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31 pages, 17828 KB  
Article
Discrimination of Tight Sandstone Reservoir Effectiveness Based on Pore-Throat Functional Fractal Characterization and Three-Dimensional Pore-Network Connectivity Constraints
by Xingming Duan, Meng Wang, Yulin Cheng, Shu Liu, Jingjing Guo, Xinan Yu and Bing Li
Fractal Fract. 2026, 10(8), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract10080568 - 17 Aug 2026
Abstract
Tight sandstone reservoir effectiveness is governed not by pore volume alone, but by the storage and flow contributions of different pore-throat scales, their structural complexity, and their three-dimensional connectivity. This study investigates tight sandstones of the Benxi Formation deposited in a marine–continental transitional [...] Read more.
Tight sandstone reservoir effectiveness is governed not by pore volume alone, but by the storage and flow contributions of different pore-throat scales, their structural complexity, and their three-dimensional connectivity. This study investigates tight sandstones of the Benxi Formation deposited in a marine–continental transitional mixed siliciclastic–carbonate setting in the Gaoqiao area, southern Ordos Basin. Petrophysical measurements, red-epoxy-impregnated thin-section petrography, mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP), segment-specific fractal analysis of functionally defined pore-throat regimes, X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and pore-network modeling (PNM) were integrated. The MICP responses define three pore-throat structure types and two data-derived functional boundaries at 0.708 and 0.141 μm, which separate large-pore-throat-dominated, transitional pore-throat, and fine-throat-limited intervals. Using these nominal boundaries, Type I is strongly dominated by the large-pore-throat interval, which accounts for 88.7% of total mercury intrusion, whereas Type II exhibits a mixed large-to-transitional response, and Type III is characterized by negligible large-pore-throat intrusion and pronounced fine-throat restriction. Perturbing both functional boundaries by ±5% and ±10% does not alter these principal functional distinctions, although samples close to the second boundary exhibit the expected local transitional sensitivity. Among the three segment-specific fractal parameters, the fine-throat fractal dimension, DB, shows the strongest association with median capillary pressure (r = 0.834, p < 0.001) and remains significantly related to displacement pressure, median pore-throat radius, and permeability, whereas DT shows no significant linear correlation with the tested petrophysical and MICP parameters. The fractions of the largest connected pore cluster in representative Type I–III samples are 90.26%, 72.56%, and 64.65%, while their PNM permeabilities decrease successively from 64.32 mD to 0.850 and 0.121 mD. Together, these results indicate that, for the investigated samples, reservoir effectiveness reflects the combined influence of pore-throat size configuration, segment-specific structural complexity, and three-dimensional network connectivity. Full article
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14 pages, 2309 KB  
Article
Study on Gravity Override Behavior of Water-Alternating-Gas Flooding in Ultra-Thick Carbonate Reservoir
by Hao Sun, Chao Yang, Zhaohui Xia and Yuedong Lu
Energies 2026, 19(16), 3853; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19163853 - 17 Aug 2026
Abstract
Carbon dioxide water-alternating-gas (CO2-WAG) flooding simultaneously enables carbon emission mitigation, improved oil displacement efficiency, and expanded gas sweep coverage. Nevertheless, the field performance of this technology remains significantly constrained by gravity override effects, especially in ultra-thick oil reservoirs. In this work, [...] Read more.
Carbon dioxide water-alternating-gas (CO2-WAG) flooding simultaneously enables carbon emission mitigation, improved oil displacement efficiency, and expanded gas sweep coverage. Nevertheless, the field performance of this technology remains significantly constrained by gravity override effects, especially in ultra-thick oil reservoirs. In this work, a synthetic heterogeneous dipping mechanistic reservoir model is constructed. Using a quantitative metric for gravity override index in WAG processes, the variation patterns of gravity override under various operational factors are systematically analyzed. Furthermore, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine learning algorithm is employed to conduct feature importance analysis of the controlling factors, identifying parameters with the most substantial impacts. The results indicate that well spacing, oil production rate, WAG injection strategy, and WAG slug duration all exert pronounced effects on both gravity override index and oil recovery factor. Gravity override is confirmed as the dominant factor governing the production performance of WAG flooding in ultra-thick reservoirs. In addition, an optimal combination of operational parameters exists that counterbalances the adverse effects of gravitational and viscous forces, thereby maximizing gas sweep efficiency, delaying gas breakthrough, and enhancing oil recovery. This study provides valuable insights and technical guidance for gas channeling mitigation, vertical gas sweep improvement, and efficient development of analogous ultra-thick reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section B3: Carbon Emission and Utilization)
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40 pages, 3320 KB  
Review
The Integrity and Tightness of Underground Hydrogen Storage Systems: A Critical Review of Geological Barriers, Well Sealing, Leakage Risks and Future Perspectives
by Hanae Talouizet, Latifa Ouadif and Safouane Kitri
Hydrogen 2026, 7(3), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen7030116 - 17 Aug 2026
Abstract
Underground storage of green hydrogen is a strategic enabler of large-scale renewable deployment, but its feasibility rests on a hard problem: keeping a small, highly mobile molecule confined underground for decades without safety or environmental risk. This critical review examines the containment mechanisms [...] Read more.
