Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing of hyper petroleum degraders from oil-polluted Niger Delta Soil

Microbial diversity profiles of two crude oil-polluted soils in the Niger Delta

Determination and authentication of the geographical origin of food products have recently become relevant in investigations against frauds for consumer protection. Studies on territoriality are based on the hypothesis that chemical elements detected in plants and their products reflect those contained in the soil. Geographical features of the production area are considered relevant factors affecting the specific designation such as the composition of the parent rock, soil-forming process, climate, topography, and land use. As suggested by Pepi et al (2017; 2018), geochemical characterization, based on the determination of major and trace elements, is commonly used to establish the geographical origin of products. This work aims to present a preliminary study on soil samples to establish a method to identify the geographical origin of two different types of red chicory (long-leaves and round-leaves). Granulometric analysis and the major element composition, on a set of 12 samples of agricultural soils from the southern Po Delta area were used for local soil characterization. The samples come from a site located in Massenzatica (Municipality of Mesola, Province of Ferrara, NE of Italy) and sampling has been undertaken between October and December 2020 in different fields: 6 samples came from two fields inside the area of the Consorzio Uomini di Massenzatica (CUM), where the other 6 came from an area outside CUM. Grain size analysis shows a high similarity for all samples, with an average amount of sand of 85.76% (±1.47), 10.11% (±1.52) of Silt and 4.13% (±0.77) of Clay. According to USDA classification, the samples can be classified as Loamy Sand and Sand. Concerning the major element compositions (SiO2, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Al2O3), the samples are comparable, and aluminum plays an important role as a constituent of the clay fraction of soil, as a good reference element. Differences emerge when alkaline elements (K2O, Na2O) are considered: K concentration discriminates in the soil characterization between the two cultivated varieties.

Geochemical characterization and granulometric analysis of agricultural soils as a tool for geographical origin identification: preliminary results from the case study of Massenzatica (Ferrara)

In the Latina Valley (Central Apennines, Italy) several discontinuous bitumen outcrops and a well-known oil field occur, cultivated since the 19th century. The distribution of such deposits is strongly controlled by faults, which have a fundamental role in controlling hydrocarbon migration, entrapment, and/or leakage within fold-and thrust belts. However, little attention has been dedicated in the past to the role of post-orogenic normal faults in controlling hydrocarbon migration during the orogenic collapse. Field and subsurface data are here combined with geological evidence from the Ripi oil field, and a conceptual model is proposed for hydrocarbon migration along post-orogenic normal faults and entrapment within shallow reservoirs. Results show that post-orogenic normal faults promoted updip hydrocarbon migration from Upper Triassic mature source rocks, which generated oil during foreland/foredeep flexure and subsequent involvement into the accretionary wedge. Where pre-orogenic deposits were covered by less-permeable syn-orogenic sandstones, marls, and clays, hydrocarbons moved laterally from normal faults and impregnated high-porosity sandstone lenses, generating discontinuous and heavy oil reservoirs. On the contrary, where syn-orogenic deposits were eroded in response to orogenic uplift, hydrocarbons leaked at the Earth’s surface. Results from this study can be applied to reduce risks during hydrocarbon exploration and appraisal in similar tectonic settings.

The role of post-orogenic normal faulting in hydrocarbon migration in fold-and-thrust belts: insights from the Latina Valley (central Apennines, Italy)

The Springfield Plateau groundwater province is an aquifer that runs through southwestern Missouri and parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas. It overlies the Ozark confining unit and is mainly recharged by precipitation. This karst aquifer is unconfined, which makes it vulnerable to waste contaminants from animals or other surface activities, that can percolate through the soil and fractured limestone. Little research has been reported on this aquifer since it is not used for drinking supply or irrigation. There are karst features that have form, such as springs that feed into streams that sustain the nearby biota The objective of this study is to evaluate the ground water quality through analysis of the nitrates and selected major ions in samples collected from springs and streams in Polk county Missouri. I will be collecting about 40 samples and will analyze for pH, alkalinity, turbidity, sulfate, chloride, and nitrate. The results will show the extent of contamination of groundwater (springs) and their impact to receiving streams. Also, since I will be collecting samples at intervals of 1-2 months, I will determine seasonal changes in water quality.​ ​

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Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing of hyper petroleum degraders from oil-polluted Niger Delta Soil

Microbial diversity profiles of two crude oil-polluted soils in the Niger Delta

Geochemical characterization and granulometric analysis of agricultural soils as a tool for geographical origin identification: preliminary results from the case study of Massenzatica (Ferrara)

The role of post-orogenic normal faulting in hydrocarbon migration in fold-and-thrust belts: insights from the Latina Valley (central Apennines, Italy)

Water Quality Analysis of the Springfield Plateau Aquifer

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