Adaptability of microbial inoculators and their contribution to degradation of mineral oil and PAHs

Five dominant bacteria strains（A cetobacter sp., Alcdigenes sp., Micrococcus sp., Arthrobacter sp. and Bacillus sp.） and five fungi strains （Cephalosporium sp. Ⅰ, Cephalosporlum sp. Ⅱ, Aspergillus sp. Ⅰ, Aspergillus sp. Ⅱ and Fusarium sp.） isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil were used to assess the potential capability of mineral oil and PAH enhanced degradation separately and jointly using the batch liquid medium cultivation with diesel oil spiked at 1000 mg/L. The experiment was performed on a reciprocal shaker in the darkness at 25℃ to 30℃ for 100 d. The dynamic variation in the activity of microbial inoculators in each treatment and the degradation of the target pollutants during the period of experiment were monitored. Results showed a more rapid biodegradation of mineral oil and PAHs at the beginning of the experiment （about 20 d） by dominant bacteria, fungi and their mixture than that of the indigenous microorganisms, however, thereafter an opposite trcnd was exhibited that the removal ratio by indigenous microorganisms was superior to any other dominant treatments and the tendency lasted till the end of the experiment, indicating the limited competitive capability of dominant microorganisms to degrade the contaminants, and the natural selection of indigenous microorganisms for use in the removal of the contaminants. At the end of the experiment, the removal ratio of mineral oil ranged from 56.8 % to 79.2 % and PAHs ranged from 96.8 % to 99.1% in each treatment by microbial inoculators,

Effects of chelating agents on protein, oil, fatty acids, and minerals in soybean seed

Soybean seed is a major source of protein and oil for human diet. Since not much information is available on the effects of chelating agents on soybean seed composition constituents, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of various chelating agents on soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.)] seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and mineral concentrations. Three chelating agent [citric acid (CA), disodium EDTA (DA), and Salicylic acid (SA)] were applied separately or combined with ferrous (Fe2+) ion (CA + Fe, EDTA + Fe, and SA + Fe) to three-week-old soybean plants. After application, the plants were allowed to grow until harvest maturity under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that CA, DA, SA, and Fe resulted in an increase of oleic acid from 13.0% to 33.5%. However, these treatments resulted in a decrease of linolenic acid from 17.8 to 31.0%. The treatments with CA and SA applications increased protein from 2.9% to 3.4%. The treatments DA + Fe and SA + Fe resulted in an increase in oil from 6.8% to 7.9%. Seed macro- and micro-elements were also altered. The results indicated that the CA, SA, DA, and Fe treatments can alter seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and mineral concentrations. Further studies are needed for conclusive results.

Impact of Progressive Pruning on Leaf Miner (Coelaenomenodera lameensis) Incidence and the Yield of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) —A Case Study of Benso Oil Palm Plantation Plc, Adum Banso Estate, Ghana

The oil palm leaf miner, Coelaenomenodera lameensis, is currently the most destructive pest of oil palm in Ghana and other African oil palm growing countries, causing significant losses in fresh fruit bunch yield. Progressive pruning is an oil palm pruning method in which pruning is done at the same time as fresh fruit bunch harvesting. This study evaluated the impact of progressive pruning on leaf miner population in oil palm and how these two factors (leaf miner and progressive pruning) affect the yield of oil palm at the Benso Oil Palm Plantation Public listed company (BOPP. Plc). Five distinct blocks in the plantation were selected for observations on fronds at various ranks (33, 25, or 17) based on the degree of defoliation by counting the number of pests on leaflets at different phases of insect development. Fronds from selected plots were sampled in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The size of plots used for the study ranged between 19 to 45 hectares. A minimum of 78 fronds were evenly cut from each block for pest count depending on the block size. Secondary data on annual yields of fresh fruit bunches before and after the introduction of progressive pruning were also obtained from BOPP. Plc records from 2011-2020. The results from the analyzed data on leaf miner index before and after the introduction of progressive pruning showed that progressive pruning has, to a high extent (64% to 36%), reduced leaf miner populations in the plantation. Paired t-test on fresh fruit bunch yield has also revealed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in annual fresh fruit bunch yield due to progressive pruning. A regression analysis, however, revealed a lower rate of yield loss (3.05 to 2.70 tonnes) to leaf miner infestation after the introduction of progressive pruning. The study recommends progressive pruning as a key cultural practice for improving crop yields in leaf miner prone plantations.