Underground storage of green hydrogen is a strategic enabler of large-scale renewable deployment, but its feasibility rests on a hard problem: keeping a small, highly mobile molecule confined underground for decades without safety or environmental risk. This critical review examines the containment mechanisms of hydrogen across underground storage types, focusing on geological barriers, well integrity and sealing materials. We evaluate the containment capabilities of salt cavities, deep aquifers and depleted reservoirs, with particular attention to the viscoplastic, self-healing properties of salt that promote confinement, and to the vulnerabilities of well infrastructure and salt–cement interfaces. Emerging alternatives, including lined rock caverns and repurposed abandoned mines, are assessed alongside their distinct operating configurations and use cases. Leakage mechanisms including diffusion, advection, microcracking, cement degradation and hydrogen–material interactions are analysed alongside geomechanical modelling, microbial activity, monitoring strategies, regulatory frameworks, and techno-economic and environmental considerations, including the integration of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) with underground hydrogen storage. Well integrity emerges as the dominant risk factor across storage types. The review concludes with design criteria, monitoring priorities and research needs to guide the safe, sustainable deployment of underground hydrogen storage, providing a scientific foundation for future numerical and experimental work on storage tightness. Full article
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18 pages, 36529 KB  
Article
Subdivision of Carbonate Platform Developmental Stages Based on Seismic Attribute Analysis: An Example from the Indus Fan Offshore Basin
by Chenxi He, Jie Liang, Guangsen Cheng, Chen Zhao, Sen Li, Jing Liao, Baohua Lei and Jianqiang Wang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8170; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168170 - 17 Aug 2026
Abstract
Carbonate formations host abundant hydrocarbon resources and constitute a key target for current and future petroleum explorations. A massive Paleocene-Eocene carbonate platform system overlies Late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic rocks within the Indus Fan Offshore Basin. Low geophysical exploration maturity and insufficient targeted research [...] Read more.
Carbonate formations host abundant hydrocarbon resources and constitute a key target for current and future petroleum explorations. A massive Paleocene-Eocene carbonate platform system overlies Late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic rocks within the Indus Fan Offshore Basin. Low geophysical exploration maturity and insufficient targeted research on carbonate reef identification and platform evolution hinder hydrocarbon discoveries in this region. Using 2D seismic data, this study employs multiple seismic attribute methods to characterize carbonate reef-related anomalies. An innovative reef identification method based on a weighted superposition of spectrally decomposed amplitude spectra is proposed to delineate reef-prone sedimentary facies and characterize the multi-stage evolutionary patterns of the carbonate platforms. Based on quantitative constraints from seismic reflection and amplitude differences, platform evolution is classified into four clear phases: initial development, platform expansion, gradual decline and platform drowning. The initial development phase shows prominent high-amplitude and low-frequency seismic responses, and intervals with such high-amplitude responses may indicate favorable reservoir potential. Platform margin zones show the most prominent amplitude anomalies and are considered priority exploration targets, suggesting excellent hydrocarbon potential within strata formed during the initial platform stage. This study provides quantitative geophysical support for the stage classification of Paleocene–Eocene carbonate platforms in the Indus Fan Offshore Basin, and offers practical guidance for carbonate reservoir exploration and the prospect evaluation of analogous basins worldwide. Full article
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18 pages, 18528 KB  
Article
Isolation of Marine-Derived Microorganisms for PET Biodegradation
by Shijing Deng, Qiaoqiao Guo, Yunhe An, Yuqing Liu, Jianping Yin, Songbiao Shi, Tingbiao Wu, Chenlu Gu, Xinpeng Tian and Qinglian Li
Microorganisms 2026, 14(8), 1804; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14081804 - 16 Aug 2026
Abstract
The long-term accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in marine environments may drive the evolution of microbial degradation capabilities, positioning the ocean as a valuable reservoir for discovering novel PET-degrading microorganisms. In this study, we isolated 305 marine-derived microorganisms with potential PET-degrading capability from [...] Read more.
