Stable Isotope Geochemistry of Paleocene to Early Eocene Strata around Southern New Zealand

<p>The Late Teurian (Paleocene) Tartan Formation is an organic-rich mudstone that has been identified in five of the eight exploration wells drilled in the Great South Basin, and three of four exploration wells drilled in the Canterbury Basin. In this study, the geochemistry of two wells from the Great South Basin (Pukaki-1 and Rakiura-1) and four wells from the Canterbury Basin in southern New Zealand (Resolution-1, Clipper-1, Galleon-1, and Endeavour-1) have been investigated using elemental analyser isotope ratio mass spectrometric (EA-IRMS) analyses on selected sidewall core and cuttings samples. This study builds on previous geochemical work by the author from five other wells from the Great South Basin (Takapu-1A, Toroa-1, Pakaha-1, Kawau-1A, and Hoiho-1C). All wells except Rakiura-1, Takapu-1A, and Resolution-1 showed geochemical characteristics that allowed recognition of the Tartan Formation. The formation is characterised by enrichments in TOC (typically above 3%) and 13C (generally delta13C ratios are between -21 and -17 per 1000), indicating a significant marine contribution. C/N ratios recorded within the Tartan Formation are all above 20, which suggest that the organic matter contains a significant contribution from terrestrial and/or altered marine material. Geochemical evidence of samples within the Tartan Formation suggests that it contains a mixture of marine bacterial/plant/algal and C3 terrestrial plant source components. This is consistent with the findings of Killops et al. (2000), who reported from biomarker studies that the organic matter of some Great South Basin samples contained organic matter derived from a marine source with varying degrees of terrestrial contribution. The Tartan Formation is distinct from enclosing formations which are characterised by low organic contents (generally below 2%), isotopically light delta13C values (typically around -26 per 1000), which is indicative of terrestrial C3 plant matter, and a wide range of C/N ratios (ranging from 4 to 64). The latter suggests that there were varying degrees of preservation of the deposited organic matter within these formations. Organic matter within enclosing formations appears to be derived from a combination of C3 land plants and marine material. The high TOC content of Tartan Formation sediments compared to the underlying formation suggests that it represents a profound change in depositional conditions. Conditions for the preservation and accumulation of organic matter were more favorable prior to deposition of the Tartan Formation than following it. The enrichment of 13C and the high TOC contents within the Tartan Formation are similar to those for the mid to Late Teurian Waipawa Formation that has been identified throughout many of New Zealand's major sedimentary basins; however, TOC and delta13C values for the Tartan Formation exceed those previously reported for the Waipawa Formation. Geochemical changes characteristic of the Tartan Formation are recognised below the lithological base of the formation in some wells, contemporaneous with the onset of the Paleocene Carbon Isotope Maximum (PCIM), and represent different lithostratigraphic expressions of that event. Termination of the environmental effects associated with the PCIM around New Zealand appears to have been diachronous and differences between the exact ages and stratigraphic positions of the Tartan and Waipawa formations are attributed to local environmental variations during deposition. TOC and delta13C enrichments associated with the Tartan Formation are not ubiquitous, and the formation has variable thickness throughout the Great South and Canterbury basins. It is concluded that the Tartan and Waipawa formations are correlatives.</p>

Stable Isotope Geochemistry of Paleocene to Early Eocene Strata around Southern New Zealand

