Occurrence characteristics of chaetognath species along the PM transect in the Japan sea during 1972–2002

A long-term variation in dominant species of chaetognaths in the Tsushima Warm Current was analyzed using samples collected four times a year from 1972 to 2002 by the Maizuru Marine Observatory along the PM transect in the Japan Sea. Of 19 occurring species, 13 subtropical species formed a major portion of the standing stock. Species richness in the study area was similar to that in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Four species, Sagitta minima, S. nagae, S. enflata, S. elegans dominated in the upper 150 m water column. The most dominant species per season were S. minima in both winter and autumn, S. elegans in spring and S. nagae in summer. Water temperature and salinity ranges of the most frequent occurrence for three dominant species revealed a common tendency in the order of S. nagae > S. minima > S. enflata towards colder temperature and higher salinity. Inter-annual abundance of chaetognath species fluctuated proportionally in response to the warm or cool phases in water temperature. Water temperature was a fundamental factor in regulating distributional occurrence, being more decisive than salinity. Changes of both dominant species and species numbers in relation to the reduced abundance during winter to spring and the subsequent increase during summer to autumn might be caused by specific differences in optimum temperature. Chaetognath species are important as an indicator of water masses and significant for our understanding of changes and evaluations of the Japan Sea ecosystem.     

Data assimilation using the particle filter for identifying the elasto‐plastic material properties of geomaterials

A computational method, incorporating the finite element model (FEM) into data assimilation using the particle filter, is presented for identifying elasto‐plastic material properties based on sequential measurements under the known changing traction boundary conditions to overcome some difficulties in identifying the parameters for elasto‐plastic problems from which the existing inverse analysis strategies have suffered. A soil–water coupled problem, which uses the elasto‐plastic constitutive model, is dealt with as the geotechnical application. Measured data on the settlement and the pore pressure are obtained from a synthetic FEM computation as the forward problem under the known parameters to be identified for both the element tests and the ground behavior during the embankment construction sequence. Parameter identification for elasto‐plastic problems, such as soil behavior, should be made by considering the measurements of deformation and/or pore pressure step by step from the initial stage of construction and throughout the deformation history under the changing traction boundary conditions because of the embankment or the excavation because the ground behavior is highly dependent on the loading history. Thus, it appears that sequential data assimilation techniques, such as the particle filter, are the preferable tools that can provide estimates of the state variables, that is, deformation, pore pressure, and unknown parameters, for the constitutive model in geotechnical practice. The present paper discusses the priority of the particle filter in its application to initial/boundary value problems for elasto‐plastic materials and demonstrates a couple of numerical examples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Model identification and parameter estimation of elastoplastic constitutive model by data assimilation using the particle filter

Data assimilation, using the particle filter and incorporating the soil‐water coupled finite element method, is applied to identify the yield function of the elastoplastic constitutive model and corresponding parameters based on the sequential measurements of hypothetical soil tests and an actual construction sequence. In the proposed framework of the inverse analysis, the unknowns are both the particular parameter within the exponential contractancy model, n_E, which parameterizes various shapes for the yield function of the competing constitutive models, including the original/the modified Cam‐Clay models and in‐between models and the parameters of the corresponding constitutive model. An appropriate set, consisting of the yield function of the constitutive model and the parameters of the constitutive model, can be simultaneously identified by the particle filter to describe the most suitable soil behavior. To examine the validity of the proposed procedure, hypothetical and actual measurements for the displacements of a soil specimen were obtained for consolidated and undrained tests through a synthetic FEM computation and for consolidated and drained tests, respectively. After examining the applicability of the proposed procedure to these test results, the present paper then focuses on the actual measured data, ie, the settlement behavior including the lateral deformation of the Kobe Airport Island constructed on reclaimed land.     

Development of partial factor design method on bearing capacity of pile foundations for Japanese Specifications for Highway Bridges

ABSTRACT

This paper shows the development of a partial factor design method on the bearing capacity of pile foundations for Japanese Specifications for Highway Bridges. Firstly, estimation design equations on the bearing capacities of pile foundations are improved by analysis of pile load test results and uncertainties in the bearing capacities are evaluated. Secondly, the reliabilities of pile foundations designed by the former specifications are evaluated based on reliability analysis considering the uncertainties in the bearing capacities and coefficients of subgrade reaction. Finally, a partial factor design method is developed based on the target reliability index obtained based on the conventional pile installation method by the pile installation methods. The factors are different for each pile installation method.     

Detailed abundances of rare earth elements,thorium and uranium in chondritic meteorites: An ICP-MS study

Abstract— Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was successfully applied to bulk samples of Allende, Jilin, Modoc, Saint-Séverin and Atlanta for the determination of rare earth elements (REE) (Y and 14 lanthanoids), Th and U. The results of ICP-MS showed good agreement with recommended values, and their reproducibilities were high enough to discuss the detailed abundances of lanthanoids and actinoids in chondritic meteorites. For the Allende reference sample issued by the Smithsonian Institution, a positive anomaly of Tm, a fractionation between light REE and heavy REE and a high Th/U ratio were observed in the CI-normalized abundances of REE, Th and U. These features are common for group II inclusions in Allende, suggesting that the abundances of refractory lithophiles in Allende are somewhat influenced by those in a specific constituent. For the other chondritic meteorites, a zigzag alteration was commonly observed in the heavy-REE region of their CI-normalized abundance patterns. It is suggested that such a zigzag pattern is attributable to erratically high abundances of monoisotopic REE (Tb, Ho and Tm) in the CI values. Abundances of REE, Th and U in the bulk samples are also discussed separately in detail.     