The long-term accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in marine environments may drive the evolution of microbial degradation capabilities, positioning the ocean as a valuable reservoir for discovering novel PET-degrading microorganisms. In this study, we isolated 305 marine-derived microorganisms with potential PET-degrading capability from samples collected from mangrove areas of Zhanjiang and the intertidal zones of Daya Bay, Shenzhen, China, using PET powder as a major carbon source. Subsequent evaluation of degradation performance via scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis identified 14 isolates capable of degrading PET film. These 14 strains belonged to 14 distinct species, none of which, to the best of our knowledge, has been previously documented as PET degraders. Among them, Microbacterium aurum SCSIO 85700 exhibited the most potent PET-degrading activity, achieving a weight loss of 2.1 mg (2.1%) and a 6.5% increase in relative crystallinity over 30 days. Genome analysis revealed the genetic basis underlying PET degradation and associated metabolic pathways in strain SCSIO 85700. Notably, genome mining and structural modeling identified two candidate polyester hydrolases, MA2267 and MA2443, possessing conserved His–Asp–Ser catalytic triads and exposed substrate-binding clefts resembling those of characterized PET-degrading enzymes, suggesting their potential involvement in PET depolymerization. Collectively, this study expands the recognized diversity of marine PET-degrading microorganisms and provides microbial resources for sustainable PET bioremediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Microorganisms and Marine Ecology)
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25 pages, 4087 KB  
Article
Simulation and Performance Analysis of a PVT-Assisted Ground-Source Heat Pump System with Mine Pit Seasonal Thermal Storage for a Cherry Greenhouse: A Case Study
by Yujie Wang, Kuihua Han, Zhibin Zhao, Bin Wang and Jingjun Han
Energies 2026, 19(16), 3833; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19163833 - 15 Aug 2026
Viewed by 3
Abstract
In response to the significant seasonal fluctuations in heating and cooling loads in greenhouses for high-value fruit trees in northern China, as well as issues such as heat accumulation on the ground-source side and high carbon emissions from coal-fired heating, this paper proposes [...] Read more.
In response to the significant seasonal fluctuations in heating and cooling loads in greenhouses for high-value fruit trees in northern China, as well as issues such as heat accumulation on the ground-source side and high carbon emissions from coal-fired heating, this paper proposes a coupled energy supply system comprising a PVT system, a mine pit seasonal thermal storage unit, a ground-source heat pump and a cooling tower. Taking a 30,000 m2 cherry greenhouse and an existing 15,000 m3 mine pit thermal storage reservoir in Weifang, Shandong Province, as the research objects, annual design-stage simulations with a 0.125 h time step were conducted using SketchUp-TRNBuild and TRNSYS. Discrete sensitivity analyses and engineering constraints were used to determine the PVT area and cooling tower outlet temperature. Heating demand mainly occurred from November to February, whereas cooling demand was concentrated from June to September. The selected 2452 m2 PVT system supplied direct heating for 34 days, covered 23.05% of the seasonal heating demand, and achieved a storage efficiency of 69.17%. Without a cooling tower, the first-year soil temperature increased by 1.1 °C. With a 26 °C cooling tower outlet temperature, the soil thermal imbalance ratio decreased to 2.4%, and the 15-year soil temperature rise was limited to 0.28 °C. The recommended system required 1.3239 million kWh of net purchased electricity annually, reduced operating costs by approximately CNY 802,800 (USD 118,243) and operational emissions by 2027.8 tCO2-eq per year relative to the baseline, and had a static payback period of 6.4 years. The annual operational emission reduction was linearly extrapolated over a 20-year assessment period under fixed weather, load, equipment performance, and grid emission assumptions, resulting in a scenario-based carbon reduction threshold of 40,556 tCO2-eq. Net life cycle carbon savings would be possible if the additional emissions from construction, equipment replacement, and end-of-life treatment remained below this threshold. Full article
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26 pages, 8769 KB  
Article
Multi-Field Coupled Fracture Propagation Mechanisms of Supercritical CO2 Fracturing in Gulong Shale and Tight Sandstone
by Nan Yang, Jing Liu, Ming Xu, Jinjiang Zhu and Yu Suo
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8108; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168108 - 14 Aug 2026
Viewed by 81
Abstract
Strong heterogeneity in unconventional reservoirs leads to complex fracture propagation and challenges in quantitative stimulation evaluation. This study integrates true triaxial fracturing experiments, three-dimensional CT reconstruction, multi-field coupled numerical simulation, and multiple linear regression to investigate the fracture behavior of Gulong shale (Q1, [...] Read more.
