Geochemistry and origins of hydrogen-containing natural gases in deep Songliao Basin,China:Insights from continental scientific drilling

The different reservoirs in deep Songliao Basin have non-homogeneous lithologies and include multiple layers with a high content of hydrogen gas.The gas composition and stable isotope characteristics vary significantly,but the origin analysis of different gas types has previously been weak.Based on the geochemical parameters of gas samples from different depths and the analysis of geological settings,this research covers the diverse origins of natural gas in different strata.The gas components are mainly methane with a small amount of C_(2+),and non-hydrocarbon gases,including nitrogen(N_(2)),hydrogen(H_(2)),carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),and helium(He).At greater depth,the carbon isotope of methane becomes heavier,and the hydrogen isotope points to a lacustrine sedimentary environment.With increasing depth,the origins of N_(2)and CO_(2)change gradually from a mixture of organic and inorganic to inorganic.The origins of hydrogen gas are complex and include organic sources,water radiolysis,water-rock(Fe^(2+)-containing minerals)reactions,and mantle-derived.The shales of Denglouku and Shahezi Formations,as source rocks,provide the premise for generation and occurrence of organic gas.Furthermore,the deep faults and fluid activities in Basement Formation control the generation and migration of mantle-derived gas.The discovery of a high content of H_(2)in study area not only reveals the organic and inorganic association of natural-gas generation,but also provides a scientific basis for the exploration of deep hydrogen-rich gas.

Origin of condensate oil and natural gas in Bozhong 19-6 gas field,Bohai Bay Basin

The discovery of the Bozhong 19-6 gas field has opened a new frontier for deep gas exploration in the Bohai Bay Basin,with a great potential for further gas exploration.However,poor understanding of oil and gas origin has been limiting the exploration progress in this area.To clarify the origin of condensate oil and gas in Bozhong 19-6 gas field,this study adequately utilized the organic geochemical analysis data to investigate the composition and geochemical characteristics of condensate oil and natural gas,and analyzed the relationship between condensate oil and the three sets of source rocks in the nearby subsags.Results show that the lighter components dominate the condensate oil,with a forward type predominance.The parent material of crude oil was primarily deposited in a shallow,clay-rich,low-salinity,weakly reducing aquatic environment.The condensate and natural gas have similar parent source characteristics and maturity,with Ro ranging from 1.4%to 1.6%.Both are products of high maturity stage,indicating that they are hydrocarbon compounds produced by the same group of source rocks in the same stage.Oil-sources correlation shows that condensate oil and gas mainly originate from the source rocks of the third member of Shahejie Formation in the nearby subsags of the Bozhong 19-6 structural belt.

Mutual regulation of microglia and astrocytes after Gas6 inhibits spinal cord injury

Invasive inflammation and excessive scar formation are the main reasons for the difficulty in repairing nervous tissue after spinal cord injury.Microglia and astrocytes play key roles in the spinal cord injury micro-environment and share a close interaction.However,the mechanisms involved remain unclear.In this study,we found that after spinal cord injury,resting microglia(M0)were polarized into pro-inflammatory phenotypes(MG1 and MG3),while resting astrocytes were polarized into reactive and scar-forming phenotypes.The expression of growth arrest-specific 6(Gas6)and its receptor Axl were significantly down-regulated in microglia and astrocytes after spinal cord injury.In vitro experiments showed that Gas6 had negative effects on the polarization of reactive astrocytes and pro-inflammatory microglia,and even inhibited the cross-regulation between them.We further demonstrated that Gas6 can inhibit the polarization of reactive astrocytes by suppressing the activation of the Yes-associated protein signaling pathway.This,in turn,inhibited the polarization of pro-inflammatory microglia by suppressing the activation of the nuclear factor-κB/p65 and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways.In vivo experiments showed that Gas6 inhibited the polarization of pro-inflammatory microglia and reactive astrocytes in the injured spinal cord,thereby promoting tissue repair and motor function recovery.Overall,Gas6 may play a role in the treatment of spinal cord injury.It can inhibit the inflammatory pathway of microglia and polarization of astrocytes,attenuate the interaction between microglia and astrocytes in the inflammatory microenvironment,and thereby alleviate local inflammation and reduce scar formation in the spinal cord.

