Does heavy oil pollution induce bacterial diseases in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus?

As basic research for the effect of heavy oil on the fish immune system, in this study, the number of leukocyte was counted in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, after exposure to heavy oil at a concentration of 30 g/8 L for 3 days. To compare the numbers of bacteria in the skin mucus between oil-exposed and control fish, viable bacteria were enumerated by counting colony forming unit (CFU). Compared with 5.79 ± 1.88 × 10⁷ leukocytes/mL in the controls, the exposed fish demonstrated higher counts, averaging 1.45 ± 0.45 × 10⁸ cells/mL. The bacterial numbers of control fish were 4.27 ± 3.68 × 10⁴ CFU/g, whereas they were 4.58 ± 1.63 × 10⁵ CFU/g in the exposed fish. The results suggest that immune suppression of the fish occurred due to heavy oil stressor, and bacteria could invade in the mucus, resulting in the increasing leukocyte number to prevent infectious disease.     

Regional-Scale Excess Ar wave in a Barrovian type metamorphic belt, eastern Tibetan Plateau

Laser step heating ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analysis of biotite and muscovite single crystals from a Barrovian type metamorphic belt in the eastern Tibetan plateau yielded consistent cooling ages of ca. 40 Ma in the sillimanite zone with peak metamorphic temperatures higher than 600°C and discordant ages from 46 to 197 Ma in the zones with lower peak temperatures. Chemical Th‐U‐Total Pb Isochron Method (CHIME) monazite (65 Ma) and sensitive high mass‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) apatite (67 Ma) dating give the age of peak metamorphism in the sillimanite zone. Moderate amounts of excess Ar shown by biotite grains with ages of 46 to 94 Ma at metamorphic grades up to the high‐grade part of the kyanite zone probably represent incomplete degassing during metamorphism. In contrast, the high‐grade part of the kyanite zone yields biotite ages of 130 to 197 Ma. The spatial distribution of these older ages in the kyanite zone along the sillimanite zone boundary suggests they reflect trapped excess argon that migrated from higher‐grade regions. The most likely source is muscovite that decomposed to form sillimanite. The zone with extreme amounts of excess argon preserves trapped remnants of an ‘excess argon wave’. We suggest this corresponds to the area where biotite cooled below its closure temperature in the presence of an elevated Ar wave. Extreme excess Ar is not recognized in muscovite suggesting that the entrapment of the argon wave by biotite took place when the rocks had cooled down to temperatures lower than the closure temperature of muscovite. The breakdown of phengite during ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphism may be a key factor in accounting for the very old apparent ages seen in many UHP metamorphic regions. This is the first documentation of a regional Ar‐wave spatially associated with regional metamorphism. This study also implies that resetting of the Ar isotopic systems in micas can require temperatures up to 600°C; much higher than generally thought.     

A simplified input output relation method using AR model for earthquake wave propagation analysis

This paper introduces a Simplified Input Output Relation Method (SIORM) using multiple-variable autoregression (AR) model which can be used to determine ground wave propagation properties. Using the AR model, a method is developed to establish the basis for the formulation of SIORM. The degree of accuracy of this method is evaluated. SIORM is applied to actual ground acceleration records taken at Minamisuna and Etchujima sites in Japan and its results are discussed in this paper. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative micro‐X‐ray fluorescence scanning spectroscopy of wet sediment based on the X‐ray absorption and emission theories: Its application to freshwater lake sedimentary sequences

Micro‐X‐ray fluorescence scanning spectroscopy of marine and lake sedimentary sequences can provide detailed palaeoenvironmental records through element intensity proxy data. However, problems with the effects of interstitial pore water on the micro‐X‐ray fluorescence intensities have been pointed out. This is because the X‐ray fluorescence intensities are measured directly at the surfaces of split wet sediment core samples. This study developed a new method for correcting X‐ray fluorescence data to compensate for the effects of pore water using a scanning X‐ray analytical microscope. This involved simultaneous use of micro‐X‐ray fluorescence scanning spectroscopy and an X‐ray transmission detector. To evaluate the interstitial pore water content from the X‐ray transmission intensities, a fine‐grained sediment core retrieved from Lake Baikal (VER99‐G12) was used to prepare resin‐embedded samples with smooth surfaces and uniform thickness. Simple linear regression between the linear absorption coefficients of the samples and their porosity, based on the Lambert–Beer law, enabled calculation of the interstitial pore spaces and their resin content with high reproducibility. The X‐ray fluorescence intensities of resin‐embedded samples were reduced compared with those of dry sediment samples because of: (i) the X‐ray fluorescence absorption of resin within sediment; and (ii) the sediment dilution effects by resin. An improved micro‐X‐ray fluorescence correction equation based on X‐ray fluorescence emission theory considers the instrument's sensitivity to each element, which provides a reasonable explanation of these two effects. The resin‐corrected X‐ray fluorescence intensity was then successfully converted to elemental concentrations using simple linear regression between the data from micro‐X‐ray fluorescence scanning spectroscopy and from the conventional analyzer. In particular, the calculated concentration of SiO₂ over the depth of the core, reflecting diatom/biogenic silica concentration, was significantly changed by the calibrations, from a progressively decreasing trend to an increasing trend towards the top of the core.     

