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The pore structure characteristics of shales are controlled by their mineral and organic matter compositions. However, the contributions of different components to the pore structure characteristics of lacustrine shales remain poorly understood. In this study, fifteen Chang 7 Member shales of the Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, were investigated through total organic carbon (TOC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and low-pressure N2 and CO2 adsorption analyses to study the control of shale composition on the pore structure characteristics of lacustrine shales. The results show that the average TOC content of the Chang 7 Member shales is 9.63 wt.%. XRD analysis shows that minerals in the Chang 7 Member shales consist of quartz, feldspars, clay minerals, and pyrite. The clay minerals were dominated by illite, chlorite, and interstratified illite/smectite. The mesopore characteristics of the Chang 7 Member shales and micropore characteristics of organic-lean shales are mainly controlled by clay minerals, whereas the micropore characteristics of organic-rich samples are controlled by both clay minerals and organic matter. SEM observations show that the phyllosilicate framework pores are the main pore type in the Chang 7 Member shales. The results of this study provide important insights into compositional control on the pore structure characteristics of lacustrine shales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of mineral components in respirable particles (particulate matter with diameter less than 10 μm, PM10) in ambient air is important in understanding and improving air quality. In this study, PM10 samples were collected in various areas around Beijing during 2002∼2003, including an urban setting, a satellite city and a rural area. The mineralogical composition of these PM10 samples was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmental scanning electron microscopy / and energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (ESEM/EDX). The results indicated that mineral composition of PM10 in different seasons and in different region varied significantly. Mineral mass concentration in Beijing PM10 reached the highest percentage in the spring and fell to the lowest level in the autumn. The minerals in the spring PM10 were dominated by clay minerals and quartz, followed by plagioclase, K-feldspar, calcite, dolomite, hematite, pyrite, magnesite, gypsum and laumontite as well as some unidentified materials. Fewer mineral types were collected in summer, however some new components, including K(NH4)Ca(SO4)2·H2O, NH4Cl and As2O3·SO3 were noted to be present, suggesting that atmospheric chemical reaction in Beijing air were more active in summer than in other seasons. Mineral components in Beijing urban air were at a higher percentage with fewer phases than that in satellite city air. In conclusion, there was considerable variation in mineral components in PM10 samples collected in different seasons and areas, which reflects the related air quality of sampling areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]