Biomarker responses in pelagic and benthic fish over 1 year following the Hebei Spirit oil spill (Taean, Korea)

After the Hebei Spirit oil spill incident (7th December, 2007) in the west coast of Korea, contamination of biliary PAH metabolite and hepatic biomarkers in a pelagic and a benthic fish was monitored for 1 year. Concentrations of 16 PAHs and alkylated PAHs in fish muscle were highest (22.0 ng/g d.w. for 16 PAHs and 284 ng/g d.w. for alkylated PAHs) at 5 days after the spill and then decreased rapidly to background levels at 11 months after the spill. Fish from the oiled site had elevated biliary PAH metabolite concentrations immediately after the spill; these declined steadily in both species, but were still above reference site concentrations 2 months after the spill. Oiled-site fish showed hepatic CYP 1A induction whose trend closely followed those of biliary PAH metabolite concentrations, implying continuous exposure to PAHs. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity was not related to oil exposure.     

Temporal alteration of fracture permeability in granite under hydrothermal conditions and its interpretation by coupled chemo-mechanical model

Examining the evolution of fracture permeability under stressed and temperature-elevated conditions, a series of flow-through experiments on a single rock fracture in granite has been conducted under confining pressures of 5 and 10 MPa, under differential water pressures ranging from 0.04 to 0.5 MPa, and at temperatures of 20–90 °C, for several hundred hours in each experiment. Measurements of fluid and dissolved mass fluxes, and post-experimental microscopy, were conducted to constrain the progress of mineral dissolution and/or precipitation and to examine its effect on transport properties. Generally, the fracture aperture monotonically decreased with time at room temperature, and reached a steady state in relatively short periods (i.e., <400 h). However, once the temperature was elevated to 90 °C, the aperture resumed decreasing and kept decreasing throughout the rest of the experimental periods. This reduction may result from the removal of the mineral mass from the bridging asperities within the fracture. Post-experimental observations by scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), revealed the formation of several kinds of secondary minerals such as silica and calcite. However, the precipitated minerals seemed to have had little influence on the flow characteristics within the fracture, because the precipitation was limited to quite local and small areas. The evolving rates and ultimate magnitudes of the fracture aperture are likely to be controlled by the stress exerted over the contacting asperities and temperatures, and by the prescribed flow conditions. Thus, this complex behavior should be attributed to the coupled chemically- and mechanically-induced effect. A coupled chemo–mechano conceptual model, accounting for pressure and free-face dissolutions, is presented in this paper to follow the evolution of the fracture permeability observed in the flow-through experiments. This model addresses the two dissolution processes at the contacting asperities and the free walls within the fractures, and is also capable of describing multi-mineral dissolution behavior. The model shows that the evolution of a fracture aperture (or related permeability) and of element concentrations may be followed with time under arbitrary temperature and pressure conditions. The model predictions for the evolving fracture aperture and elements concentrations show a relatively good agreement with the experimental measurements, although it is not possible to replicate the abrupt reduction observed in the early periods of the experiments, which is likely to be due to an unaccounted mechanism of more stress-mediated fracture compaction driven by the fracturing of the propping asperities.     

Geotectonic framework of Permo–Triassic magmatism within the Korean Peninsula

This study presents sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon ages, and whole-rock chemical and isotopic (Sr-Nd) compositions of representative Triassic plutons from South Korea. The plutons from the Gyeonggi massif (Hongseong, Namyang, Yangpyeong and Odesan), the central Okcheon belt (Baeknok and Yongsan), and the Yeongnam massif (Sangju, Gimcheon, Hamyang and Macheon) yield zircon U–Pb ages of ca. 232–226 Ma, 227–226 Ma, and 240–228 Ma, respectively. Among the Triassic plutonic suite in South Korea, those within the Gyeonggi massif are dominated by granite, syenite, monzonite, monzodiorite and gabbro. Plutons within the Okcheon belt are mainly by granite to quartz monzodiorite. The Yeongnam massif mainly incorporates granite to granodiorite and minor monzodiorite intrusions. The geochemical signatures of the Triassic plutons are characterized by Ta–Nb troughs, depletion of P and Ti, and enrichment of LILE. Most plutons except Macheon monzodioritic pluton show high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.708248–0.714678) and strongly negative ε_Nd(T) (− 20.3 to − 7.7) values, suggesting contribution from middle to upper crust. In contrast, the Macheon monzodioritic pluton in the Yeongnam massif shows relatively low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.706547-0.706629) and negative ε_Nd(T) (− 4.43 to − 3.62) values. The Middle Triassic syenite–monzonite–granite–gabbro series in and around the Gyeonggi massif possess high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic affinity suggesting a post-collisional magmatic event following the Permo–Triassic collision between the North and South China blocks. The Triassic plutons in the Yeongnam massif and the Okcheon belt, together with a Permian Yeongdeok pluton in the Gyeongsang basin, show features typical of high- to medium-K calc-alkaline magmatism with LREE and LILE enrichments. This together with a depletion of Y and HREE suggests their formation in a subduction setting. Our results provide robust evidence to consider the Gyeonggi massif as an extension of the Qinling–Dabie–Sulu belt between the North and South China blocks in central China. The Okcheon belt and Yeongnam massif in South Korea, together with the continental margin of South China, are marked by a common Permian to Triassic magmatic episode, probably related to the paleo-Pacific slab subduction.     