Soybean seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and mineral composition as influenced by soybean-corn rotation

Effects of crop rotation on soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) seed composition have not been well investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of soybean-corn (Zea mays L.) rotations on seed protein, oil, and fatty acids composition on soybean. Soybeans were grown at Stoneville, MS, from 2005 to 2008 in five different scheduled cropping sequences. In 2007, following three years of rotation with corn, seed oleic acid percentage was significantly higher in any crop rotation than continuous soybean. The increase of oleic fatty acid ranged from 61 to 68% in 2007, and from 27 to 51% in 2008, depending on the rotation. The increase of oleic acid was accompanied by significant increases in seed concentrations of phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and boron (B). In 2007, the increase of P ranged from 60 to 75%, Fe from 70 to 72%, and B from 34 to 69%. In 2008, the increase of P ranged from 82 to 106%, Fe from 32 to 84%, and B from 62 to 77%. Continuous soybean had higher linoleic:oleic ratio and linoleic: palmitic + stearic + oleic ratio, indicating that relative quantity of linoleic acid decreased in rotated crops. The total production of protein, oil, stearic and oleic fatty acids was the lowest in continuous soybean. The total production of palmitic acid was inconsistent across years. The results show that soybean- corn rotation affects seed composition by consistently increasing seed oleic fatty acid, P, Fe, and B concentrations. Higher oleic acid, unsaturated fatty acid, is desirable for oil stability and long-shelf storage. The mechanisms of how these nutrients are involved are not yet understood.

Methodology and Equations of Mineral Production Forecast<br>—Part I. Crude Oil in the UK and Gold in Nevada, USA. Prediction of Late Stages of Production

The equations of mineral production forecast link the change in time of mineral reserves with the production and the ratio of reserves to production. These equations allow us to model the development of the mineral resources evaluated at any scale. Probabilistic bidimensional charts made from montecarlo simulations provide intervals of confidence for the forecasts. The set of equations is devised and presented for a variety of applications to the oil and gas industry, as well to the production of any other mineral resource, either metals or non metals, whose ore deposit volumes and production might be quantified. The cases studied in the UK and USA are at late stages of production, periods for what the equations are most suitable to be applied without further adjustments. Experimental design allows the diagnosis of the likely values of the variables pertaining to the equations, in order to achieve the results provided by conventional production forecasts or to explore other scenarios of investigation. The method can be practical to evaluate commitments of production of mineral resources with time, to support strategic plans for companies, corporations, countries or regions based on those evaluations, for the screening and ranking of mineral assets based on their production potential and many other tasks where the prediction of future volumes of mineral production is required.

Effect of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Charge Transportation in Mineral Oil and Natural Ester Based Nanofluid

TiO2 semiconductive nanoparticles are added into mineral and ester based transformer oil to form semiconductive nanofluids (SNFs) with the aim of enhancing the oil’s insulating performance. Charge accumulation and decay characteristics of both pure oils and SNFs are measured by pulse electroacoustic (PEA) technique. The result reveals that compared with pure oil, SNFs have more uniform in- ternal electric fields with voltage applied and higher charge decay rate after removing the applied voltage. This is caused by the increase of shallow trap density in SNFs, due to the test results of thermally stimulated current (TSC). It is proposed that the electron trapping and de-trapping processes in shallow traps could be the main charge transport processes in the nanofluid transformer oil.

