Earth Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals Under The Catalysis Of Cerium-Modified Magnetic Core-Shell Hzsm-5, Zhou Anning, Zhang Zhi, Chen Yongan, Zhang Huaiqing, Bai Zhuangwei, Shi Zhiwei, He Xinfu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar-rich coals are valuable resources integrating coal, tar, and gas properties. Catalytic pyrolysis serves as a significant approach for achieving green and low-carbon development of tar-rich coals. However, the research and development of efficient and recyclable catalysts for the pyrolysis of tar-rich coals remains highly challenging. Methods With HZSM-5@SiO₂@MgFe₂O₄ (HSMF) as the raw material, this study prepared HZSM-5@SiO₂@MgFe₂O₄ (mHSMF) with a hierarchical porous structure using the hydrothermal method and alkali modification, followed by the preparation of cerium-modified mHSMF (5-CeO₂/mHSMF) using the precipitation method. Employing a fixed-bed reactor, …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Strategic Value And Scientific Exploration Of In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals, Wang Shuangming, Shi Qingmin, Sun Qiang, Cui Shidong, Kou Bingyang, Qiao Junwei, Geng Jishi, Zhang Lei, Tian Hua, Jiang Pengfei, Cai Yue, Liu Lang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Given China's significant demand shortfall of oil and gas, numerous constraints on oil and gas supply, an arduous task of green and low-carbon energy transition of coals, tar-rich coals, a type of coal resource integrating the properties of coal, oil, and gas, have great potential for increasing the oil and gas supply of the country. Advances Despite the successful engineering test conducted in Yulin, Shaanxi Province, in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals remains in its exploratory stage. This technology holds great strategic value in two aspects: (1) It enables reduced demand shortfall of oil and gas in China to enhance …

Numerical Simulations Of The Evolutionary Patterns Of Multi-Physical Fields During The In-Situ Pyrolysis Of Tar-Rich Coals, Yang Fu, Cheng Xiangqiang, Li Mingjie, Wu Zhiqiang, Wei Jinjia, Cao Husheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals, an emerging technology for coal resource utilization characterized by cleanliness, high efficiency, and safety, is still in its initial development stage. This technology is greatly influenced by the evolutionary patterns of multi-physical fields and critical process parameters. Methods A numerical simulation model involving multi-physical fields was established by coupling fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical reactions, and its reliability was verified by comparing the numerical simulation results with the pyrolysis experimental results of cylindrical coal samples. Based on the pilot test conditions, the impacts of permeability, heat-carrier flow rate, and fracture zone height …

Impacts Of The Caking Property Of Tar-Rich Coals On Their Pore Structure Evolution And Seepage During Pyrolysis, Chang Zhibing, Wang Chuchu, Kuang Wenhao, Tang Ying, Wu Xiaodan, Liu Shuqin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The in-situ pyrolysis of tar-rich coals stands as a technique whereby coal seams are heated underground to produce tar and gas products. During the in-situ pyrolysis, the injection of heating media and the production of tar and gas are affected by the pore structure and permeability of coal seams. Since pyrolysis of caking tar-rich coals is accompanied by the formation of colloids, the pore structure and permeability of caking tar-rich coals differ from those of non-caking tar-rich coals. Methods Caking tar-rich coals were pyrolyzed at 300, 400, 500, and 600 ℃. During the pyrolysis, the pore parameters of the …

Identification Of Tar-Rich Coal Based On The True Density And Natural Gamma Ray Response Of Coals, Shi Qingmin, Geng Xuhu, Wang Shuangming, Cai Yue, Han Bo, Wang Shengquan, Zhang Zhehao, He Yufei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar yield, derived from the Gray-King assay, serves as the sole metric for evaluating tar-rich coal. However, insufficient exploration data hinder its effective application in the fine-scale evaluation of extensive tar-rich coal. Methods Based on binary classification, this study proposed the optimal thresholds for tar-rich coal identification using true density (ρ) and natural gamma-ray (GR) log. Moreover, this study elucidated the intrinsic mechanisms behind the significant petrophysical parameter responses of tar-rich coal. Results and Conclusions Key findings are as follows: (1) Coals with various metamorphic grades differ in identification threshold. For instance, long-flame tar-rich coal, the optimal …