Qualitative assessment of gas hydrate and gas concentrations from the AVO characteristics of the BSR in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Japan Sea)

The presence of gas hydrate in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Japan Sea), inferred by various seismic indicators, including the widespread bottom-simulating reflector (BSR), has been confirmed by coring and drilling. We applied the standard AVO technique to the BSRs in turbidite/hemipelagic sediments crosscutting the dipping beds and those in debris-flow deposits to qualitatively assess the gas hydrate and gas concentrations. These BSRs are not likely to be affected by thin-bed tuning which can significantly alter the AVO response of the BSR. The BSRs crosscutting the dipping beds in turbidite/hemipelagic sediments are of low-seismic amplitude and characterized by a small positive gradient, indicating a decrease in Poisson’s ratio in the gas-hydrate stability zone (GHSZ), which, in turn, suggests the presence of gas hydrate. The BSRs in debris-flow deposits are characterized by a negative gradient, indicating decreased Poisson’s ratio below the GHSZ, which is likely due to a few percent or greater gas saturations. The increase in the steepness of the AVO gradient and the magnitude of the intercept of the BSRs in debris-flow deposits with increasing seismic amplitude of the BSRs is probably due to an increase in gas saturations, as predicted by AVO model studies based on rock physics. The reflection strength of the BSRs in debris-flow deposits, therefore, can be a qualitative measure of gas saturations below the GHSZ.     

Permo-Triassic high-pressure metamorphism in the central western Korean Peninsula,and its link to Paleo-Tethyan Ocean closure: Key issues revisited

Permo-Triassic high-pressure(HP) mafic granulites, together with the Bibong retrogressed eclogite,preserved along the central western Korean Peninsula provide important insights into the Late Permian to Triassic collisional orogeny in northeast Asia. The metamorphic pressureetemperatureetime(P-T-t)paths of these rocks, however, remain poorly constrained and even overestimated, owing to outdated geothermobarometers and inaccurate isopleth techniques. Here we evaluate the metamorphic Pe T conditions of Triassic HP mafic granulites including those in Baekdong, Sinri and Daepan and the Bibong Triassic retrogressed eclogite in the Hongseong area, and the Permo-Triassic Samgot mafic granulite in the Imjingang Belt of the central western Korean Peninsula through the application of modern phase equilibria techniques. The Baekdong and Samgot mafic granulites and the Bibong retrogressed eclogite yield a range of 12.0 -16.0 kbar and 800 -900℃, representing HP granulite facies conditions. The Sinri and Daepan granulites from the Hongseong area show relatively lower grade metamorphic conditions between HP granulite and normal granulite facies, and are characterized by sub-isothermal decompression during exhumation. The similarities in the metamorphic ages and the post-collisional igneous activity from the central western Korean Peninsula indicate that the Triassic ages represent the retrograde stage of the metamorphic Pe T paths. In contrast, the Late Permian metamorphic ages, which are older than protolith ages of the post-collisional igneous rocks, correspond to the possible prograde stage of metamorphism. The P-T-t paths presented in this paper, together with the metamorphic ages and post-orogenic igneous events reported from these areas suggest trace of the subduction, accretion and exhumation history, and indicate a tectonic linkage among the northeast Asian continents during the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean closure.     

