Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Calotropis gigantea and its characterization using UV-Vis Spectroscopy

The use of Calotropis gigantea from Ie Seu-Um, Aceh Besar geothermal area for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized has been reported. The process of synthesis AgNPs can be carried out with chemical methods, physical methods, and green synthesis methods, but in this study, the process is focused on the green synthesis method using C. gigantea flowers and leaves extract from Ie Seu-Um geothermal area, Aceh Besar. Phytochemical analysis showed that C. gigantea leaves contain alkaloids, steroids, tannins, phenolics, and saponins, while the flowers of C. gigantea contain alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, and saponins. The reaction of the AgNPs formation was observed by colour change formed. AgNPs-C. gigantea flower extract dan AgNPs-C. gigantea leaves extract showed the reddish-brown and brownish-yellow solution respectively after 48 h incubation in dark condition at room temperature. The result of the reaction characterized using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry showed that the phenomenon of Surface plasmone resonance (SPR) occurs in the mixture of nanoparticles formed. The concentration of AgNO3 as a reagent affected the SPR phenomenon. The result showed that particles formed are the same size and shape.

Interpretation of Subsurface Fault Through Multi-Level Second Vertical Derivative Gravitational Data in Bittuang Geothermal Working Area, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The research was conducted in Bittuang, Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi Province, as one of the geothermal prospect areas and targets for the initial stage of the Government exploration drilling program for the 2020-2024 period. One aspect of geothermal is the manifestation control structure as a fluid migration path from below the surface. Therefore, identification of existing structures in the Bittuang geothermal area was carried out and confirmed the surface geological structure contained in the Bittuang geothermal geological map. In determining the presence of a fault and knowing its characteristics such as the type of fault, the direction of the dip, and the magnitude of the dip of the fault, the gravity data is processed using the multi-level second vertical derivative (ML-SVD) method. To strengthen the interpretation, the results from the ML-SVD were matched with the data from the horizontal gradient (HG) method and the geological data of the structure of the study area. From this process, there are 27 faults in the Bittuang geothermal area, two of which are indicated as controlling faults for the manifestation of the Balla group and the Cepeng group. This research is expected to describe faults in the Bittuang geothermal area, which can support detailed exploration activities.

Geochemical Characteristics of Hydrothermal Volatiles From Southeast China and Their Implications on the Tectonic Structure Controlling Heat Convection

Hot springs and igneous rocks are present widely in southeast China, influenced by the subduction of the Western Pacific and Philippine Sea Plates. This study reports on new data of chemical compositions and He–Ne–C isotopes for gas samples from representative hot springs and wells in the Guangdong and Fujian provinces to identify the origin of hydrothermal volatiles and provide insight into geothermal tectonic affinities. The primary hydrothermal volatile component from southeast China is atmospheric N2, with a volumetric percentage of 82.19%–98.29%. It indicates medium-low temperature geothermal systems where geothermal fluids suffered a shallow circulation in closed fracture systems. Low CO2 and CH4 contents and their depleted δ13C values confirmed the small number of deep-derived components in the study area. However, spatially discernible geochemical characteristics imply enhanced hydrothermal fluid convection in the adjacent area of the two provinces, including the Fengshun, Zhangzhou, Longyan, and Sanming geothermal fields. Specifically, the He–Ne isotopes from this area exhibit mantle He contribution of more than 10% and mantle heat flow accounts for more than half of the total heat flow. Moreover, according to the thermal background calculations, the highest heat flow value of 77.7 mW/m2 is indicated for the Zhangzhou geothermal area and the lowest value of 54.7 mW/m2 is indicated for the Maoming geothermal area. Given the epicenter distributions and the corresponding earthquake magnitudes, the NE-trending faults are heat-control tectonic structures and their intersections with the NW-trending faults provided expedite channels for geothermal fluids rising to the surface. Therefore, the preferred development potential of geothermal resources can be expected in the adjacent area of the two provinces where two sets of active faults crossed. This study provides critical information on understanding the geothermal distribution controlled by the tectonic structure in southeast China.

Study of Medicinal Plants in the Geothermal Area of Mount Seulawah Agam, Aceh Besar District, Indonesia

The area of mount Seulawah Agam is an area of active volcano paths that impact the appearance of volcanic symptoms, that will affect the species of plants that grow in the area. This study aims to determine the potential of medicinal plant species and their diversity in the geothermal area of Seulawah Agam, Aceh Besar district. The data collection was carried out using multiple square plots placed using stratified sampling based on the soil temperature zone at a predetermined. Each area is set on four impartial actions in systematic random. The name of the species and its individual quantity of each potential plant was documented and analyzed accordingly. Then, they were analyzed based on scientific journals and identification books for medicinal plants. Data analysis was performed using importance value index and Diversity Index. The study found there were 32 species of 21 families of medicinal plants were identified started from the growth rates of seedlings, saplings, poles, and trees. The medicinal plants' diversity index analysis at each growth rate is classified into the medium category. Based on literature studies, plants' parts are commonly used as medicines such as leaves roots, sap, bark, and flowers. Utilization can be used to treat a variety of diseases and illnesses, as well as a parasitic infection. The result shows that the geothermal area of Seulawah Agam in Aceh Besar district has excellent resources and potential for medicinal plants that become used for the benefit of the surrounding community: they need to be maintained so that they still be beneficial for future generations.

Diversity and Distribution of Culturable Thermus Species in Terrestrial Hot Springs of Southwestern Yunnan Province in China

The Yunnan geothermal area has many neutral and alkalescent thermal springs. Members of the genus Thermus have been found in thermal environments. In this study, we attempted to cultivate numerically abundant Thermus species using a variety of different strategies. A total of 223 strains of Thermus-like bacteria were isolated from seventeen hot spring samples of four geothermal regions (Baoshan, Dali, Lincang and Dehong). These strains were classified into two genera, Thermus and Meiothermus, based on 16S rDNA. The optimal isolation temperature of the Thermus genus was 63–70 °C. The highest Thermus diversity was found at 63 °C. Thermus brockianus was a universal culturable bacterium in the four geothermal regions. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that T. oshimai preferred to inhabit the hot springs of the Baoshan (Bs) geothermal region, and T. amyloliquefaciens dominated the Dali (Dl) geothermal region, whereas T. tengchongensis accumulated in the Lincang (Lc) and Dehong (Dh) geothermal regions. The results suggested that Thermus species had habitat-preferable characteristics among the four geothermal regions. The findings may help identify the niche from which Thermus strains can likely be isolated.