Establishment of human cerebral organoid systems to model early neural development and assess the central neurotoxicity of environmental toxins

Human brain development is a complex process,and animal models often have significant limitations.To address this,researchers have developed pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional structures,known as brain-like organoids,to more accurately model early human brain development and disease.To enable more consistent and intuitive reproduction of early brain development,in this study,we incorporated forebrain organoid culture technology into the traditional unguided method of brain organoid culture.This involved embedding organoids in matrigel for only 7 days during the rapid expansion phase of the neural epithelium and then removing them from the matrigel for further cultivation,resulting in a new type of human brain organoid system.This cerebral organoid system replicated the temporospatial characteristics of early human brain development,including neuroepithelium derivation,neural progenitor cell production and maintenance,neuron differentiation and migration,and cortical layer patterning and formation,providing more consistent and reproducible organoids for developmental modeling and toxicology testing.As a proof of concept,we applied the heavy metal cadmium to this newly improved organoid system to test whether it could be used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of environmental toxins.Brain organoids exposed to cadmium for 7 or 14 days manifested severe damage and abnormalities in their neurodevelopmental patterns,including bursts of cortical cell death and premature differentiation.Cadmium exposure caused progressive depletion of neural progenitor cells and loss of organoid integrity,accompanied by compensatory cell proliferation at ectopic locations.The convenience,flexibility,and controllability of this newly developed organoid platform make it a powerful and affordable alternative to animal models for use in neurodevelopmental,neurological,and neurotoxicological studies.

Environmental Isotopes Study on Geothermal Water in Guanzhong Basin,Shaanxi Province

There exists abundant thermal water recourses in Guanzhong basin, Shaanxi province (northwestern China). With the deepening of exploitation for thermal aquifer nowadays, the information about the origin and movement of thermal water is limited by using traditional methods. This paper applies environmental isotope techniques to offer direct constraints on the recharge and movement of thermal water and improve the geological and hydrogeological data- base in Guanzhong Basin. The research on the environmental isotopes shows that the geothermal water of the area is mainly recharged by meteoric water. The temperature of meteoric water which replenishes geothermal water in the study area is -16 ℃. The estimated age of recharging the geothermal water is 13.3-28.2 ka based on the isotope analysis, belonging to the last glacial period in Late Quaternary. The source of replenishment of the geothermal water is thought to have been derived from glacial snow-melt water with an elevation higher than 1 500 m (ASL) in the north side of Qinling Mountain. The isotopic analysis denotes that the geothermal water in the southern Guanzhong basin is the mixture of net thermal water and normal temperature groundwater. Based on calculating the percentage of the mixture, nearly half of cold groundwater had participated the circulating of the geothermal water. However, in the center part of the basin, some artificial factors such as mismanage of pumping are probably the reason for the mixturing. The temperature range of the geothermal reservoirs in the basin is estimated at about 80-121 ℃ based on calculation of both SiO2 geothermometer and thermal water saturation index, which are basically in accordance with the measured temperature of thermal water. Based on the replenishment time and mixture extent with cold water, the thermal water in the studied area can be classified into three parts: mixed thermal water replenished by modern meteoric water; mixed thermal water replenished by both modern and ancient meteoric water, and deep circulating thermal water replenished by ancient meteoric water without mixture.

Stable Carbon and Oxygen Isotopes of Pedogenic Carbonates in Ustic Vertisols: Implications for Paleoenvironmental Change

Pedogenic carbonates, found extensively in arid and semiarid regions, are important in revealing regional climatic and environmental changes as well as the carbon cycle. In addition, stable carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of pedogenic carbonates have been used to rebuild paleoecology (biomass and vegetation) and to estimate paleotemperature and paleoprecipitation during past geological time. By utilizing the stable carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions (δ13C and (δ18O) of secondary nodules in Ustic Vertisols, this study looked into the climatic and environmental changes in the dry valleys of the Yuanmou Basin, Yunnan Province, in southwestern China. The results showed that during the early Holocene, a warm-humid or hot-humid climate existed in the Yuanmou Basin, but since then fluctuations in climate have occurred, with a dry climate prevailing. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.92, n = 9) between δ13C and δ18O values of carbonates illustrated that there had been a continual shifting between cold-humid and warm-dry climates in southwestern China including the Yuanmou Basin since the early Holocene.

