Cambrian Reefs in the Western North China Platform, Wuhai, Inner Mongolia

Mid to late Cambrian thrombolites and maze-like maceriate reefs from the western North China Platform, Wuhai, Inner Mongolia, northwestern China, occur in the middle of a succession dominated by thin-bedded lime mudstone-shale/marlstone alternations, and are laterally surrounded by limestone conglomerate and/or grainstone. Thrombolite, characterized by meter-scale lenticular mounds composed of millimeter- to centimeter-scale mesoclots and wackestone matrix, occurs in the lower middle part of the sequence. Thrombolite mesoclots are composed of microstromatolites with alternating dark gray and light gray micritic laminae. The maze-like maceriate reefs occur in the middle to the upper part of the sequence, commonly forming lenticular mounds up to 1 m thick. They are characterized by centimeter- to decimeter-scale branched maze-like structures, whose biogenic portions (maceria) are selectively dolomitized. The maceriae are composed of poorly preserved microstromatolites and siliceous sponges. Inter-macerial sediments consist of lime mud and scattered bioclasts. These Wuhai reefs are generally similar to but older than various other Cambrian reefs previously reported from the Shandong region, northeastern China.     

Evaluation of Unified Model Microphysics in High-resolution NWP Simulations Using Polarimetric Radar Observations

The UK Met Office Unified Model(UM) is employed by many weather forecasting agencies around the globe. This model is designed to run across spatial and time scales and known to produce skillful predictions for large-scale weather systems. However, the model has only recently begun running operationally at horizontal grid spacings of ～1.5 km [e.g.,at the UK Met Office and the Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA)]. As its microphysics scheme was originally designed and tuned for large-scale precipitation systems, we investigate the performance of UM microphysics to determine potential inherent biases or weaknesses. Two rainfall cases from the KMA forecasting system are considered in this study: a Changma(quasi-stationary) front, and Typhoon Sanba(2012). The UM output is compared to polarimetric radar observations in terms of simulated polarimetric radar variables. Results show that the UM generally underpredicts median reflectivity in stratiform rain, producing high reflectivity cores and precipitation gaps between them. This is partially due to the diagnostic rain intercept parameter formulation used in the one-moment microphysics scheme. Model drop size is generally both underand overpredicted compared to observations. UM frozen hydrometeors favor generic ice(crystals and snow) rather than graupel, which is reasonable for Changma and typhoon cases. The model performed best with the typhoon case in terms of simulated precipitation coverage.     

南黄海沉积学研究新进展——中韩联合调查

于１９９６年６￣７月开展了中韩南黄海联合调查,此次调查取得若干新进展：（１）根据沉积物颜色探讨了黄河物质的影响;（２）从东到西获得到了连续的回声测深记录;（３）首次查明了东部泥的分布特征;（４）对中部泥有了进一步的认识;（５）取得了有关悬浮物分布的的新资料;（６）揭示了东部泥形成的水动力环境。     

Integration of the nuclease protection assay with sandwich hybridization (NPA-SH) for sensitive detection of Heterocapsa triquetra

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that function as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Some species of microalgae undergo rapid growth and cause harmful blooms in marine ecosystems. Heterocapsa triquetra is one of the most common bloom-forming species in estuarine and coastal waters worldwide. Although this species does not produce toxins, unlike some other Heterocapsa species, the high density of its blooms can cause significant ecological damage. We developed a H. triquetra species-specific nuclease protection assay sandwich hybridization (NPA-SH) probe that targets the large subunit of ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA). We tested probe specificity and sensitivity with five other dinoflagellates that also cause red tides. Our assay detected H. triquetra at a concentration of 1.5×10⁴ cells/mL, more sensitive than required for a red-tide guidance warning by the Korea Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in 2015 (3.0×10⁴ cells/mL). We also used the NPA-SH assay to monitor H. triquetra in the Tongyeong region of the southern sea area of Korea during 2014. This method could detect H. triquetra cells within 3 h. Our assay is useful for monitoring H. triquetra under field conditions.     

High-resolution circulation forecasting of the Maenggol Channel, south coast of Korea

The Maenggol Channel and Uldolmok Strait, located on the south-west coast of Korea, have notably strong and complex currents due to tidal effects and to local geological factors. In these areas, electric power has been generated using strong tidal currents, the speed of which is more than 3 m/s during spring tides. The region also provides a shortcut for navigation. These tidal conditions are therefore sometimes useful, but may also cause terrible accidents or severe economic damage, in the absence of accurate information regarding ocean conditions. In April 2014, the passenger ferry MV Sewol capsized in the Maenggol Channel, with 295 passengers killed and 9 still missing. While this was unquestionably a man-made disaster, strong currents were one of the contributing causes. It was also difficult to conduct scuba diving rescue operations given strong current speeds, and accurate prediction of the time when the tide would turn was thus critically needed. In this research, we used the high-resolution coastal circulation forecasting system of KOOS (Korea Operational Oceanographic System) for analysis and simulation of strong tidal currents in such areas with many small islands, using measurements and modeling from this research area. For accurate prediction of tidal currents, small grid size-modeling was needed, and in this study, we identified a suitable grid size that offers efficiency as well as accuracy.     