Strong heterogeneity in unconventional reservoirs leads to complex fracture propagation and challenges in quantitative stimulation evaluation. This study integrates true triaxial fracturing experiments, three-dimensional CT reconstruction, multi-field coupled numerical simulation, and multiple linear regression to investigate the fracture behavior of Gulong shale (Q1, Q9) and tight sandstone under supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) fracturing. A fracture complexity index (FCI) that incorporates fractal dimension, spatial uniformity, and aperture distribution is proposed as a quantitative metric. The results show that SC-CO2 significantly reduces breakdown pressure and increases fracture complexity compared to water. For Q9 shale, SC-CO2 gives a breakdown pressure of 32.91 MPa (10.46% lower than water), a fractal dimension of 2.41, and an FCI of 8.92. In tight sandstone, the SC-CO2 breakdown pressure is 34.12 MPa, whereas water increases it to 44.50 MPa; the fractal dimension and FCI are only 2.05 and 3.40, respectively, lower than those of shale fractured with water. Multiple linear regression quantifies contribution weights: lithological weak-plane development dominates fracture complexity (41.6%), far exceeding the brittleness index. The injection rate mainly controls stimulation scale: the damage area ratio rises from 1.79% to 2.90% when the rate increases from 10 to 40 mL/min. The horizontal stress difference is key to complexity enhancement: the fractal dimension increases from 1.9230 to 1.9901 as the stress difference rises from 0 to 4 MPa. The numerical simulations further reveal the coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical effects. The proposed FCI-based evaluation and regression models provide a quantitative framework for optimizing SC-CO2 fracturing design in heterogeneous unconventional reservoirs. Full article
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16 pages, 13717 KB  
Article
Modeling Predictive Dynamics of Carbon Sequestration Service in Morocco’s Protected Areas Using InVEST: A Case Study of Ifrane National Park
by Oumayma Sadgui, Abdellatif Khattabi and Said Lahssini
J. Parks 2026, 1(3), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/jop1030012 - 14 Aug 2026
Viewed by 105
Abstract
The Ifrane National Park (INP), situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco, is renowned for its unique bioecological attributes and rich biodiversity. The park provides key ecosystem services, notably climate regulation, with its Atlas cedar forests serving as an important carbon reservoir. [...] Read more.
The Ifrane National Park (INP), situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco, is renowned for its unique bioecological attributes and rich biodiversity. The park provides key ecosystem services, notably climate regulation, with its Atlas cedar forests serving as an important carbon reservoir. Despite its importance, the park faces challenges associated with Land Use Land Cover Changes (LULCCs). These dynamics, driven by population settlement in mountain areas, intensify pressure on forest resources and accelerate the conversion of rangelands into croplands. Our study aims to examine the carbon sequestration service (CSS) in INP and its changes in response to land use dynamics before and after the park’s creation. We first use Google Earth Engine platform to map Land Use Land Cover (LULC) over three decades (1992/2022). Then, we quantify and map CSS using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST 3.10.2) model. Finally, we assess the economic value of this service over time using the social cost of carbon, adjusted by an appropriate discount rate. Our findings show that CSS declined by −217,738.4 tC/year (1992–2002) and −177,903.2 tC/year (2002–2012) prior to the park’s establishment, before rising to +61,786.8 tC/year during 2012–2022, following the park’s establishment and subsequent forest restoration, increasing its economic value from a net loss to +12,340,544 USD/year. By addressing a significant knowledge gap regarding CSS dynamics and economic value within a protected area, this study highlights the effectiveness of conservation measures and offers a practical tool for managers to inform decision makers, promote conservation and restoration investments, and engage local communities in sustainable development initiatives. Full article
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23 pages, 3853 KB  
Article
Deformation and Failure Mechanisms of Extra-Deep Carbonate Rocks Under In Situ Conditions: An Experimental Study
by Shiguo Wang, Yan Jin, Ping Zeng, Yunhu Lu, Yang Xia and Shiming Wei
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8088; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168088 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 114
Abstract
The exploration of oil and gas resources is shifting toward ultra-deep and extra-deep reservoirs, including in the Tarim Basin, where various types of carbonate rocks are buried. Owing to the extreme burial depths, the mechanical behavior of these rocks under extra-deep conditions differs [...] Read more.