Sources of organic matter and paleo-environmental implications inferred from carbon isotope compositions of lacustrine sediments at Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica

The carbon isotopic composition of organic matter （δ^13Corg） was determined in two sediment cores （IIL1 and IIL9） recovered from Inexpressible Island, Ross Sea, Antarctica, and analyzed to identify the sources of that organic matter. The δ^13Corg values of sediments of IIL9 were found to vary between -14.6‰ and -11.6‰, with a mean of-13.4‰ （n=48）. These values were significantly higher than those of IIL1 sediments which varied between -23.2‰ and -20.4‰, with a mean of-21.8%o （n=55）. The variation in δ^13Corg values in these two sediment cores indicate different sources of organic matter, The relatively high 6~3Corg values in IIL9 are in accordance with a source from algae, while the low δ^13Corg values in IIL1 evince significant influence from penguin guano with algae as the secondary source. Compared with the reference data from other high-latitude lake sediments and plants, the δ^13Corg values in IIL9 were extremely high, a result likely related to intense competition for CO2 assimilation among algal species during the growing season in this relatively shallow pond. These results indicate that sedimentary δ^13Corg is a reliable proxy for paleo-primary productivity in ponds at Inexpressible Island.

Hydrogeological Conceptual Model of Groundwater from Carbonate Aquifers Using Environmental Isotopes (¹⁸O, ²H) and Chemical Tracers: A Case Study in Southern Latium Region, Central Italy

The present work provides hydrochemical and stable isotope data and their interpretations for 54 springs and 20 wells, monitored from 2002 to 2006, in the Southern Latium region of Central Italy to identify flow paths, recharge areas and hydrochemical processes governing the evolution of groundwater in this region. The hydrogeological conceptual model of the carbonate aquifers of southern Latium was based on environmental isotopic and hydrochemical investigation techniques to characterize and model these aquifer systems with the aim of achieving proper management and protection of these important resources. Most of the spring samples, issuing from Lepini, Ausoni and Aurunci Mts., are characterized as Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type, however, some samples show a composition of Na-Cl and mixed Ca-Na-HCO3-Cl waters. Groundwater samples from Pontina Plain are mostly characterized by Na-Cl and Ca-Cl type waters. Geochemical modeling and saturation index computation of the Lepini, Ausoni Aurunci springs and Pontina Plain wells shows an interaction with carbonate rocks. Most of the spring and well water samples were saturated with respect to calcite and dolomite, however all sampled waters were undersaturated with respect to gypsum and halite. The relationship between δ18O and δ2H, for spring and well water samples, shows shifts of both the slope and the deuterium excess when compared to the world meteoric (WMWL) and central Italy meteoric (CIMWL) water lines. The deviation of data points from the meteoric lines can be attributed to evaporation both during the falling of the rain and by run-off on the ground surface before infiltration. Most springs and wells have a deuterium excess above 10 ‰ suggesting the precipitation in the groundwater comes from the Mediterranean sector. On the basis of local isotopic gradients, in combination with topographic and geologic criteria, four recharge areas were identified in the Aurunci Mountains. In Pontina Plain, the elevations of the recharging areas suggest that the Lepini carbonate aquifers are feeding them.

Spatial differentiation in stable isotope compositions of surface waters and its environmental significance in the Issyk-Kul Lake region of Central Asia

Stable isotope values of oxygen （180） and hydrogen （2H） of surface waters were used to study the origin and environmental significanees in the Issyk-Kul basin of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, which is the most important intermountain basin in the modern Tien Shan orogen. This study is the first analysis of hydrochemical spatial differentiation in the stable isotopes of surface waters in this watershed. 75 samples were collected from rivers, springs, lakes, rain and snow during the rainy season in July and August of 2o16. Stable isotopes of 180 and 2H were studied for all samples, and cation ratios （Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca） were also determined for lake water samples. Stable isotope values from precipitation scattered around the Local Meteoric Water Line （determined from Urumqi Station of the global network of isotopes in precipitation （GNIP））, together with values of the Deuterium excess parameter （d） from 15.3‰ to 30.5‰, with an average of 19.8‰, indicating that the moisture sources are primarily from regions with low relative humidity. The 8180 and 52H values were significantly different between the river and lake samples, indicating that regional evaporation caused the isotopic enrichment of lake water. Geospatial autocorrelation, measured by Moran＇s I coefficient, indicated weak spatial autocorrelation within stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in the surface waters of the studied area, which is primarily an effect of climate during the water chemistry evolution. The cation ratios Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca in lake water samples were not correlated with the concentration of total dissolved solids, but did show correlation with stable isotopic values, which is significant for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

