https://doi.org/10.1080/15275922.2019.1694096 AbstractBitumen and bitumen impacted soil and water samples were investigated for their relative chemical composition using comprehensive gas chromatography GCxGC - time of flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC- TOFMS). The results reveal the presence of key compounds which could serve as environmental biomarkers for bitumen impacted soils and aquifers. Prominent alkanes such as 3-methylpentane; 2,2,4-trimethylpentane; 1,3,5- trimethyladamantane; 2,6,10-trimethyldodecane; 3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl pentane were tentatively identified and are likely potent biomarkers in environmental forensic assessment of bitumen contamination while the presence of some aromatic compounds: 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylbenzene; 3,4- bis(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid; 1,3-bezenedicarboxylic acid, 1,2-benzenediol; 1,3-dimethylbenzene; 1,2-2- (2-ethylhexoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid; (4-methylpentan-2-yl)benzene; 2,4-dimethyl benzo(H)quinolone will further confirm the bitumen contamination in an area under investigation. A host of additional compounds were tentatively identified, mainly in the bitumen samples. The results obtained in this study provides baseline data for effective monitoring, and source apportionment of oil/oil products spills.

Sølling, T.I., Olesen, K.B., Palm-Henriksen, G., Abdel-Azeim, S., Skov, A.B., 2020. Crystalizing the interface - The first X-Ray structure of an oil/surfactant/brine transition layer. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 188, 106953.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920410520300516 Liquid-liquid interfacial phenomena are central in a wide variety of scientific disciplines and encompass down- to-earth aspects such as mayonnaise production, more complex processes in cellular biology and determine what drives the flow below the surface of the earth in an oil reservoir. It is the actual molecular structure at the boundary between two immiscible liquids that determines the interfacial properties. The experimental determination of such a structure has previously been unsuccessful. We have designed an experiment to enable crystallization of the interface between brine and a surfactant/organic phase. Asingle-crystal structure reveals, for the first time, how the structure and orientation of surfactants impact macroscopic measures such as interfacial tension.

Song, D., Tuo, J., Wang, Y., Wu, C., Zhang, M., 2019. Research advances on characteristics of nanopore structure of organic-rich shales. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica 37, 1309-1324.

http://www.cjxb.ac.cn/EN/abstract/abstract4067.shtml A full understanding of the properties of the pore structure in organic-rich shales is beneficial for determining the shale oil and gas accumulation mechanism,and thus is significant in guiding exploration and exploitation. Methods of characterizing the pore structure of organic-rich shales embody quantitative analysis and qualitative description,both of which should be combined during investigations. Factors such as total organic carbon(TOC),thermal maturity,origin of organic matter,mineral constituents and tectonism have considerable impacts on the nature of the pore structure in organic-rich shales. Of these,the origin of organic matter determines the potential for organic pores formation;TOC and mineralogy control the types of nanopores;and thermal maturity influences nanopore evolution. Tectonism has a secondary effect,in that it may modify the nanopore structure. Pyrolysis experiments play a crucial role in investigating the evolution of pore structure in shales,since the factors are controlled artificially;however,experimental conditions should match the actual geological conditions. At present,pore structure evolution in shales is still inconclusive and controversial. Due to the diverse origins of organic matter,the evolution of the pore structure in organic-rich shales may differ from one sedimentary environment to another,and thus require further separate study. Dilemmas such as the impacts of TOC on the characteristics of pores in shales,the mature stage of the development of secondary organic pores and the evolutionary scenarios and mechanisms of pores at the envolution stage (Ro>3%) need to be further explored. In addition,the methods identifying the microscopic compositions of organic matter using scanning electron microscopy need to be established,and the usage of some terminologies should be standardized to reduce the confusion that is currently caused by researchers who engage in different fields.