%)+cassava leaves (20%)+moringa leaves (20%); E=cassava peel (20%)+ cassava meal (30%)+cassava leaves (25%)+moringa leaves (25%) with 3 replications arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD). The result showed that the increasing levels of cassava meal in the ration significantly increased organic matter (OM) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content (P<0.05), but reduced crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. Similarly, a significant increased (P<0.01) were found in values of cumulative in vitro gas production, dry matter and organic matter digestibility, but decreased NH3 concentration (P<0.05) due to the increased of cassava meal. It is concluded that increasing levels of cassava meal in concentrate has led to higher OM content of the ration and being available for rumen fermentation.

On the use of products of the organic matter extraction from coal as a component of fuels

Extraction of the coal organic mass under the influence of organic dissolvent is a method of conversing coal into liquid products. The need for the further development of this technology is associated with the need to search for alternative direct liquefaction and gasification technologies for obtaining alternative fuel products. The paper presents the analysis results of hydrocarbon fractions 112-400 °C, obtained by joint heat treatment of coal and catalytic cracking heavy gas oil according to some quality indicators of traditional fuels. In general, according to some indicators this product is close to boiler fuels. But aromatic hydrocarbons and olefins predominate in the extraction products if we take into account chemical structure. So, it requires their hydrogenation improving.

A Study of Salvaged Cyanobacteria Slurry Treatment Using Liquefied Dimethyl Ether: Dehydration and Organic Matter Extraction

Liquefied dimethyl ether (L-DME) was used to dehydrate salvaged cyanobacteria slurry (SCS) and extract its organic matter. The dehydration rate and organic matter extraction efficiency were determined by mixing L-DME with SCS in a sealed reactor for 0–25 min, and the amount of solvent was 6–39 times that of SCS at a stirring rate of 0–800 rpm. Free water in SCS was removed entirely at an L-DME amount of 9 times, and then bound water was gradually removed with an increase in L-DME dosage, with a final SCS lowest moisture content of 16.64% at an L-DME amount of 39 times. Moreover, L-DME extracted 8.72%–21.15% of the organic matter from SCS, with almost complete lipid extraction. The phosphorus and nitrogen were also extracted because they mainly exist in phospholipids and proteins. Subsequently, the solid residue and liquid product were characterized, with fatty acids and plasticizers found in the liquid product. The dehydration rate and organic matter extraction efficiency were also investigated using ethanol as adjuvant of L-DME, with ethanol serving as an adjuvant. The performance of dehydration and organic matter extraction from SCS using L-DME was evaluated to explore the feasibility of applying this process to SCS treatment.

Evaluation of organic indicators derived from extractable, hydrolysable and macromolecular organic matter in sedimentary tsunami deposits

Due to the high population density and sensitive infrastructures, coastal areas are highly vulnerable to various geohazards such as tsunamis. The impact of tsunamis is traceable in sedimentary archives providing an important tool for reconstructing these events. Here, geochemical and physical evidence of the resulting inundations have been discussed over the last years with increasing interest on identifying and using highly specific tsumanite indicators.To investigate a broader range of potential organic indicators, a multi-tiered geochemical analysis has been applied on tsunami deposit from Japan and Hawaii in this study with the aim to detect and quantify a more comprehensive set of suitable marker compounds. Both areas of investigation differed especially in terms of population and anthropogenic influence. The analyzed fractions of organic matter covered not only the low molecular weight compounds of the extractable and hydrolysable fraction (a part of the non-extractable fraction), but also the macromolecular matter. Three consecutive analytical approaches including extraction, alkaline hydrolysis and pyrolysis have been applied on the sedimentary organic matter to study their potential to contrast between tsunami and non-tsunami layers.The analyses of compound ratios as well as individual concentration profiles in tsunami and non-tsunami layers revealed two parameters, the TARFA (terrigenous to aquatic ratio of fatty acids) and the C29/C27 sterol ratio, which exhibit a high potential to act as tsunamite indicators. Further parameters (TARALK - terrigenous to aquatic ratio of n-alkanes, concentration profiles of long-chain n-aldehydes) showed a minor potential but are worth to be considered in organic geochemical analyses of tsunami affected sediment archives in the future.

