Box model analysis of hydrography and behaviour of nitrogen and phosphorus in a eutrophic estuary

In order to investigate the mechanism of eutrophication in Atsumi Bay which is a shallow and partially mixed estuary, distributions of temperature, salinity and concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in all their chemical forms were observed once a month throughout a year. Supplies of freshwater and nutrients are estimated and balances of salt and nutrients are examined using a modified box model. The deduced estuarine hydrography and calculated values of photosynthesis, decomposition, deposition and sedimentation are compared with those obtained byin situ observations and laboratory experiments. It is found that the factors responsible for the appearance of heavy eutrophication include not only the general increase of nutrient supply from land but also nutrient accumulation in the rainy season just before summer, the N/P ratio of the supply from land being favourable for uptake by phytoplankton, formation of semi-closed circulations of the nutrients associated with stratification and vertical circulation of estuarine water, and possibly the inorganic turnover of phosphorus (PO₄-P) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The usefulness of the modified box model for obtaining a synoptic understanding of the estuarine system is also demonstrated.     

Hydrography and budget of dissolved total nitrogen and dissolved oxygen in the stratified season in Mikawa Bay,Japan

Distributions of salinity, dissolved total nitrogen (DTN) and dissolved oxygen (DO) were observed once a month throughout a year in Mikawa Bay, one of the most eutrophic bays in Japan. Supply of freshwater, DTN and DO from the land and precipitation was estimated. Hydrography, circulation and transformation of DTN and DO during the stratified period were investigated simultaneously by a two-layered box model analysis dividing the bay into five boxes. The two-layered circulation was confirmed. In the upper layer of the river mouth regions, a high production of particulate organic nitrogen (PON) due to the strong upwelling together with the river inflow was found. On the other hand, in the lower layer of the bay mouth region, a high deposition of PON due to weak upwelling and sometimes downwelling and a high decomposition of PON due to the inflow of DO abundant water were also found. The reason why the eutrophication is more severe in the eastern part than in the north-western part of the bay is discussed.     

Implications of Analcime Hydrothermally Formed from Na-alumino-borosilicate Glasses Containing Cs and Sr for the Stability of High-level Radioactive Waste Form

Abstract. In order to know the behaviors of radioactive elements such as cesium and strontium during a hydrothermal alteration of borosilicate glass of radioactive waste, some alumino-borosilicate glasses belonging to the systems Na₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂-SrO, Na₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂-Cs₂O and Na₂O-Al₂-O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂-SrO-Cs₂O have been treated hydrothermally at 200C under a vapor pressure of 1.54 MPa. The result shows that all glasses are changed into crystalline phases with running time up to 60 days, and that analcime-type zeolite is formed as a major product. The formed zeolite is shown to contain cesium and/or strontium. Considering the fact that natural zeolite occurs in wide physicochemical conditions including hydrothermal one, the analcime-type zeolite is expected to fix stably the radioactive elements in the disposal site. Since aluminum is necessary for the formation of the analcime-type zeolite, the waste glass should have aluminum as one of major components.     

Seasonal and vertical distribution of Aurelia aurita polyps on a pylon in the innermost part of Tokyo Bay

Natural aggregations of Aurelia aurita polyps were found by direct observation during SCUBA diving on the surface of a pylon in the innermost part of Tokyo Bay, Japan, and changes in polyp abundance with depth were examined from November 2000 to December 2001. Most polyps were observed on substrates in the layer within 1 m from the bottom. Substrates in the upper layer were mainly occupied by other sessile organisms such as the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, implying that A. aurita polyps may be exposed to interspecific competition for space with other organisms, especially during spring and summer. The bottom layer, especially within 1 m from the bottom, was characterized by summer hypoxia and low recruitment and growth of other sessile organisms such as mussels, resulting in abundant settlement and high survival of A. aurita polyps, which are tolerant of near-hypoxic conditions. It is considered that the occurrence of hypoxic waters due to eutrophication contributes directly to the recruitment of polyps and the consequent production of A. aurita medusae in the following year.     

