Nuclear energy response in the EMF27 study

The nuclear energy response for mitigating global climate change across 18 participating models of the EMF27 study is investigated. Diverse perspectives on the future role of nuclear power in the global energy system are evident in the broad range of nuclear power contributions from participating models of the study. In the Baseline scenario without climate policy, nuclear electricity generation and shares span 0–66 EJ/year and 0–25 % in 2100 for all models, with a median nuclear electricity generation of 39 EJ/year (1,389 GWe at 90 % capacity factor) and median share of 9 %. The role of nuclear energy increased under the climate policy scenarios. The median of nuclear energy use across all models doubled in the 450 ppm CO₂e scenario with a nuclear electricity generation of 67 EJ/year (2,352 GWe at 90 % capacity factor) and share of 17 % in 2100. The broad range of nuclear electricity generation (11–214 EJ/year) and shares (2–38 %) in 2100 of the 450 ppm CO₂e scenario reflect differences in the technology choice behavior, technology assumptions and competitiveness of low carbon technologies. Greater clarification of nuclear fuel cycle issues and risk factors associated with nuclear energy use are necessary for understanding the nuclear deployment constraints imposed in models and for improving the assessment of the nuclear energy potential in addressing climate change.     

Fishing effects on age and spatial structures undermine population stability of fishes

Overfishing has caused dramatic changes in structures of exploited populations as well as ecosystems. In this article, we focus on fishing effects on age (size) and spatial structures of exploited fishes. Accumulating evidence has shown that large and experienced spawning individuals are able to produce higher quality and quantity of eggs, known as maternal effects, and that individuals of different age classes tend to spawn in different locations and times. These behaviors are associated with a healthy age structure and contribute to bet-hedging capacity that is important in smoothing out short-term environmental variability. Here, we document a widespread phenomenon of age (size)-truncation of exploited populations driven by size-selective fishery removals. Such size-selective fishing may have evolutionary consequence and may be difficult to reverse. In addition, fishing often reduces population spatial heterogeneity that also contributes importantly to bet-hedging. We review studies showing that the effects of age truncation and reduction of spatial heterogeneity have reduced resilience and elevated the fluctuation amplitude of exploited populations facing a changing environment. Recent analyses indicated that fish populations often exhibit nonlinear nature and have potential to shift dramatically in a short time. All the evidence suggests that fishing, by altering age or spatial structures, may make exploited fishes, more prone to catastrophic shifts. Therefore, to achieve sustainable fisheries, management should conserve the age and spatial structure in addition to viable spawning biomass.     

Sudden strong current generated by an eddy in the eastern part of Wakasa Bay,Japan

A sudden strong coastal current called a “kyucho” occurred in August 2013 in the eastern coastal waters of Wakasa Bay, Japan. This study examined its characteristics based on both observational data collected by intensive field investigations and the simulation results of a numerical model. The field investigations comprised moored buoy observations near the coast and voyages by a research vessels and fishing boats. The mooring observations indicated that a current speed exceeding 50 cm s^?1 occurred abruptly near the eastern coast of the bay, in association with a synchronous change in the current direction. Data collected by acoustic Doppler current profilers (ACDPs) mounted on the vessels showed that a clockwise eddy existed in the bay and that the current on the east side of the eddy generated the kyucho near the coast. Based on the results of the numerical model and the analysis of the ADCP data, it was considered that the clockwise eddy was generated by a strong current at the tip of the Tango Peninsula, in the western part of the bay. As the eddy propagated from west to east across the bay, it induced the kyucho in the coastal waters in the east of the bay.     

Effects of acidified seawater on calcification,photosynthetic efficiencies and the recovery processes from strong light exposure in the coral Stylophora pistillata

The aim of this study was to investigate whether coral photosynthetic efficiencies and recovery processes are affected by CO₂‐driven ocean acidification in symbiont photosynthesis and coral calcification. We investigated the effects of five CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂) levels in adjusted seawater ranging from 300 μatm (pre‐industrial) to 800 μatm (near‐future) and strong and weak light intensity on maximum photosynthetic efficiency and calcification of a branching coral, Stylophora pistillata, as this species has often been used in rearing experiments to investigate the effects of acidified seawater on calcification and photosynthetic algae of corals. We found that, the photosynthetic efficiencies and recovery patterns under different light conditions did not differ among pCO₂ treatments. Furthermore, calcification of S. pistillata was not affected by acidified seawater under weak or strong light conditions. Our results indicate that the photosynthetic efficiency and calcification of S. pistillata are insensitive to changes in ocean acidity.     