Iron–bentonite interactions in the Kawasaki bentonite deposit,Zao area,Japan

Greenish veins occurring in brecciated bentonite were found in the Kawasaki bentonite deposit of the Zao region in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Their occurrence possibly indicates the interaction of bentonite with Fe-rich hydrothermal solutions. In order to prove the hypothesis and understand the long-term mineralogical and petrographic evolution of bentonite during such interactions, the greenish veins and the surrounding altered bentonite were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersed spectroscopy (STEM-EDS) and micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). The greenish veins resulting from hydrothermal solution are composed of mixed-layer minerals consisting of smectite and glauconite (glaucony), pyrite and opal. The occurrences indicate that glaucony and pyrite formed almost simultaneously from hydrothermal solution prior to opal precipitation. The mineral assemblages of the greenish veins and their surroundings indicate that the hydrothermal activity had most likely taken place at a temperature of less than 100 °C and that the pH and Eh conditions of the reacted solution were neutral to alkaline pH and reducing. The unaltered bentonite is composed mainly of Al smectite and opal. These minerals coexist as a mixture within the resolution level of the microprobe analyses. On the other hand, the bentonite in contact with the greenish veins consists of discrete opal grains and dioctahedral Al smectite containing Fe and was altered mineralogically and petrographically by the hydrothermal activity. Both the clay minerals and the opal were formed by dissolution and subsequent precipitation from the interaction of the original bentonite with the hydrothermal solution.     

Trace element composition and degree of partial melting of pelitic migmatites from the Aoyama area, Ryoke metamorphic belt, SW Japan: Implications for the source region of tourmaline leucogranites

Degree of partial melting of pelitic migmatites from the Aoyama area, Ryoke metamorphic belt, SW Japan is determined utilizing whole-rock trace element compositions. The key samples used in this study were taken from the migmatite front of this area and have interboudin partitions filled with tourmaline-bearing leucosome. These samples are almost perfectly separated into leucosome (melt) and surrounding matrix (solid). This textural feature enables an estimate of the melting degree by a simple mass-balance calculation, giving the result of 5–11 wt.% of partial melting. Similar calculations applied to the migmatite samples, which assume average migmatite compositions to be the residue solid fraction, give degree of melt extraction of 12–14 wt.% from the migmatite zone. The similarity of the estimated melting degree of 5–11 wt.% with that in other tourmaline–leucogranites, such as Harney Peak leucogranite and Himalayan leucogranites, in spite of differences in formation process implies that the production of tourmaline leucogranites is limited to low degrees of partial melting around 10 wt.%, probably controlled by the breakdown of sink minerals for boron such as muscovite and tourmaline at a relatively early stage of partial melting. Because the amount of boron originally available in the pelitic source rock is limited (on average 100 ppm), 10 wt.% of melting locally requires almost complete breakdown of boron sink mineral(s) in the source rock, in order to provide sufficient boron into the melt to saturate it in tourmaline. This, in turn, means that boron-depleted metapelite regions are important candidates for the source regions of tourmaline leucogranites.     

Validating a regional climate model’s downscaling ability for East Asian summer monsoonal interannual variability

Performance of a regional climate model (RCM), WRF, for downscaling East Asian summer season climate is investigated based on 11-summer integrations associated with different climate conditions with reanalysis data as the lateral boundary conditions. It is found that while the RCM is essentially unable to improve large-scale circulation patterns in the upper troposphere for most years, it is able to simulate better lower-level meridional moisture transport in the East Asian summer monsoon. For precipitation downscaling, the RCM produces more realistic magnitude of the interannual variation in most areas of East Asia than that in the reanalysis. Furthermore, the RCM significantly improves the spatial pattern of summer rainfall over dry inland areas and mountainous areas, such as Mongolia and the Tibetan Plateau. Meanwhile, it reduces the wet bias over southeast China. Over Mongolia, however, the performance of precipitation downscaling strongly depends on the year: the WRF is skillful for normal and wet years, but not for dry years, which suggests that land surface processes play an important role in downscaling ability. Over the dry area of North China, the WRF shows the worst performance. Additional sensitivity experiments testing land effects in downscaling suggest the initial soil moisture condition and representation of land surface processes with different schemes are sources of uncertainty for precipitation downscaling. Correction of initial soil moisture using the climatology dataset from GSWP-2 is a useful approach to robustly reducing wet bias in inland areas as well as to improve spatial distribution of precipitation. Despite the improvement on RCM downscaling, regional analyses reveal that accurate simulation of precipitation over East China, where the precipitation pattern is strongly influenced by the activity of the Meiyu/Baiu rainfall band, is difficult. Since the location of the rainfall band is closely associated with both lower-level meridional moisture transport and upper-level circulation structures, it is necessary to have realistic upper-air circulation patterns in the RCM as well as lower-level moisture transport in order to improve the circulation-associated convective rainfall band in East Asia.     