Characterization of groundwater in the Ejina Basin,northwest China:hydrochemical and environmental isotopes approaches

To characterize the groundwater in the Ejina Basin,surface and groundwater samples were collected in May and October of 2002.On-site analyses included temperature,electrical conductance(EC),total alkalinity(as HCO 3) by titration,and pH.Chemical analyses were undertaken at the Geochemistry Laboratory of the Cold and Arid Region Environmental and Engineering Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou,China.The pH of the groundwater ranged from 7.18 to 8.90 with an average value of 7.72,indicating an alkaline nature.The total dissolved solids(TDS) of the groundwater ranged from 567.5 to 5,954.4 mg/L with an average of 1,543.1 mg/L and a standard deviation of 1,471.8 mg/L.According to the groundwater salinity classification of Robinove et al.(1958),47.4 percent of the samples were brackish and the remainder were fresh water.The ion concentration of the groundwater along the riverbed and near the southern margin of the basin were lower than those farther away from the riverbed.The groundwater in the study area was of Na +-HCO 3 type near the bank of the Heihe River and in the southern margin of the basin,while Na +-SO 4 2-Cl type samples were observed in the terminal lake region.In the desert area the groundwater reached a TDS of 3,000-6,000 mg/L and was predominantly by a Na +-Cl chemistry.Br/Cl for the water of Ejina Basin indicates an evaporite origin for the groundwater with a strongly depleted Br/Cl ratio(average 0.000484).The surface water was slightly enriched in Br/Cl(average 0.000711) compared with groundwater.The calculated saturation index(SI) for calcite and dolomite of the groundwater samples range from 0.89 to 1.31 and 1.67 to 2.67 with averaged 0.24 and 0.61,respectively.About 97 percent of the groundwater samples were kinetically oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite,and all the samples were below the equilibrium state with gypsum.Using isotope and hydrochemical analyses,this study investigated the groundwater evolution and its residence time.The groundwater content was mainly determined by the dissolutions of halite,gypsum,and Glauber’s salt(Na 2 SO 4),as well as Na + exchange for Ca 2+,and calcite and dolomite precipitation.With the exception of a few locations,most of the groundwater samples were suitable for irrigation uses.Most of the stable isotope compositions in the groundwater sampled plotted close to the Global Meteoric Water Line(GMWL),indicating that the groundwater was mainly sourced from meteoric water.There was evidence of enrichment of heavy isotopes in the groundwater due to evaporation.Based on the tritium content in atmospheric precipitation and by adopting the exponential-piston model(EPM),the mean residence time of the unconfined aquifer groundwater was evaluated.The results show that these groundwaters have low residence time(12 to 48 years) and are renewable.In contrast,the confined groundwater had 14 C ages estimated by the Pearson model between 4,087 to 9,364 years BP.Isotopic signatures indicated formation of deep confined groundwaters in a colder and wetter climate during the late Pleistocene and Holocene.

Paleoenvironmental implications of the calcium isotope characteristics in the MD81349 from the Nintyeast Ridge in the Indian Ocean

A δ^（44） Ca curve from shells of the planktonic foraminifera Globigerinoides sacculifer in calcareous biogenic oozes has been extracted from the Nintyeast Ridge in the Indian Ocean since 300 ka. By combining terrigenous inputs（e.g., grain size, magnetic susceptibility, and turbidite frequency） with the oceanic productivity（e.g., biogenic content and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei content）, it is found that the curve＇s variations are closely related to the historical evolution of the oceanic calcium cycle. The δ^（44）Ca value is in lower tendency and has small oscillation during Marine Isotope Stage（MIS） 6, when the supply of terrigenous detrital is highest. In contrast, during MIS 3,5 and 7, the δ^（44） Ca values are in higher tendency, and their fluctuations are consistent with the variations of the productivity proxies. These results suggest that the calcium isotopes are mainly influenced by the input of the Himalayan erosion products to the northern Indian Ocean. In addition, the developmental stages of calcareous planktons may have a secondary impact on the fluctuations of the calcium isotope ratio of sea water.