Bitumen geochemistry and producibility in the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation shale oil play

In the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation shale oil play, considerable oil fractions are produced directly from C14+ bitumen in place (e.g., extractable organic matter). This paper provides new insights on the geochemistry and producibility of C14+ bitumen by integrating the full process of generation, retention, conversion, expulsion, and production, as a whole, in the Niobrara shale oil system. Hydrocarbons are found not to be generated primarily from kerogen but rather from the secondary conversion of polar compounds. Maturation is essentially the underlying driving force that determines the geochemistry of C14+ bitumen in source rocks. However, the in situ cracking of C14+ bitumen does not occur in chalk reservoirs at the maturity stage investigated (430°C–465°C for the reading temperature at the maximum rate of petroleum generation by Rock-Eval 2 pyrolysis on a solvent-extracted sample). Instead of maturation, the geochemistry of C14+ bitumen present in reservoirs is principally determined by migration and associated fractionation. The intraformational migration has fractionated the generated oil into a higher saturated fluid; therefore, C14+ bitumen accumulated in chalk reservoirs is more producible than that retained in source rocks. In comparison, the bulk fractionation effect associated with production is not as pronounced as that of expulsion. Therefore, the bulk compositions of chalk bitumen strongly resemble those of crude oils. Among the least mobile nitrogen-, sulfur-, and oxygen-containing compounds, N1 species are nevertheless partitioned into crude oils during production, and the molecular weight exhibits a less apparent effect on their producibility than chemical affinity (i.e., aromaticity and aliphaticity). Accordingly, a relative enrichment of C5+ heavier carbazoles into crude oils rather than the lighter C1–5 carbazoles was documented.

Controls on Organic Matter Accumulation of the Triassic Yanchang Formation Lacustrine Shales in the Ordos Basin, North China.

Lacustrine shales in the third submember of the Chang7 (Chang73) of the Triassic Yanchang Formation have the highest oil and gas generation potential in the Ordos Basin, North China. To unravel factors governing organic enrichment within this submember, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, major and trace elemental analyses, and molecular composition of extractable organic matter were applied for redox condition, paleosalinity, dilution effect by terrestrial input, paleoproductivity, and paleoclimate condition investigation. The total organic carbon (TOC) contents of the Chang73 organic-rich lacustrine shales show a tripartite feature and can be divided into the upper organic-rich section (UORS, average TOC 6.8 wt %), the middle organic-lean section (MOLS, average TOC 3.5 wt %), and the lower organic-rich section (LORS, average TOC 6.7 wt %). The variation of the productivity-related paleoclimate is likely the main driving force leading to the change of organic richness within the Chang73 submember. The MOLS was deposited under a relatively hot and arid climate (high Sr/Cu but low Rb/Sr values) with lower paleoproductivity (low Porg/Ti and Porg values). Additionally, clastic dilution may further reduce the TOC content to a certain extent in the MOLS. The UORS and LORS, however, were deposited under a warm and humid climate, which leads to enhancement of chemical weathering (high Ln(Al2O3/Na2O) values), increased nutrient input, and elevated paleoproductivity. Furthermore, paleoproductivity of UORS and LORS was further boosted by additional key nutrients, such as Fe and P2O5, provided by syn-depositional volcanic ash. Both paleoredox (U/Th, Corg/P, and Pr/Ph) and paleosalinity (Sr/Ba, gammacerane index) proxies suggest no noteworthy variation of redox and salinity conditions throughout the Chang73 interval.

Factors that affect physicochemical and acid-base properties of compost and vermicompost and its potential use as a soil amendment

Composting and vermicomposting have attracted attention in relation to both waste management and the potential to produce organic amendments that could improve soil quality. The main differences between compost depend on the feedstock, the production process, and the degree of maturity. In the present study, samples of compost of different origin (food and green waste, livestock waste, algae waste, urban waste or sewage sludge) or subjected to different composting methods (traditional or using earthworms) were collected for analysis. Additionally, samples collected at various stages of the composting process were compared (raw material, 15 and 30 days of composting, and final compost). Different analysis and techniques were used to establish the chemical composition, physicochemical and acid-base properties of compost samples and the organic matter extracts. The correlations obtained (between the abundance of acid groups in different extracts of the compost or between the cation exchange capacity and the C/N atomic ratio) would allow for predicting the compost behaviour based on certain characteristics, and a reduction in the number of parameters determined experimentally, thus facilitating comparisons between different compost. In addition, the potential value of the compost as amendment was tested with a Haplic Cambisol from a mining area. The application of compost increased the pH, the organic matter and nutrient content, and promoted seed germination and root growth.

