The control network of Iapetus

A control network of the Saturnian satellite Iapetus has been established photogrammetrically from pictures taken by the two Voyager spacecraft. Coordinates of 62 control points have been computed and listed; pixel measurements of these points were made on 14 Voyager 1 and 66 Voyager 2 pictures. Some of these points are identified on the preliminary U.S. Geological Survey map of Iapetus and many are identified by name. The Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 pictures covered limited regions of the satellite's surface and contained no overlapping areas. The longitude system on Iapetus is defined by the crater Almeric; the 276° meridian passes through the center of this crater. The obliquity of Iapetus has been measured as 0°.4 ± 1°.6. The mean radius of Iapetus has been determined as 718 ± 8 km.     

Temporal Trends in Apparent Oxygen Utilization in the Upper Pycnocline of the North Pacific: 1980–2000

We present a compilation of apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) changes observed in the upper pycnocline of the North Pacific Ocean over the last several decades. The goal here is to place previously-published data in a common format, and assess the causes of the observed changes. The general trend along repeat cross sections of the eastern and western subtropical ocean and the subarctic ocean is an increase in AOU from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s. AOU has also been increasing in a time-series study in the northwest subarctic Ocean off of Japan since the late 1960s. Observed AOU changes south of 35°N in the subtropical ocean are 10–20 μmol kg⁻¹, with much greater changes, reaching 60–80 μmol kg⁻¹ in isolated areas, in the subtropical/subarctic boundary and the subarctic ocean. Analysis of changes in both AOU and salinity on isopycnals suggests that there are significant salinity-normalized increases that must be due to alteration in the rate of ventilation or organic matter degradation. A common feature in the data is that the maximum increase in AOU is centered near the density horizon σ_θ= 26.6. Time series results from the Oyashio Current region near the winter outcrop area of this density horizon indicate that surface waters there have become fresher with time, which may mean this density surface has ceased to outcrop in the latter decades of the 20th century. Whether this is due to natural decadal-scale changes or anthropogenic influences can be decided by determining future trends in AOU on these density surfaces. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temporal Change of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon in the Subsurface Water at Station KNOT (44°N, 155°E) in the Western North Pacific Subpolar Region

The dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and related chemical species have been measured from 1992 to 2001 at Station KNOT (44°N, 155°E) in the western North Pacific subpolar region. DIC (1.3∼2.3 µ mol/kg/yr) and apparent oxygen utilization (AOU, 0.7∼1.8 µmol/kg/yr) have increased while total alkalinity remained constant in the intermediate water (26.9∼27.3σ_θ). The increases of DIC in the upper intermediate water (26.9∼27.1σ_θ) were higher than those in the lower one (27.2∼ 27.3σ_θ). The temporal change of DIC would be controlled by the increase of anthropogenic CO₂, the decomposition of organic matter and the non-anthropogenic CO₂ absorbed at the region of intermediate water formation. We estimated the increase of anthropogenic CO₂ to be only 0.5∼0.7 µmol/kg/yr under equilibrium with the atmospheric CO₂ content. The effect of decomposition was estimated to be 0.8 ± 0.7 µmol/kg/yr from AOU increase. The remainder of non-anthropogenic CO₂ had increased by 0.6 ± 1.1 µmol/kg/yr. We suggest that the non-anthropogenic CO₂ increase is controlled by the accumulation of CO₂ liberated back to atmosphere at the region of intermediate water formation due to the decrease of difference between DIC in the winter mixed layer and DIC under equilibrium with the atmospheric CO₂ content, and the reduction of diapycnal vertical water exchange between mixed layer and pycnocline waters. In future, more accurate and longer time series data will be required to confirm our results.     