The exploration of oil and gas resources is shifting toward ultra-deep and extra-deep reservoirs, including in the Tarim Basin, where various types of carbonate rocks are buried. Owing to the extreme burial depths, the mechanical behavior of these rocks under extra-deep conditions differs significantly from that of shallow formations, making it essential to understand their mechanical responses. This study investigated the mechanical properties and failure modes of carbonate rocks, specifically dolomite, argillaceous limestone, and pure limestone. Samples from extra-deep formations were initially analyzed for mineral composition and microstructure, after which uniaxial and triaxial compression tests were conducted to evaluate strength, static elastic modulus, and axial strain at peak stress. The results indicate that dolomite exhibits the highest mechanical strength and stiffness among the three lithologies. Under conditions of a high confining pressure of 100 MPa and a temperature of 160 °C, its elastic modulus and triaxial compressive strength are 65.4 GPa and 611.2 MPa, respectively, compared with 52.8 GPa and 444.2 MPa for limestone. Strength increases with confining pressure for all lithologies, with dolomite showing the most pronounced strengthening response. Although elevated temperature reduces rock strength, its effect is weaker than that of confining pressure. The failure mode is strongly controlled by confining pressure. At low confining pressures, failure is dominated by localized shear bands and brittle fracturing, whereas increasing confining pressure promotes a transition toward quasi-brittle deformation or ductile plastic flow. Dolomite predominantly maintains a quasi-brittle failure mode, argillaceous limestone exhibits a clear brittle-to-ductile transition, and pure limestone shows the greatest tendency to develop ductile plastic flow under high confining pressure conditions. The results further demonstrate that mineral composition and microstructural characteristics play critical roles in controlling the deformation and failure mechanisms of carbonate rocks. High-calcite pure limestone can exhibit ductile-like deformation behavior due to cataclastic processes, allowing significant strain without localization failure. These insights enhance understanding of carbonate rock behavior under extra-deep formations, informing practical applications in geology science. Full article
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20 pages, 3600 KB  
Systematic Review
Chemical Forensics in Death Investigations: A Comprehensive Review of Stable Isotopes as Postmortem Biomarkers for Food Contamination Tracking
by Thokozani P. Mbonane
Chemistry 2026, 8(8), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry8080111 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 133
Abstract
Lethal foodborne illness outbreaks represent a critical intersection of public health surveillance, environmental health, and forensic toxicology. When acute gastrointestinal syndromes lead to sudden death, traditional postmortem investigation techniques are often hindered by tissue autolysis and the overgrowth of putrefactive microflora, which complicate [...] Read more.
Lethal foodborne illness outbreaks represent a critical intersection of public health surveillance, environmental health, and forensic toxicology. When acute gastrointestinal syndromes lead to sudden death, traditional postmortem investigation techniques are often hindered by tissue autolysis and the overgrowth of putrefactive microflora, which complicate conventional microbiological assays. This review establishes a comprehensive framework for chemical forensics by evaluating the utility of stable isotope analysis (SIA) as a supportive, probabilistic chemical proxy to complement traditional epidemiological investigations of postmortem food contamination sources. Following JBI scoping review guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR reporting framework, data from 42 peer-reviewed articles (2000–2026) were charted and synthesized to map natural isotopic variations (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ2H and δ34S) across both forensic decedents and environmental reservoirs. The findings outline a structured, multi-tissue diagnostic cascade governed by biological metabolic turnover rates: unabsorbed gastric chyme provides a direct chemical match to contaminated source food items within a hyper-acute 0–6 h window; high-turnover visceral matrices (liver, blood plasma) shift to reflect acute exposure profiles within 1–7 days; and continuously fixed keratinized matrices (hair, nails) archive multi-month dietary and transcontinental transit histories. Furthermore, compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of individual amino acids offers unprecedented structural resolution, utilizing the carbon discrimination metric (Δ13Cglu-phe) to differentiate pristine agricultural signatures from endogenous metabolic distortions