Effect of dietary black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) on performance, immune status, and serum metabolites of small ruminants: A meta-analysis

A growing number of publications are identified toward the use of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L) on small ruminant animals since many beneficial evidences have been reported in humans and animals. This study used a meta-analysis approach to quantify the effect of black cumin seeds (BCS) supplementation on the productive performance, nutrients utilization, and blood metabolites profile of small ruminant animals. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocols, a total of 23 studies were aggregated in a database and were analyzed using mixed model methodology classifying the studies as random effects and levels of BCS as fixed effects in the models. Results found that interaction between BCS levels and animal species tended to be significant whereas increasing dietary BCS levels linearly increased average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.01, R2 = 0.538) and dry matter intake in lambs (p < 0.01, R2 = 0.958) but had no effect on sheep. Nitrogen (N) intake, and N digested were found to be significantly increased (p < 0.01) as inclusion rates of BCS increased while organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) intakes tended to increased (p < 0.10). In addition to other immune responses, strong positive relationships were found on the increase of concentration of IgA (R2 = 0.922) and IgG (R2 = 0.939) (p < 0.05) in response to increasing BCS supplementation. To conclude, black cumin seeds can be used as a safe and beneficial feed supplement to promote the growth of small ruminant animals such as lambs, sheep, and goats.

Effect of Reduced Dietary Copper Levels Sourced from Organic and Nanoparticles Forms on Performance and Nutrient Utilization in Giriraja Birds

Background: Copper (Cu) is an essential trace mineral for growth, production and health of poultry. Due to its poor absorption from inorganic source which is common supplemental form, large amount of Cu is excreted in the excreta. This experiment was conducted to assess the bioavailability of Cu from organic and nano sources at lower level of supplementation to reduce the excretion level without compromising the growth performance of chicken. Methods: A total of 420-day-old Giriraja chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatment groups having 4 replicates each (15 chicks per replicate). The basal diets of both chick (0-6 weeks) and grower phases (7-10 weeks) were supplemented with 20 and 30 ppm of Cu from inorganic source as control (T1), the groups T2, T3 and T4 supplemented with 100, 75 and 50% of control from organic Cu, T5, T6 and T7 treatment diets supplemented with 75, 50 and 25% of control from Cu nanoparticles, respectively. Result: The grower phase and cumulative body weight gain was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T2 compared to T1, T6 and T7 groups, while the feed intake in chick phase was lower in T2, T5 and T7 groups as compared to T1, T3, T4 and T6. The chick phase feed conversion ratio was significantly (p less than 0.05) better in T2 and T5 groups compared to T1, T3, T4, T6 and T7, whereas the cumulative FCR was better in T2 and T5 compared to T6 and T7 groups, while it was not affected during grower phase. The dry matter and crude protein metabolizability were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T2 and T5, the organic matter and ether extract metabolizability was higher only in T5. The crude fiber and nitrogen free extract was not affected by the treatment diets. Nitrogen excretion was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower and its retention was higher in T2 and T5 treatment groups but was comparable with control. The Cu excretion through excreta was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher and its retention was lower in control as compared to all dietary treatments. Hence, it was concluded that the Cu supplementation from organic or nanoparticles form can be reduced by 50 and 75% of standard, respectively without compromising the growth performance of birds and nutrient digestibility of diets.

Effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on nutrient digestibility and major nutrient transporters in rats fed a high-fat diet.

ScopeThis study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of a new combination of root extracts of the Lepidium meyenii (maca) plant, known for its nutritional and energizing features as well as its antioxidant properties, on nutrient digestibility and nutrient transporters expression.Methods and resultsA total of 28 Sprague‐Dawley rats (8‐week‐old) were divided into four groups: (i) control, (ii) Lepidium m., (iii) high‐fat diet (HFD), and (iv) HFD+Lepidium m. Maca was given to the rats as a powdered combination of the plant roots with a daily dose of 40 mg per kg BW. Maca administration significantly increased the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE), and some nutrient transporter (Pept1/2, Fatp1, Glut1/2, and Sglt1)‐expressions compared with non‐treated control and HFD groups in the jejunum and ileum tissues (p < .0001).ConclusionsMaca supplementation improved the digestibility of nutrients and expressions of nutrient transporters in the small intestine of the rats. These results indicate the positive communication between maca consumption and nutrient absorption in the small intestines of the animals.