The impact of demographic dynamics on food consumption and its environmental outcomes:Evidence from China

With increasing population and changing demographics,food consumption has experienced a significant transition in quantity and quality.However,a dearth of knowledge remains regarding its environmental impacts and how it responds to demographic dynamics,particularly in emerging economies like China.Using the two-stage Quadratic Almost Demand System(QUAIDS)model,this study empirically examines the impact of demographic dynamics on food consumption and its environmental outcomes based on the provincial data from 2000 to 2020 in China.Under various scenarios,according to changes in demographics,we extend our analysis to project the long-term trend of food consumption and its environmental impacts,including greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,water footprint(WF),and land appropriation(LA).The results reveal that an increase in the proportion of senior people significantly decreases the consumption of grain and livestock meat and increases the consumption of poultry,egg,and aquatic products,particularly for urban residents.Moreover,an increase in the proportion of males in the population leads to higher consumption of poultry and aquatic products.Correspondingly,in the current scenario of an increased aging population and sex ratio,it is anticipated that GHG emissions,WF,and LA are likely to decrease by 1.37,2.52,and 3.56%,respectively.More importantly,in the scenario adhering to the standards of nutritional intake according to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents in 2022,GHG emissions,WF,and LA in urban areas would increase by 12.78,20.94,and 18.32%,respectively.Our findings suggest that changing demographics should be considered when designing policies to mitigate the diet-environment-health trilemma and achieve sustainable food consumption.

Compositional and Hollow Engineering of Silicon Carbide/Carbon Microspheres as High-Performance Microwave Absorbing Materials with Good Environmental Tolerance

Microwave absorbing materials(MAMs)characterized by high absorption efficiency and good environmental tolerance are highly desirable in practical applications.Both silicon carbide and carbon are considered as stable MAMs under some rigorous conditions,while their composites still fail to produce satisfactory microwave absorption performance regardless of the improvements as compared with the individuals.Herein,we have successfully implemented compositional and structural engineering to fabricate hollow Si C/C microspheres with controllable composition.The simultaneous modulation on dielectric properties and impedance matching can be easily achieved as the change in the composition of these composites.The formation of hollow structure not only favors lightweight feature,but also generates considerable contribution to microwave attenuation capacity.With the synergistic effect of composition and structure,the optimized SiC/C composite exhibits excellent performance,whose the strongest reflection loss intensity and broadest effective absorption reach-60.8 dB and 5.1 GHz,respectively,and its microwave absorption properties are actually superior to those of most SiC/C composites in previous studies.In addition,the stability tests of microwave absorption capacity after exposure to harsh conditions and Radar Cross Section simulation data demonstrate that hollow SiC/C microspheres from compositional and structural optimization have a bright prospect in practical applications.

Identical carbon isotope trends of carbonate and organic carbon and their environmental significance from the Changhsingian (end-Permian), Meishan, South China

High resolution carbon isotope analyses of carbonate and organic carbon from Meishan, South China showed that the variation of δ13Ccarb is marked by three large positive excursions during the Changhsingian (end-Permian). Carbon isotope stratigraphy during this stage shows three cyclic intervals in δ13Ccarb, with two cycles corresponding to the lower (Paleofusulinid minima Zone) and one corresponding to the upper Changhsingian (P. sinensis Zone). The large positive δ13Ccarb excursions indicate episodes of enhanced burial of isotopically light or-ganic carbon, presumably in response to deep-water anoxia episodically extending into shallow water with the rise of sea level. The organic carbon during the Changhsingian is distinguished into two groups, and the δ13Corg of each group parallels (separately) the more detailed profile of δ13Ccarb, strongly showing that the values of fractionation Δ13Ccab-org remain relatively constant, with only two intervals with anomaly. The enhanced fractionation Δ13Ccab-org with large negative δ13Corg excursions apparently indicates significant inputs from sulfide-oxidizing bacteria and green sulfur bacteria, notably at bed 24 just predating mass extinction. Our evidence appears to support that the ex-tended euxinic water is possible for the main pulse of mass extinction at the end-Permian.