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic records hidden in zircons from amphibolites in Sulu Terrane, eastern China

Abstract The amphibolites occur sporadically as thin layers and blocks throughout the Sulu Terrane, eastern China. All analyzed amphibolite from outcrop and drill cores from prepilot drill hole CCSD‐PP1 and CCSD‐PP2, Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project in the Sulu Terrane, are retrograded eclogites overprinted by amphibolite‐facies retrograde metamorphism, with characteristic mineral assemblages of amphibole + plagioclase + epidote ± quartz ± biotite ± ilmenite ± titanite. However, coesite and coesite‐bearing ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) mineral assemblages are identified by Raman spectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis as inclusions in zircons separated from these amphibolites. In general, coesite and other UHP mineral inclusions are preserved in the cores and mantles of zircons, whereas quartz inclusions occur in the rims of the same zircons. The UHP mineral assemblages consist mainly of coesite + garnet + omphacite + rutile, coesite + garnet + omphacite, coesite + garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + apatite, coesite + omphacite + rutile and coesite + magnesite. Compositions of analyzed mineral inclusions are very similar to those of matrix minerals from Sulu eclogites. These UHP mineral inclusion assemblages yield temperatures of 631–780°C and pressures of ≥2.8 × 10³ MPa, representing the P–T conditions of peak metamorphism of these rocks, which are consistent with those (T = 642–726°C; P ≥ 2.8 × 10³ MPa) deduced from adjacent eclogites. These data indicate that the amphibolites are the retrogressive products of UHP eclogites.     

Alteration of gene expression profiles in the brain of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to KC-400 or PCB126

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known as neurotoxic chemicals and possibly alter animal behavior. We previously reported that PCB-exposure induced abnormal schooling behavior in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). This abnormal behavior might be caused by the functional alteration of central or terminal nervous system. To understand the mechanism(s) of behavioral change by PCB-exposure, we analyzed the gene expression profiles in the brain of medaka exposed to 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) or a PCB mixture (Kanechlor-400: KC-400) using a cDNA microarray that we constructed. Twelve FLF-II strain medaka (six individuals per treatment) were dietary exposed to PCB126 (0.01 μg/g b.w./day) or KC-400 (1 μg/g b.w./day) for three weeks. For the control, six fish were fed a control diet. After the exposure period, fish were dissected, and the brain samples were collected. The samples from control fish were pooled and used as a common reference in the microarray experiment. Microarray data were normalized by the LOWESS method, and we screened the genes whose expression levels were altered more than 1.5-fold. Gene expression profiling showed 97 down-regulated and 379 up-regulated genes in the brain of medaka exposed to PCB126. KC-400 exposure suppressed 15 genes and induced 266 genes in medaka brain. Among these genes, the expression levels of 7 and 188 genes were commonly down- or up-regulated, respectively in both treatment groups. On the other hand, 31 gene expressions were significantly different between PCB126 and KC-400 treatment groups, and three out of 31 genes were received opposite effects. In addition, the microarray data showed that thyroid hormone-responsive genes were up-regulated by PCB-exposure, which may imply that PCBs or their metabolites mimic thyroid hormone effects in the brain of PCB-exposed medaka.     

Alteration of gene expression profiles in the brain of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to KC-400 or PCB126

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known as neurotoxic chemicals and possibly alter animal behavior. We previously reported that PCB-exposure induced abnormal schooling behavior in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). This abnormal behavior might be caused by the functional alteration of central or terminal nervous system. To understand the mechanism(s) of behavioral change by PCB-exposure, we analyzed the gene expression profiles in the brain of medaka exposed to 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) or a PCB mixture (Kanechlor-400: KC-400) using a cDNA microarray that we constructed. Twelve FLF-II strain medaka (six individuals per treatment) were dietary exposed to PCB126 (0.01 microg/g b.w./day) or KC-400 (1 microg/g b.w./day) for three weeks. For the control, six fish were fed a control diet. After the exposure period, fish were dissected, and the brain samples were collected. The samples from control fish were pooled and used as a common reference in the microarray experiment. Microarray data were normalized by the LOWESS method, and we screened the genes whose expression levels were altered more than 1.5-fold. Gene expression profiling showed 97 down-regulated and 379 up-regulated genes in the brain of medaka exposed to PCB126. KC-400 exposure suppressed 15 genes and induced 266 genes in medaka brain. Among these genes, the expression levels of 7 and 188 genes were commonly down- or up-regulated, respectively in both treatment groups. On the other hand, 31 gene expressions were significantly different between PCB126 and KC-400 treatment groups, and three out of 31 genes were received opposite effects. In addition, the microarray data showed that thyroid hormone-responsive genes were up-regulated by PCB-exposure, which may imply that PCBs or their metabolites mimic thyroid hormone effects in the brain of PCB-exposed medaka.     