Origin and accumulation of high-maturity oil and gas in deep parts of the Baxian Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Great quantities of light oil and gas are produced from deep buried hill reservoirs at depths of 5,641 m to 6,027 m and 190 ℃ to 201 ℃ in the Niudong-1 Well, representing the deepest and hottest commercial hydrocarbons discovered in the Bohai Bay Basin in eastern China. This discovery suggests favorable exploration prospects for the deep parts of the basin. However, the discovery raises questions regarding the genesis and accumulation of hydrocarbons in deep reservoirs. Based on the geochemical features of the hydrocarbons and characteristics of the source rocks as well as thermal simulation experiments of hydrocarbon generation, we conclude that the oil and gas were generated from the highly mature Sha-4 Member （Es4） source rocks instead of thermal cracking of crude oils in earlier accumulations. The source kitchen with abnormal pressures and karsted carbonate reservoirs control the formation of high-maturity hydrocarbon accumulations in the buried hills （i.e., Niudong-1） in conjunction with several structural-lithologic traps in the ES4 reservoirs since the deposition of the upper Minghuazhen Formation. This means the oil and gas exploration potential in the deep parts of the Baxian Depression is probably high.

Geochemical Characteristics and Origin of Natural Gases in the Qaidam Basin,China

Sixty-five natural gas samples were collected from 19 oil-gasfields in theQaidam basin, China. The chemical composition and carbon isotope values of the samples weremeasured, and the geochemical characteristics and origin of the natural gases were studied. Thegases can be divided into biogenic gases, sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases,coal-type gases and mixed gas. The delta^(13)C_1 values of the biogenic gases are very small and theC_2^+ contents of them are very low, ranging from -68.2 per thousand to -61 .8 per thousand and0.06 percent to 0.20 percent respectively. They have heavy delta D and delta^(13)C_(CO_2), showing aCO_2 reduction pathway. They ,are distributed in the East depression region and derived from theQuaternary source rocks. The sapropelic oil-type gases have small delta^(13)C_2 values and highC_2^+ ranging from -36.6 per thousand to -28.6 per thousand and from 33.01 percent to 47.15 percentrespectively. The mixed type oil-type gases have delta^(13)C_2 values and C_2^+ contents varyingfrom -28.6 per thousand to -24.8 per thousand and from 4.81 percent to 26.06 percent respectively.Both sapropelic oil-type gases and mixed type oil-type gases are associated with oil-type oils,distributed in the West depression region and derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrinesapropelic source rocks and humic source rocks respectively. The delta^(13)C_2 values of thecoal-type gases are extremely high and the C_2^+ contents are very low, changing from -23.3 perthousand to -12.5 per thousand and from 0.06 percent to 18.07 percent respectively. The coal-typegases in the Nanbaxian gasfield and the Lenghu oil-gasfields in the North fault block belt arederived from the Middle Jurassic coal-measures source rocks, whereas those in the West depressionregion are derived from the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine humic source rocks. Compared with someother basins in China, the natural gases there have obviously heavier delta^(13)C due to the heavierdelta^(13)C of different types of kerogens of the Tertiary saltwater lacustrine source rocks in theWest depression region of the basin. The mixing of natural gases is common in the West depressionregion, but the mixed gases are formed by sapropelic oil-type gases, mixed type oil-type gases orcoal-type gases, respectively, of different levels of maturity. Most of the sapropelic oil-typegases and mixed type oil-type gases in the west part are thermally immature and low-mature, but thecoal-type gases in the West depression region and the North fault block belt are mature and high- toover-mature.

