Numerical study of enhanced energy dissipation near a seamount

Using a two-dimensional primitive equation model, we examine nonlinear responses of a semidiurnal tidal flow impinging on a seamount with a background Garrett-Munk-like (GM-like) internal wavefield. It is found that horizontally elongated pancake-like structures of high vertical wavenumber near-inertial current shear are created both in the near-field (the region over the slope of the seamount) and far-field (the region over the flat bottom of the ocean). An important distinction is that the high vertical wavenumber near-inertial current shear is amplified only at mid-latitudes in the far-field (owing to a parametric subharmonic instability (PSI)), whereas it is amplified both at mid-and high-latitudes (above the latitude where PSI can occur) in the near-field. In order to clarify the generating mechanism for the strong shear in the near-field, additional numerical experiments are carried out with the GM-like background internal waves removed. The experiments show that the strong shear is also created, indicating that it is not caused by the interaction between the background GM-like internal waves and the semidiurnal internal tides. One possible explanation is proposed for the amplification of high vertical wavenumber near-inertial current shear in the near-field where tide residual flow resulting from tide-topography interaction plays an important role in transferring energy from high-mode internal tides to near-inertial internal waves.     

Bedrock structure in Adapazari, Turkey—a possible cause of severe damage by the 1999 Kociaeli earthquake

The 1999 Kocaeli earthquake brought serious damage to downtown of Adapazari. To study why strong motions were generated at the town, a bedrock structure was investigated on the basis of Bouguer gravity anomaly, and SPAC and H/V analyses of microseisms. It was revealed that, the basin consists of three narrow depressions of bedrock with very steep edges, extending in E–W or NE–SW directions along the North Anatolia faults, and the depth to bedrock reaches 1000 m or more. Downtown of Adapazari is located 1–2 km apart from the basin-edge. It is considered that, the specific configuration of bedrock amplifies ground motions at the downtown area by focusing of seismic waves and/or interference between incident S-waves and surface-waves secondarily generated at the basin-edge. Studying 3D bedrock structure is an urgent issue for microzoning an urban area in a sedimentary basin.     

IR active orientation of OH bending mode in topaz

Infrared (IR) and nearinfrared (NIR) absorption spectra of hydrous and F-rich topazes were measured to assign an OH bending mode of topaz. Three absorption peaks at 1165, 3650, and 4803 cm⁻¹ are assigned to OH related absorption peaks. Since a peak at 4803 cm⁻¹ can be assigned to a combination mode of 1165 and 3650 cm⁻¹, the 1165 cm⁻¹ peak is harmonic with the 3650 cm⁻¹ peak. Polarized IR absorption spectra of (100), (010), and (001) planes of the hydrous topaz were measured to examine IR active orientation of the 1165 cm⁻¹ OH related mode. Three pleochroic distributions of the absorption peak at 1165 cm⁻¹ on (100), (010), and (001) planes indicate an active orientation of the 1165 cm⁻¹ OH related mode. The IR active orientation of the 1165 cm⁻¹ OH related mode in topaz is normal to the OH dipole. The orthogonality and harmonic combination mode indicate that the 1165 cm⁻¹ peak is OH bending mode. The active orientation of OH bending mode is polarized in the plane normal to the OH dipole. The polarization suggests that anisotropic thermal vibration of protons on the hydroxyl is maximum along the IR active orientation. Received: August 16, 1996 / Revised, accepted: April 20, 1997     

Upwelling of Deep-seated Fluid in the Sikhote-Alin Region,Far East of the Eurasian Plate

Aquatic Geochemistry - Spring waters with high-pCO2 content are widely distributed in the Sikhote-Alin region in Russia. Mukhen spa is one such spring located in the northern Sikhote-Alin region....     

General aspects of the evolutionary history of whales and dolphins

Abstract The Cetacea are the most diverse and highly aquatically adapted group of mammals. Their fossil record extends back at least to the Middle Eocene ( ca 50 Ma), and they will possibly be found earlier, judging by the relatively highly evolved nature of the earliest known whales. The most likely terrestrial ancestors of whales are the mesonychids, primitive hoofed mammals with omnivorous diets. Recently discovered archaeocetes with large, mesonychid-like heads and dentitions and functional hind limbs reconfirm earlier ideas about the mesonychid origin of cetaceans and the amphibious nature of the earliest transitional forms. Fossil cetaceans are relatively abundant and diverse thoughout the world, and are now known from every continent, including Antarctica. Odontocetes evolved echolocation to locate food. Mysticetes developed bulk feeding adaptations. Both undoubtedly evolved from archaeocetes, and the monophyly of Cetacea is the most parsimonious present hypothesis. Chromosomal and molecular evidence has taken an increasingly important role in determining cetacean relationships, but fossils and classical comparative morphological studies remain a necessary and pivotal source of information about cetacean phylogeny.     