Rising utilization of stable isotopes in tree rings for climate change and forest ecology

Analyses of stable isotopes(C,O,H)in tree rings are increasingly important cross-disciplinary programs.The rapid development in this field documented in an increasing number of publications requires a comprehensive review.This study includes a bibliometric analysis-based review to better understand research trends in tree ring stable isotope research.Overall,1475 publications were selected from the Web of Science Core Collection for 1974-2023.The findings are that:(1)numbers of annual publications and citations increased since 1974.From 1974 to 1980,there were around two relevant publications per year.However,from 2020 to 2022,this rose sharply to 109 publications per year.Likewise,average article citations were less than four per year before 1990,but were around four per article per year after 2000;(2)the major subjects using tree ring stable isotopes include forestry,geosciences,and environmental sciences,contributing to 42.5%of the total during 1974-2023;(3)the top three most productive institutions are the Chinese Academy of Sciences(423),the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest,Snow and Landscape Research(227),and the University of Arizona(204).These achievements result from strong collaborations;(4)review papers,for example,(Dawson et al.,Annu Rev Ecol Syst 33:507-559,2002)and(McCarroll and Loader,Quat Sci Rev 23:771-801,2004),are among the most cited,with more than 1000 citations;(5)tree ring stable isotope studies mainly focus on climatology and ecology,with atmospheric CO_(2) one of the most popular topics.Since 2010,precipitation and drought have received increasing attention.Based on this analysis,the research stages,key findings,debated issues,limitations and direc-tions for future research are summarized.This study serves as an important attempt to understand the progress on the use of stable isotopes in tree rings,providing scientific guid-ance for young researchers in this field.

Interplay between microglia and environmental risk factors in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer s disease,among the most common neurodegenerative disorders,is chara cterized by progressive cognitive impairment.At present,the Alzheimer’s disease main risk remains genetic ris ks,but major environmental fa ctors are increasingly shown to impact Alzheimer’s disease development and progression.Microglia,the most important brain immune cells,play a central role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and are considered environmental and lifestyle"sensors."Factors like environmental pollution and modern lifestyles(e.g.,chronic stress,poor dietary habits,sleep,and circadian rhythm disorde rs)can cause neuroinflammato ry responses that lead to cognitive impairment via microglial functioning and phenotypic regulation.However,the specific mechanisms underlying interactions among these facto rs and microglia in Alzheimer’s disease are unclear.Herein,we:discuss the biological effects of air pollution,chronic stress,gut micro biota,sleep patterns,physical exercise,cigarette smoking,and caffeine consumption on microglia;consider how unhealthy lifestyle factors influence individual susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease;and present the neuroprotective effects of a healthy lifestyle.Toward intervening and controlling these environmental risk fa ctors at an early Alzheimer’s disease stage,understanding the role of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease development,and to rgeting strategies to to rget microglia,co uld be essential to future Alzheimer’s disease treatments.

Research on the Relationship Between Environmental and Economic Coupling Systems in Bohai Bay Area Based on a Vector Autoregression(VAR)Model

This study analyzed the impact of land-based contaminants and tertiary industrial structure on economic development in the selected Bohai Bay area,China.Based on panel data spanning 2011-2020,a vector autoregressive(VAR)model is used to analyze and forecast the short-run and long-run relationships between three industrial structures,pollutant discharge,and economic development.The results showed that the environmental index had a long-term cointegration relationship with the industrial structure economic index.Per capital chemical oxygen demand(PCOD)and per capita ammonia nitrogen(PNH_(3)N)had a positive impact on delta per capita GDP(dPGDP),while per capita solid waste(PSW),the secondary industry rate(SIR)and delta tertiary industry(dTIR)had a negative impact on dPGDP.The VAR model under this coupling system had stability and credibility.The impulse response results showed that the short-term effect of the coupling system on dPGDP was basically consistent with the Granger causality test results.In addition,variance decomposition was used in this study to predict the long-term impact of the coupling system in the next ten periods(i.e.,ten years).It was found that dTIR had a great impact on dPGDP,with a contribution rate as high as 74.35%in the tenth period,followed by the contribution rate of PCOD up to 3.94%,while the long-term contribution rates of PSW,SIR and PNH3N were all less than 1%.The results show that the government should support the development of the tertiary industry to maintain the vitality of economic development and prevent environmental deterioration.

