HPLC determination of phytoplankton pigments using N,N-dimethylformamide

The suitability of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as an extractant for the standard reverse-phase HPLC method was examined using algal cultures. Good pigment separations and recovery were achieved with 20% (volume %) addition of an ion-pairing solution in an injection. While slight amounts of degradation products of chlorophylla, i.e., chlorophyllidea, allomeric and epimeric forms, were produced, adequate attention to filtration and extraction prevents the formation of degradation products, confining them to an acceptable level. Because of its strong extractability, which expedites the extraction process, DMF is an efficient solvent for HPLC analysis of phytoplankton pigments.     

Production and degradation of fluorescent dissolved organic matter derived from bacteria

Dynamics of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in ocean environments has received attention over the past few decades. Although it has appeared that in situ production of oceanic FDOM is mainly due to bacteria, the production and bio- and photodegradation processes of bacterial FDOM have not been elucidated. In this study, a culture experiment with bacteria was carried out to assess the production and biodegradation processes of bacterial FDOM. Photodegradation of bacterial FDOM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was also examined by exposure to a solar simulator. Bacterial FDOM consists of six components which were determined by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). Fluorescence intensities of protein-like FDOM increased with the bacterial biomass, but the increases of humic-like FDOM lagged behind the protein-like FDOM by 5–10 days. Exposure to simulated sunlight caused significant decreases in fluorescence intensities of all components; 52–94% of the initial intensities were lost during 24 h. While, the DOC concentration exhibited a small decrease through the experiment (1.9–11.1%). These results showed that photodegradability of bacteria derived DOC was much less than the fluorescence, indicating that the lifetime of bacteria-derived DOC is much longer than the length estimated by the fluorescence. The role of photobleached FDOM derived from bacteria may be significant in the biogeochemical cycle at the surface layer.     

Deformation and fault activity in space and time in high-resolution numerical models of doubly vergent thrust wedges

A discrete-element model is used to investigate the manner in which deformation and fault activity change in space and time during the development of a doubly vergent thrust wedge in the upper crust. Deformation is a result of shortening at a subduction slot in the base of the model, a configuration which produces a dynamic backstop within the cohesionless, frictional cover material. A series of experiments with differing basal (decollement) friction are performed. The distinct manners in which thrust wedges grow, and the variability of fault development and activity in space and time, are then examined. Both predicted large-scale wedge geometries and individual fault-fold structures are similar to those observed in sandbox models, and show the complex manner in which shortening is accommodated and localized during the development of the thrust wedge. When compared to a sandbox model with similar boundary conditions, model results are strikingly similar. In all cases, deformation initiates above the subduction slot with the formation of an axial zone; the wedge is then developed by displacement on a retro-wedge thrust and propagation of deformation into the pro-wedge region. Models with low coefficients of basal friction typically develop wide, shallow wedges with distributed, spaced deformation and rather symmetric, box-like structures; whereas those with high coefficients of basal friction develop narrower, steeper wedges, consisting of a series of stacked, pro-wedge thrust sheets, and a high-displacement retro-wedge thrust. In general, fault initiation and linkage is extremely complex in our models, with several smaller faults operating until linkage occurs to form a major through-going structure. Of particular interest is the observation that many of the faults do not develop at the basal decollement and propagate upwards through the cover but rather initiate at high levels in the cover and propagate/link downwards with other, deeper structures. Results also indicate the utility of the discrete-element approach in modelling large-displacement, complex deformation of geological materials.     

Abrupt changes of intermediate-water oxygen in the northwestern Pacific during the last 27 kyr

An oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) currently exists at intermediate water depths on the northern Japanese margin in the northwestern Pacific. The OMZ results largely from a combination of high surface–water productivity and poor ventilation of intermediate waters. We investigated the late Quaternary history (last 27 kyr) of the intensity of this OMZ using changes in benthic foraminiferal carbon isotopes and assemblages in a sediment core taken on the continental slope off Shimokita Peninsula, northern Japan, at a water depth of 975 m. The core was located well within the region of the present-day OMZ and high surface–water productivity. The benthic foraminiferal δ¹³C values, which indicate millennial-scale fluctuations of nutrient contents at the sediment–water interface, were 0.48‰ lower during the last glacial maximum (LGM) than during the late Holocene. These results do not indicate the formation of glacial intermediate waters of subarctic Pacific origin, but rather the large contribution of high-nutrient water masses such as the Antarctic Intermediate Water, implying that the regional circulation pattern during the LGM was similar to that of modern times. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages underwent major changes in response to changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations in ocean floor sediments. The lowest oxygen and highest nutrient conditions, marked by dysoxic taxa and negative values of benthic foraminiferal δ¹³C, occurred during the Bølling/Allerød (B/A) and Pre-Boreal warming events. Dysoxic conditions in this region during these intervals were possibly caused by high surface–water productivity at times of reduced intermediate–water ventilation in the northwestern Pacific. The benthic assemblages show dysoxic events on approx. 100- to 200-year cycles during the B/A, reflecting centennial-scale productivity changes related to freshwater cycles and surface–water circulation in the North Pacific.     