Origin of the Gas Hydrate and Free Gas in the Qilian Permafrost,Northwest China:Evidence from Molecular Composition and Carbon Isotopes

The Qilian permafrost of the South Qilian Basin(SQB)has become a research focus since gas hydrates were discovered in 2009.Although many works from different perspectives have been conducted in this area,the origin of gas from gas hydrate is still controversial.Molecular composition and carbon isotope of 190 samples related to gas hydrates collected from 11 boreholes allowed exploration of genetic type,thermal maturity,biodegradation,as well as gas-source correlation of alkane gases from gas hydrates and free gases.Results indicate that alkane gases biodegraded after the formation of natural gas.According to differences in carbon isotopes of methane and their congeners(CH4,C2H6,C3H8),the thermal maturity(vitrinite reflectance,VRo)of most alkane gases ranges from 0.6%to 1.5%,indicating a mature to high mature stage.The thermal maturity VRo of a small part of alkane gas(in boreholes DK5 and DK6)is higher than 1.3%,indicating a high mature stage.Alkane gases were mainly produced by secondary cracking,consisting of crude oilcracking gases and wet gases cracking to dry gases.Genetic types of alkane gases are primarily oil-type gases generated from shales and mudstones in the upper Yaojie Formation of Jurassic,with less coal-type gases originated from the mudstones in the Triassic Galedesi Formation and the lower Yaojie Formation of Jurassic.Carbon dioxides associated with alkanes from gas hydrates and free gases indicate the thermal decomposition and biodegradation of organic matter.The origins of natural gases from gas hydrates and free gases shed light on the evaluation of petroleum resource potential,deeply buried sediments,and petroleum resource exploration in the SQB.

Endosonographic surveillance of 1-3 cm gastric submucosal tumors originating from muscularis propria

AIM To observe the natural course of 1-3 cm gastric submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria(SMTMPs).METHODS By reviewing the computerized medical records over a period of 14 years(2000-2013), patients with 1-3 cm gastric SMTMPs who underwent at least two endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) examinations were enrolled. Tumor progression was defined as a ≥ 1.2 times enlargement in tumor diameter observed during EUS surveillance. All patients were divided into stationary and progressive subgroups and further analyzed. We also reviewed the patients in the progressive subgroup again in 2016.RESULTS A total of 88 patients were studied, including 25 in the progressive subgroup. The mean time of EUS surveillance was 24.6 mo in the stationary subgroup and 30.7 mo in the progressive subgroup. Risk factors for tumor progression included larger tumor size and irregular border. Initial tumor size > 14.0 mm may be considered a cut-off size for predicting tumor progression. Seventeen patients underwent surgery, of whom 13 had gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) and 4 had leiomyomas. Tumor progression was found only in patients with GISTs. All of the tumors exhibited benign behaviors without metastasis until 2016.CONCLUSION Most 1-3 cm gastric SMTMPs(71.6%) are indolent. Tumor progression was found only in GISTs, and it is a good predictor for differentiating GISTs from leiomyomas. Predictors of tumor progression include larger tumor size(> 14.0 mm) and irregular border.

Characteristics and Origin of Yacheng Gas Field in Qiongdongnan Basin,South China Sea

The Yacheng gas field lies in the foot wall of the No. 1 fault, the boundary fault between the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins. An overpressured system developed in the Meishan Formation near the No. 1 fault in the gas field and in the adjacent Yinggehai basin. Away from this fault into the Qiongdongnan basin, the overpressure diminishes. Below 3 600 m in the gas field, an obvious thermal anomaly occurs. The gases show obvious compositional heterogeneities which reflect reservoir filling process and origin of the gas field. The gas field was charged from both the Qiongdongnan and the Yinggehai basins but mainly from the former. Hydrocarbons sourced from the Qiongdongnan basin have relatively low maturities while hydrocarbons from the Yinggehai basin have relatively high maturities.

