Situ Conditions (situ + condition)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Equations of state for basin geofluids: algorithm review and intercomparison for brines

GEOFLUIDS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2002
J. J. Adams
ABSTRACT Physical properties of formation waters in sedimentary basins can vary by more than 25% for density and by one order of magnitude for viscosity. Density differences may enhance or retard flow driven by other mechanisms and can initiate buoyancy-driven flow. For a given driving force, the flow rate and injectivity depend on viscosity and permeability. Thus, variations in the density and viscosity of formation waters may have or had a significant effect on the flow pattern in a sedimentary basin, with consequences for various basin processes. Therefore, it is critical to correctly estimate water properties at formation conditions for proper representation and interpretation of present flow systems, and for numerical simulations of basin evolution, hydrocarbon migration, ore genesis, and fate of injected fluids in sedimentary basins. Algorithms published over the years to calculate water density and viscosity as a function of temperature, pressure and salinity are based on empirical fitting of laboratory-measured properties of predominantly NaCl solutions, but also field brines. A review and comparison of various algorithms are presented here, both in terms of applicability range and estimates of density and viscosity. The paucity of measured formation-water properties at in situ conditions hinders a definitive conclusion regarding the validity of any of these algorithms. However, the comparison indicates the versatility of the various algorithms in various ranges of conditions found in sedimentary basins. The applicability of these algorithms to the density of formation waters in the Alberta Basin is also examined using a high-quality database of 4854 water analyses. Consideration is also given to the percentage of cations that are heavier than Na in the waters. [source]


The seismic response to overpressure: a modelling study based on laboratory, well and seismic data

GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 5 2001
José M. Carcione
We investigate the seismic detectability of an overpressured reservoir in the North Sea by computing synthetic seismograms for different pore-pressure conditions. The modelling procedure requires the construction of a geological model from seismic, well and laboratory data. Seismic inversion and AVO techniques are used to obtain the P-wave velocity with higher reliability than conventional velocity analysis. From laboratory experiments, we obtain the wave velocities of the reservoir units versus confining and pore pressures. Laboratory experiments yield an estimate of the relationship between wave velocities and effective pressure under in situ conditions. These measurements provide the basis for calibrating the pressure model. Overpressures are caused by different mechanisms. We do not consider processes such as gas generation and diagenesis, which imply changes in phase composition, but focus on the effects of pure pore-pressure variations. The results indicate that changes in pore pressure can be detected with seismic methods under circumstances such as those of moderately deep North Sea reservoirs. [source]


Effect of H2 and Redox Condition on Biotic and Abiotic MTBE Transformation

GROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 4 2006
P.M. Bradley
Laboratory studies conducted with surface water sediment from a methyl tert -butyl ether (MTBE)-contaminated site in South Carolina demonstrated that, under methanogenic conditions, [U- 14C] MTBE was transformed to 14C tert -butyl alcohol (TBA) with no measurable production of 14CO2. Production of TBA was not attributed to the activity of methanogenic microorganisms, however, because comparable transformation of [U- 14C] MTBE to 14C-TBA also was observed in heat-sterilized controls with dissolved H2 concentrations > 5 nM. The results suggest that the transformation of MTBE to TBA may be an abiotic process that is driven by biologically produced H2 under in situ conditions. In contrast, mineralization of [U- 14C] MTBE to 14CO2 was completely inhibited by heat sterilization and only observed in treatments characterized by dissolved H2 concentrations < 2 nM. These results suggest that the pathway of MTBE transformation is influenced by in situ H2 concentrations and that in situ H2 concentrations may be an useful indicator of MTBE transformation pathways in ground water systems. [source]


Impact of land use on the hydraulic properties of the topsoil in a small French catchment