A Log-Based Method For Evaluating The Tar Yield Of Tar-Rich Coal, Tian Han, Li Ning, Wang Shuangming, Wu Hongliang, Feng Zhou, Wang Kewen, Wang Guiwen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective As a kind of coal-based oil and gas resource, tar-rich coal is significant for the supply of oil and gas resources, as well as the clean and efficient utilization of coals. Presently, the identification of tar-rich coals primarily depends on the Gray-King assay. In contrast, there is a lack of studies on the accurate identification and evaluation of tar-rich coal using geophysical methods. Methods This study investigated coals in the Jurassic Xishanyao and Badaowan Formations in Santanghu Basin, Xinjiang. Based on petrophysical experiments, as well as the typical log response characteristics of tar-rich coal, this study developed a new …

A Method For Predicting The Tar Yield Of Tar-Rich Coals Based On The Bp Neural Network Using Multiple Indicators Of Coal Petrography And Coal Quality, Qiao Junwei, Wang Changjian, Zhao Hongchao, Shi Qingmin, Zhang Yu, Fan Qi, Wang Duo, Yuan Dandan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Tar yield, the most important coal quality parameter for coal utilization through low-temperature pyrolysis, determines the clean utilization of tar-rich coals. However, various constraints result in limited test data on tar yield in the geological exploration stage of coals, substantially restricting the fine-scale assessment and efficient utilization of tar-rich coals. Methods To achieve more scientific and accurate fine-scale tar-rich coal assessments, this study examined 1073 sets of lithotype and coal quality data obtained previously from a Jurassic coalfield in northern Shaanxi. From these data, 141 sets with 20 lithotype and coal quality parameters regarding macerals, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, …

Performance Of Carbon Foams Based On Heavy Tar Produced By Tar-Rich Coal Pyrolysis, Zhang Lei, Liu Chunjiang, Song Ruikang, Wang Qi, Chen Ya, Huang Pengcheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Preparing graphitized foam materials using heavy tar produced by the pyrolysis of tar-rich coals plays a significant role in the high-value utilization of tar-rich coal resources. Methods This study aims to prepare high-performance carbon foam materials by investigating the relationships between various reaction conditions and carbon foam performance. First, using mesophase asphalt prepared with heavy tar as the precursor, carbon foams were developed via the high-temperature self-foaming method. Then, the effects of different reaction temperatures, heating rates, and reaction pressures on the performance of coal tar-based carbon foams were examined. Finally, quadratic multinomial regression equations were established using Box-Behnken …

Molecular Modeling Of Tar-Rich Coals From Northern Shaanxi And Their Molecular Dynamic Characteristics In The Process Of Pyrolysis For Tar Extraction, Guo Wei, Yang Panxi, Yu Zunyi, Yang Fu, Wang Jing, Ma Li, Li Hongqiang, Yang Bolun, Wu Zhiqiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The pyrolysis process and mechanism of tar-rich coals remain unclear due to their complex structures. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the structure-activity relationship between their structure and the distributions of their pyrolytic products and determine the mechanism behind their pyrolysis for tar extraction. Methods Focusing on typical tar-rich coals from northern Shaanxi Province, this study calculated and constructed the molecular model of the coals using characterization methods such as carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), determining the molecular formula at C₄₄₄H₃₈₀O_{74 …}

Advances In Research On Hydrogenation Saturation Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Coal Tar, He Xinfu, Gao Fan, Wu Hongju, Zhang Xiaoqin, Ma Tao, Shi Zhiwei, Zhou Anning, Zhang Yating

Coal Geology & Exploration

Significance Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a predominant component in coal tar, can be used to produce jet fuels with high energy density and thermal stability through hydrogenation saturation. Based on the characteristics of the PAH hydrogenation process, this study proposed that primary challenges in PAH hydrogenation saturation include the resonance energy of PAHs themselves, the spatial site resistance of hydrogenation intermediates, and the competitive adsorption of feedstocks and intermediates on active sites in the catalysts. Progress Based on the review of research progress in catalysts for PAH hydrogenation saturation in recent years, this study analyzed the substantial factor influencing the …

A Fresh Take: Seasonal Changes In Terrestrial Freshwater Inputs Impact Salt Marsh Hydrology And Vegetation Dynamics (Estuaries And Coasts, (2024), 10.1007/S12237-024-01392-1), Maya S. Montalvo, Emilio Grande, Anna E. Braswell, Ate Visser, Bhavna Arora, Erin C. Seybold, Corianne Tatariw, John C. Haskins, Charlie A. Endris, Fuller Gerbl