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics of the First Member of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Qijia Sag, Northern Songliao Basin, Northeast China: Implication for Its Shale Oil Enrichment

The Qijia Sag, a secondary tectonic unit in the northern Songliao Basin, developed plentiful shale oil resources in the first member of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (K2qn1) as its main target layer. However, the systematic study on the geological and geochemical characteristics of K2qn1 in the sag has not been carried out. Taking the core samples from the SYY1 well covering the whole K2qn1 as the main study object and concerning some relevant intervals from the SYY1HF well and other earlier wells, petrologic features, organic geochemical characteristics, oil-bearing property, and reservoir characteristics of K2qn1 were analyzed in detail. The results show that the lithology of K2qn1 is mainly dark mudstone genera accounting for more than 90% of the formation thickness with few macrostructural fractures, indicating that K2qn1 developing in deep to semideep lacustrine facies of the Qijia Sag belongs to the typical matrix reservoirs for shale oil. According to lithology features and logging curves, K2qn1 can be divided into three submembers consisting of K2qn11, K2qn12, and K2qn13 from above to below. Compared to the K2qn11 submember, the K2qn12 and K2qn13 submembers obviously are more enriched in shale oil, which is supported by the following three aspects: (i) the average TOC (total organic carbon) values of K2qn11, K2qn12, and K2qn13 are 1.96%, 2.42%, and 2.72%, respectively. The organic matter types of K2qn12 and K2qn13 are mainly type I and type II1, while those of K2qn11 are mainly type II1 and type II2. K2qn1 is at the end of the oil window with a R o (vitrinite reflectance) average of 1.26%, and the maturity of K2qn12 and K2qn13 is slightly higher than that of K2qn11. (ii) The average OSI (oil saturation index) values of K2qn11, K2qn12, and K2qn13 are 110.54 mg/g, 171.74 mg/g, and 150.87 mg/g, respectively, which all reach the zone of oil crossover. The saturated hydrocarbon of EOM (extractable organic matter) in K2qn12 and K2qn13 is of higher content than that in K2qn11, while it is the opposite for the aromatic hydrocarbon, nonhydrocarbon, and asphaltene, indicating better oil mobility for K2qn12 and K2qn13. The average oil saturation values of K2qn11, K2qn12, and K2qn13 are 24.77%, 32.86%, and 35.54%, respectively. (iii) The intragranular dissolution pores and organic pores in K2qn12 and K2qn13 are more developed than those in K2qn11. The average effective porosity values of K2qn11, K2qn12, and K2qn13 interpreted from NMR logging are 4.88%, 6.26%, and 5.86%, respectively. Based on the above-mentioned analyses, the lower K2qn12 and the upper K2qn13 are determined as the best intervals of shale oil enrichment for K2qn1 vertically in the Qijia Sag. There is a certain horizontal heterogeneity of TOC, S 1 , and effective porosity in the drilling horizontal section of K2qn1 of the SYY1HF well. Therefore, the lower K2qn12 and the upper K2qn13 in the area with relatively weak horizontal reservoir heterogeneity of the study area should be selected as the preferential targets for shale oil exploration.

Ginger root powder enhanced the growth productivity, digestibility, and antioxidative capacity to cope with the impacts of heat stress in rabbits.

Heat stress is the most significant environmental factor involved in the impairment of the health status of rabbits and lowering their productivity. Using medicinal feed additives is suggested to relieve heat stress-induced oxidative stress in rabbits. The study investigated the possible protective role of ginger root (Zingiber officinale) against heat stress in rabbits. Five week old rabbits were assigned randomly into four groups (48 rabbits each) and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5g ginger powder/kg diet. The temperature and relative humidity inside the rabbitry units were kept at 33.0±5.5°C and 74.5±4.5%, respectively, during 8 weeks fattening period. The results showed that rabbits that received the 7.5g ginger powder/kg supplement had the highest final body weight. Rabbits that received different ginger powder levels recorded lower mortality values during the experimental period compared to that received the control diet, but the differences were not significant (5.0 vs. 10.0%, respectively). Rabbits fed 5.0 and 7.5g ginger diet recorded the best food conversion ratio (P<0.001). The weight of the carcass was significantly increased (P<0.01) by supplementing ginger powder in diets. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and nitrogen free extracts nutrients was increased, but ether extract was significantly decreased (P<0.001) by using ginger powder in diets. The detected blood metabolites displayed increased total protein but decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in rabbits treated with ginger. Rabbits fed 5.0 and 7.5g ginger powder had the highest plasma total antioxidative capacity (TAC) and the lowest (P<0.01) plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration compared to those fed control diet. Conclusively, supplementing ginger powder up to a 5.0g/kg diet for growing rabbits is recommended to improve the growth performance and enhanced viability under heat stress conditions.