A New Automatic Subsurface Gas Monitoring System for Seismogeochemical Studies, Installed in Haruno Borehole, Shizuoka Prefecture, Central Japan

The results of subsurface gas monitoring by application of gas chromatography (GC) to the gas composition of bubbles associated with groundwater for seismogeochemical studies are reported. An automated gas monitoring system was used to determine gas compositions in a 500-m borehole at the Haruno Crustal Movement Observation Site (HOS), central Japan during period 1, from December 1999 to December 2000. The average ± two standard deviation (2SD) compositions of gases in this period were He = 82 ± 29 ppmV, H₂ = 170 ± 62 ppmV, Ar = 0.05 ± 0.07%, N₂ = 50 ± 8%, and CH₄ = 45 ± 6%. A new automated gas monitoring system equipped with a micro-GC was installed in the borehole at the HOS, and gas bubbles from the borehole were monitored during period 2, from December 2006 to March 2007. The average ± two standard deviation (2SD) compositions of gases in this period were He = 8 ± 7 ppmV, H₂ = 13 ± 15 ppmV, Ar = 0.6 ± 0.3%, N₂ = 66 ± 7%, and CH₄ = 14 ± 14%. The gas concentration ratios (He/Ar, H₂/Ar, N₂/Ar, and CH₄/Ar) fluctuated significantly over time and repeatedly showed abrupt spike-like increases during period 2. The gas compositions obtained in period 1 and 2 were markedly different. Over the period from 2006 to 2007, the gas bubbles were depleted in He, H₂, and CH₄ of deep origin, but enriched in Ar and N₂ of atmospheric origin. This difference can be interpreted as being due to an irreversible change of the aquifer/gas system. The present deep component in the HOS gas is estimated to have composition He = 63 ppmV, H₂ = 37 ppmV, Ar = 0.17%, N₂ = 63%, and CH₄ = 37%. The new monitoring system is able to analyze the gas composition using a smaller volume of sample gas and with greater precision than the previous system. During the 3-month monitoring period 2, the separation capacity of the capillary column of the micro-GC was sufficiently maintained to determine gas-chromatographic peak areas for the five gaseous species examined. This study confirms that the new monitoring system with micro-GC is promising for continuous subsurface gas monitoring for earthquake prediction studies.     

Effects of spilled oil on microbial communities in a tidal flat

Effects of spilled oil on microbial communities in tidal flats were examined by use of a simulator for a tidal flat ecosystem. The simulator is composed of a wave generator, a tide control device, and a tidal flat. Sediment for the tidal flat was obtained at a natural tidal flat in Hiroshima Bay, Japan. After stabilizing the benthic organisms, fuel oil C was added to the surface of the flat at 1 lm(-2). Although the total number of micro-organisms remained at 1.5-3.5 x 10(9) cells g(-1) dry sediment irrespective of the addition of oil, bacterial communities which were analyzed based on the 16S rDNA showed clear changes after the addition of fuel oil C and after a subsequent recovery period. Bacterial colonies were randomly isolated from the oil-supplemented sediment during the experiments, and the isolates were examined for susceptibility to hydrocarbons in order to screen the oil-susceptible bacteria. The proportion of oil-susceptible bacteria in the isolates decreased with the addition of the oil. Oil-susceptible bacteria showed an inability to assimilate petroleum compounds as well as an inhibition of growth. The possibility of using oil-susceptible bacteria as an indicator of bioremediation in tidal flats was discussed.     

Appearance pattern of tooth germs with developmental process inMylopharyngodon piceus

The pharyngeal dental formula ofMylopharyngodon piceus is 4–5 as a rule, and the dentition is asymmetrical. It is difficult to identify each tooth in the larval dentition. In this paper the appearance pattern of tooth germ with development process in this fish is described in detail. The formation pattern of the left dentition is contrasted with that of the right one. In the developmental process, the left pharyngeal dentition lacks teeth at position An3. Thus the left dentition is D-type as designated by Nakajima (1984), while the right one is A-type. This project was funded by the International Cooperation of Japan-China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.