School of Earth & Environment Departmental Research

Salt marshes exist at the terrestrial-marine interface, providing important ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Tidal inputs play a dominant role in salt marsh porewater mixing, and terrestrially derived freshwater inputs are increasingly recognized as important sources of water and solutes to intertidal wetlands. However, there remains a critical gap in understanding the role of freshwater inputs on salt marsh hydrology, and how this may impact marsh subsurface salinity and plant productivity. Here, we address this knowledge gap by examining the hydrologic behavior, porewater salinity, and pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica also known as Salicornia pacifica) plant productivity along …

Road Mitigation Structures Designed For Texas Ocelots: Influence Of Structural Characteristics And Environmental Factors On Non-Target Wildlife Usage, Anna Rivera Roy, Kevin W. Ryer, Md. Saydur Rahman, John H. Young Jr., Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roads negatively impact wildlife through habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat connectivity, and wildlife-vehicle collisions, thus road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address this issue all over the world, including in the United States. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along a State Highway in an effort to address road mortality for the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and non-target wildlife species. The goal of this study was to examine temporal changes in wildlife interactions with WCS and WG during and after their construction and …

Red Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex Barbatus, Nests Impact Soil Compaction But Not Temperature In Peri-Urban Habitats Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Geovanni Hernandez, Hannah J. Penn, Richard Cano, Lilly Victoria Elliott-Vidaurri, Robin A. Choudhury

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Ants are vital ecosystem engineers that can influence soil properties, subsequent soil processes, and associated biota via underground nest construction. Harvester ants consume seeds and are often found in arid areas. They frequently alter the soil chemistry and bulk density of the soils in and around their nest sites. Many species of harvester ants also intentionally remove vegetation around their nest openings, which creates cones or discs of bare soil that may further alter soil temperatures. However, much of the work to study the impacts of harvester ants on soil properties has occurred in shrubland and grassland settings rather than …

Chemical And Morphological Characterization Of Airborne Particulate Matter At The Jackpile-Paguate Mine, Pueblo Of Laguna, New Mexico: Implications For Potential Metals Exposure, Andreanna C. Roros

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

The inhalation of windblown particulate matter (PM) derived from abandoned uranium mines (AUMs) is a potential environmental health risk to Native American communities that live in proximity to these sites. However, the aeolian transport of metal-bearing PM from AUMs, as a potential exposure pathway, has not been investigated in any detail. In this study, we sampled airborne particulate matter within the Jackpile Mine located on the lands of the Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico using passive sampling methods to understand the characteristics of dust within the mine site. The objective was to determine the elemental concentrations, mineralogy, and morphology of …

Carbonate And Organic Proxies And The Impacts Of Climate On Lake Systems: Paleoclimate Interpretations From Lake Chalco, Mexico, Aria Holmes

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

This project incorporates several lines of evidence to better understand the climate at Lake Chalco. Chapter 1 utilizes oxygen isotopes from carbonates and show that the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone varies on primarily glacial and millennial timescales; precession is not observed. These data indicate glacials periods were shallower and interglacials were wetter periods at Lake Chalco. Chapter 2 studies carbon, nitrogen, C/N, and TOC proxies and finds that the lake conditions during the glacials and interglacials are primarily a mixed algal-macrophyte-terrestrial organic matter. Deviations show that the lake during the interglacials had more algal organic matter- reflecting influxes of nutrients …

Geotechnical Analysis Of Soil Sample Pp-7 From The Ewu Palouse Prairie Restoration Site, Cheney, Wa, Jessica M. Lawrence, Sydney Fergen, Kai L. Valentine, Annika Smith

2024 Symposium

The Eastern Washington University Palouse Prairie Restoration Project is a program set to restore 120 acres of Palouse prairie back to its native habitat. The land is currently leased as a no till annual wheat field. The soil lies atop Pleistocene loess from the Cordilleran Ice Sheet and glaciofluvial deposits from the Great Missoula Floods. There were 9 different soil samples collected from the Palouse prairie restoration project area. Group 7 analyzed soil sample PP-7 collected at 47.492747°N, -117.593442°W, on September 21st, 2023, and over 10 weeks, tested the specific gravity (ASTM D854), particle size distribution (ASTM D422, D7928), soil …

A Seasonal Decomposition Comparison Between Forest And Turf Habitats: Implications For Climate Change, Amanda Shirmer

DePaul Discoveries

Decomposition is an essential ecosystem service in which microorganisms breakdown organic matter. This process improves soil health and acts as a vital step in global carbon cycles. In this study, we examined decomposition rates and associated soil properties in turf and forest habitats across summer and fall seasons in order to determine how land management practices and climate change may be altering local decomposition regimes. Our study determined that there was a statistically significant difference between decomposition rates in turf and forest ecosystems (P=0.003) and a significant difference in decomposition rate across season (P