Application of in-house method for determinationof radium isotopes in environmental samples usingthe Liquid Scintillation counting technique

A method for determination of 226Ra and 228Ra in environmental samples using the α-β coincidence liquid scintillation counting (LSC) has been developed. Radium were preconcentrated from environmental samples by coprecipitation with BaSO4, then purified from others radionuclide interferences using the cation column exchange (Bio-Rad AG 50 W-X4 resin with 200-400 mesh size and H+ form) and operating in warm temperature which is between 70-80oC. Then, the Ba(Ra)SO4 precipitate was filtered through the Millipore filter paper, dried and weighed to calculate chemical yield. The activity concentration of radium isotopes in mixture of liquid scintillation cocktails were measured using LSC after being stored for over 21 days to allow the growth of the progeny nuclides. The method has been validated with a certi-fied reference material supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency and reliable results were obtained. The radiochemical yields for radium were 59% - 90% and recovery was 97% and 80% for 226Ra and 228Ra, respectively. Sixteen seawater and fish flesh samples collected in Kapar coastal water have been analyzed with the developed method. The obtained radium activity concentrations in seawater were in the range of 02.08 ± 0.82 mBq/L to 3.69 ± 1.29 mBq/L for 226Ra and 6.01 ± 3.05 mBq/L to 17.07 ± 6.62 mBq/L for 228Ra. Meanwhile, the activity concentrations of 226Ra and 228Ra in fish flesh were in the range of 11.82 ± 5.23 – 16.53 ± 6.53 Bq/kg dry wt. and 43.52 ± 16.34 – 53.57 ± 19.86 Bq/kg dry wt., respectively.

The coupling control of biological precursors and environmental factors onβ-carotane enrichment in alkaline lacustrine source rocks:A case study from the Fengcheng formation in the western Junggar Basin,NW China

The organic-rich mudstones and dolostones of the Permian Fengcheng Formation(Fm.)are typically alkaline lacustrine source rocks,which are typified by impressively abundantβ-carotane.Abundant β-carotane has been well acknowledged as an effective indicator of biological sources or depositional environments.However,the specific biological sources of β-carotane and the coupling control of biological sources and environmental factors on the enrichment of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.remains obscure.Based on a comprehensive investigation of the bulk,molecular geochemistry,and organic petrology of sedimentary rocks and the biochemistry of phytoplankton in modern alkaline lakes,we proposed a new understanding of the biological precursors of β-carotane and elucidated the enrichment mechanism of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.The results show that the biological precursors crucially control the enrichment of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.The haloalkaliphilic cyanobacteria are the primary biological sources of β-carotane,which is suggested by a good positive correlation between the 2-methylhopane index,7-+8-methyl heptadecanes/C_(max),C_(29%),and β-carotane/C_(max)in sedimentary rocks and the predominance of cyanobacteria with abundantβ-carotene in modern alkaline lakes.The enrichment of β-carotane requires the reducing condition,and the paleoredox state that affects the enrichment of β-carotane appears to have a threshold.The paleoclimate conditions do not considerably impact the enrichment of β-carotane,but they have some influence on the water's paleosalinity by affecting evaporation and precipitation.While it does not directly affect the enrichment of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.,paleosalinity does have an impact on the cyanobacterial precursor supply and the preservation conditions.

Geochemical fingerprints and hydrocarbon potential of Paleocene mudrocks in the Tano Basin, Ghana: insights from biomarkers and stable carbon isotopes

The Paleocene mudrocks in Ghana’s Tano Basin have received limited attention despite ongoing efforts to explore hydrocarbon resources.A thorough geochemical analysis is imperative to assess these mudrocks’petroleum generation potential and formulate effective exploration strategies.In this study,a comprehensive geochemical analysis was carried out on ten Paleocene rock cuttings extracted from TP-1,a discovery well within the Tano Basin.Various analytical techniques,including total organic carbon(TOC)analysis,Rock–Eval pyrolysis,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,and isotope ratio-mass spectrometry,were employed to elucidate their hydrocar-bon potential and organic facies.Thefindings in this study were subsequently compared to existing geochemical data on Paleocene source rocks in the South Atlantic marginal basins.The results indicated that the Paleocene samples have TOC content ranging from 0.68 to 2.93 wt%.The prevalent kerogen types identified in these samples were Type Ⅱ and Type Ⅲ.Molecular and isotope data suggest that the organic matter found in the Paleocene mudrocks can be traced back to land plants and lower aquatic organisms.These mudrocks were deposited in a transi-tional environment withfluctuating water salinity,charac-terized by sub-oxic redox conditions.Maturity indices,both bulk and molecular,indicated a spectrum of maturity levels within the Paleocene mudrocks,spanning from immature to marginally mature,with increasing maturity observed with greater depth.In comparison,the organic composition and depositional environments of Paleocene source rocks in the Tano Basin closely resemble those found in the Niger Delta Basin,Douala,and Kribi-Campo Basins,the Kwanza Formation in Angola,and certain Brazilian marginal basins.However,it is worth noting that Paleocene source rocks in some of the basins,such as the Niger Delta and Brazilian marginal basins,exhibit rela-tively higher thermal maturity levels compared to those observed in the current Paleocene samples from the Tano Basin.In conclusion,the comprehensive geochemical analysis of Paleocene mudrocks within Ghana’s Tano Basin has unveiled their marginal hydrocarbon generation potential.The shared geochemical characteristics between the Paleocene mudrocks in the Tano Basin and those in the nearby South Atlantic marginal basins offer valuable insights into source rock quality,which is crucial for shaping future strategies in petroleum exploration in this region.