Origin of the hydrate bound gases in the Juhugeng Sag, Muli Basin, Tibetan Plateau

The Juhugeng Sag,located in northwest of the Muli Basin,Tibetan Plateau,has been investigated for coal and petroleum resources during the past several decades.There have been successful recoveries of gas hydrates during recent years from the Middle Jurassic Yaojie Formation that offer insight into the origin of the hydrocarbon gases from the complex sag feature.This study examines the organic geochemical and stable carbon isotopic characteristics of shale and coal samples from the Middle Jurassic Yaojie Formation of the Juhugeng Sag,as well as compares with carbon isotopes,gas amounts and components of hydrate-bound gas.A total of 19 samples from surface mining,including 12 samples of black shale and 7 samples of coal,were analysed using a micro-photometer,a gas chromatograph,Rock–Eval and isotope methods.All the shale samples contained 100%type I kerogen,and the random vitrinite reflectance values vary from 0.65%to 1.32%and achieve thermal pyrolysis phase.Isotope values of methane(δ13C ranging from−52.6‰to−39.5‰andδD ranging from−285‰to−227‰)in the hydrate bound gases suggest that the methane originates mainly from thermogenic contributions.It is proposed that ethane from the gas hydrate is thermogenic-produced,and this conjecture is supported by the fact that most of the gas hydrate also contains more than 30%of thermogenic C2+hydrocarbons and is similar to structure II hydrate.Carbon isotope data from the gas hydrates show a positive carbon isotope series(δ13C1<δ13C2<δ13C3),with ethaneδ13C values being lighter than−28.5‰,as high consistency with source rocks from the Jurassic period indicate thermal oil-prone gas.A model of the accumulation of gas hydrate is plotted.However,the gaseous sources of gas hydrates may be a subject for more research.

Origins of High H_2S-bearing Natural Gas in China

Natural gas containing hydrogen sulphide （H2S） has been found in several petroliferous basins in China, such as the Sichuan Basin, Bohai Bay Basin, Ordos Basin, Tarim Basin, etc. Natural gas with higher HES contents （HES 〉5 % mol.） is mostly distributed in both the gas reservoirs of Dukouhe, Luojiazhai, Puguang and Tieshanpo, which belong to the Triassic Feixianguan Formation in the northeastern Sichuan Basin and those of the Kongdian-Shahejie formations in the northeastern Jinxian Sag of the Jizhong Depression, Bohai Bay Basin. In the Sichuan Basin, the HES contents of natural gas average over 9% and some can be 17 %, while those of the Bohai Bay Basin range from 40 % to 92 %, being then one of the gas reservoirs with the highest H2S contents in the world. Based on detailed observation and sample analysis results of a total 5000 m of core from over 70 wells in the above-mentioned two basins, especially sulfur isotopic analysis of gypsum, brimstone, pyrite and natural gas, also with integrated study of the geochemical characteristics of hydrocarbons, it is thought that the natural gas with high HES contents resulted from thermochemical sulfate reduction （TSR） reactions. Among them, the natural gas in the Feixianguan Formation resulted from TSR reactions participated by hydrocarbon gas, while that in the Zhaolanzhuang of the Jinxian Sag being the product of TSR participated by crude oil. During the consumption process of hydrocarbons due to TSR, the heavy hydrocarbons were apt to react with sulfate, which accordingly resulted in the dry coefficient of natural gas increasing and the carbon isotopes becoming heavier.

Malignant gastrointestinal melanomas of unknown origin: Should it be considered primary?

We read with interest the article entitled： ‘Jejuno-jejunal invagination due to intestinal melanoma’ by Resta , et al. They reported a rare clinical case of a young woman with a bleeding jejunal melanoma, whose early clinical presentation was an intestinal invagination. The article is also referred to the rarity of gastrointestinal melanomas as well as their possible primary nature.