集合同化方法在黄海海域海表面温度同化中的应用

The effects of sea surface temperature(SST) data assimilation in two regional ocean modeling systems were examined for the Yellow Sea(YS). The SST data from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis(OSTIA) were assimilated. The National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center(NMEFC) modeling system uses the ensemble optimal interpolation method for ocean data assimilation and the Kunsan National University(KNU) modeling system uses the ensemble Kalman filter. Without data assimilation, the NMEFC modeling system was better in simulating the subsurface temperature while the KNU modeling system was better in simulating SST. The disparity between both modeling systems might be related to differences in calculating the surface heat flux, horizontal grid spacing, and atmospheric forcing data. The data assimilation reduced the root mean square error(RMSE) of the SST from 1.78°C(1.46°C) to 1.30°C(1.21°C) for the NMEFC(KNU) modeling system when the simulated temperature was compared to Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature(OISST) SST dataset. A comparison with the buoy SST data indicated a 41%(31%) decrease in the SST error for the NMEFC(KNU) modeling system by the data assimilation. In both data assimilative systems, the RMSE of the temperature was less than 1.5°C in the upper 20 m and approximately 3.1°C in the lower layer in October. In contrast, it was less than 1.0°C throughout the water column in February. This study suggests that assimilations of the observed temperature profiles are necessary in order to correct the lower layer temperature during the stratified season and an ocean modeling system with small grid spacing and optimal data assimilation method is preferable to ensure accurate predictions of the coastal ocean in the YS.     

Gold Deposition by Boiling or Cooling Without Boiling: Genesis of the Sangchon Gold Deposits, Hadong Area, South Korea

In order to understand the mechanism(s) of gold precipitation in the anorthosite- hosted Sangchon gold deposits in the Hadong area, Korea, chemical speciation and reaction path calculations were accomplished by geochemical modeling.The modeling consisted of three- step procedures: reaction with anorthosite, then the simple cooling of the reacted fluid,and finally the boiling of metalliferous fluid. The principal vein minerals of the Sangchon deposits consist of quartz, sericite,kaolinite, pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and acanthite. The sulfide mineralization is typically zoned from pyrite (preferentially at vein margins) to galena and sphalerite (toward vein center). Electrum is intimately associated with pyrite + chalcopyrite and sphalerite. By comparing the results of modeling with the observed mineral assemblages and paragenesis,the most appropriate evolution path of ore fluids was suggested as follow: reaction of a single fluid with anorthosite at 300℃,then the isobaric cooling of the fluid at temperatures from 2500° to 100℃3 , and then the boiling and cooling of the fluid due to the decrease of pressure and temperature. Calculations also show that all of the observed alteration minerals formed due to fluid - anorthosite interaction at early period, whereas most of sulfides and electrum were precipitated mainly due to cooling.The abundance of gold in veins depends critically on the ratio of total base metals plus iron to sulfide in the aqueous phase,because gold is transported as Au(HS)2- whose solubility is very sensitive to the sulfide activity. Our results of geochemical modeling generally fit to the observed mineral assemblages and mineral composition, indicating the usefulness of numerical simulation for elucidating the genesis of gold deposits.     

Metamorphic Segregation Banding in the Loch Kerry Basite Sheet from the Lewisian of Gairloch, Ross-shire, Scotland

The Loch Kerry basite varies from amphibolite through stripedvarieties to strongly banded amphibolite containing many lensesof hornblendite and bands of plagioclasite. The striping andbanding is interpreted as the result of metamorphic segregationwith the complementary development of mafic and felsic types.The geochemical changes are set out and discussed on the basisof thirty-one new rock analyses. Foliation planes acted as pressure minima and differentiationdue to heterogeneous pressure led to the development of finelystriped amphibolite and subsequently to banded amphibolite.With continued deformation, the mafic parts of the banded assemblageacted passively while the felsic material moved along the foliationplanes. By preferential residual enrichment, hornblendite bandsup to 380 metres long and 30 metres across were formed. Theextent to which segregation progressed appears to have beencontrolled by the intensity of deformation in and adjacent toa zone of intense movement between a crystalline basement blockand cover rocks of basite and metasediment.     

Early Cretaceous Tectonism and Diatoms in Korea

The Early Cretaceous Sindong Group, a non-marine molasse, unconformably overlies the folded earliest Cretaceous Myogok Formation. The tectonism that folded the Jaseong Synthem including the Myogok and other formations is here called the Nakdong-Jaeryeonggang （N-J） tectonism. The Oknyeobong and Dabokni Formations are discussed to show that they belong to the Jaseong Synthem. The Dabokni Formation yielded fossil diatoms whose age has been referred as the ＂earliest Cretaceous＂ based on the geologically constrained age of the fossil-bearing deposit. The age of the N-J tectonism appears Barremian as it is between the Hauterivian Myogok Formation and the Aptian Sindong Group with the TPN （Trigonioides-Plicatounio-Nippononaia） fauna. The N-J tectonism, an orogeny, quite deformed pre-Aptian strata in Korea, but can hardly find its reported equivalent in NE China. A revised correlation table shows that the Jaseong- Sindong sequence corresponds to the Jehol Group of China. The Sindong-Hayang transition was characterized by basin migration and dextral rotation probably caused by the Tan-Lu fault system in a broad sense.