Investigation of Critical Characteristics of Mineral Oil with Activated Carbon

Fluid insulating medium is used for electrical insulation and provides a cooling medium in high voltage power transformers. Due to this reason, petroleum based mineral oil (transformer oil) is mostly used for a number of years which holds the benefit of cost effectiveness and good flow rate. This benefit leads to more requirements of oil that may cause oil scarcity in the near future. In order to overcome the scarcity in forthcoming years many research works focus on identifying the best approach for regeneration of oils. In this paper, activated carbon obtained from the agricultural waste is used which acts as the absorbent of impurities. Use of activated carbon is a perfect approach for regeneration of oils. Critical characteristics such as breakdown voltage, flash point, fire point and viscosity are measured for the pure and aged mineral oil with and without adding activated carbon. By this approach it is found that the activated carbon with used oil 1, used oil 2 and fresh oil provides continuous improvement of properties as per IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards which will reduce the oil consumption and cost. From the analysis, it reveals that mineral oil with activated carbon has better properties and the use of activated carbon is the best practice of regeneration of oils.

Formation,evolution,reconstruction of black shales and their influence on shale oil and gas resource

Black shales are important products of material cycling and energy exchange among the lithosphere,atmosphere,hydrosphere,and biosphere.They are widely distributed throughout geological history and provide essential energy and mineral resources for the development of human society.They also record the evolution process of the earth and improve the understanding of the earth.This review focuses on the diagenesis and formation mechanisms of black shales sedimentation,composition,evolution,and reconstruction,which have had a significant impact on the formation and enrichment of shale oil and gas.In terms of sedimentary environment,black shales can be classified into three types:Marine,terrestrial,and marine-terrestrial transitional facies.The formation processes include mechanisms such as eolian input,hypopycnal flow,gravity-driven and offshore bottom currents.From a geological perspective,the formation of black shales is often closely related to global or regional major geological events.The enrichment of organic matter is generally the result of the interaction and coupling of several factors such as primary productivity,water redox condition,and sedimentation rate.In terms of evolution,black shales have undergone diagenetic evolution of inorganic minerals,thermal evolution of organic matter and hydrocarbon generation,interactions between organic matter and inorganic minerals,and pore evolution.In terms of reconstruction,the effects of fold deformation,uplift and erosion,and fracturing have changed the stress state of black shale reservoirs,thereby having a significant impact on the pore structure.Fluid activity promotes the formation of veins,and have changed the material composition,stress structure,and reservoir properties of black shales.Regarding resource effects,the deposition of black shales is fundamental for shale oil and gas resources,the evolution of black shales promotes the shale oil and gas formation and storage,and the reconstruction of black shales would have caused the heterogeneous distribution of oil and gas in shales.Exploring the formation mechanisms and interactions of black shales at different scales is a key to in-depth research on shale formation and evolution,as well as the key to revealing the mechanism controlling shale oil and gas accumulation.The present records can reveal how these processes worked in geological history,and improve our understanding of the coupling mechanisms among regional geological events,black shales evolution,and shale oil and gas formation and enrichment.

Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogy of Babouri-Figuil Oil Shale,North-Cameroon

Organic geochemistry methods such as high temperature combustion, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and gas analysis were used to analyze oil shale from Babouri-Figuil Basin. Results show that the average content of organic matter is 36.25 %wt, while that of mineral matter is 63.75 %wt. The total organic carbon (TOC) is between 15.93 %wt and 26.82 %wt. The HI vs. Tmax diagram indicates an immature Type I kerogen. The average value of the oil potential (S2b) is 149.95 mg HC/g rock. The gases obtained by retort process are H2, CO2, CO and CnH2n, CnH2n+2. Finally, it emerges that, the organic matter of Babouri-Figuil shales was immature or has just reached the beginning of the oil window. The mineralogical study of Babouri-Figuil oil shale has been carried out by means of XRD (X-Ray Diffractometry) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry). The results show that mineral matrix contains silica, carbonates, sulphates, oxides and clay minerals. Besides, compounds contain metals and metalloids like Fe, In, Ca. The main oxides are SiO2 (majority), CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, SO3, and K2O.