Origin and Accumulation of Natural Gases in the Upper Paleozoic Strata of the Ordos Basin in Central China

The natural gases in the Upper Paleozoic strata of the Ordos basin are characterized by relatively heavy C isotope of gaseous alkanes with δ^13C1 and δ^13C2 values ranging mainly from -35‰ to -30‰ and -27‰ to -22‰, respectively, high δ^13C excursions （round 10） between ethane and methane and predominant methane in hydrocarbon gases with most C1/（C1-C5） ratios in excess of 0.95, suggesting an origin of coal-derived gas. The gases exhibit different carbon isotopic profiles for C1-C4 alkanes with those of the natural gases found in the Lower Paleozoic of this basin, and believed to be originated from Carboniferous-Permian coal measures. The occurrence of regionally pervasive gas accumulation is distinct in the gently southward-dipping Shanbei slope of the central basin. It is noted that molecular and isotopic composition changes of the gases in various gas reservoirs are associated with the thermal maturities of gas source rocks. The abundances and j13C values of methane generally decline northwards and from the basin center to its margins, and the effects of hydrocarbon migration on compositional modification seem insignificant. However, C isotopes of autogenetic calcites in the vertical and lateral section of reservoirs show a regular variation, and are as a whole depleted upwards and towards basin margins. Combination with gas maturity gradient, the analysis could be considered to be a useful tool for gas migration.

Re-Examination of the Oil and Gas Origins in the Kekeya Gas Condensate Field,Northwest China——A Case Study of Hydrocarbon-Source Correlation Using Sophisticated Geochemical Methods

This work discussed the origins, alteration and accumulation processes of the oil and gas in the Kekeya gas condensate field based on molecular compositions, stable carbon isotopes, light hydrocarbons, diamondoid hydrocarbons and biomarker fingerprints. A comparison study is also made between the geochemical characteristics of the Kekeya hydrocarbons and typical marine and terrigenous hydrocarbons of the Tarim Basin. Natural gas from the Kekeya gas condensate field is derived from Middle–Lower Jurassic coal measures while the condensates are derived from Carboniferous–Permian marine source rocks with a higher maturity. In the study area, both natural gas and condensates have experienced severe water washing. A large amount of methane was dissolved into the water, resulting in a decrease in the dryness coefficient. Water washing also makes the carbon isotopic compositions of the natural gas more negative and partially reverse. Considering that the gas maturities are higher than once expected, gas generation intensity in the study area should be much stronger and the gas related to the Jurassic coal measures could promise a greater prospecting potential. As a result of evaporative fractionation, the Kekeya condensates are enriched in saturates and lack aromatics. Evaporative fractionation disguises the original terrigenous characteristics of the light hydrocarbons associated with the natural gas, making it appear marinesourced. Thus, alteration processes should be fully taken into consideration when gas–source correlations are carried out based on light hydrocarbons. With the condensates discovered in the study area all being ＂migration phase＂, the pre-salt Cretaceous and Jurassic reservoirs may promise great exploration potential for the ＂residual phase＂ hydrocarbons. This research not only is of significance for oil and gas exploration in the southwest Tarim Basin, but also sheds light on the oil/gas-source correlations in general.

Origin and Source of Deep Natural Gas in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China