Linking Remotely Sensed Carbon and Water Use Efficiencies with In Situ Soil Properties

The capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is expected to be altered by climate change and CO2 fertilization, but this projection is limited by our understanding of how the soil system interacts with plants. Understanding the soil–vegetation interactions is essential to assess the magnitude and response of terrestrial ecosystems to the changing climate. Here, we used soil profile and satellite data to explore the role that soil properties play in regulating water and carbon use by plants. Data obtained for 19 terrestrial ecosystem sites in a warm temperate and humid climate were used to investigate the relationship between remotely sensed data and soil physical and chemical properties. Classification and regression tree results showed that in situ soil carbon isotope (δ13C), and soil order were significant predictors (r2 = 0.39, mean absolute error (MAE) = 0 of 0.175 gC/KgH2O) of remotely sensed water use efficiency (WUE) based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Soil extractable calcium (Ca), and land cover type were significant predictors of remotely sensed carbon use efficiency (CUE) based on MODIS and Landsat data-(r2 = 0.64–0.78, MAE = 0.04–0.06). We used gross primary productivity (GPP) derived from solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) data, based on the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2), to calculate WUE and CUE (referred to as WUESIF and CUESIF, respectively) for our study sites. The regression tree analysis revealed that soil organic matter and soil extractable magnesium (Mg), δ13C, and soil silt content were the important predictors of both WUESIF (r2 = 0.19, MAE = 0.64 gC/KgH2O) and CUESIF (r2 = 0.45, MAE = 0.1), respectively. Our results revealed the importance of soil extractable Ca, soil carbon (S13C is a facet of soil carbon content), and soil organic matter predicting CUE and WUE. Insights gained from this study highlighted the importance of biotic and abiotic factors regulating plant and soil interactions. These types of data are timely and critical for accurate predictions of how terrestrial ecosystems respond to climate change.

PAHs in feed coals and fly ashes from coal-fired thermal power plants in Bulgaria

The first thorough study of PAHs in feed coals and FAs from combustion in six Bulgarian TPPs was done. Since coal-derived FAs are applied to many targets, it is imperative to enhance the knowledge for their geochemical composition and environmental impact. The gap of information on PAHs in feed coals and coal-derived FAs has outlined the aim of the study: (i) to compare by geochemical proxy PAHs in feed coals and FAs generated in six Bulgarian TPPs; (ii) to track the changes in PAHs compositions with feed coal ranks and in different ESP rows; and (iii) to estimate the potential toxicity of FAs (if any). Extractable organic matter (EOM) was prepared. PAHs were isolated in aromatic fractions and quantified in μg/kg. The total PAHs for lignite feed coal are in the range 400–530 μg/kg and for FAs 0.30–12.60 μg/kg: for subbituminous feed coal, they are 4000 μg/kg, and for FAs, 1.10–32.50 μg/kg. For bituminous feed coals, they are - 860 μg/kg and 9305 μg/kg, and for FAs from both TPPs, they are several times lower, from 69.4 μg/kg to 103.3 μg/kg, for the five ESP rows of Varna TPP and from 100.4 to 182.20 μg/kg, for the three rows of ESPs of Russe TPP. The EOM for low rank feed coals is strongly dominated by coal biomarkers, i.e., perylene and phenyl substituted PAHs. Therefore, calculations and ratios based on PAHs compositions are done only for bituminous feed coals and their FAs. Combustion has resulted in a regular shift to lighter PAHs compared to the signature PAHs of feed coals. PAHs distributions in FAs are dominated by phenanthrene. Distribution profiles according to the number of aromatic cycles (R) in PAHs are dominated by three-ring (3R) PAHs > four-ring (4R) PAHs. Only in the last row of ESP from the Varna TPP is there evidence for the presence of heavier PAH, five-ring (5R) benzo[g,h,i]fluoranthene, trapped by the finest particulate matter. Relatively low PAHs concentrations determined for FAs are compared with the values for PAHs in soils according to the Bulgarian regulation.