U–Th dating of carbonate nodules from methane seeps off Joetsu, Eastern Margin of Japan Sea

We performed U–Th radioactive disequilibrium analyses of carbonate nodules and sediment samples recovered from methane seep sites off Joetsu, of the eastern margin of Japan Sea, to decipher the active period of the methane seep. The carbonates contain ²³⁰Th, part of which is located in detritus such as silicate and organics, at the time of precipitation. The initial ²³⁰Th renders accurate dating with U–Th radioactive disequilibrium method difficult. We assessed the feasibility of correction using radioactive disequilibrium data of ambient sediment to overcome this difficulty. A (²³⁰Th/²³²Th)–(²³⁴U/²³²Th) isochron drawn by three chips divided from a carbonate nodule (PC05-04-50) passed through data points of local sediments. We conclude that the problem of initial ²³⁰Th can be resolved by measurements of local sediments. Results show that carbonate nodules include local sediment as impurities. Furthermore, the results of trace element analyses such as Rb, Zr, Nb, REE, Pb, and Th also support the idea.In all, 18 carbonate samples were dated with correction of initial ²³⁰Th using the mean value of local sediment in this study. The U–Th correction ages show 12–35ka with an isochron age of 26 ± 3ka. Results indicate that during the time interval of U–Th ages, from 12ka to 35ka, environmental conditions must have been favorable for enhanced methane flux through sediment. The extensive methane flow period at 20ka accords with the lowest-stand sea level during the last glacial age. Results of this study also suggest that U–Th ages of carbonate are useful as a reliable chronometer with regard to methane seep activation. In order to acquire U–Th ages of carbonate at methane seep sites, however, it is important to evaluate the amount of initial ²³⁰Th accurately using the value of sediment.     

High-pressure transformations of ilmenite to perovskite, and lithium niobate to perovskite in zinc germanate

In-situ X-ray powder diffraction measurements conducted under high pressure confirmed the existence of an unquenchable orthorhombic perovskite in ZnGeO₃. ZnGeO₃ ilmenite transformed into perovskite at 30.0 GPa and 1300±150 K in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell. After releasing the pressure, the lithium niobate phase was recovered as a quenched product. The perovskite was also obtained by recompression of the lithium niobate phase at room temperature under a lower pressure than the equilibrium phase boundary of the ilmenite–perovskite transition. Bulk moduli of ilmenite, lithium niobate, and perovskite phases were calculated on the basis of the refined X-ray diffraction data. The structural relations among these phases are considered in terms of the rotation of GeO₆ octahedra. A slight rotation of the octahedra plays an important role for the transition from lithium niobate to perovskite at ambient temperature. On the other hand, high temperature is needed to rearrange GeO₆ octahedra in the ilmenite–perovskite transition. The correlation of quenchability with rotation angle of GeO₆ octahedra for other germanate perovskites is also discussed.     

Changes of microbial populations in a ship's ballast water and sediments on a voyage from Japan to Qatar

Colony-forming eutrophic marine microorganisms in ballast water were counted in samples taken on board in 2002 and 2003. In the ballast water in Japan, viable cell numbers were highly variable but not by more than 10(5.1) colony-forming units (CFU)ml(-1) regardless of season. Even when ballast water was discharged offshore, values varied but not by more than 10(5.0) CFUml(-1). The effectiveness of the ballast water exchange was unconfirmed, except for the February 2003 voyage. No microbial colonies were counted in the reloaded ballast water in the high seas on that voyage, which contributed to the reduction of the total number of viable cells sampled in the discharged ballast water at the Ras Laffan port in Qatar. In sediment samples, the values of 10(5.2) - 10(6.0) CFUml(-1) were estimated for all seasons in which voyages took place. The maximum of the marine Vibrio species, 110 CFUml(-1), was observed in the ballast water sample taken in July 2003. The estimated total viable cell numbers in sediments were higher than those counted in the ballast water throughout the experiments, indicating the importance of sediment management as well as ballast water management on vessels traveling from Japan.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977–1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0–26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977-1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0-26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.     

Microthermometric Evidence for the Formation of Ca-rich Hypersaline Brine and CO2–rich Fluid in the Mori Geothermal Reservoir, Japan

Abstract: Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz and anhydrite samples from the Mori geothermal field, southwest Hokkaido, have been studied microthermometrically using heating/freezing stages. Based on homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions, salinities after correction of effect of freezing-point depression of CO₂ on ice melting temperatures of fluid inclusions, and previous geochemical data by Yoshida (1991), we discuss the geneses of various types of inclusion fluids in the Mori geothermal reservoir.     

Geochemical relation between gas hydrates and water venting in the seismic blanking zone on the northern Cascadia continental margin offshore Vancouver Island, Canada

The isotopic composition (δD and δ¹⁸O) and chloride concentration (Cl⁻) of pore waters from the northern Cascadia continental margin offshore Vancouver Island were measured to characterize the relations between the water flow regime and the distribution, formation and dissociation of gas hydrates. The δD values of pore waters in gas hydrate-bearing sediments are slightly higher ( 1‰) than those of seawater as the result of gas hydrate dissociation during core recovery and handling. Within the seismic blanking zone, the δD values were slightly lower (− 1‰) than values measured from sites outside the blanking area (0‰). We attribute these differences to 1) distillation of D-rich water during hydrate formation in the center of the blanking zone and 2) limited migration of pore water between inside and outside of the blanking zone due to different fluid fluxes. In contrast, the δ¹⁸O values and Cl⁻ concentrations do not show significant spatial variation due to decreased isotopic fractionation of oxygen and small fraction of chloride relative to hydrogen isotope during gas hydrate formation. The δD value of pore water, therefore, appears to be a sensitive indicator of gas hydrate occurrence. We estimate that gas hydrate occupied at least 2.0 to 6.3% of sediment pore space using δD distribution in this area.     

Observation of shear zone development in ring-shear apparatus with a transparent shear box

Using a new ring-shear apparatus with a transparent shear box and video image analysis system, drained and undrained speed-controlled tests were conducted on coarse-grained silica sands to study the shear-zone formation process in granular materials. Velocity distribution profiles of grains under shear at various stages in the ring shear tests were observed through processing the video image by the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) program. Shear-zone thickness and type of shear mode (slide-like or flow-like) during shear were observed. Before reaching peak strength in low-speed and drained condition test, a comparatively major part of the sample in the upper shear box showed a velocity distribution profile of structural deformation and dilatancy behavior. After peak strength, the velocity profile changed into a slide-like mode and thereafter showed almost no change. In higher speed tests with drained and undrained conditions, an almost slide-like mode was observed, compared to low-speed test. Apparent shear-zone thicknesses of high-speed tests are thinner than low-speed tests. Unexpectedly, almost no difference was observed in the shear-zone thickness and mode of shear (slide or flow-like) between drained and undrained tests. This study was conducted as part of the International Programme on Landslides (IPL) M101 “Areal prediction of earthquake and rain induced rapid and long-traveling flow phenomena (APERITIF)” of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL). These results will contribute to understanding the mechanism of shear-zone development in granular materials as a basic knowledge for disaster risk mitigation of rapid long run-out landslides.