Overview of the MITI Nankai Trough Wells: A Milestone in the Evaluation of Methane Hydrate Resources

Abstract. Bottom-simulating reflectors suggestive of the presence of methane hydrates are widely distributed below the ocean floor around Japan. In late 1999, drilling of the MITI Nankai Trough wells was conducted to explore this potential methane hydrate resource and a Tertiary conventional structure. The wells are located in the Northwest Pacific Ocean off Central Japan at a water depth of 945 m. A total of six wells were drilled, including the main well, two pilot wells, and three post survey wells at intervals of 10–100 m. All wells except the first confirmed the occurrence of hydrates based on logging-while-drilling, wire-line logging and/or coring using a pressure and temperature coring system in addition to conventional methods. Based on the various well profiles, four methane hydrate-bearing sand-rich intervals in turbidite fan deposits were recognized. Methane hydrates fill the pore spaces in these deposits, reaching saturation of up to 80 % in some layers. The methane hydrate-bearing turbiditic sand layers are less than 1 m thick, with a total thickness of 12–14 m. The bottom depth of high hydrate concentration correlates well with the depth of the bottom-simulating reflector. Based on these exploration results, the Japanese government inaugurated a 16-year methane hydrate exploitation program in 2001.     

可可西里库赛湖揭示的青藏高原北部近4000年来的干湿变化

通过青藏高原北部可可西里库赛湖KS-2006孔(深637cm)沉积岩芯总有机碳、总氮含量及沉积物粒度变化的研究,恢复了该地区近4000年来的干湿变化历史.结果表明,该地区近4000年来经历了显著的干湿变化,干旱时段出现在3900-3590cal aBP、3320-2630cal aBP、1720-1420cal aBP及1100-840cal aBP期间:湿润时段出现在3590-3320cal aBP、2630-1720cal aBP、1420-1100cal aBP以及840cal aBP之后小冰期有效降水升高的相对湿润时期.区域对比分析表明库赛湖地区近4000年来的干湿变化受亚洲季风影响;同时,该地区存在明显的中世纪暖期及小冰期的三次降温事件记录.     

Propagating tsunami wave and subsequent resonant response signals detected by HF radar in the Kii Channel,Japan

Signals from the tsunami waves induced by the March 11, 2011 moment magnitude (M_w) 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake and from subsequent resonances were detected as radial velocity variability by a high-frequency ocean surface radar (HF radar) installed on the eastern coast of the Kii Channel, at a range of about 1000 km from the epicenter along the eastern to southern coasts of Honshu Island. A time–distance diagram of band-passed (9–200 min) radial velocity along the beam reveals that the tsunami waves propagated from the continental shelf slope to the inner channel as progressive waves for the first three waves, and then natural oscillations were excited by the waves; and that the direction of the tsunami wave propagation and the axis of the natural oscillations differed from that of the radar beam. In addition, spectral analyses of the radial velocities and sea surface heights obtained in the channel and on the continental shelf slope suggest complex natural oscillation modes excited by the tsunami waves.     

Investigation of cutting methods for small samples of Hayabusa and future sample return missions

We report the investigation of cutting methods for Hayabusa samples. The purpose of our study is to explore the possibility of applying multiple analyses to a single particle effectively. We investigated the cutting performance of a blade dicing saw, laser, focused ion beam (FIB), and physical breaking by microindenter. Cutting performance was examined by estimating the aspect ratio of the cut slit, i.e., depth over width of the slit. We also investigated the possible contamination and sample damage by cutting. The result of the investigation shows that we can cut the samples from <50 μm to 500 μm using those methods with aspect ratios from 10 to 20, although they would introduce some contamination or damage to the samples. Our investigations also provide an important basis for the analysis of samples obtained by future sample return missions.     

Effects of new antifouling compounds on the development of sea urchin

Tributyltin oxide (TBTO) has been used worldwide in marine antifouling paints as a biocide for some time. However, it produced toxic effects, especially in marine water/sediment ecosystems. Consequently, its use in antifouling paints has been prohibited in many countries. In this study, the toxicity of alternative and/or new antifouling biocides compared with TBTO is assessed by a biological method. The effects of these chemicals on marine species have not been well studied. This paper assesses, comparatively, the effects of eight biocides on sea urchin eggs and embryos. The chemicals assessed were TBTO, Irgarol 1051, M1 (the persistent degradation product of Irgarol), Diuron, zinc pyrithione, 'KH101', 'Sea-Nine 211', and copper pyrithione. For these chemicals, toxicity appears to be in the order zinc pyrithione > Sea-Nine 211 > KH101 > copper pyrithione > TBTO > Diuron approximately = Irgarol 1051 > M1. Here, we show that zinc pyrithione, Sea-Nine 211, KH101, and copper pyrithione are much more toxic to sea urchins than TBTO or the other chemicals.