Effect of Increased Nitrogen Application Rates and Environment on Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Minerals in Sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i>) Seed Grown under Mississippi Delta Conditions

Information on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and environment on sesame seed composition and nutrition is scarce. The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application rates on sesame seed yield, protein, oil, fatty acids, and mineral nutrition. A two-year (2014, 2015) field experiment was conducted. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea ammonium nitrate) solution (UAN, 32% N) was applied by side dressing to four sesame varieties (S-34, S-35, S-38, S-39) at rates of 44.7, 67.2, 89.6 and 112.0 kg·ha-1. Rate of 44.7 kg·ha-1 was used as control since this rate is traditionally recommended in the region. Increasing nitrogen application rates resulted in higher protein and oleic acid contents in two varieties in 2014, and in all varieties in 2015. Increased protein and oleic acid were accompanied by lower total oil and linoleic acid. Increased nitrogen application also resulted in higher seed N, S, B, Cu, Fe, and Zn in 2014 in S-34 and S-35, but either a decline or no clear change was observed in seed levels of these nutrients in S-38 and S-39. In 2015, increased nitrogen application resulted in significantly higher seed N in all varieties, and higher S, B, Cu, Fe, and Zn in some varieties. A significant positive correlation was observed between nitrogen application rate and yield, and with seed levels of protein, oleic, acid, N, B, Cu, Fe, and Zn. A significant negative correlation was observed between nitrogen application rate and seed oil and linoleic acid. Thus, increased nitrogen fertilizer application resulted in higher seed protein, oleic acid, and some mineral nutrients, but lower oil and linoleic acid. However, this effect depended on variety and environmental conditions. Because higher protein and oleic acid are desirable traits for sesame seed nutritional value and oil stability, regional breeders should select sesame varieties for efficient fertilizer response.

Effects of Use and Re-Use of Selected Vegetable Oils on the Proximate, Minerals, Mineral Ratios and Mineral Safety Index of Raw and Fried Plantain Chips: Note I

Raw and fried plantain chips obtained from the use and re-use of olive, refined palm olein and coconut oils were investigated for the proximate, mineral compositions, computed mineral ratios and the mineral safety index using standard analytical methods. For the selected oils (both use and re-use): first and second re-use and the fresh plantain chips (unprocessed plantain chips;UPC) had the following range results: proximate composition (%) (moisture: 8.20 - 12.3, crude protein: 9.70 - 8.60, fat: 7.40 - 12.9, fibre: 3.50 - 4.90, ash: 2.80 - 3.80 and carbohydrates: 63.5 - 64.8), % energy contributions (PEC: 63.4 - 70.8, PEF: 20.2 - 28.6, PEP: 8.03 - 9.66, UEDP: 4.49 - 5.08). The mineral composition (mg/100g) of the samples had the following greater than 80.0: Ca, Mg, K and P;Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn recorded values ranging between 1.00 and 4.00;Co, Se and Ni had their concentrations between 0.00 and 0.0363 whereas Pb and Cd recorded levels lower than 0.0006. In the mineral ratios, only K/(Ca + Mg) values fell within the acceptable ideal range. No MSI aberration was observed for the minerals from all the samples obtained from the various oils. The chi-square analysis showed that on parameter wise comparisons, there were no significant differences among the levels as treated based on the various oils except gross energy, Mg, K, P, Ca/P, Fe/Pb and K/Co. Also on pairwise comparison from linear correlation and regression, all these parameters were significantly different at r = 0.01 between the unprocessed and fried plantain samples: proximate, percentage energy distribution, mineral and mineral ratios. Generally, the first (day) frying showed fairly high nutrient concentration than the first and second re-use oils products. Therefore, for optimum nutrient preservation from fried plantain chips re-use of oil for frying should be sparingly allowed. However, olive showed highest level of nutrients in terms of proximate and mineral compositions.

