Protection of organic matter by mineral matrix in a Cenomanian black shale

L'UMR CNRS 6531, Laboratoire de Géologie de la Matière Organique a été intégré dans l'ISTO - UMR6113 - CNRS-Université d'OrléansThree types of pathways (degradation-recondensation, natural sulphurization and selective preservation) are commonly considered for the formation of kerogen dispersed in sedimentary rocks. A fourth pathway has been recently put forward, however, from studies on Recent marine sediments, the so-called sorptive protection mechanism. This pathway is based on the adsorption of otherwise labile organic compounds onto minerals, thus preventing their diagenetic degradation and promoting their subsequent condensation into kerogen. The main results of the present study are derived from a combination of microscopic and pyrolytic methods applied on a Cenomanian kerogen. They provide (i) evidence, on an ancient material, for a crucial role of the mineral matrix both in organic matter (OM) preservation during kerogen formation and in kerogen stability once formed, (ii) indications that the dominant protective process likely involves physical protection by minerals, resulting from alternation of organic and clay nanolayers of approximately 100 nm in thickness, rather than OM adsorption as molecular monolayers and (iii) observations of the relatively poor stability of an isolated kerogen, contrary to the inertness commonly assumed for fossil macromolecular organic matter

Organic matter sources and early diagenetic degradation in a tropical peaty marsh (Tritrivakely, Madagascar). Implications for environmental reconstruction during the Sub-Atlantic

Peat samples from a one metre core and living Cyperaceae, collected in Tritrivakely marsh in Madagascar, were studied to determine the organic matter (OM) composition and extent of OM degradation in this core. The study was carried out combining light microscopy observations, bulk analyses, infra-red spectroscopy, hydrolyses of sugars, oxidation of lignin and pyrolyses. In the surface peat, organic matter derived from Cyperaceae undergoes extensive degradation of its basic cell wall components, morphologically revealed by destructuration of plant tissues and their transformation into reddish amorphous organic matter occurring in large amounts all along the core. Two ratios (cinnamic units/lignin and xylose+arabinose/total sugars) were determined as markers of Cyperaceae. It appeared that the vegetation of the marsh remained probably unchanged during the considered accumulation period, i.e. the last 2300 years B.P. Rhamnose, mannose and non-cellulosic glucose probably have a common origin and are mostly derived from bacteria. In contrast, galactose is likely to be a marker of algal source, especially of the diatoms that occur only in the upper part of the core (0-ca. 50 cm). Acid/aldehyde ratios of syringic and vanillic monomers (index of lignin oxidative depolymerisation) and mannose+rhamnose+non-cellulosic glucose/total sugars ratios (reflecting bacterial degradation of hemicelluloses) are positively correlated, and can thus be considered as markers of microbial degradation of the Cyperaceae tissues. The n-alkane/n-alk-1-ene doublets that dominate the pyrolysates of hydrolysed peat samples reflect the contribution of B. braunii algaenan and higher plant suberans, and of condensed lipids mostly derived from higher plants and microalgae. The upper part of the core is characterised by a greater dilution of Cyperaceae-derived compounds by organic matter from microalgae when compared with deeper samples, as recorded by peat bulk features, hydrolysable sugars, lignin oxidation products and pyrolysis products. Two accumulation periods can thus be distinguished in the core: a peaty phase between 2300 years B.P. and ca. 1500 years B.P. (low watertable and strongly limited microalgal growth); a waterlogged marsh, from ca. 1500 years B.P. to the present time, in which a higher water table was longer lasting with a substantial algal production. The environmental variation thus recorded could correspond to a regional climatic change occurring around 1500 years B.P

Parametric generation of twin photons in vertical triple microcavities

We report the realization of a monolithic vertical-cavity, surface emitting micro-optical parametric conversion nanostructure, triply resonant with the parametric frequencies, allowing parametric oscillation with ultra-low pump power threshold. The photonic phase-space naturally provides triple resonance for the parametric frequencies, together with built-in cavity phase-matching for the pump wave at normal incidence. Parametric oscillation is observed in both the strong and weak exciton–photon coupling regime, allowing a high operating temperature. Signal and idler beams can be collected at 0° or at finite angles. The OPO threshold is low enough to envisage the realization of an all-semiconductor electrically-pumped micro-parametric oscillator

Distribution lipidique et voies métaboliques chez quatre bactéries Gram-négatives hydrocarbonoclastes (variation en fonction de la source de carbone)

PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Physique recherche (751052113) / SudocSudocFranceF

Stabilité thermique de la fraction aromatique de l'huile brute Safaniya (Moyen Orient) (étude expérimentale, schéma cinétique par classes moléculaires et implications géochimiques)

PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Physique recherche (751052113) / SudocSudocFranceF

Caractérisation géochimique du kérogène associé à l'argile oligocène de Boom (Mol, Belgique) et évolution sous divers stress thermiques

PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Physique recherche (751052113) / SudocSudocFranceF

Modélisation cinétique de l'hydrotraitement en lit fixe des résidus pétroliers (étude de la réactivité des composés soufrés)

PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Physique recherche (751052113) / SudocSudocFranceF

Géochimie des black shales du Jurassique supérieur de la plate-forme russe. Processus de sédimentation et de préservation de la matière organique

PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocCentre Technique Livre Ens. Sup. (774682301) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Sci.Terre recherche (751052114) / SudocFONTAINEBLEAU-MINES ParisTech (771862302) / SudocSudocFranceF

Possible algal origin of long chain odd n-alkanes in immature sediments as revealed by distributions and carbon isotope ratios

International audienceA Pliocene oil shale (Pula, Hungary), a C3 plant Triticum aestivum and a C4 plant Zea mays were compared using isotopic composition of bulk organic matter, along with distributions and individual carbon isotope ratios of n-alkanes from organic extracts. The microalga Botryococcus braunii (A race) was thus shown to be the main source of the predominant 27, 29 and 31 n-alkanes of Pula sediment Therefore, the dominance of odd carbon-numbered n-alkanes in the range C25–35 in extracts from immature sediments shall not be systematically assigned to higher plant contribution but algal input is also possible. In fact, the long chain n-alkanes with an odd predominance previously observed in extracts of various immature sediments are likely to be derived at least partially, from algae