Pressure effect on the divalent cation distribution in nonideal solid solution of forsterite and fayalite

The divalent cation distribution in olivine (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄ under high pressure and temperature was studied to clarify the detailed state of olivine in the mantle. Single crystal samples were heated for a sufficient period of time for the cations to migrate and quenched fast enough to preserve the equilibrated state under high pressures, and the crystal structure was determined with X-ray method. The pressure effect on the distribution coefficient K _D[= (Fe/Mg) _M1/(Fe/Mg) _M2] was determined for the first time; dK _D/dP?0.02 GPa^?1. A set of five thermodynamic parameters required to describe the regular solution model was determined from data concerning the pressure dependence and the known temperature and compositional effects. As a result we have shown how K _D depends on pressure, temperature, and composition. The notable feature clarified is the very large contribution of nonideality in the olivine solid solution. The K _D of olivine crystals in the mantle is predicted; K _D increases to ～ 2.2 at the depth of 400 km, in contrast to 0.9 ～ 1.2 of natural samples available at the surface of the Earth.     

Trace elements in skin of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) from the northern waters of Japan: an evaluation for utilization as non-lethal tracers

Concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Mo, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ag, Pb, Sr and V were determined in skins of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) of the Pacific coast truei-type population (PT population) (N=45), and the Sea of Japan-Okhotsk dalli-type population (JD population) (N=31) from the northern waters of Japan. Cutaneous Hg concentrations in both PT and JD populations were significantly correlated with age, indicating a possible alternative method of age estimation. A significant correlation was also noted between Hg concentrations in skin and liver, suggesting that biopsy samples of skin can provide a non-lethal surrogate for monitoring Hg contamination in this species. Trace element accumulation patterns differed strongly between PT and JD populations, when analyzed by principal component analysis, suggesting these patterns could be utilized as non-lethal tracers of population identification.     

Interlayer proton transfer in brucite under pressure by polarized IR spectroscopy to 5.3 GPa

In order to investigate the behaviour of proton in brucite under pressure, polarized IR absorption spectra and polarized absorbance distributions of (001) and (110) oriented single crystal of brucite under high pressure were measured by Fourier transform polarized infrared microspectroscopy with diamond anvil cell. A pressure-induced absorption peak at 3645 cm⁻¹ observed under pressures over 2.9 GPa was confirmed to be due to a secondarily formed OH dipole. Polarized absorbance distribution measured under pressure of (110) suggests that the secondary OH dipole is oriented 136.0° to c-axis under 5.3 GPa. Isotropic absorbance distribution of (001) suggests that the secondary OH dipole is disorderly trifurcated. Abrupt onset of the secondary peak and its reverse pleochroism suggest that the process of secondary OH dipole formation is due to proton transfer between layers in brucite. The calculated orientation of the secondary OH dipole consistent with the O-H···O′ angle revealed by neutron diffraction supports the existence of proton transfer along H···O′. The secondary OH dipole implies a new site of proton in brucite under pressure. Received: 6 March 1997 / Revised, accepted: 9 June 1997     

An Evaluation Method of the Effect of Observation Environment on Air Temperature Measurement

Near-surface air temperature is the most important variable in the climatic analysis of global warming. The air temperature near the surface is affected by the artificial surface (asphalt, concrete and buildings for example) surrounding the thermometer. However, there is no quantitative method for evaluating the observational environment. Therefore, a practical evaluation method with a scientific basis is required to aid observational network managers and data users. The magnitude of the artificial surface influence on the air temperature and its characteristics are investigated using numerical experiments with various road widths and wind speeds. The results show that the temperature increase in the lee of the road depends on the distance from the road, the road width, the wind speed and the thermal stratification and that the temperature increase can be estimated using an analytical footprint model. In order to estimate the largest value of the temperature increase, a function is developed from the footprint model; it depends on the normalized distance based on the road width, and thus can be calculated easily. A practical method using this function is proposed for the evaluation of the effect of the observational environment.