Natural gas exploration in Nanpu sag, Bohai Bay Basin, has achieved breakthroughs in recent years, and a number of natural gas and condensate wells with high yield have been found in several structures in the beach area. Daily gas production of single wells is up to 170,000 m3, and high-yield wells are mainly distributed in？the Nanpu No. 1 structural belt.？Studies have shown that these natural gases are mainly hydrocarbon gases, with methane content about 80% to 90% and ethane 6%-9%, so they are mainly wet gas; and non-hydrocarbons are at a low level.？Carbon isotopes of methane range from -42‰ to -36‰, and ethane from -28‰ to -26‰. Calculated maturity based on the relationship between δ13C and Ro of natural gas, the gases are equivalent to those generated from organic matter when Ro is 1.0%-1.7% （mainly 1.25%-1.32%）. The natural gas is oil-type gas generated from the source rocks at mature to high mature stage, associated with condensate, so carbon isotopes of the gases are heavier. Natural gas in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt is mainly associated gas with condensate. The analysis of the origin and source of natural gas and condensate, combined with the monomer hydrocarbon carbon isotopes and biomarker, indicated that the main source rocks in the Nanpu No.1 structural belt were Es3 （the lower member of the Shahejie Formation）, followed by Es1 （the upper member of the Shahejie Formation）.？The high-mature hydrocarbons from source rocks in the deep sag mainly migrated through deep inherited faults into shallow traps and accumulated to form oil and gas pools. Therefore, there is a great potential for exploring gas in deep layers.

Temperature influence on macro-mechanics parameter of intact coal sample containing original gas from Baijiao Coal Mine in China

Investigation of temperature effect on mechanical parameters of coal is very important for understanding the mechanical response of coal bed at high temperature.It is especially benefcial for mitigating the thermal-induced disasters occurred in those coal mines suffering from heat hazard.In this work,coal samples,obtained from the No.2442 working face of Baijiao Coal Mine,were subjected to uniaxial compression ranging from 20 to 40℃ with an interval of 5℃.The apparatus used was designed to obtain deformation of a stressed sample,as well as the emission of gases desorbing from coal matrix.The adsorbed gas desorption caused by heating is measured during the entire testing.It is evident that the concentrations of releasing gas(containing methane,carbon dioxide and ethane)slightly rise with increasing temperature.Gas movement observed is closely related to the deformation of coal sample.Both uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of coal samples tend to reduce with temperature.It reveals that increasing temperature can not only result in thermal expansion of coal,but also lead to desorption of preexisting gas in coal which can in turns harden coal due to shrinks of the coal matrix.Even though desorption of adsorbed gas can contribute to the hardening effect for the heated coal,by comparison to the results,it could be inferred that the softening of coal resulted from thermal expansion still predominates changes in mechanical characters of coal sample with temperature at the range from20 to 40℃.

Origin and migration model of natural gas in L gas field, eastern slope of Yinggehai Sag, China

Based on the chemical and stable carbon isotopic composition of natural gas and light hydrocarbons, along with regional geological data, the genetic type, origin and migration of natural gases in the L lithologic gas field, the eastern slope of Yinggehai Sag were investigated. The results show that these gases have a considerable variation in chemical composition, with 33.6%–91.5% hydrocarbon, 0.5%-62.2% CO2, and dryness coefficients ranging from 0.94 to 0.99. The alkane gases are characterized by δ13C1 values of -40.71‰--27.40‰,δ13C2 values of –27.27‰– –20.26‰, and the isoparaffin contents accounting for 55%–73% of the total C5–C7 light hydrocarbons. These data indicate that the natural gases belong to the coal-type gas and are mainly derived from the Miocene terrigenous organic-rich source rocks. When the CO2 contents are greater than 10%, the δ13CCO2 values are –9.04‰ to – 0.95‰ and the associated helium has a 3He/4He value of 7.78×10^–8, suggesting that the CO2 here is crustal origin and inorganic and mainly sourced from the thermal decomposition of calcareous mudstone and carbonate in deep strata. The gas migrated in three ways, i.e., migration of gas from the Miocene source rock to the reservoirs nearby;vertical migration of highly mature gas from deeper Meishan and Sanya Formations source rock through concealed faults;and lateral migration along permeable sandbodies. The relatively large pressure difference between the “source” and “reservoir” is the key driving force for the vertical and lateral migration of gas. Short-distance migration and effective “source - reservoir” match control the gas distribution.