Responses of humpback whales to a changing climate in the Southern Hemisphere: Priorities for research efforts

Globally, baleen whales were severely depleted by historic whaling. Recovering populations have been observed to alter their behaviour. These changes have been attributed to climate change in some cases and raise concerns over the successful recovery of baleen whale populations. Current data-driven statistical habitat and behavioural models have proven useful for addressing questions of whale distribution changes within their limitations. Given observed changes in oceanic conditions, a new approach to managing baleen whale population recovery is necessary. Model predictions of future whale movements and distributions under climate change scenarios are vital to enable adequate conservation management. This paper presents a new perspective on understanding the impacts of climate change on humpback whales, arguing the need for a system-based multidisciplinary research approach. Our approach includes coupled, mechanistic models based upon robust ecological principles, and integrates key physical, biogeochemical, biological and ecological modules to address long-term changes associated with climate change. To illustrate the need for this system-based multidisciplinary approach, we focus on Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, the recovery of which may be impacted by rapid changes in habitat conditions brought about by anthropogenic climate change.     

Fabrics of deformed sulphides

Determination of preferred orientations in sulphide ores is an important facet in the analysis of the deformation and metamorphism in ore deposits. The methodology and problems of texture determinations in deformed sulphides are briefly reviewed. Deformation mechanisms and texture development in the common sulphide minerals are summarised. Axi-symmetric experimental deformation of galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite produces similar pole figures with the (110) planes aligned normal to the compression axis. Deformation textures in naturally deformed sulphides however are best preserved in monomineralic ores which have undergone simple shear deformation. These textures can be correlated with the microstructures found in the sulphides. Computer simulations of deformation textures arising from dislocation mechanisms can be used to interpret the textures but the results to date are preliminary. These theoretical models emphasize the importance of the symmetry of the kinematic axes of the deformation, the operative glide systems and the strain history and the deformation path. Little is known, however, of the influence of static and dynamic recrystallisation on sulphide preferred orientations.     

The influence of Hudson Bay runoff and ice‐melt on the salinity of the inner Newfoundland Shelf

Abstract

The present study examines sources of the interannual variability in salinity on the Newfoundland continental shelf observed in a 40‐year time series from an oceanographic station known as Station 27. Specifically, we investigate, through lag‐correlation analysis, the a priori hypotheses that the salinity anomalies at Station 27 are determined by freshwater runoff anomalies from Hudson and Ungava bays and by ice‐melt anomalies in Hudson Bay and on the Labrador Shelf. Interannual variations of summer runoff into Hudson Bay were significantly negatively correlated with salinity anomalies on the Newfoundland Shelf with a lag (9 months) that is consistent with expected travel times based on known current velocities in Hudson Bay and along the Labrador Shelf. Sea‐ice extent over the Labrador and northern Newfoundland shelves was significantly negatively correlated with salinity at a lag of 3 to 4 months, corresponding to the time of minimum salinity at Station 27. It appears that ice‐melt over the Labrador‐northern Newfoundland Shelf is primarily responsible for the seasonal salinity minimum over the Newfoundland Shelf. Interannual variability in runoff into Ungava Bay and ice‐melt in Hudson Bay were not correlated with interannual salinity variations on the Newfoundland Shelf.     

Prestack depth imaging via model-independent stacking

Most seismic reflection imaging methods are confronted with the difficulty of accurately knowing input velocity information. To eliminate this, we develop a special prestack depth migration technique which avoids the necessity of constructing a macro-velocity model. It is based upon the weighted Kirchhoff-type migration formula expressed in terms of model-independent stacking velocity and arrival angle. This formula is applied to synthetic sub-basaltic data. Numerical results show that the method can be used to successfully image beneath basalts.     

Tropospheric delay correction with dense GPS network in L1-SAIF augmentation

The L1-SAIF (L1 Submeter-class Augmentation with Integrity Function) signal is one of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) navigation signals, which provides an augmentation function for mobile users in Japan. The tropospheric delay correction in the L1-SAIF augmentation is discussed in detail. Because the topographical features in Japan are complicated, the correction information is generated from GPS observation data collected at 200 GPS stations which are densely distributed over Japan. A total of 210 Tropospheric Grid Points (TGPs) are arranged to fully cover Japan. The TGPs that provide the correction information are selected adaptively to achieve the expected correction accuracy. This selection of TGPs is provided by the TGP mask message. Mobile users acquire the zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) value at neighboring TGPs from the correction messages, and can estimate the local ZTD value accurately by using a suitable ZTD model. Only up to seven L1-SAIF messages are sufficient to provide the full correction information. Accuracy evaluations have proven that it is possible to achieve a correction accuracy of 13.4 mm RMS. The strategy presented here has been implemented into the augmentation system using the L1-SAIF signal, and its application guidance is presented in the QZSS interface specification.     

Lagrangian observation of phytoplankton dynamics at an artificially enriched subsurface water in Sagami Bay,Japan

Phytoplankton dynamics in the lower euphotic zone were observed by tracking a subsurface water released at 20-m depth from Takumi, an artificial upwelling device. Takumi continually discharged seawater pumped up from a depth of 205 m: this water was mixed with 5-m depth water to adjust the density to that of 20-m depth water of Sagami Bay, Japan. The discharged water was pulse-labeled at Takumi with uranine and tracked for 63.9 h with a drifting buoy equipped with a drogue at 20-m depth. We present a simple model to estimate in situ phytoplankton net growth rates from temporal changes in phytoplankton abundance in the discharged water with correction for the influence of water exchange between the discharged water and neighboring layers. Lagrangian observation showed active growth of pico- and nanophytoplankton, especially cryptophytes and Synechococcus (Cyanobacteria), in the subsurface layer. In contrast, diatoms grew little in spite of micromolar concentrations of nutrients. The active growth of pico- and nanophytoplankton was in good agreement with shipboard serial dilution culture experiments. The low growth activity of diatoms was suggested to be related to low light availability in the subsurface layer.