Accidents due to oxygen deficiency and methane gas blow-off in Tokyo area,Japan

The groundwater leve in the Tokyo area had declined to about 60 m below the surface because of excess withdrawal of groundwater from various aquifers. Many construction workers died due to oxygen deficiency at construction sites from 1960 to 1980, the period of decreasing groundwater level. The compressed air in pneumatic foundation construction sites passed easily through the aquifer, and the oxygen in it was consumed by ferrous ions oxidizing to ferric ions. During periods of high barometric pressure, atmospheric air penetrates into the strata and it is deoxygenated there. Suffocation occurred not only at construction sites in underground excavations, but also in residences in Tokyo. Such acidents have become less frequent with recovery of the pore-water pressure in aquifers, which has accompanied the recovery of the groundwater level since 1972.With the recovery of the pore-water pressure and the groundwater level in the aquifer, fires and explosions resulting from gushes of methane have occurred in Tokyo lowlands since 1973. These blow-off gases are classified into two types: Kameido and Asakusa.The gas of the Kameido type originates from the Kazusa Group and migrates into upper alluvial deposits or Pleistocene sediments because of the recovery of pore-water pressure in the Kazusa Group. The gas of the Asakusa type formed from the air that penetrated the aquifers during the period of low groundwater level. Methane was produced by the depletion of oxygen accumulated in alluvial deposits and Pleistocene sediments. This gas blows off through wells in alluvial deposits and Pleistocene sediments at times of low barometric pressure. Accidents of the Asakusa type will not happen when the groundwater level and pore-water pressure in alluvial and Pleistocene sediments is restored to previous levels.     

Fine structure beneath the Tohoku district, northeastern Japan arc, as derived by an inversion of P-wave arrival times from local earthquakes

Three dimensional P-wave velocity structure beneath the Tohoku district, northeastern Japan arc, is investigated by an inversion of arrival times from local earthquakes using the method originally due to Aki and Lee (1976).In the crust (0–32 km depth) a low-velocity region is found along the volcanic front and its vicinity. Velocities at depths of 32–65 km are low beneath the regions where many Quaternary volcanoes and geothermal areas are distributed. In the region deeper than 65 km, the subduction of the Pacific plate is clearly revealed, and the mantle structure above the descending plate is rather uniform. These features suggest that volcanic activities have relation to the upper mantle structure. The results obtained in this study will be helpful in investigating the mechanism of magma generation in a subduction zone.     

Rockfall hazard in the Daisekkei Valley, the northern Japanese Alps, on 11 August 2005

This paper describes a rockfall event in the Daisekkei Valley of Mount Shirouma-dake (2,932 m), the northern Japanese Alps. The rockfall occurred on a steep cliff comprising well-jointed felsites and produced debris of ≥8,000 m³. Most debris was deposited on an elongated snowpatch located immediately beneath the cliff, and it caused casualties among people who were trekking along a trail on the snowpatch. Additionally, a large rock block slipped 1 km on the snowpatch. The rockfall could have been due to the differential retreat of the rockwall, which contains areas of high- and low-density joints. Seasonal and diurnal freeze–thaw activities and snow avalanches and wash appear to be important factors responsible for the retreat. Although some rock blocks that can collapse further remain on the rockwall, the position of the mountain trail in the Daisekkei Valley is fixed. Fundamental reform of tourism systems for climbers, including education on natural hazards, is required.     

Strain and tilt changes measured during a water injection experiment at the Nojima Fault zone, Japan

Abstract In order to make geophysical and geological investigations of the Nojima Fault on Awaji Island, Japan, three boreholes measuring 1800 m, 800 m and 500 m deep were drilled into the fault zone. The fault is one of the seismic source faults of the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake of M 7.2. A new multicomponent borehole instrument was installed at the bottom of the 800 m borehole and continuous observations of crustal strain and tilt have been made using this instrument since May 1996. A high-pressure water injection experiment within the 1800 m borehole was done in February and March 1997 to study the geophysical response, behavior, permeability, and other aspects of the fault zone. The injection site was located approximately 140 m horizontally and 800 m vertically from the instrument. Associated with the water injection, contraction of approximately 0.7 × 10⁻⁷ str (almost parallel to the fault) and tilt of approximately 1 × 10^-7 rad in the sense of upheaval toward the injection site were observed. In addition to these controlled experiments, the strainmeter and tiltmeter also recorded daily variations. We interpret strain and tilt changes to be related to groundwater discharge and increased ultra-micro seismicity induced by the injected water.