Origin of Natural Gas in Kekeya Field, Tarim Basin, China

This paper is mainly concentrated on the geochemical characteristics and origin of gas of Kekeya field in the Tarim basin, NW China. This study shows that Permian mudstone is the main source rock of oil and gas. Based on the carbon isotopes of C 1-C 4, the carbon isotope of gas in Kekeya field is a little heavier than that in the typical marine-derived gas. The relationship between carbon isotopes of methane and ethane is coincident with Faber equation of gas derived from organic matter Ⅰ/Ⅱ. The majority of gas maturity is estimated, based on the formula, at 1.8 %-2.2 % besides K2 and K18 wells. In addition, the gas derived from 0.9 %-1.2 % R o source rocks may also be mixture. 40Ar/ 36Ar and 3He/ 4He ratios from the gas samples also support the mixing process. Moreover, the gas in this region is mainly generated from more mature source rocks although the low mature gas exists.

High-mobility two-dimensional electron gases at oxide interfaces:Origin and opportunities

Our recent experimental work on metallic and insulating interfaces controlled by interfacial redox reactions in SrTiO3-based heterostructures is reviewed along with a more general background of two-dimensional electron gas （2DEG） at oxide interfaces. Due to the presence of oxygen vacancies at the SrTiO3 surface, metallic conduction can be created at room temperature in perovskite-type interfaces when the overlayer oxide ABO3 has Al, Ti, Zr, or Hf elements at the B sites. Furthermore, relying on interface-stabilized oxygen vacancies, we have created a new type of 2DEG at the heterointerface between SrTiO3 and a spinel γ-Al2O3 epitaxial film with compatible oxygen ion sublattices. This 2DEG exhibits an electron mobility exceeding 100000 cm2·V-1·s-1, more than one order of magnitude higher than those of hitherto investigated perovskite-type interfaces. Our findings pave the way for the design of high-mobility all-oxide electronic devices and open a route toward the studies of mesoscopic physics with complex oxides.

Composition and Origin of Shallow Biogenetic Gases in the Baise Basin, South China

Based on the analytical data of over 30 gas samples, combined with geochemical and geological backgrounds, the composition and distribution characteristics of shallow biogenetic gases in the Baise Basin, a Tertiary residual basin in southern China, were extensively investigated, and the origin and formation mechanism tentatively approached. The shallow gases are primarily composed of gaseous hydrocarbons, generally accounting for over 90%. The abundances of methane and C2＋ homologues show a relatively wide range of variation, mainly 50%-100% and 0%-50%, respectively, depending on the mixing proportions between biogenetic and thermogenic gases. A highly negative carbon isotope is the significant signature for the shallow gases with δ^13C1 values of -55‰ to -75‰. According to molecular and isotopic compositions and light hydrocarbon parameters, the shallow gases in the basin can be classified into three types of origins： biogenetic gas, biogenetic/thermogenic mixed gas, and oii-biodegraded gas. They exhibit regular distribution both spatially and temporally, and are believed to be associated with the maturity of adjoining gas source rocks and biodegraded oil accumulation. The Baigang and Nadu source rocks can be considered to have experienced early and late gas generation during early burial and after basin uplift respectively. A late accumulation mechanism of multiple gas sources is put forward for the formation of the shallow gas reservoirs, which is responsible for the variations in chemical and isotopic composition of the gases in depth profile.

Improvement of a Real Gas-Sensor for the Origin of Methane Selectivity Degradation by l-XAFS Investigation

We have directly investigated the chemical state of the Pd species in a real l-gas sensor device by examining the l-fluorescence X-ray absorption fine structure. The l-gas sensor device was heavily damaged by a heating process in which the temperature was ill-controlled, resulting in decrease of methane selectivity. We found that the Pd O in the fresh l-gas sensor was reduced to Pd metal particles as the methane selectivity decreased. Based on the investigation results, we modified the device structure so as to heat up homogeneously. The lifetime of the sensor was then successfully increased by more than 5 years.