while biochemically verifying pre-mortem physiological stress and hyper-catabolic muscle wasting. Taphonomic thresholds were explicitly defined, establishing that bulk visceral soft tissues remain isotopically stable (±0.3‰) for up to 48 h at room temperature (~21 °C) before microbially induced nitrogen enrichment (δ15N > +2.8‰) alters native profiles, whereas hair and nail keratin maintain absolute isotopic stability for over 180 days postmortem. When pristine multi-isotope signatures are coupled with mandatory chloroform–methanol lipid extraction and processed through spatial Bayesian assignment models, geographic provenance tracking via environmental isoscapes achieves a predictive accuracy of 97%. This review introduces a standardized environmental health protocol designed to harmonize field environmental sampling with medical autopsies. This protocol provides a legally robust strategy for investigating unresolved lethal foodborne illness case-outbreaks, particularly those involving pediatric mortalities linked to the consumption of counterfeit or fraudulent food products in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen national and municipal legal frameworks and international biosecurity enforcement. Full article
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19 pages, 4742 KB  
Article
Mapping High-Altitude Socio-Ecological Assets: Carbon Storage and Habitat Provision Dynamics in the Páramo of Cajas National Park, Ecuador
by Diego Portalanza, Yoansy Garcia, Klever A. Cevallos-Valdez, Javier Del-Cioppo Morstadt, Carlos Ortega and Fanny Rodriguez-Jarama
Land 2026, 15(8), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15081450 - 12 Aug 2026
Viewed by 252
Abstract
High-altitude Andean páramo ecosystems are critical socio-ecological assets that provide key regulating and supporting services, yet they remain highly vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Understanding these services requires frameworks that integrate biophysical capacity with social valuation and demographic accessibility. In this [...] Read more.
High-altitude Andean páramo ecosystems are critical socio-ecological assets that provide key regulating and supporting services, yet they remain highly vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Understanding these services requires frameworks that integrate biophysical capacity with social valuation and demographic accessibility. In this study, we mapped and assessed belowground and aboveground carbon storage and species habitat provision across the altitudinal gradient (3160–4400 m.a.s.l.) of Cajas National Park (PNC), Ecuador, using a spatially explicit socio-ecological approach. Carbon stocks were modeled following The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2019 Refined Guidelines, combining reference soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks with aboveground biomass coefficients. Habitat provision was modeled through a multi-factor suitability index integrating Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), elevation, water bodies, and interpolated climate surfaces. Biophysical supplies were weighted via a Delphi-based expert consultation and integrated with demographic census data (173,672 inhabitants in four adjacent parishes) to estimate actual service capture and effective benefits. Total carbon stocks in PNC were estimated at 1.49 million Mg C, with volcanic Andisols acting as the primary reservoir (97.5% of the total stock). Habitat suitability was highly heterogeneous, with critical refuge patches clustered around the park’s lacustric network and stable microclimatic zones. Socio-ecological mapping revealed that the eastern boundary of the park represents the highest hotspot of effective benefit capture, directly supplying vital water regulation and cultural services to the peri-urban populations of Sayausí and Baños. These results demonstrate the utility of integrating standard IPCC guidelines with the ECOSER protocol, offering a repeatable and transparent framework to guide spatial conservation planning and sustainable land-use zoning in vulnerable high-altitude protected areas. Full article
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20 pages, 2712 KB  
Article
Monolithic AgX/Biomass Carbon Aerogels (X = Br, Cl) for Recyclable Photocatalytic Degradation of Multiple Pollutant Classes
by Ziyang Tang, Zhicheng Zhu, Xihao Sun, Yuxin Sun, Bencong Zhang, Mingmei Zhang, Jialu Lu and Wei Wei
Gels 2026, 12(8), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12080711 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 175
Abstract
While silver halides (AgX) are promising visible-light photocatalysts for water remediation, their practical deployment is severely hindered by intrinsic photocorrosion, rapid charge recombination, and macroscopic recovery challenges. Here, we demonstrate a monolithic AgX/biomass carbon aerogel composite platform, constructed by anchoring AgX nanocrystals in [...] Read more.
