XIII.—A Chemical Examination of the Organic Matter in Oil-Shales

1914 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 190-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Robertson

Investigations into the nature of the organic matter in oil-shales began at the time of the famous Torbanehill case in 1854, when experts attempted to settle the question as to whether the substance known as “ Torbanite ” or “ Boghead Mineral” was a coal or an oil-shale. Several witnesses at the trial (Gillespie v. Russel, Session Papers, 1854) maintained that the oilproducing material in the Mineral was of organic origin, while others pronounced it to be bituminous and produced by subaqueous eruptions. T. S. Traill, M.D., proposed for the Boghead Mineral the name “ Bitumenite,” as it seemed to him to “ consist of much bitumen, mingled with earthy matter” (Trans. Roy. 8oc. Edin., 1857, xxi. p. 7). Dr Redfern (Quart. Jonrn. Micros. Soc, 1855, x. pp. 118-119), on the other hand, supposed the round orange-yellow bodies which occur in torbanite to have had their origin in "“ a mass of vegetable cells and tissues which have been disintegrated and otherwise changed by maceration, pressure, and chemical action, and subsequently solidified."” C. E. Bertrand and B. Renault (Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Autun, 1892-3) on microscopic examination have classed these bodies as the remains of gelatinous algae which have been altered by bacterial action.

1867 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 256-258 ◽  

The two most recent theories dealing with the physical constitution of the sun are due to M. Faye and to Messrs. De la Rue, Balfour Stewart, and Loewy. The chief point of difference in these two theories is the explanation given by each of the phenomena of sun-spots. Thus, according to M. Faye, the interior of the sun is a nebulous gaseous mass of feeble radiating-power, at a temperature of dissociation; the photosphere is, on the other hand, of a high radiating-power, and at a temperature sufficiently low to permit of chemical action. In a sunspot we see the interior nebulous mass through an opening in the photosphere, caused by an upward current, and the sun-spot is black, by reason of the feeble radiating-power of the nebulous mass.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Dušan Šrank ◽  
Vladimír Šimanský

The effort to achieve the sustainable farming system in arable soil led to the intensive search for a new solution but an inspiration can also be found in the application of traditional methods of soil fertility improvement as it is shown in numerous examples in history. Recently many scientific teams have focused their attention on the evaluation of biochar effects on soil properties and crop yields. Since there are a lot of knowledge gaps, especially in explanations how biochar can affect soil organic matter (SOM) and humus substances, we aimed this study at the solution of these questions. Therefore, the objective of the experiment was to evaluate the impact of two biochar substrates (B1 – biochar blended with sheep manure, and B2 – biochar blended with sheep manure and the residue from the biogas station) at two rates (10 and 20 t ha-1) applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers (Urea was applied in 2018, at rate 100 kg ha-1, and Urea at rate 100 kg ha-1 + AMOFOS NP 12-52 at 100 kg ha-1 were applied in 2019) on the quantity and quality of SOM and humus of sandy soil (Arenosol, Dolná Streda, Slovakia). The results showed that application of the biochar substrates together with mineral fertilizers (MF) had more pronounced effect on the organic matter mineralization in the sandy soil which resulted in low accumulation of soil organic carbon (Corg) and labile carbon compared to biochar substrates treatments without MF. The share of humic substances in Corg significantly decreased by 16, 50, 16 and 24% in B1 at 10 t ha-1, B1 at 20 t ha-1, B2 at 10 t ha-1 and B2 at 20 t ha-1 treatments, respectively, compared to the control. A similar tendency was observed for biochar substrates treatments + MF, compared to MF control. The carbon content of humic substances (CHS) was equal to 4.40 – 5.80 g kg-1 and the biochar substrates had statistically significant influence on CHS content. On average, there was a smaller decrease of CHS in B1 at rate 10 t ha-1 than at rate 20 t ha-1 and no effect of B2 compared to control. The carbon content of fulvic acid (CFA) was 9% higher in B1 at 10 t ha-1, and 20 t ha-1, 47% higher in B2 at 10 t ha-1 and 17% higher in B2 at 20 t ha-1 compared to control. As a result of biochar substrates + MF application, the reduction in CFA was observed. The results showed a decrease of CHA : CFA ratio with association to biochar substrates alone application compared to control on one hand, and a wider of CHA : CFA ratio in biochar substrates + MF treatments in comparison to MF control on the other hand. Humus stability was increased in biochar substrates alone treatments compared to control, on the other hand, compared to MF control, the application of biochar substrates + MF resulted in a lower humus stability.


