Model analysis combining gravity and seismic data with the response of inhomogeneous mantle

This paper proposes a new strategy for conducting model analysis with gravity anomaly and seismic data, in which the gravity response of inhomogeneous mantle should be taken into account. Model calculations and a case study in the Sichuan basin demonstrate this strategy a good potential to make the gravity data processing and inversion more consistent with the actual geological conditions. By collecting the comprehensive geophysical research results in many regions around the world, as well as the corresponding deep mantle structure, we find the lateral inhomogeneity of the mantle is widely distributed in the petroliferous basins, continental margins, ocean-continent transitions and other geological sites of general interest. However, in many joint studies based on gravity and seismic data, model analysis is usually performed within the crust. Although it simplifies the difficulty of the model analysis, the gravity anomaly caused by deep earth inhomogeneity should have been considered, otherwise the inverted density structure and interpretations may deviate the actual geological conditions. Therefore, based on the 2D forward modeling, this paper evaluates the quantitative effect of inhomogeneous mantle on Bouguer anomaly. Moreover, in a case study of the Sichuan basin, the results of the 2. 5D joint simulation taking into account the inhomogeneous mantle are obviously better than those of following the homogeneous mantle hypothesis

Integrated geophysical studies on the distribution of Quaternary biogenic gases in the Qaidam Basin, NW China

Quaternary biogenic gas fields in the Sanhu area of the Qaidam Basin are characterized by gentle structures, shallow burial, weak compaction, high porosity and great bulk thickness, which determine their unique geophysical anomalies, such as the locally low gravity, micro-magnetic high frequency anomaly, seismic event push-down and attribute anomaly. An integrated geophysical processing and interpretation scheme is put forward for shallow biogenic gas prediction in this area. Amplitude preservation is performed for 1:100000 gravity data and the processing results are correlated with known gas distributions and aeromagnetic results, remote sensing and seismic hydrocarbon detection. This study shows that the residual gravity low anomaly has a good correlation with the gas field and, as an important feature of the biogenic gas field, the amplitude of residual gravity low anomaly is directly proportional to the measure of gas reservoir. Based on the residual gravity low anomaly and other exploration data, the distribution of gas reservoirs in the Sanhu area is characterized by vertical overlapping, lateral zoning and local enrichment. Residual gravity anomaly, in combination with regional geologic data, reveals three favorable zones, one fairly favorable zone (low gas production zone), five possibly favorable zones and four favorable targets. Key words: Qaidam Basin, Sanhu area, Quaternary, biogenic gas, gravity, magnetic, seismic, geophysical integration, exploration directio

Distribution of hydrocarbon traps in volcanic rocks and optimization for selecting exploration prospects and targets in Junggar Basin: Case study in Ludong-Wucaiwan area, NW China

Based on petrophysical, magnetic, gravity, electric, seismic and drilling data, combined with geological regularities, this paper proposed an integrated approach for the distribution prediction and lithology recognition of volcanic rocks, as well as the exploration prospect and target optimization of hydrocarbon deposits. The exploration technology was improved in the application to exploration in the Ludong-Wucaiwan area in Junggar Basin. Some important viewpoints are concluded as follows: aeromagnetic anomaly gradient belts correspond to volcanic faults, faults control the distribution of volcanic rocks and accordingly their local structures, aeromagnetic anomaly gradient belts correspond to highly-developed fracture zones and are prospective areas for volcanic reservoirs. The proposed integrated approach is proven effective by the exploration drilling results with high-flow gas wells. Key words: Junggar Basin, volcanic rock, gas deposit, aeromagnetic survey, seismic exploration, gravity survey, time domain electromagnetic surve

PtdIns(3)P-bound UVRAG coordinates Golgi-ER retrograde and Atg9 transport by differential interactions with the ER tether and the beclin 1 complex.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi membrane transport and autophagy are intersecting trafficking pathways that are tightly regulated and crucial for homeostasis, development and disease. Here, we identify UVRAG, a beclin-1-binding autophagic factor, as a phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P)-binding protein that depends on PtdIns(3)P for its ER localization. We further show that UVRAG interacts with RINT-1, and acts as an integral component of the RINT-1-containing ER tethering complex, which couples phosphoinositide metabolism to COPI-vesicle tethering. Displacement or knockdown of UVRAG profoundly disrupted COPI cargo transfer to the ER and Golgi integrity. Intriguingly, autophagy caused the dissociation of UVRAG from the ER tether, which in turn worked in concert with the Bif-1-beclin-1-PI(3)KC3 complex to mobilize Atg9 translocation for autophagosome formation. These findings identify a regulatory mechanism that coordinates Golgi-ER retrograde and autophagy-related vesicular trafficking events through physical and functional interactions between UVRAG, phosphoinositide and their regulatory factors, thereby ensuring spatiotemporal fidelity of membrane trafficking and maintenance of organelle homeostasis

PtdIns(3)P-bound UVRAG coordinates Golgi–ER retrograde and Atg9 transport by differential interactions with the ER tether and the beclin 1 complex

ER-Golgi membrane transport and autophagy are intersecting trafficking pathways that are tightly regulated and crucial for homeostasis, development and diseases. Here, we identify UVRAG, a Beclin1-binding autophagic factor, as a PI(3)P-binding protein that depends on PI(3)P for its ER localization. We further show that UVRAG interacts with RINT-1, and acts as an integral component of the RINT-1-containing ER tethering complex, which couples phosphoinositide metabolism to COPI-vesicle tethering. Displacement or knockdown of UVRAG profoundly disrupted COPI cargo transfer to the ER and Golgi integrity. Intriguingly, autophagy caused the dissociation of UVRAG from the ER tether, which in turn worked in concert with the Bif-1-Beclin-PI(3)KC3 complex to mobilize Atg9 translocation for autophagosome formation. These findings identify a regulatory mechanism that coordinates Golgi-ER retrograde and autophagy-related vesicular trafficking events through physical and functional interactions between UVRAG, phosphoinositide, and their regulatory factors, thereby ensuring spatiotemporal fidelity of membrane trafficking and maintenance of organelle homeostasis