<p>The Late Teurian (Paleocene) Tartan Formation is an organic-rich mudstone that has been identified in five of the eight exploration wells drilled in the Great South Basin, and three of four exploration wells drilled in the Canterbury Basin. In this study, the geochemistry of two wells from the Great South Basin (Pukaki-1 and Rakiura-1) and four wells from the Canterbury Basin in southern New Zealand (Resolution-1, Clipper-1, Galleon-1, and Endeavour-1) have been investigated using elemental analyser isotope ratio mass spectrometric (EA-IRMS) analyses on selected sidewall core and cuttings samples. This study builds on previous geochemical work by the author from five other wells from the Great South Basin (Takapu-1A, Toroa-1, Pakaha-1, Kawau-1A, and Hoiho-1C). All wells except Rakiura-1, Takapu-1A, and Resolution-1 showed geochemical characteristics that allowed recognition of the Tartan Formation. The formation is characterised by enrichments in TOC (typically above 3%) and 13C (generally delta13C ratios are between -21 and -17 per 1000), indicating a significant marine contribution. C/N ratios recorded within the Tartan Formation are all above 20, which suggest that the organic matter contains a significant contribution from terrestrial and/or altered marine material. Geochemical evidence of samples within the Tartan Formation suggests that it contains a mixture of marine bacterial/plant/algal and C3 terrestrial plant source components. This is consistent with the findings of Killops et al. (2000), who reported from biomarker studies that the organic matter of some Great South Basin samples contained organic matter derived from a marine source with varying degrees of terrestrial contribution. The Tartan Formation is distinct from enclosing formations which are characterised by low organic contents (generally below 2%), isotopically light delta13C values (typically around -26 per 1000), which is indicative of terrestrial C3 plant matter, and a wide range of C/N ratios (ranging from 4 to 64). The latter suggests that there were varying degrees of preservation of the deposited organic matter within these formations. Organic matter within enclosing formations appears to be derived from a combination of C3 land plants and marine material. The high TOC content of Tartan Formation sediments compared to the underlying formation suggests that it represents a profound change in depositional conditions. Conditions for the preservation and accumulation of organic matter were more favorable prior to deposition of the Tartan Formation than following it. The enrichment of 13C and the high TOC contents within the Tartan Formation are similar to those for the mid to Late Teurian Waipawa Formation that has been identified throughout many of New Zealand's major sedimentary basins; however, TOC and delta13C values for the Tartan Formation exceed those previously reported for the Waipawa Formation. Geochemical changes characteristic of the Tartan Formation are recognised below the lithological base of the formation in some wells, contemporaneous with the onset of the Paleocene Carbon Isotope Maximum (PCIM), and represent different lithostratigraphic expressions of that event. Termination of the environmental effects associated with the PCIM around New Zealand appears to have been diachronous and differences between the exact ages and stratigraphic positions of the Tartan and Waipawa formations are attributed to local environmental variations during deposition. TOC and delta13C enrichments associated with the Tartan Formation are not ubiquitous, and the formation has variable thickness throughout the Great South and Canterbury basins. It is concluded that the Tartan and Waipawa formations are correlatives.</p>

Observations of Gas-Phase Alkylamines at a Coastal Site in the East Mediterranean Atmosphere

Atmospheric amines are ubiquitous compounds in the atmosphere, having both natural and anthropogenic origin. Recently, they have been identified as important contributors to new particle formation in the atmosphere, but observations of their atmospheric concentrations are scarce. In the present study we introduce the first systematic long-term observations of gas-phase amines measurements in the East Mediterranean atmosphere. Air samples were collected at the Finokalia monitoring station of the University of Crete during a 3.5-year period from January 2013 to July 2016, and analyzed after extraction using a high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The detected alkylamines were the sum of dimethylamine and ethylamine (DMA+EA), trimethylamine (TMA), diethylamine (DEA) and triethylamine (TEA). DMA+EA and TMA were the most abundant alkylamines, with concentrations spanning from the detection limit to 78.0 and 69.8 pptv, and average concentrations of 7.8 ± 12.1 and 7.5 ± 12.4 pptv, respectively. Amines showed pronounced seasonal variability with DMA+EA and TMA concentrations being higher in winter. Statistical analysis of the observations showed different sources for each of the studied amines, except for DMA+ΕA and DEA that appear to have common sources in the region. This analysis points to a marine source of TMA and animal husbandry in the area as a potential source of TEA. None of the alkylamines is correlated with other anthropogenic sources. Furthermore, no clear association was found between the seasonality of NPF events and alkylamines concentrations, while a clear correlation was detected between the seasonality of nucleation mode particle (dp < 25 nm) number concentrations and alkylamine concentrations, indicating that amines may contribute to nucleation mode particles’ production.

Evaluation of wound healing potential of a sea cucumber (Actinopyga mauritiana) extract in mice (Mus musculus)

Sea cucumbers are a marine source with biological activities that have been used in food as well as medicine in many Asian countries. Actinopyga mauritiana is one of the sea cucumber species with limited research about its bioactive activities. In this study, the wound healing activity of A. mauritiana extract in the form of cream, gel, and serum formulations in mice was investigated. The histopathology test was performed to evaluate the fibroblast and collagen dense levels in wound healing. Phytochemical screening has been carried out by the qualitative test of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, and saponins compounds. The A. mauritiana ethanol extract (SCAE) was added into cream, gel and serum formulations with various concentrations (3, 6, and 9%) and applied to the wounded area of mice. The wound healing activities and histopathology results indicated that serum 9%-SCAE performed the highest decrease of wound length 0.55 ± 0.32 compared to other groups with a density level of fibroblast and collagen are 10.00 ± 1.00 and 10.67 ± 0.00, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the wound healing activity of A.Mauritiana, which demonstrated promising therapeutic agents for wound healing and cosmetics applications in the future.