Nuncius ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 442-463
Author(s):  
Domenico Laurenza

Abstract The paper examines how images, technological-artistic knowledge and theories interacted with each other in early modern geology. Casting techniques provided Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) with an analogical model for the study of fossils, which he expounded using only texts and theories, not images. For painter Agostino Scilla, on the other hand, images of fossils and animals (La Vana speculazione disingannata dal senso, Napoli, 1670) were the key-feature of his approach, intentionally limited to the external aspects of the specimen, the very domain of the painter. Theories and microscopic examination of the internal aspects orientated Robert Hooke’s visual comparisons in Micrographia (London, 1665), aimed at demonstrating the organic origin of fossils, while, in the same period, visual comparisons were used to support opposite interpretations of fossils as well, like in the case of Francesco Stelluti.


1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Hutton ◽  
A.J. Kantsler ◽  
A.C. Cook ◽  
D.M. McKirdy

The Tertiary oil-shale deposits at Rundle in Queensland and of the Green River Formation in the western USA, together with Mesozoic deposits such as those at Julia Creek in Queensland, offer prospects of competitive recovery cost through the use of large-scale mining methods or the use of in situ processing.A framework for the classification of oil shales is proposed, based on the origin and properties of the organic matter. The organic matter in most Palaeozoic oil shales is dominantly large, discretely occurring algal bodies, referred to as alginite A. However, Tertiary oil shales of northeastern Australia are chiefly composed of numerous very thin laminae of organic matter cryptically-interbedded with mineral matter. Because the present maceral nomenclature does not adequately encompass the morphological and optical properties of most organic matter in oil shales, it is proposed to use the term alginite B for finely lamellar alginite, and the term lamosites (laminated oil shales) for oil shales which contain alginite B as their dominant organic constituent. In the Julia Creek oil shale the organic matter is very fine-grained and contains some alginite B but has a higher content of alginite A and accordingly is assigned to a suite of oil shales of mixed origin.Petrological and chemical techniques are both useful in identifying the nature and diversity of organic matter in oil shales and in assessing the environments in which they were formed. Such an understanding is necessary to develop exploration concepts for oil shales.


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimír Šimanský

Abstract The effect of different fire severity on the changes of the soil organic matter (SOM) and soil structure was evaluated. Soil samples were collected (May 2010) in the locality of Nitra-Dražovce (Slovakia) from the following plots: 1) control (unburned place), 2) low severity of fire and 3) higher severity of fire. The results showed that the content of water-stable microaggregates (WSAmi) increased by 20% in the area with a low severity of fire, but on the other hand, it decreased by 42% in the area with the higher severity of fire in comparison to control. The higher severity of fire resulted in a decrease of smaller size fractions of water-stable macroaggregates (WSAma) (0.5−0.25) and a low severity of fire resulted in the decrease of WSAma 2−0.5 mm. On the other hand, the content of WSAma in the size fraction >5 mm was higher by 54% and by 32% in the lower and higher severity of fire, respectively, than in unburned soil. The higher severity of fire had a more positive effect on increases of the structure coefficient and coefficient of aggregate stability, as well as on the decrease of the vulnerability coefficient compared to the low severity of fire. After burning, the contents of soil organic carbon (Corg) and labile carbon were significantly increased by the severity of fire. However, the low severity of fire affected more markedly the increase of hot water-soluble and cold water-soluble carbon than the higher severity of fire. After burning and due to the severity of fire, both the carbon of humic and carbon of fulvic acids ratios and SOM stability increased. The parameters of SOM due to fire significantly increased also in WSA with the least changes in WSAmi. The results showed that a low severity of fire increased Corg mainly in WSAma >2mm and WSAmi, whereas high severity fire increased Corg content in the smaller fraction of WSAma.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chem Int

The objective of present research was to characterize the surface soils located at 300, 600 and 1000 m of an uncontrolled landfill. The work also aims to evaluate the levels and spatial distribution of metallic trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co and As) in these soils. Soil samples were collected in 36 points around the landfill. Results showed that Cd, Pb, Zn are concentrated in the soils rich in clay and carbonates, and in organic matter, located at 300 m from the landfill. The basic pH of all soils enhances the retention of these metals. On the other hand, As present in soils at 300, 600 and 1000 m at concentrations slightly higher than those of referenced soils were apparently mobilized by water from the solid/water interfaces. The other metals Cu, Ni, Co, Cr are present at very low concentrations.