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 17 2010
E. Gonzalez-Sosa
Abstract The hydraulic properties of the topsoil control the partition of rainfall into infiltration and runoff at the soil surface. They must be characterized for distributed hydrological modelling. This study presents the results of a field campaign documenting topsoil hydraulic properties in a small French suburban catchment (7 km2) located near Lyon, France. Two types of infiltration tests were performed: single ring infiltration tests under positive head and tension-disk infiltration using a mini-disk. Both categories were processed using the BEST,Beerkan Estimation of Soil Transfer parameters,method to derive parameters describing the retention and hydraulic conductivity curves. Dry bulk density and particle size data were also sampled. Almost all the topsoils were found to belong to the sandy loam soil class. No significant differences in hydraulic properties were found in terms of pedologic units, but the results showed a high impact of land use on these properties. The lowest dry bulk density values were obtained in forested soils with the highest organic matter content. Permanent pasture soils showed intermediate values, whereas the highest values were encountered in cultivated lands. For saturated hydraulic conductivity, the highest values were found in broad-leaved forests and small woods. The complementary use of tension-disk and positive head infiltration tests highlighted a sharp increase of hydraulic conductivity between near saturation and saturated conditions, attributed to macroporosity effect. The ratio of median saturated hydraulic conductivity to median hydraulic conductivity at a pressure of , 20 mm of water was about 50. The study suggests that soil texture, such as used in most pedo-transfer functions, might not be sufficient to properly map the variability of soil hydraulic properties. Land use information should be considered in the parameterizations of topsoil within hydrological models to better represent in situ conditions, as illustrated in the paper. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Ground water level influence on thermal response test in Adana, Turkey

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008
. Bozda
Abstract For optimum design of borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) and ground sources heat pump (GSHP) applications, determination of underground thermal properties is required. The design and economic feasibility (number and depth of boreholes) of these systems need thermal conductivity of geological structure, , (W,m,1,K,1), and thermal resistance of ground heat exchanger, R (K,W,1,m). Thermal properties measured in laboratory experiments do not coincide with data of in situ conditions. Therefore, in situ thermal response test equipment has been developed and used in Canada, England, Germany, Norway, U.K., U.S.A. and Sweden to ensure precise designing of BTES systems. This paper describes the results and evaluations of the Adana continual thermal response test measurements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


In situ detection of bacteria involved in cathodic depolarization and stainless steel surface corrosion using microautoradiography

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
B.V. Kjellerup
Abstract Aims:, To examine the activity of bacteria involved in cathodic depolarization and surface corrosion on stainless steel in an in situ model system. Methods and Results:, The microautoradiographic technique (MAR) was used to evaluate the activity of bacterial populations on stainless steel surfaces with a single cell resolution. Anaerobic uptake and fixation of 14C-labelled bicarbonate occurred within corrosion sites in the absence of atmospheric hydrogen or other external electron donors, whereas it was taken up and fixed by bacteria at all other stainless steel surfaces in the presence of atmospheric hydrogen. This indicates that the bacteria utilized electrons originating from the corrosion sites due to the ongoing corrosion (cathodic depolarization). Conclusion:, Under in situ conditions, bacteria were fixating 14C-labelled bicarbonate at corrosion sites in the absence of atmospheric hydrogen. This indicates that electrons transferred to the bacteria provided energy for bicarbonate fixation due to cathodic depolarization. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Application of the MAR method showed ongoing biocorrosion in the applied in situ model system and allowed in situ examination of bacterial activity on a single cell level directly on a metal surface providing information about potential corrosion mechanisms. Furthermore, application of fluorescence in situ hybridization in combination with MAR allows for identification of the active bacteria. [source]


Bone Strength at Clinically Relevant Sites Displays Substantial Heterogeneity and Is Best Predicted From Site-Specific Bone Densitometry