Seismotectonics of the Median Tectonic Line in southwest Japan: Implications for coupling among major fault systems

The relationship between the slip activity and occurrence of historical earthquakes along the Median Tectonic Line (MTL), together with that of the fault systems extending eastward has been examined. The MTL is divided into three segments, each containing diagnostic active faults. No historical earthquakes have been recorded along the central segment, although the segment has faster Quaternary slip rates compared with the other segments that have generated historical earthquakes. This discrepancy between earthquake generation and slip rate can be explained by a microplate model of southwest Japan. The microplate model also provides spatial and temporal coupling of slip on adjacent fault systems. In the context of this model, slip on adjacent faults reduces the normal stress on the MTL. Historical data and paleoseismic evidence indicate that slip on this segment occurs without significant strong ground motion. We interpret this as indicating anomalously slow seismic slip or aseismic slip. Slip on the central segment of the MTL creates transpressional regions at the eastern and western segments where historical earthquakes were recorded. Alternatively, the earthquakes at the eastern and western segments were triggered and concentrated shear stress at the edge of the segments resulted in postseismic slip along the central segment. The sequence of historical events suggests that the MTL characteristically does not produce great earthquakes. The microplate model also provides a tectonic framework for coupling of events among the MTL, the adjacent fault systems and the Nankai trough.     

Earthquake physical damage and functional serviceability of lifeline network models

The connectivity of lifeline systems is studied in this paper in terms of two ratios: ‘damage ratio’, which is the degree of physical damage to the system, and is defined as the expected number of failures per unit length or per link; and ‘service ratio’, which is a measurement of system operation. First, the relationship between the two ratios in a historic event is examined. Second, a method is developed for determining this relationship in simple network systems immediately following an earthquake. Density function, expected value and covariance of service ratio are calculated as functions of the damage ratio. Even in a simple checkerboard-type network, the density function of the service ratio has two peaks. Third, the variation in reliability of the network is examined with respect to difference in scale and configuration of the network, which may accompany growth of the community. When the damage ratio is small, the service ratio of a complex network is as large as, or larger, than that of a simple network. This pattern is, however, reversed for larger damage ratios. Finally, the relationship prior to operation restoration is examined. During the initial stages of restoration, the service ratio increases steeply, almost linearly, with decrease in the damage ratio. The increase then slows in the last stages of restoration.     

Potential of submarine-cave sediments and oxygen isotope composition of cavernicolous micro-bivalve as a late Holocene paleoenvironmental record

A sediment layer (43 cm thick) and surface sediments (5 cm thick) in a submarine limestone cave (31 m water depth) on the fore-reef slope of Ie Island, off Okinawa mainland, Japan, were examined by visual, mineralogical and geochemical means. Oxygen isotope analysis was performed on the cavernicolous micro-bivalve Carditella iejimensis from both cored sediments and surface sediments, and the water temperature within the cave was recorded for nearly one year. These data show that: (1) water temperature within the cave is equal to that at 30 m deep in the open sea; (2) the biotic and non-biotic environments within the cave have persisted for the past 2000 years; (3) mud-size carbonate detritus is a major constituent of the submarine-cave deposit, and may have come mainly from the suspended carbonate mud produced on the emergent Holocene reef flat over the past two millennia; (4) the δ¹⁸O-derived temperature (T_δ18_O) of C. iejimensis suggests that the species grows between April and July; (5) the T_δ18_O of C. iejimensis from cored sediments implies that there were two warmer intervals, at AD 340 ± 40 and AD 1000 ± 40, which correspond to the Roman Warm Period and Medieval Warm Period, respectively. These suggest that submarine-cave sediments provide unique information for Holocene reef development. In addition, oxygen isotope records of cavernicolous C. iejimensis are a useful tool to reconstruct century-scale climatic variability for the Okinawa Islands during the Holocene.