1988 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 530-537
Author(s):  
Mariko ISHIWATARI ◽  
Haru SAKASHITA ◽  
Takashi TATSUMI ◽  
Koichi ADACHI ◽  
Mitushiro ADACHI ◽  
...  

The following experiments were carried out in the year 1905. Taking a simple voltaic cell, consisting of an anode and cathode of zinc and carbon, and an electrolyte of dilute sulphuric acid, it was found that polarisation, which takes place when the cell is joined to a local circuit of low resistance, could be diminished or completely abolished, by passing through the cell an alternating current of suitable value. Fig. 1 illustrates the arrangement of the cell, D, joined up to deliver current through the ampèremeter, B; under these conditions the cell is very quickly polarised, and the continuous current falls to a very low figure. On the other hand, if a suitable strength of alternating current of. say, 100 periods per second is sent through the cell from the leads A, the cell D will be completely depolarised and will give its full current delivery. L is a self-induction and K a capacity to prevent the alternating and continuous currents from flowing in each other's circuit, the only part of the circuit common to both being through the cell.


2019 ◽  
Vol 98 ◽  
pp. 02009
Author(s):  
Wen Qiao ◽  
Huaming Guo ◽  
Quan Shi ◽  
Bo Zhao

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in both high As groundwater and low As groundwater were sampled from the Hetao basin and characterized by FT-ICR-MS for OM molecular characteristics. Results show that the greater number of molecular formulas was identified in DOM of high As groundwater (5125), compared to the number in DOM of low As groundwater (3603). Among them, lignins and aromatic structures were the most abundant compounds in both high As groundwater and low As groundwater, with 4434 formulas and 2944 formulas identified, respectively. The number of biodegradable compounds (aliphatic/proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) was less in high As groundwater (197) than that in low As groundwater (279). Higher proportion of lignins and aromatic structures (86.5%) would lead to complexation between As and DOM, which enhanced As mobility. On the other hand, higher proportion of lignins and aromatic structures and lower proportion of bioavailable compounds in high As groundwater supported the hypothesis that more bioavailable compounds were consumed and resulted in the enrichment of lignins and aromatic structures and As release into groundwater.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 496
Author(s):  
Xue Zheng ◽  
Baruch Spiro ◽  
Zuozhen Han

Coal and oil shale are both organic matter-rich sedimentary rocks. However, their sources of organic matter and their depositional environments are different. The present study focuses on the Palaeogene Lijiaya Formation sequence in the Huangxian Basin, Shandong Province, East China, which has oil shales showing marine geochemical indicators overlain by coals indicating marine regression. We investigated the C1 coal seam and underlying OS2 oil shale layers, compared their geochemical and mineralogical characteristics, clarified the details of their constituents, in order to elucidate the features of their sources, their depositional environments, and the post depositional processes in the context of the geological evolution of the basin. The Al2O3/TiO2 (18.1–64.9) and TiO2/Zr ratios (28.2–66.5) in the C1 coals and OS2 oil shales, respectively, suggest a felsic to intermediate source, and the Mesozoic granite on the South of Huangxian Fault may be one of the provenances of these sediments. The low sulphur content (0.53–0.59%) and low Sr/Ba ratios (0.32–0.67) suggest a freshwater depositional environment for the C1 coals. In contrast, the higher total sulphur contents (0.60–1.44%), the higher Sr/Ba ratios (0.31–1.11%), and the occurrence of calcareous shells, indicate seawater intrusions during deposition of the oil shales. The V/Ni, V/(V + Ni), and V/Cr ratios of the OS2 oil shale suggest oxic to suboxic conditions with a distinct change in palaeo-redox between the lower and upper parts of OS2 seam. The high boron contents in C1 coals (average, 504 ppm) is related to the high content of analcime (with the correlation coefficient of 0.96), and the high concentration of boron was attributed to a secondary enrichment by epigenetic hydrothermal solutions. The occurrence of idiomorphic-authigenic albite in association with analcime and quartz in veins in the coals suggests that albite is a product of a reaction between analcime and silica, both of volcanic origin. The reaction takes place at about 190 °C, indicating that the area was affected by hydrothermal fluids.


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