No abstract available

[en] Studies were conducted on the following problems: (1) Metal sulfide formation in sediments as a means of trapping heavy metals. (2) Extraction of authigenic U²³⁴/U²³⁸ from recent sediments as a method of determining rate of sediment accumulation and age dating. (3) Collection of water, sediments and coral from New Caledonia, to determine effective capture of transition metals from weathering of lateritic soil. (4) Transformation and mobilization of uranium in recent reducing sediments. (5) Distribution of transition and base metals in the interstitial water and sediments of near-shore environments. (6) Transformation of organic matter in the sediments and interstitial water of coastal marine environments. (7) Origin and degradation of organic matter in the sediments of the Dead Sea. (8) Composition of interstitial water from JOIDES project from deep ocean cores

No abstract available

No abstract available

[en] A method for the on-site collection and examination of small concentrations of a carbonaceous gas, e.g. methane, dissolved in a body of water overlying an earth formation to predict hydrocarbon potential of the earth formation under the body of water, the formation being a source of carbonaceous gas, comprises at a known geographic location sampling the water at a selected flow rate and at a selected depth; continuously vacuum separating the water into liquid and gas phases; separating a selected carbonaceous gas from interfering gas species in the presence of an air carrier vented to atmosphere at a known flow rate; and quantitatively oxidizing the selected gas and then cryogenically trapping an oxidant thereof in the presence of said air carrier to provide for an accurate isotopic examination. (author)

[en] In a relatively quick, convenient and highly accurate technique for the determination of a carbonaceous gas, normally methane, contained in water samples collected at depth from a body of water overlying an earth formation to predict the hydrocarbon-containing potential of the earth formation, carbonaceous gaseous constituents liberated from the water are carried via an air stream to flow into and through an isotope trapping network where collection in microlitre amounts occurs. The isotope capture apparatus comprises a box-like structure formed from a series of panel members, front panel member intersecting the bottom panel member near the centre of the latter and carrying interconnected gas trapping and stripping sections, the structure also comprising a detachable lid connectable by means, for protection of sections. (author)

[en] A method for the on-site collection and examination of small concentrations of methane dissolved in water so as to predict hydrocarbon potential of an earth formation underlying a body of water, said formation being a source of said methane, comprises: (i) sampling the water; (ii) continuously vacuum separating said water into liquid and gas phases; (iii) quantitatively separating interfering gas species from methane; (iv) quantitatively oxidising said methane; (v) cryogenically trapping the resulting gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor at a trapping station, and (vi) isotopically examining said trapped carbon dioxide and water vapour for carbon and deuterium distribution. (author)

[en] Carbon and oxygen isotopes were analyzed in carbonate apatite CO₂ and in co-existing calcite. Both C and O in apatite CO₂ are enriched in the respective light isotopes relative to calcite. These results confirm the proposition that carbonate is part of the apatite structure

[en] Pyrolysis-combustion, direct combustion and hydrolysis procedures have been developed for study of returned lunar samples. They are also applicable to the analysis of elements on small geological specimens. During pyrolysis-combustion, the sample is degassed at 150⁰C, heated in vacuum to 1,225⁰C and the gaseous products are measured and collected. The pyrolysis residue is combusted in a partial atmosphere of oxygen and additional gaseous products are collected. Measured are C; total H, He and N, combusted C, delta ¹³C sub(PDB) and delta ¹⁵N sub(air). By direct combustion in oxygen, the abundances of C, S, N and He, and delta ¹³C sub(PDB), delta ¹⁵N sub(air) and delta ³⁴S sub(CD) are determined. Hydrolysis involves reacting the sample in 6N H₂SO₄ overnight at 105⁰C. The gaseous products measured are S, delta³⁴S sub(CD), CH₄, He and % metallic Fe (from H₂ released). (Mori, K.)

[en] When crude or refined oil products enter the environment they begin to degrade by numerous microbiological or physical processes. The result of such changes is to alter the molecular composition of the product so that its source is unrecognizable by application of conventional EPA-type methodology. Numerous methods have been devised in the petroleum exploration industry to characterize source rock bitumens and reservoir hydrocarbons. A modification of these methods has been successfully applied at the authors company to identify the source of the fugitive hydrocarbons. For mildly altered products a statistical comparison is made using pattern recognition of the n-alkane distribution between C₁₀-C₃₅ for heavy products and C₃-C₁₀ for the gasoline range products. For highly altered products, a search is made for complex organic molecules that have undergone the least alteration, which include long chain polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and the polycyclic paraffinic hydrocarbons. These biomarker compounds have many isomeric forms which help characterize their sources. Elemental composition; especially sulfur, vanadium and nickel, and other transition and base metals help differentiate crude oil from refined products. Lead alkyls and MTBE are especially useful in determining residence time of gasoline products in soil and ground water. Petroporphyrin characterization can help differentiate crude oil from heavy refined oils or fluids. Stable isotope ratios are particularly useful for differentiating sources of highly altered petroleum products