Methodology and Equations of Mineral Production Forecast. Part II. The Fundamental Equation. Crude Oil Production in USA

The fundamental equation of mineral production allows to model and design the dynamics of mineral production, however complex they are or could be. It considers not only the case of a constant production to reserves ratio for given intervals of time, but with a piecewise approach, it is also enabled to account the variation on time of this ratio. With a constant production to reserves ratio, the limit expression of the fundamental equation takes the form of an Erlang distribution with a fixed shape parameter. The rate parameter equals the scale factor. The discrete piecewise version, instead of considering the reserves and the production to reserves ratio being constant through certain intervals of time, updates both variables by units of time. This version, using either lineal or non lineal functions for the variables involved, let to model known production profiles or to forecast them by experimental design. The Hubbert’s linearization updated with recent data and the p-box method applied to determine ultimate recovery of U.S. crude oil reserves indicate official accounts underestimate them. The analysis of the ideal model of production based on Hubbert’s linearization and curve, can be made by decomposing it in the distribution with time of the reserves and of the production to reserves ratio. The distribution of reserves with time is synchronized for both the ideal Hubbert’s curve and real profiles, disregarding whether they match or not. The departure of real profiles from the ideal Hubbert’s curve lies on the differences or correspondences of the distribution with time of the production to reserves ratio. The MonteCarlo simulation applied to forecast US crude oil production for the next five years points to a slow decline, with average annual yields presenting a difference lower than 10% between the start and the end of the simulation.

Rosa x alba:source of essential minerals and volatile oils

Rosa x alba is cultivated almost exclusively for the production of aromatic water and fruits widely used as ingredients in some traditional food preparations sold commercially.Results of the proximate and elemental analyses revealed that flowers exhibited higher moisture content while the dry matter content was higher in leaves.Total fat and ash was higher in fruits when compared with leaves and flowers.All studied organs were found to be rich in essential mineral such as K,Ca,P and Mg.Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile oils revealed different composition patterns between organs.Linalool and geraniol were found as major constituents of the leaf oil whereas 2-phenethyl alcohol and eugenol were the major constituents of the floral oil.In contrast,fruits showed very distinct composition and alkanes/alkenes were found to have the major contribution.The present composition could justify the traditional use of Rosa x alba which could be considered as a potential source of essential minerals and volatile constituents.

3-D Fiber Optic Fluorescent Detection System for Mineral Oilin Water

Parameter quantification principle of three-dimensional(3-D) fluorescent spe ctrum and its realization technique are studied. The portab le fiber-optic fluorescent measurer for mineral oil is given. Thr ee parameters of the exciting light wavelength, the wavelength and the intensity of the fluorescent light excited by the measured oil are expressed with 3-D co ordinates and are processed so as to be sampled again and to be curve fitted.

Effect of Mineral Oil on the Mechanical Properties and Fractographs of Fe_3(Al,Cr,Zr) Intermetallic Alloy

The effect of mineral oil on the mechanical properties and fractographs of Fe3(Al,Cr,Zr) in termetallic alloy has been investigated. The results show that the tensile ductility of the Fe3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy tested in oil is comparable with the results obtained in oxygen and is in sensitive to strain rate. The fracture mode of the Fe3(Al,Cr,Zr) alloy treated at 700℃/1.5 h and tested in oil, is cleavage and with dimples in some areas.

An Experimental Investigation of Pressure-Viscosity Relations in Four Kinds of Mineral Oil

This paper describes the principle of measuring the pressure-viscosity relation in mineral oil by the capillary method, and the ftrst experimental equipment for measuring the pressure-viscosity relation in our country—type NY-1 capillary pressuer-viscosity equipment, which is designed by the authors. The experimental investigation into four kinds of mineral oil is completed on the equipment. The range of pressure is 0 to 0.1 GPa. The experimental results show that the pressure-viscosity relations in the four kinds of mineral oil agree with the Barus equation.

