New buoy observation system for tsunami and crustal deformation

We have developed a new system for real-time observation of tsunamis and crustal deformation using a seafloor pressure sensor, an array of seafloor transponders and a Precise Point Positioning (PPP ) system on a buoy. The seafloor pressure sensor and the PPP system detect tsunamis, and the pressure sensor and the transponder array measure crustal deformation. The system is designed to be capable of detecting tsunami and vertical crustal deformation of ±8 m with a resolution of less than 5 mm. A noteworthy innovation in our system is its resistance to disturbance by strong ocean currents. Seismogenic zones near Japan lie in areas of strong currents like the Kuroshio, which reaches speeds of approximately 5.5 kt (2.8 m/s) around the Nankai Trough. Our techniques include slack mooring and new acoustic transmission methods using double pulses for sending tsunami data. The slack ratio can be specified for the environment of the deployment location. We can adjust slack ratios, rope lengths, anchor weights and buoy sizes to control the ability of the buoy system to maintain freeboard. The measured pressure data is converted to time difference of a double pulse and this simple method is effective to save battery to transmit data. The time difference of the double pulse has error due to move of the buoy and fluctuation of the seawater environment. We set a wire-end station 1,000 m beneath the buoy to minimize the error. The crustal deformation data is measured by acoustic ranging between the buoy and six transponders on the seafloor. All pressure and crustal deformation data are sent to land station in real-time using iridium communication.     

Gamma-ray burst neutrino background and star formation history in the universe

We estimate the flux of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) neutrino background and compute the event rate at SK and TITAND in the collapsar model, assuming that GRB formation rate is proportional to the star formation rate. We find that the predicted background neutrino flux is highly sensitive to unknown model parameters, mainly to the mass–accretion rate, to the fraction of disk energy emitted in thermal neutrinos (as opposed to emission through electromagnetic processes), and to the fraction of collapsar events leading to GRBs. The predicted neutrino flux varies over many orders of magnitude as the values of unknown model parameters are varied. We investigate the detection possibility of thermal neutrinos from collapsars which lead to GRBs by TITAND. We find that the GRB neutrino background might be detected by TITAND within 10 yrs only for the optimistic cases in which the average mass–accretion rate is high ( a few M s⁻¹), and the probability that one collapsar generates a GRB is high (f=0.5–1.0).     

The Triassic conodonts of the NW Malayan Kodiang Limestone revisited: Taxonomy and paleogeographic significance

The revision of the Middle and early Late Triassic conodonts in the Nogami (1968) collection from the NW Malaya Kodiang Limestone Formation provides clues to the multi-element reconstruction of Triassic Gondolellacea. Septi- to octomembrate multi-elements characterize the families Gondolellidae and Gladigondolellidae nov. fam. The distribution of cratognathodiform and ozarkodiniform P2 elements supports the hypothesis of sexual dimorphism in Gladigondolella rather than that of two genera. Pseudofurnishius murcianus confers a Southern Tethyan low latitude character to the Kodiang Limestone, a part of the Cimmerian string of terranes that in Triassic times formed a diagonal partition between the gradually closing Paleo-Tethys and the accordingly widening Neo-Tethys. Our findings suggest that such a realm stretched from the Southern Alps (Dinarids) in the West to Malaya (Shan Thai Terrane) in the East. Only the Eastern edge collided with Eurasia in the Late Triassic, forming the platform of Sundaland. Consequently, the Paleo-Tethys closure remained limited to SE Asia, while a substantial Paleo-Tethys still existed in Western direction, ending up in the Pindos and Vardar oceans. The Jurassic Neo-Tethys ocean extended south of the consolidated SE Asia block and Cimmerian string of terranes.     