While silver halides (AgX) are promising visible-light photocatalysts for water remediation, their practical deployment is severely hindered by intrinsic photocorrosion, rapid charge recombination, and macroscopic recovery challenges. Here, we demonstrate a monolithic AgX/biomass carbon aerogel composite platform, constructed by anchoring AgX nanocrystals in situ onto a 3D hierarchical carbon skeleton. The carbon network not only suppresses nanoparticle aggregation but also plays contrasting optical roles: amplifying the intrinsic visible-light absorption of AgBr while endowing the otherwise UV-confined AgCl with substantial visible-light response. Consequently, the optimal 30 wt% AgBr/CA composite achieves a 95.68% methylene blue degradation efficiency within 60 min—outperforming pristine AgBr by 2.6-fold—while establishing robust activity against two additional, structurally distinct pollutants: rhodamine B and the colorless antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Notably, the free-standing monolith retains exceptional activity over six consecutive cycles. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the carbon aerogel functions as an electron-accepting reservoir, which accelerates interfacial charge separation and steers electron flow toward superoxide radical generation. Notably, XRD and XPS analyses confirm that no detectable metallic Ag0 is present in the as-prepared composites. This work establishes a sustainable and scalable architectural paradigm for designing highly efficient, stable, and easily recyclable photocatalytic systems. Full article
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20 pages, 35036 KB  
Article
Sedimentary–Diagenetic Divergence Between Turbidite and Delta-Front Tight Sandstones: Chang 6 and Chang 8, Yuele Block, Southwestern Ordos Basin
by Chi Li, Cheng Li, Yujie Bai, Xiaohui Zhang, Ling Xiao, Qingsi Pei and Qinlian Wei
Minerals 2026, 16(8), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16080829 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 164
Abstract
Turbidite sandstones of the Chang 6 member and delta-front sandstones of the Chang 8 member in the Yuele Block, southwestern Yishan Slope, Ordos Basin, serve as the primary tight oil reservoirs. In this study, a total of 243 continuous core samples from multiple [...] Read more.
Turbidite sandstones of the Chang 6 member and delta-front sandstones of the Chang 8 member in the Yuele Block, southwestern Yishan Slope, Ordos Basin, serve as the primary tight oil reservoirs. In this study, a total of 243 continuous core samples from multiple wells were collected for integrated analyses, including cast thin-section observation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) of clay minerals, routine core physical property measurements and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), to systematically compare sedimentary–diagenetic disparities between semi-deep lacustrine turbidites (Chang 6) and delta-front sandstones (Chang 8). Measured data indicate that the two intervals have similar average porosities of 9.27% and 9.88%, while their respective geometric mean permeabilities differ markedly, with values of only 0.142 × 10−3 μm2 for Chang 6 and 0.260 × 10−3 μm2 for Chang 8. Micro-pore-throat size and connectivity dominate reservoir fluid flow capacity, and total porosity alone cannot objectively evaluate reservoir quality. Delta-front sandstones of the Chang 8 member are supplied by a proximal magmatic-rich provenance from the southwest, and widespread grain-coating chlorite forms during early diagenesis, effectively mitigating compaction damage and inhibiting quartz overgrowth, leading to well-preserved primary pores. As mixed-provenance deposits lacking protective chlorite rims, Chang 6 turbidites experience more intensive compaction, and abundant fibrous illite and carbonate cements precipitate in the subsequent diagenetic stage to fill and separate pore throats, forming an isolated micropore network. Quantitative comparison with baseline parameters of the Longdong region reveals that the Yuele Block is located closer to the southwestern sediment source, resulting in higher contents of magmatic lithics and chlorite in Chang 8 as well as elevated illite concentrations in Chang 6 relative to regional averages, which verifies that source-to-sink transport distance regulates reservoir quality by driving the differentiation of clay mineral assemblages. A complete quantitative coupling sequence of “provenance supply–authigenic clay mineral-pore evolution” is defined herein, and two distinct sedimentary–diagenetic evolutionary routes are classified: high-quality delta-front reservoirs protected by grain-coating chlorite, and low-quality turbidite reservoirs blocked by illite–carbonate cements. This research refines the diagenetic differentiation rules for continental tight sandstones with diverse sedimentary origins in the Ordos Basin and provides quantitative mineralogical criteria for identifying tight oil sweet spots in proximal provenance blocks. Full article
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22 pages, 5578 KB  
Article
Study on CO2 Foam Acid Phase Evolution and Diverting Acidizing Performance in Heterogeneous Carbonate Reservoirs
by Xiuhui Li, Yunjin Wang, Jiacheng Yin, Weibo Ni, Jia Liu, Mengyu Li, Qi Wu and Jiawei Li
Processes 2026, 14(16), 2562; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14162562 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 232
Abstract
A coupled numerical model was developed to investigate the phase evolution and diverting acidizing performance of CO2-foamed acid in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs. The model integrates CO2 phase evolution, gas–liquid two-phase Darcy flow, acid–rock reactions, heat transfer, pore-structure evolution, and foam [...] Read more.