论《孔疏》之“兴”

通过对《孔疏》标“兴”之特点与《毛诗传》《郑笺》标“兴”之特点比较分析,提出《孔疏》之标“兴”主要着眼于“兴”与作品主旨之间的关系,而没有特别注重标“兴”的位置。这些特点使得《孔疏》之“兴”开始从政治化逐渐转向文学化。     

Model updating method for substructure pseudo‐dynamic hybrid simulation

Substructure hybrid simulation has been actively investigated and applied to evaluate the seismic performance of structural systems in recent years. The method allows simulation of structures by representing critical components with physically tested specimens and the rest of the structure with numerical models. However, the number of physical specimens is limited by available experimental equipment. Hence, the benefit of the hybrid simulation diminishes when only a few components in a large system can be realistically represented. The objective of the paper is to overcome the limitation through a novel model updating method. The model updating is carried out by applying calibrated weighting factors at each time step to the alternative numerical models, which encompasses the possible variation in the experimental specimen properties. The concept is proposed and implemented in the hybrid simulation framework, UI‐SimCor. Numerical verification is carried out using two‐DOF systems. The method is also applied to an experimental testing, which proves the concept of the proposed model updating method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metamorphic K-Feldspar in Low-grade Metasediments from the Ogcheon Metamorphic Belt in South Korea

Metamorphic K-feldspar was found in the low-grade pelitic rocks from the Ogcheon metamorphic belt in South Korea. It occurs as extremely fine-grained crystals (5-15 mm in width and 15-25 mm in length) closely associated with fine-grained muscovite and biotite. Their micro structural relations by X-ray mapping analyses using an electron-probe microanalyzer strongly suggest that K-feldspar has grown directly from the matrix phases as a stable phase coexisting with muscovite and biotite during the Ogcheon metamorphism. The phengite component in muscovite indicates about 4.2 kbar at 400°C, suggesting intermediate P/T type of metamorphism. Muscovite separates of two size fractions, 2-4 and 4-8 mm, give K-Ar ages of 153.4±3.3 and 156.7±3.4 Ma, respectively. The biotite separate is 156.5±3.3 Ma in age. Coarse-grained biotite crystal (ca. 0.5 mm) often occurs and it was analyzed by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method using a laser probe step heating technique. It gives a plateau age of 158.2±0.5 Ma that is the same as the K-Ar muscovite and biotite ages. These data, including the previous works, suggest that intermediate P/T type of Ogcheon metamorphic belt exhumed in Middle Jurassic with the dextral strike-slip fault movement.     

Volatile organic sulfur compounds as biomarkers complementary to methane: Infrared absorption spectroscopy of CH3SH enables insitu measurements on Earth and Mars

As universal products of biological processes, volatile organic sulfur compounds such as methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) may be essential in the search for signs of life on Mars and in exoplanet atmospheres. Methyl mercaptan is implicated in the origin of life at sites of low-temperature hydrothermal activity driven by serpentinization. Serpentinization may occur on Mars, in icy satellite oceans, and in other small wet bodies to a greater extent than on Earth, with important implications for life. We characterized absorption features in pure laboratory sample spectra of CH₃SH using the Carbon Isotope Laser Spectrometer (CILS), an infrared $(3.27\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{m})$ tunable diode laser spectrometer with capabilities nearly identical to those of the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory. The molecular species proves detectable by CILS and TLS at the sensitivities approaching the level of parts per trillion with pre-concentration. These measurements demonstrate the possibility for detection of methyl mercaptan, with implications for its possible use as an in situ biosignature for Earth-based and extraterrestrial exploration.     

High resolution investigation of the 7 μm region of the ethane spectrum

Building upon previous studies, we re-investigated the ethane spectrum between 1330 and 1610 cm^?1 by combining unapodized spectra obtained at room temperature with a Bruker Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) in Brussels and at 131 K with a Bruker FTS in Pasadena. The maximum optical path differences (MOPD) of the two datasets were 450 and 323.7 cm, corresponding to spectral resolutions of 0.0020 and 0.0028 cm^?1, respectively. Of the 15,000 lines observed, over 4592 transitions were assigned to the ν₆ (at 1379 cm^?1), ν₈ (at 1472 cm^?1), ν₄+ν₁₂ (at 1481 cm^?1) and 2ν₄+ν₉ (at 1388 cm^?1) bands, and another 1044 transitions were located for the ν₄+ν₈?ν₄ hot band (at 1472 cm^?1). Our new analysis included an improved implementation of the Hamiltonian calculation needed to interpret the complex spectral structures caused by numerous interactions affecting these four modes of vibration. From these results, we created the first line-by-line database containing the molecular parameters for over 20,000 ¹²C₂H₆ transitions at 7 μm.