Agenda De Investigación Para El Manejo Sustentable Del Manglar En Tamaulipas, México [Research Agenda For The Sustainable Management Of Mangroves In Tamaulipas, Mexico], Carlos Zamora-Tovar, Alejandro Fierro-Cabo, Glenda Nelly Requena-Lara

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Se presenta un análisis de la información ecológica disponible sobre los manglares de Tamaulipas, México. El objetivo fue establecer una línea base de conocimiento que defina el estado del arte a partir de la información publicada; actualizar la estructura forestal con datos propios observados en el año 2018; y determinar una agenda de investigación prioritaria para el manejo sostenible del ecosistema de man-glar, ecosistema de vital importancia por la gran variedad de recursos y servicios ambientales que aporta a la sociedad. La investigación bibliográfica recopiló 32 trabajos relevantes: 16 publicaciones formales, siete ediciones institucionales y nueve consideradas literaturas gris; recopilación …

The Fishing Cat: New Insights On Distribution In The Northern Sector Of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, Rupesh Maharjan, Rama Mishra, Jhamak Bahadur Karki

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Bennett, 1833) is an elusive and medium-sized feline species with distinguished marking patterns on their head and body separating them from other feline species. Despite being distributed widely among diverse geographic locations, their abundance has declined due to significant habitat loss and human disturbances. There exists a substantial research gap regarding their abundance and distribution in Nepal. In this article, we presented the updated documentation of the fishing cat distribution in the northern sector of Chitwan National Park through our species-focused camera trapping survey. The study was carried out between April and May 2021 with a …

National Parks Field Journal, Isadora Davis

Art and Design Student Scholarship and Projects

A handwritten, richly illustrated field journal by Binghamton University art major Isadora Davis, recording a trip through national parks in the American West via SUNY Broome's BIO 217: Ecology of National Parks. Davis uses colored pencil drawings and pressed botanical specimens to record landscapes, birds, mammals, and plant life in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Wind Cave, and Badlands National Parks, as well as Custer State Park. Davis's sketches and diagrams visually explore how to decode past landscapes from current formations, while her written entries explain species diversity, animal behavior, and the mechanisms causing geological formations and geothermal events. Part memoir of …

Mapping Recent Timber Harvest Activity In A Temperate Forest Using Single Date Airborne Lidar Surveys And Machine Learning: Lessons For Conservation Planning, G. Bursh Fisher, Andrew J. Elmore, Matthew C. Fitzpatrick, Darin J. Mcneil, Jeff W. Atkins, Jeffery L. Larkin

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Effective planning for natural resource management and wildlife conservation requires detailed information on vegetation structure at landscape scales and how structure is influenced by land- use practices. In many forested landscapes, the largest impacts of land use on forest structure are driven by forest management activities, which can include invasive species control, prescribed fire, partial harvests (e.g. shelterwood harvests) or overstory removals and clearcuts. Active timber management is often used to achieve forest conservation objectives, but to be used effectively, managers require knowledge of harvest frequency and extent in adjacent forests and at landscape scales. In this paper, we develop …

Discrimination Of Deposit Types Using Magnetite Geochemistry Based On Machine Learning, Peng Wang, Shang Guo Su, Guan Zhi Wang, Yang Yang Dong, Danlin Yu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The application of trace elements in magnetite for deposit genesis research is significant, highlighting its potential as a valuable mineral exploration tool. However, traditional low-dimensional analysis methods are not effective in revealing the genetic types of deposits using magnetite trace elements, as they fail to fully utilize the rich high-dimensional information provided by magnetite trace element analysis. To address this limitation, we implemented a supervised machine learning method, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), to correlate the multi-element composition of magnetite with deposit types. Our study encompassed 3,865 magnetite trace element datasets from six distinct deposit types (BIF, IOA, IOCG, magmatic, porphyry, …

A Geochemical Mechanism For >10 M Apparent Downward Offsets Of Magnetic Reversals Inferred From Comparison Of Two Scotia Sea Drill Sites, Brendan T. Reilly, Lisa Tauxe, Stefanie A. Brachfeld, Bridget Kenlee, Marcus Gutjahr, Andrew W. Dale, Iván Hernández-Almeida, Sidney Hemming, Ian Bailey, Xufeng Zheng, Daven Cheu, Reece Taglienti, Michael E. Weber, Maureen E. Raymo, Trevor Williams

