The study of organic matter content and composition in source rocks using the methods of organic geochemistry is an important part of unconventional reservoir characterization. The aim of this work was the structural group analysis of organic matter directly in the source rock in combination with a quantitative assessment and surface distribution analysis of the rock sample by FTIR spectroscopy and FTIR microscopy. We have developed new experimental procedures for semi-quantitative assessment of the organic matter content, composition and distribution in the source rocks and applied these procedures for the study of the samples from the Bazhenov shale formation (West Siberia, Russia). The results have been verified using the data from the study of organic matter obtained by Rock-Eval pyrolysis and differential thermal analysis. The obtained results demonstrate the prospects of FTIR spectroscopy and FTIR microscopy application for non-destructive and express analysis of the chemical structure and distribution of organic matter in rocks.

This study examines the effects of oil contamination on three soil types—podzolic, sod-gley, and alluvial—in Western Siberia’s middle taiga, assessing key physical and chemical properties and the influence of the surfactant Modified Syntherol (MS) on oil degradation. In controlled laboratory experiments, oil was introduced at 50, 100, and 150 g/kg concentrations. Results indicate a substantial increase in soil pH, most notably in podzolic soils, alongside a significant decline in cation exchange capacity (CEC). For example, CEC in podzolic soils dropped five-fold at higher contamination levels, reflecting a reduced ability to retain essential nutrients. The water retention capacity decreased in all soil types, with the most pronounced decline observed in alluvial soils’ capillary moisture levels. MS application did not accelerate oil degradation; even after 35 days, natural decomposition rates in untreated soils remained low (0.02–0.4%), underscoring the persistence of oil contaminants. Notably, podzolic soils showed the highest susceptibility to oil contamination due to their acidic and low-organic nature, in contrast to sod-gley and alluvial soils, which demonstrated moderate resilience. These findings highlight the need for soil-specific remediation approaches, as general methods may be ineffective for soils with differing vulnerabilities and recovery capacities. This research provides essential insights for developing effective, tailored strategies to address the environmental challenges of oil pollution, advancing sustainable soil management practices for sensitive taiga ecosystems.

Copper(II) was preconcentrated from aqueous solution on paper filters with chemically attached hexamethylenediamino (HMDA) groups and determined directly on the filters by its catalytic action in the oxidation of hydroquinone with H₂O₂ in the presence of 2,2′-dipyridyl; the reaction was monitored by measuring the absorbance of wet filters. The linear calibration graph of absorbance at 5 min versus log c_Cu permits the semiquantitative determination of Cu^II over the range 1 × 10^–6–0.1 mg l^–1 for a sample volume of 10 ml. Tolerance ratios for foreign ions are 3–4 orders of magnitude more favorable in the hybrid sorption–catalytic procedure than those for the catalytic determination of copper in solution without preconcentration. The procedure is simple and does not require any expensive instrumentation. Samples of tap and sea-water were analyzed.

Industrial development has led to immense emission and accumulation of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOC) in the environment. Primarily, they include petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The extensive use of hydrophobic pesticides in agriculture led to the contamination of soil, air and water. Many of the hydrophobic substances are dangerous for the biota due to their high toxicity and carcinogenic and mutagenic activity. In addition to their widespread use, the possible adverse effects are also determined by their resistance to decomposition, including the biological one, which defines their long-term persistence in soil, water and other media. The impact of HOC on ecosystems poses a potential threat not only to the environment but also to human health. Numerous studies were devoted to the remediation of soils polluted with HOC. The approaches to remediation can be conditionally divided into mechanical, chemical and bio-methods, with the former two being widely used in the past. Bioremediation methods proved more efficient and, as a rule, more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. In recent years, the good efficiency of solubilizing agents in bioremediation processes has been demonstrated. Various surfactants have become widely popular due to their ability to increase desorption, water solubility and microbial bioavailability of HOC. In this brief review, state-of-the-art literature data on the biodegradation of hydrophobic organic compounds using surfactants were considered.

A review of methods of surface molecular imprinting using micro- and nanodimensional inorganic materials, including nanostructured ones, as substrates and methods of their application to...