Co-Production of Lipids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fucoxanthin, and Chrysolaminarin by Phaeodactylum tricornutum Cultured in a Flat-Plate Photobioreactor Under Varying Nitrogen Conditions

The marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a polymorphological, ecologically significant, and well-studied model of unicellular microalga. This diatom can accumulate diverse important metabolites. Herein, we cultured P. tricornutum in an internally installed tie-piece flat-plate photobioreactor under 14.5 m mol L^(-1)(high nitrogen, HN) and 2.9 m mol L^(-1)(low nitrogen, LN) of KNO_3 and assessed its time-resolved changes in biochemical compositions. The results showed that HN was inductive to accumulate high biomass(4.1 g L^(-1)). However, the LN condition could accelerate lipid accumulation in P. tricornutum. The maximum total lipid(TL) content under LN was up to 42.5% of biomass on day 12. Finally, neutral lipids(NLs) were 63.8% and 75.7% of TLs under HN and LN, respectively. The content of EPA ranged from 2.3% to 1.5% of dry weight during the growth period under the two culture conditions. Peak volumetric lipid productivity of 128.4 mg L^(-1)d^(-1) was achieved in the HN group(on day 9). The highest volumetric productivity values of EPA, chrysolaminarin, and fucoxanthin were obtained in the exponential phase(on day 6) under HN, which were 9.6, 93.6, and 4.7 mg L^(-1)d^(-1), respectively. In conclusion, extractable amounts of lipids, EPA, fucoxanthin, and chrysolaminarin could be obtained from P. tricornutum by regulating the culture conditions.

Petroleum system analysis-conjoined 3D-static reservoir modeling in a 3-way and 4-way dip closure setting: Insights into petroleum geology of fluvio-marine deposits at BED-2 Field (Western Desert, Egypt)

Imperfect determination of petroleum system processes coincidence,entrapment and charge timing,along with reservoir heterogeneity can considerably cause high risks throughout exploration and development phases of petroleum.Therefore,a complete subsurface visualization of the petroleum system nature,elements and processes,is badly required.To this end,we corroborated,in this study,static reservoir modeling with petroleum system analysis workflows,to better characterize the Cenomanian fluvio-marine reservoir,sandstones of Bahariya Formation,at Bed-2 Field,Abu Gharadig Basin(Western Desert,Egypt).We used dataset of 2D seismic profiles and well logs of eight wells.The geometry and property of the reservoir were acquired performing static reservoir geocellular modeling approach.The geohistory,timing of charge,migration pathways,and accumulation sites were identified performing 1D and 2D basin modeling approaches.Combining both approaches was aimed at identifying new petroleum prospect areas,and estimating the hydrocarbon volumes,that are the need for such poorly-defined petroleum systems area.As indicated by the constructed,robust,reservoir and 1D-2D basin models,an additional hydrocarbon prospect,to the north central part of Bed-2 Field,is proposed to be drilled during the further oilfield development phases of the area.This prospect has all features that adequately lead to reliable inferences regarding the ultimate petroleum potential of the area.