Anthropogenic impacts recorded in the sediments of Lunawa, a small tropical estuary, Sri Lanka

The Lunawa Estuary has been selected as a model for studying the long-term diagnoss of tropical estuarine pollution and its impact on ecosystems. Surface and short-core sediments from the Lunawa Estuary were collected, and analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), nitrogen, sulfur and hydrocarbon contents, hydrogen index and other related sediment properties. Water quality and surface sediment data indicate that the Lunawa Estuary is presently an anoxic water body. The upper part of the sediment cores, characterized by very high TOC values of more than 10%, and absence of bioturbation along with strong laminations indicate anoxic water since 1970 AD, determined by ¹⁴ C dating. However, before 1970 AD, lower TOC content and presence of bioturbation and homogenous sediments with animal traces suggest the presence of oxic bottom water and thus a much better physicochemical condition. The lower part of the cores may also suggest the influence of gradual global warming. Regular laminations in the upper portions of the cores probably resulted from monsoon pulses with material preserved under anoxic condition.     

The coupling coefficients of radial pulsation in third order

The third order theory of coupling is discussed regarding the radial pulsation of stellar models.     

Size and taxonomic plankton community structure and carbon flow at the equator, 175‡E during 1990–1994

Size and taxonomic structure of plankton community carbon biomass for the 0.2–2000 μm equivalent spherical diameter range were determined at the equator at 175°E in September 1990–1993 and April 1994. Total biomass of the plankton community ranged from 1944 to 3448 mg C m⁻². Phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria carbon biomasses were 604–1669 mg C m^-2, 300–797 mg C m², and 968–1200 mg C m^-2, and the percentages were 31–54%, 15–26%, and 29–54%, respectively. Biomass of heterotrophic bacteria was always the largest fraction andProchlorococcus biomass was second. Heterotrophic and autotrophic flagellates and dinoflagellates in the nanoplankton size range and copepods (adults and copepodites) in the mesoplankton range were also high. Relatively small biomass was observed in the microplankton size range. The differences in integrated biomass of plankton community for El Nin˜o type oligotrophic conditions of September 1990–1993 and non-El Nifio type mesotrophic conditions of April 1994 were generally small compared with the interannual difference during 1990–1993. However, the percentage ofProchlorococcus in phytoplankton carbon biomass was larger in non-El Nin˜o year. Biomasses of cyanobacteria, diatom, dinoflagellates, nauplii of copepods, and crustaceans other than copepods were larger in the non-El Nin˜o year. Primary production increased significantly from El Nin˜o to non-El Nin˜o years. Carbon flow through the plankton food chain was estimated using the plankton carbon biomass data, primary production measurements, and published empirical relationships.     

Mercury concentration in the ocean

Seventy percent of 342 seawater samples collected in the Bering Sea, North and South Pacific, Japan Sea, East and South China Seas, and Indian Ocean had concentrations of “total” mercury ranging from 3 to 6 ng Hg l^?1 with an arithmetic mean of 5.3 ng l^?1 and a geometric mean of 5.0 ng l^?1. In some cases, a higher concentration was observed at the surface, at the halocline or thermocline, or in the bottom water. But in general, there was no consistent correlation between mercury concentration and depth, except for a statistical tendency for mercury concentration to be slightly higher in the surface water. This tendency suggests that mercury in the ocean is supplied from the atmosphere by rain washout. The latitudinal variation of surface mercury concentrations showed that the maximum concentration at each latitude decreased from 40°N to 30°S. This variation provides evidence that atmospheric mercury is emitted mainly from continental areas naturally or anthropogenically.     

SIMS Bias on Isotope Ratios in Ca‐Mg‐Fe Carbonates (Part III): δ18O and δ13C Matrix Effects Along the Magnesite–Siderite Solid‐Solution Series

This study explores the effects of cation composition on mass bias (i.e., the matrix effect), which is a major component of instrumental mass fractionation (IMF) in the microanalyses of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O by SIMS in carbonates of the magnesite–siderite solid‐solution series (MgCO₃–FeCO₃). A suite of twelve calibration reference materials (RMs) was developed and documented (calibrated range: Fe# = 0.002–0.997, where Fe# = molar Fe/[Mg + Fe]), along with empirical expressions for regressing calibration data (affording residuals < 0.5‰ relative to certified reference material NIST‐19). The calibration curves of both isotope systems are non‐linear and have, over a 2‐year period, fallen into one of two distinct but largely self‐consistent shape categories (data from ten measurement sessions), despite adherence to well‐established analytical protocols for carbonate δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O analyses at WiscSIMS (CAMECA IMS 1280). Mass bias was consistently most sensitive to changes in composition near the magnesite end‐member (Fe# 0–0.2), deviating by up to 4.5‰ (δ¹³C) and 14‰ (δ¹⁸O) with increasing Fe content. The cause of variability in calibration curve shapes is not well understood at present and demonstrates the importance of having available a sufficient number of well‐characterised RMs so that potential complexities of curvature can be adequately delineated and accounted for on a session‐by‐session basis.     