Horizontal distribution of calanoid copepods in the western Arctic Ocean during the summer of 2008

The horizontal distribution of the epipelagic zooplankton communities in the western Arctic Ocean was studied during August–October 2008. Zooplankton abundance and biomass were higher in the Chukchi Sea, and ranged from 3,000 to 274,000 ind. m^?2 and 5–678 g WM m^?2, respectively. Copepods were the most dominant taxa and comprised 37?94% of zooplankton abundance. For calanoid copepods, 30 species belonging to 20 genera were identified. Based on the copepod abundance, their communities were classified into three groups using a cluster analysis. The horizontal distribution of each group was well synchronized with depth zones, defined here as Shelf, Slope and Basin. Neritic Pacific copepods were the dominant species in the Shelf zone. Arctic copepods were substantially greater in the Slope zone than the other regions. Mesopelagic copepods were greater in the Basin zone than the other regions. Stage compositions of large-sized Arctic copepods (Calanus glacialis and Metridia longa) were characterized by the dominance of late copepodid stages in the Basin. Both the abundance and stage compositions of large copepods corresponded well with Chl. a concentrations in each region, with high Chl. a in the Shelf and Slope supporting reproduction of copepods resulting in high abundance dominated by early copepodid stages.     

DATABASE ON INTERNET FOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF JAPAN GEOCHEMICAL REFERENCE SAMPLES

A database on thirty-one Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) geochemical reference samples has been set up on Internet which allows the retrieval of recommended or preferable values, compiled data, location, sample preparation and other relevant information. The URL location on WWW server is: http://www.aist.go.jp./RIODB/geostand/welcome.html     

GOLD IN TWENTY-SIX JAPANESE GEOCHEMICAL REFERENCE SAMPLES

Gold has been determined in 26 geochemical reference samples with graphite furnace AAS after digesting the samples with aqua regia and hydrofluoric acid and extracting gold by methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). This method yields clearly higher values than those by the partial attack using aqua regia digestion.     

Studies on the application of cyanophyta in Japan

Summary The paper gives a survey of the blue-green algae found in Japan and used as food, medicine and nitrogenous fertilizer. Since time immemorial four kinds (Aphanothece sacrum, Nostoc verrucosum, Nostoc commune, Blachytrichia quoyi) have been used for cooking purposes; yet it is only now that man is trying to cultivate a species, theAphanothece sacrum. Recently a bluegreen alga (Spirulina maxima), which is particularly rich in protein and vitamins and has always been eaten by the natives, became known in Africa. The medicinal effects of linolenic acid was examined connection with the circulation of fatty acid. Only two of the species analysed (Spirulina platensis, Arthrospira sp.) produce relatively large quantities of γ-linolenic acid. The effects of the nitrogen-producing blue-green algaTolypothrix tenuis were observed in over 40 rice fields in various regions in Japan. In some places a considerable increase in the yield was noticed, but this was never as high as in India. Presumably the difference can be traced back to 3 main factors: air temperature, alkalinity of the water and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer.

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Zusammenfassung Das Referat gibt eine übersicht über essbare, medizinisch wirksame und stickstoffdüngende Blaualgen speziell aus Japan. Vier Arten (Aphanothece sacrum, Nostoc verrucosum, Nostoc commune, Blachytrichia quoyi) werden seit alter Zeit als Zugabe zu den Mahlzeiten gebraucht, wobei man erst heute eine Art (Aphanothece sacrum) zu kultivieren versucht. Kürzlich wurde in Afrika eine Blaualge (Spirulina maxima), bekannt, die einen besonders hohen Gehalt an Eiweiss und Vitaminen aufweist und seit jeher von den Eingeborenen gegessen wird. Im Zusammenhang mit dem Kreislauf der Fetts?uren wurde die medizinische Wirkung der Linols?ure geprüft. Nur zwei der analysierten Arten (Spirulina platensis, Arthrospira sp.) bilden relativ grosse Mengen Linols?ure. In gut 40 Reisfeldern verschiedener Regionen in Japan wurde die Wirkung der stickstoff-bindenden BlaualgeTolypothrix tenuis beobachtet. Es konnten zum Teil betr?chtliche Steigerungen erzielt werden, doch nie so hohe wie in Indien. Vermutlich sind die Unterschiede haupts?chlich auf drei Faktoren: Lufttemperatur, Alkalinit?t des Wassers und Menge an Stickstoffdünger zurückzuführen.