A coupled numerical model was developed to investigate the phase evolution and diverting acidizing performance of CO2-foamed acid in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs. The model integrates CO2 phase evolution, gas–liquid two-phase Darcy flow, acid–rock reactions, heat transfer, pore-structure evolution, and foam mobility control. By dynamically updating CO2 thermophysical properties in response to local temperature and pressure variations, the model captures the coupled effects of phase behavior on foam quality, apparent viscosity, flow resistance, and acid redistribution between high- and low-permeability layers. The effects of reservoir temperature, foam quality, and permeability contrast on wormhole propagation, foam distribution, and stimulation depth in the low-permeability layer were systematically evaluated. Under the simulated conditions, low-permeability-layer stimulation initially increased with reservoir temperature, reached its maximum near 393 K, and declined at 413 K. This non-monotonic behavior reflects the balance among CO2 phase behavior, foam stability, and acid–rock reaction rate: moderate temperatures promote the formation of a favorable foam region and effective diversion, whereas excessive temperatures weaken foam stability and accelerate acid consumption near the wellbore. Foam quality also exhibited a non-monotonic influence on diversion performance. Foam qualities of 60–80% provided strong mobility control and effective acid redistribution, while a foam quality of 90% restricted liquid-acid transport because of excessive near-wellbore foam accumulation. In contrast, the pure-acid system preferentially entered the high-permeability layer and broke through at approximately 0.3 PV. Increasing permeability contrast weakened foam retention and intensified preferential channeling; at a permeability contrast of 8, the wormhole length in the low-permeability layer was less than 50% of that obtained at a contrast of 4. These results demonstrate that phase-dependent foam resistance can redirect acid from preferential high-permeability channels toward low-permeability regions. This study defines an effective operating window for CO2-foamed-acid diversion and provides a theoretical basis for designing diverting acidizing treatments in heterogeneous, high-temperature carbonate reservoirs. Full article
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Article
Numerical Analysis of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Behaviors in Ultra-Deep Lattice-like Fractured Reservoirs
by Ju Liu, Hui Liu, Dengfeng Ren, Longcang Huang, Xin Qiao, Cheng Huang, Kun Li, Yaoyao Sun, Xiaoguang Wu and Zhongwei Huang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 7950; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16167950 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 130
Abstract
Ultra-deep lattice-like fractured carbonate reservoirs, formed by multi-period tectonic movements, feature strong heterogeneity, multi-scale fracture nesting, and anisotropic in situ stress. However, hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation behaviors within these complex formations remain poorly understood. In this study, using an unstructured fracture network approach, [...] Read more.
Ultra-deep lattice-like fractured carbonate reservoirs, formed by multi-period tectonic movements, feature strong heterogeneity, multi-scale fracture nesting, and anisotropic in situ stress. However, hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation behaviors within these complex formations remain poorly understood. In this study, using an unstructured fracture network approach, we simulated HF propagation in two typical fault-controlled lattice-like structures: compressive-torsion and pull-apart overlap zones. The performance of commingled, staged, and temporary plugging fracturing was evaluated, alongside sensitivity analyses of wellbore orientation, plugging timing, pump rate, and fluid viscosity. Results indicate that HFs in compressive-torsion zones exhibit long, straight geometries with local tensile activation points. Conversely, pull-apart overlap zones promote step-shaped, multi-branched fractures with superior lateral connectivity. The optimal timing for temporary plugging exhibits a delayed trend with increasing natural fracture density, ranging from 50% to 70% of the fracturing process in compressive-torsion zones, whereas an earlier implementation is preferred in pull-apart overlap zones, occurring at 33–65% of the fracturing process. Furthermore, HFs in compressive-torsion zones are less sensitive to viscosity and pump rate. To optimize stimulated volume, a moderate viscosity of 50–60 mPa·s is universally recommended. Regarding pump rates, 8–10 m3/min is ideal for balanced connectivity in pull-apart overlap zones, whereas >12 m3/min is required for compressive-torsion zones. These findings provide critical theoretical and engineering guidelines for differentiated fracturing strategies in ultra-deep reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petroleum Engineering: Advances and Prospects)
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