Fluid inclusion and H-O-S-Pb isotope systematics of the Chayong Cu-polymetallic deposit,Sanjiang Metallogenic Belt,Qinghai Province,China

The Chayong Cu-polymetallic deposit is a recently discovered Cu-polymetallic deposit hosted in the Sanjiang Metallogenic Belt within the Tibetan Plateau of China to the northeast of the North Qiangtang terrane.The ore body occurs in siltstone and is controlled by a northwest-trending fault structure.According to the associations,assemblages,and cutting relationships between ore veins,the hydrothermal mineralization period can be divided into three mineralization stages:(1)a molybdenite mineralization stage,(2)a Cu-polymetallic sulfide stage,and(3)a quartzcarbonate stage.Two types of fluid inclusions(FIs),namely,liquid and vapor-rich inclusions,are present in quartz as so ciated with sulfide minerals.Early-stage FIs are both iquid and vapor-rich,homogenized at temperatures ranging from 364.1 to 384.2℃,and have salinities ranging from0.70%to 9.60%NaCl equivalent(eqv).The middle-stage FIs are also both liquid-and vapor-rich,homogenized at temperatures ranging from 272.4 to 355.6℃,and have salinities ranging from 0.53%-17.10%NaCl eqv.The late-stage FIs are liquid,homogenized at temperatures ranging from 209.4to 255.3℃,and have salinities ranging from 0.35%-6.87%NaCl eqv.The samples from the deposit haveδ^(34)S values of-21.8‰to-19.2‰and-5.5‰to-6.0‰,suggesting that sulfur was derived from the host sediments and magmatic fluids,respectively.The metallic minerals within the deposit have^(206)Pb/^(204)Pb,^(207)Pb/^(204)Pb,and^(208)Pb/^(204)Pb values of 18.439-18.458,15.656-15.679,and 38.772-38.863,respectively,suggesting that the metals were derived from the upper crust and orogenic belts.The samples from the deposit haveδ^(18)O_(W)values of 2.99‰-7.99‰andδD_(W) values ranging from-84.4‰to-73.9‰,indicating that the pre-forming fluids were magmatic and mixed with minor amounts of meteoric water.The ore-forming fluid of the Chayong copper polymetallic deposit was a high-temperature,medium-to low-salinity H_(2)O-NaCl-CH_(4)-N_(2)±CO_(2)fluid system.The early high-temperature magmatic fluid,due to boiling,decreased in temperature,and via the mixing of meteoric water,gradually evolved towards the later-stage medium-to low-temperature and low-salinity fluid,causing nolybdenite mineralization and forming copper polymetallic sulfide veins and quartz carbonate veins.

Environmental geochemistry of calcium isotopes: Applications of a new stable isotope approach

This paper summarizes isotope fractionation mechanism, analytical method and applications in environmental geochemistry of calcium isotopes. Calcium isotopic composition can be used to constrain material sources and study geological and environmental processes as the isotopic composition of calcium ({δ{}+{44}Ca}) and fractionation processes depend on geochemical circumstances in nature. Recently, thanks to current advances in analytical technology of calcium isotopes, calcium isotopes are broadly used in biological and geochemical studies, such as the mechanism of plants imbibing nutrients through their roots, calcium transport in the environmental ecosystem, calcium cycle in oceans and paleo-oceans and paleo-climate. The elementary data show that {δ{}+{44}Ca} values vary from {-2.88‰} to {0.92‰} in natural samples.