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

We document an apparent downward displacement of the Matuyama-Brunhes magnetic reversal by ∼20 m at Scotia Sea International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1538 (Pirie Basin) by comparison with the well-defined paleomagnetic record at nearby Site U1537 (Dove Basin). Detailed stratigraphic correlation between the two sites is possible due to similar lithologic variations. However, the two sites have distinctly different porewater geochemistry. Notably, Site U1538 indicates a greater demand for electron acceptors to oxidize organic carbon and Fe²⁺ enrichment below the depth of SO4²⁻ depletion. Magnetic parameters indicate enrichment of an authigenic magnetic mineral with strong remanence properties around …

Drone-Based Airborne Vlf-Em In Detecting Groundwater Contamination Due To Landfill Leachate, Chanho Park, Mine Dogan

Waldo Library Student Exhibits

Modern landfills follow a strict state and federal regulation on their location, design, operation and monitoring practices. One of the key focus in the regulations is in terms of leachate. While the exact composition of the leachates depends on various factors such as waste composition and degradation processes, in general they contain groups of dissolved organic matter, inorganic cations and heavy metals.

Very Low Frequency-Electromagnetic (VLF-EM) has been widely used for delineating leachate plume direction and boundaries. Previous studies using VLF-EM were carried out as on-ground measurements due to limitations in technologies. With the advancements in Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS), …

Exploring Producers' Willingness To Pay For Ecosystem Services: Three Essays On Soil Health, Location Preferences, And Cover Crop Adoption, Kaouter Essakkat

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation comprises three essays: one assessing Midwest producers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for soil health-enhancing ecosystem services (ES), another examining the impact of policy implementation locations on WTP, and a third identifying factors influencing producers' adoption of cover crops (CC).

The first essay pioneers the understanding of agricultural producers’ valuation of soil health-associated ES amid growing concerns of soil degradation due to agricultural intensification. Using a discrete choice experiment, this study assesses producers’ WTP for a policy that incentivizes ES provision, specifically improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and enhanced crop yield. Surveying producers across Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, our results show …

Population Demography, Occupancy, And Connectivity Of Invasive Bigheaded Carp In The Platte River, Nebraska And Its Tributaries, Blake W. Logan

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis, collectively referred to as bigheaded carp, are invasive species in the United States of America that have expanded their range throughout the Missouri River basin in the last three decades. It may be desirable to develop management plans directed at the monitoring, control, or removal of bigheaded carp within the Missouri River basin. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding bigheaded carp ecology in Missouri River tributaries, which may be important for the development of management plans. As such, this study characterized bigheaded carp population demographics, occupancy, and connectivity in …

Ecological Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Vegetated Estuarine Soils Of The Lower Laguna Madre, David R. De La Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems that provide numerous ecosystem services including erosion control, habitat for fauna, and carbon sequestration. Notably, coastal wetlands are producers of greenhouse gases (GHGs) but are able to store significant amounts of carbon relative to their surface area. Mangrove forests are amongst the most effective ecosystems for carbon sequestration. Soil emits (GHGs) containing carbon (such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)), which are produced by organic matter decomposition and soil organic carbon mineralization, and both are an important component of the global carbon cycle. Soil emissions may be affected by a variety of factors including …

Review Of Agricultural Biomass Burning And Its Impact On Air Quality In The Continental United States Of America, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Amit U. Raysoni, Alqamah Sayeed, Juan L. Gonzalez, Owen Temby, Dawid K. Wladyka, Katarzyna Sepielak

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Burning is a common method to dispose agricultural biomass residue. This practice is widely used by farmers during pre- and post-harvest seasons for crops such as wheat, rice, grass seed, soy, cotton, sugarcane, and corn. Farmers choose this method because it is cost and time effective. These burning activities emit several types of pollutants into the atmosphere, including CH4, SOx, NOx, CO, CO2, and particulate matter of different sizes (i.e., PM1, PM2.5 and PM10). Globally, the United States of America ranks third, preceded by China and India, in greenhouse gas emissions due to agricultural burning activities. According to the 2020 …

Urban Soil Compaction Remediation By Shallow Tillage And Compost In Hydroseeded Lawn, James Jihoon Kang, Adam Flores, Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira, Jungseok Ho

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Construction activities often involve removal of topsoil and compaction of the exposed soil by heavy equipments. Such compacted soils with low organic matter can lead to low infiltration and poor vegetation establishment. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of tillage (shallow till) and compost on soil physical and biological properties in a hydroseeded lawn as a post-construction best management practice for soil compaction remediation. The experimental site received a total of four land treatments in five replicated trials and it was hydroseeded with common Bermuda grass: 1) No Tillage + Compost (NT-C), 2) No Tillage + …