Podiform chromitites in the lherzolite-dominant mantle section of the Isabela ophiolite, the Philippines

Abstract The Isabela ophiolite, the Philippines, is characterized by a lherzolite‐dominant mantle section, which was probably formed beneath a slow‐spreading mid‐ocean ridge. Several podiform chromitites occur in the mantle section and grade into harzburgite to lherzolite. The chromitites show massive, nodular, layered and disseminated textures. Clinopyroxene (±orthopyroxene/amphibole) inclusions within chromian spinel (chromite hereafter) are commonly found in the massive‐type chromitites. Large chromitites are found in relatively depleted harzburgite hosts having high‐Cr? (Cr/(Cr + Al) atomic ratio = ～0.5) chromite. Light rare earth element (LREE) contents of clinopyroxenes in harzburgites near the chromitites are higher than those in lherzolite with low‐Cr? chromite, whereas heavy REE (HREE) contents of clinopyroxenes are lower in harzburgite than in lherzolite. The harzburgite near the chromitites is not a residual peridotite after simple melt extraction from lherzolite but is formed by open‐system melting (partial melting associated with influx of primitive basaltic melt of deeper origin). Clinopyroxene inclusions within chromite in chromitites exhibit convex‐shaped REE patterns with low HREE and high LREE (+Sr) abundances compared to the host peridotites. The chromitites were formed from a hybridized melt enriched with Cr, Si and incompatible elements (Na, LREE, Sr and H₂O). The melt was produced by mixing of secondary melts after melt–rock interaction and the primitive basaltic melts in large melt conduits, probably coupled with a zone‐refining effect. The Cr? of chromites in the chromitites ranges from 0.65 to 0.75 and is similar to those of arc‐related magmas. The upper mantle section of the Isabela ophiolite was initially formed beneath a slow‐spreading mid‐ocean ridge, later introduced by arc‐related magmatisms in response to a switch in tectonic setting during its obduction at a convergent margin.     

Petrological and Geochemical Characteristics of Intrusive Rocks Related to Porphyry Copper Mineralization and the Implications for the Genesis of Deposits in the Namosi area, Viti Levu, Republic of the Fiji Islands

In the Namosi district, of Viti Levu Island, Republic of the Fiji Islands, we conducted chemical analysis on intrusive rocks and attempted to clarify the relationship between petrological characteristics and mineralization. Samples were collected from the Waisoi copper deposit, Waivaka corridor, Waisomo, Wailutelevu and Wainabama Southwest localities. The intrusive rocks in the district show the overall characteristics of calc-alkaline magnetite series. Using the normative composition diagram for granite classification, most of the intrusive rocks plot in the tonalite, granodiorite, quartz monzodiorite and quartz diorite fields. Rare earth element (REE) analysis revealed that at Waisoi the intrusive rocks tend towards an Eu positive anomaly, whereas most of those at Waisomo tend to have a negative anomaly. The (Ce_cn/Yb_cn)/Yb_cn ratio shows that the intrusive rocks in the Namosi district may be derived from a mantle origin magma possibly contaminated by crustal materials. Waisoi rocks have less contamination with continental crust and show higher gold content compared to those of the Waivaka corridor. The observed differences between Waisoi and Waivaka corridor in the Cu/Au ratio might also be caused by varying amounts of contamination by crustal materials. There is no clear correlation between the La/Yb ratio and K–Ar ages, however, the La/Yb ratio of the Waivaka corridor rocks has a wide range, suggesting a variable amount of crustal contamination of the magma from 7 to 5 Ma. The less crustal contamination and generation of relatively high silica contents under relatively oxidized conditions in the Waisoi magmas is correlated with Au-rich porphyry copper mineralization and in contrast more crustal contamination produced Au-poor porphyry copper mineralization at the Waivaka Corridor in the Namosi district.