Impulse Creeping Streamer and Propagation Velocity in Vegetable and Mineral Oils with Pressboard Interface

This paper presents an experimental study on the creeping discharge propagating over the pressboard surface in two vegetable oils(PFAE(palm fatty acid ester)oil and CRS(crude rapeseed)oil)and commercial mineral oil under the quasi-square impulse voltage with any pulse width.The pressboard impregnated with the sample oil is immersed completely into the same oil.The tungsten needle electrode is installed in the pressboard surface with and without the counter electrode to generate a creeping discharge.The other side of pressboard has the thin copper rod as a back side electrode.A comparison of the shape and stopping length of positive and negative streamers,discharge current,emitted light signal,and temporal variation and velocity of streamer propagation is reported for all different oil-pressboard interfaces.It has been shown that the behavior of creeping streamers has unique characteristics and polarity effects,and the traveling mode and propagation velocity of streamers are greatly different depending on the type of oil.

Pore Structure Characterization of Clay Minerals in the Lower Karamay Formation Conglomerate Reservoir in the Junggar Basin and its Impact on Hydrocarbon Storage and Seepage

The micro-nano pore structure of conglomerate in the Lower Karamay Formation of the Xinjiang Oilfield,Junggar Basin,northern China is characterized to predict its impact on fluid reserves and seepage.Authigenic clay minerals are mainly kaolinite(67%),followed by an illite/smectite mixed layer(18%),illite(10%),and chlorite(5%).For kaolinite,pore throats between 0–200 nm are dominant,accounting for 90%of the total pore throats.For illite/smectite mixed layer,pore throats also between 0–200 nm account for nearly 80%,while pore throats between 200-500 nm only account for 15%.For illite,pore throats below 100 nm account for about 80%,while pore throats in the range of 100–500 nm only account for 20%.For chlorite,most throats are below 200 nm.The pore roundness of illite is the highest,while the pore roundness of chlorite is relatively lower.The lower limits of the dynamic and static pore throat radii are 42.128 nm and 72.42 nm,respectively.The theoretical contribution rates of the illite/smectite mixed layer,kaolinite,illite and chlorite to storage/seepage are 60%/45.86%,52.72%/38.18%,37.07%/28.78%and 32.97%/26.3%,respectively.Therefore,the contribution rates of clay minerals in the study area are as follows:illite/smectite mixed layer,kaolinite,illite and chlorite.

Potassium Deficiency Influences Soybean Seed Mineral Compositions and Metabolic Profiles across CO₂

Impacts of potassium (K) deficiency and elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2) on seed constituents have rarely been explored in most crops including soybean. A controlled environment experiment was conducted with soybean grown under a sufficient (5.0 mM) and two deficient (0.50 and 0.02 mM) levels of K fertilization at ambient (aCO2) and eCO2 (400 and 800 μmol·mol-1, respectively). Both treatments significantly affected several constituents, with the K deficiency having stronger impacts than eCO2. Out of 49 seed constituents, K deficiency and eCO2 influenced 41 and 16 constituents, respectively. The K deficiency primarily decreased on average 16 constituents including minerals (e.g., K, P, Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, B), oil, and essential fatty acids (e.g., linoleic and linolenic acids) but enhanced 25 constituents such as protein, amino acids, simple sugars, and stress-responsive metabolites (e.g., sugar alcohols mannitol and myo-inositol and proline). An accumulation of N while decreased C concentration resulted in the lower C:N ratio in the seeds of K-deficient plants. However, protein:oil, C:K, N:P, and N:K ratios were consistently greater under K deficiency. The eCO2 also decreased minerals such as P, S, Zn, B, and essential fatty acids but enhanced the concentration of six constituents including alanine, oleic acid, fructose, and sugar alcohols across K fertilization. In addition, the impact of eCO2 on several amino acids appeared to be dependent on the severity of K deficiency. For instance, eCO2 decreased essential amino acids (e.g., valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine) in the seeds of severely K-deficient plants but not in the other treatments leading to a K × CO2 interaction. Results showed that CO2 enrichment is likely to exacerbate the decline in the concentration of seed minerals such as P, K, S, Zn and B, essential fatty acids, and amino acids under K limited conditions.