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002
Felix Eckstein Ph.D.
Abstract In this study we test the hypotheses that mechanical bone strength in elderly individuals displays substantial heterogeneity among clinically relevant skeletal sites, that ex situ dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provides better estimates of bone strength than in situ DXA, but that a site-specific approach of bone densitometry is nevertheless superior for optimal prediction of bone failure under in situ conditions. DXA measurements were obtained of the lumbar spine, the left femur, the left radius, and the total body in 110 human cadavers (age, 80.6 ± 10.5 years; 72 female, 38 male), including the skin and soft tissues. The bones were then excised, spinal and femoral DXA being repeated ex situ. Mechanical failure tests were performed on thoracic vertebra 10 and lumbar vertebra 3 (compressive loading of a functional unit), the left and right femur (side impact and vertical loading configuration), and the left and right distal radius (fall configuration, axial compression, and 3-point-bending). The failure loads displayed only very moderate correlation among sites (r = 0.39 to 0.63). Ex situ DXA displayed slightly higher correlations with failure loads compared with those of in situ DXA, but the differences were not significant and relatively small. Under in situ conditions, DXA predicted 50-60% of the variability in bone failure loads at identical (or closely adjacent) sites, but only around 20-35% at distant sites, advocating a site-specific approach of densitometry. These data suggest that mechanical competence in the elderly is governed by strong regional variation, and that its loss in osteoporosis may not represent a strictly systemic process. [source]


Pink Color Defect in Poultry White Meat as Affected by Endogenous Conditions

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2003
K. Holownia
ABSTRACT The pinking defect in cooked, uncured meat has been a problem in the poultry industry for nearly 40 years. Through the years, analyses of data revealed various processing factors that seem to influence the specific biochemical conditions (pH, redox potential, denaturation, reacting ligands) of the meat that are related to the chemical state of the pigments in cooked meat, their structure, and reactivity. This review addresses endogenous conditions that affect the pigments' reactivity, and research studies conducted on in situ conditions resulting in pinking in cooked meat. Future studies could be devised for understanding mechanisms leading to developing processes for reduction/elimination of the pink defect in cooked white poultry meat. [source]


Microbial colonisation of artificial and deep-sea sediments in the Arctic Ocean

MARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Corinna Kanzog
Abstract Although environmental factors such as grain size and organic carbon content may influence the distribution of microbes in marine sediments, there has been little experimental study of the topic to date. To investigate how those sediment variables affect microbial colonisation under in situ conditions, deep-sea sediments and artificial sediments (glass beads, sands) were incubated in the Arctic deep sea at 2500 m water depth with or without chitin, one of the most important carbon polymers in marine environments. Microbial abundance, biomass, chitobiase activity and changes in community structure were monitored after 7 days and 1 year. In control sediments without chitin addition, no significant changes in microbial abundance, biomass and activity were observed after 1 year. In the presence of chitin, however, considerable increases in these parameters were recorded in all three sediment types tested. Regardless of chitin addition, natural deep-sea sediments were always associated with higher values of microbial abundance, biomass and activity compared with artificial sediments. Sediment type was always found to be the most significant factor explaining variation in enzymatic activity and bacterial community structure as compared to the effects of chitin amount, incubation time, and changes in cell number or biomass. Overall, this is the first in situ study that has addressed the effects of multiple factors and their interactions on abundance, biomass, activity and community structure of microbial communities in the deep Arctic Ocean. [source]


Ex situ cultivation of Aplysinaaerophoba close to in situ conditions: ecological, biochemical and histological aspects

MARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Anne Klöppel
Abstract Sponges provide the largest number of biologically active natural products known from the marine environment and continue to be a very well studied phylum of marine fauna. The Mediterranean sponge Aplysina aerophoba accumulates brominated isoxazoline alkaloids such as Aplysinamisin-1, Aerophobin-2, Isofistularin-3 and the biotransformation product Aeroplysinin-1, which possesses, for example, antibiotic and cytotoxic properties. Until now, it is still being discussed which organisms , the sponge itself or associated microorganisms , are responsible for metabolite production. For cultivating Aplysina individuals under ex situ conditions, we surveyed relevant ecological factors in situ and controlled them in our aquarium system. We maintained A. aerophoba for more than 9 months and analysed changes of metabolite content and composition, microbial association as well as morphology in situ and ex situ under different light exposure. Although sponges showed slight reduction during maintenance, ex situ cultivation similar to in situ conditions provides a promising method to keep sponges and obtain their bioactive metabolites. [source]