Source rock characterization and oil grouping in the NW Java, Central Java and NE Java Basins, Indonesia

This study reveals the detailed organic geochemistry from crude oils (acquired from wells and seepages) and rock extracts from NW Java and NE Java Basin that have been gathered and compiled from previous publications. The interpretation was conducted from geochemical data value and plot, GC-MS fingerprints, and agglomerative-hierarchical cluster analysis using the Euclidean algorithm. Various source rocks from those basins were deposited under fluvio-lacustrine to the marine environment. Six groups of crude oils are also distinguished. Groups 1, 2, and 6 are oils from deltaic source rocks, Groups 3 and 4 are oils from marine source rocks, and Group 5 is from lacustrine and/or fluvio-lacustrine source rocks. Groups 1, 2, and 6 could be distinguished from the pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratio and C29 sterane composition, while Groups 3 and 4 differ from the distribution of C27 sterane. The schematic depositional environment of source rocks is also generated from this study and suggests that Group 5 is deposited during early syn-rift non-marine settings, while the remaining groups are deposited in the deltaic (Group 1,2 and 6) and marine settings (Groups 3 and 4). The main differences between those groups are including the distributions of C27-C28-C29 steranes.

A brief review on conventional methods for screening, product development, downstream and evaluation of fibrinolytic enzymes from marine microbes

The ocean is a great reservoir of biodiversity and microbial metabolites. Enzymes from marine source have recently gained considerable attention as they have lower side effects and more potency when compared to other existing sources. Fibrinolytic enzymes from microbial sources possess ability to dissolve clots and help to circumvent cardiovascular problems in more efficient and safer way. The complexity of the marine environment involves high salinity, high pressure, low temperature, special lighting conditions. This contributes to the significant differences between the enzymes generated by marine microorganisms and homologous enzymes from terrestrial microorganisms leading to the boosted marine microbial enzyme technology. Further, it is believed that sea water, which is saline in nature and chemically closer to the human blood plasma, could provide biomolecules, in particular enzymes that could have lower or no toxicity or side effects when used for therapeutic applications. However, only a small proportion of fibrinolytic enzymes from marine microbiota has been examined and an even smaller proportion has been exploited. Therefore, much work needs to be done intensively and extensively in terms of potent fibrinolytic enzymes from marine resources.

Marine-Source Quorum Quenching Enzyme YtnP to Improve Hygiene Quality in Dental Units

Biofilm in dental unit water lines may pose a health risk to patients and dental practitioners. An AdiC-like quorum quenching enzyme, YtnP, was cloned from a deep-sea probiotic Bacillus velezensis, and heterologously expressed in E. coli to examine the application on the improvement of hygiene problems caused by biofilm infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dental units. Pseudomonas bacteria were isolated from dental chair units and used to grow static biofilms in the laboratory. A water filter system was designed to test the antifouling activity of YtnP in Laboratory, to simulate the biofilm contamination on water filter in dental unit water lines. The results demonstrated that the enzyme of YtnP was able to degrade the N-acyl homoserine lactones, significantly inhibited the EPS generation, biofilm formation, and virulence factors production (pyocyanin and rhamnolipid) of P. aeruginosa, and was efficient on the antifouling against P. aeruginosa. The findings in this study indicated the possibility of YtnP as novel disinfectant reagent for hygiene treatment in dental units.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF β-AGARASE PRODUCED BY SPHINGOMONAS PAUCIMOBILIS, A MARINE BACTERIUM

Agarases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of agar. The present study was carried out to isolate the agar degrading microorganisms from marine source. The characterization of agar degrading organism was done by VITEK 2.0 automated instrument, which confirmed the sample as Spinghomonas paucimobilis by a set of 64 biochemical tests. Production of agarase, an extracellular enzyme was done in mineral salt broth with agar and the enzyme was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined by SDS-PAGE method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis was done to authenticate the degree of degradation of agar. The presence of agarase gene was targeted using the required primers and amplified by Polymerase chain reaction. Also the study addresses the problem of solid waste generation of agar waste by any microbiological laboratories and industries.