Thermal evolution of the Lesser Himalaya, central Nepal: Insights from K-white micas compositional variation

The Lesser Himalayan low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks in central Nepal are rich in K-white micas occurring as porphyroclasts and in matrix defining S₁ and S₂. Porphyroclasts are usually zoned with celadonite-poor cores and celadonite-rich rims. The cores are the relics of igneous or high grade metamorphic muscovites, and the rims were re-equilibrated or overgrown under lower T metamorphic conditions. The matrix K-white micas defining S₁, pre-dating the Main Central Thrust activity, are generally celadonite-rich. They show heterogeneous compositional zoning with celadonite-rich cores and celadonite-poor rims. They were recrystallized at lower T condition prior to the Main Central Thrust activity, most probably prior to the India–Asia collision (pre-Himalayan metamorphism). The matrix K-white micas along S₂, synchronous to the Main Central Thrust activity (Neohimalayan metamorphism), are relatively celadonite-poor and were recrystallized under relatively higher T condition. K-white micas defining S₁ also were partially re-equilibrated during the Neohimalayan metamorphism. The average compositions of recrystallized K-white micas defining both S₁ and S₂ become gradually poor in (Fe + Mg)- and Si-contents and rich in Al- and Ti-contents from south to north showing an increase of metamorphic grade from structurally lower to higher parts in the Lesser Himalaya. This shows that the metamorphism is inverted throughout the inner Lesser Himalaya. The tectono-metamorphic significance of the published K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar / ³⁹Ar K-white micas ages from the Lesser Himalaya need re-evaluation in the context of observed intrasample compositional variation and zoning, and possible higher closure temperature (500 °C) for K–Ar system.     

Mitigation of earthquake-induced damage of breakwater by geogrid-reinforced foundation

A strong earthquake often precedes a tsunami, and a breakwater may settle during the earthquake. Such seismic subsidence of the breakwater may reduce its ability to block the tsunami, and the tsunami may easily enter coastal areas by overflowing it. This study deals with the instability of a breakwater due to an earthquake. In addition, to protect a breakwater from damage caused by an earthquake, a new concept of using geogrid for reinforcing the foundation of a breakwater is introduced. To determine the behavior of unreinforced foundation and to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed reinforced foundation under different earthquake loadings, a series of shaking table tests were performed. It was observed that the earthquake generated excess pore water pressures and deformations of foundation ground were main reasons of failure of the breakwater. The reinforced foundation was found effective to reduce the earthquake-induced damage of the breakwater, and finally it makes the breakwater resilient against earthquake-induced forces. Numerical simulations were also performed to elucidate the mechanism of reinforcement–breakwater–soil–water system under different earthquake loadings.     

MAIN CENTRAL THRUST ZONE IN THE KATHMANDU AREA, CENTRAL NEPAL, AND ITS TECTONIC SIGNIFICANCE

MAIN CENTRAL THRUST ZONE IN THE KATHMANDU AREA, CENTRAL NEPAL, AND ITS TECTONIC SIGNIFICANCE1　AritaK ,LallmeyerRD ,TakasuA .TectonothermalevolutionoftheLesserHimalaya ,Nepal:constraintsfrom 4 0 Ar/3 9AragesfromtheKathmandunappe[J].TheIslandArc ,1997,6 :372～ 384. 2　RaiSM ,GuillotS ,LeFortP ,etal.Pressure temperatureevolutionintheKathmanduandGosainkundregions ,CentralNepal[J].JourAsianEarthSci ,1998,16 :2 83～ 2 98. 3　SchellingD ,KArita .…     

Geochemistry of approximately 1.9 Ga sedimentary rocks from northeastern Labrador, Canada

Fifty-eight rock chips from fifteen samples of sedimentary rocks from the Ramah Group (approximately 1.9 Ga) in northeastern Labrador, Canada, were analyzed for major and minor elements, including C and S, to elucidate weathering processes on the Earth's surface about 1.9 Ga ago. The samples come from the Rowsell Harbour, Reddick Bight, and Nullataktok Formations. Two rock series, graywackes-gray shales of the Rowsell Harbour, Reddick Bight and Nullataktok Formations, and black shales of the Nullataktok Formation, are distinguishable on the basis of lithology, mineralogy, and major and trace element chemistry. The black shales show lower concentrations than the graywackes-gray shales in TiO2 (0.3-0.7 wt% vs. 0.7-1.8 wt%), Al2O3 (9.5-20.1 wt% vs. 13.0-25.0 wt%), and sigma Fe (<1 wt% vs. 3.8-13.9 wt% as FeO). Contents of Zr, Th, U, Nb, Ce, Y, Rb, Y, Co, and Ni are also lower in the black shales. The source rocks for the Ramah Group sediments were probably Archean gneisses with compositions similar to those in Labrador and western Greenland. The major element chemistry of source rocks for the Ramah Group sedimentary rocks was estimated from the Al2O3/TiO2 ratios of the sedimentary rocks and the relationship between the major element contents (e.g., SiO2 wt%) and Al2O3/TiO2 ratios of the Archean gneisses. This approach is justified, because the Al/Ti ratios of shales generally retain their source rock values; however, the Zr/Al, Zr/Ti, and Cr/Ni ratios fractionate during the transport of sediments. The measured SiO2 contents of shales in the Ramah Group are generally higher than the estimated SiO2 contents of source rocks by approximately 5 wt%. This correction may also have to be applied when estimating average crustal compositions from shales. Two provenances were recognized for the Ramah Group sediments. Provenance I was comprised mostly of rocks of bimodal compositions, one with SiO2 contents approximately 45 wt% and the other approximately 65 wt%, and was the source for most sedimentary rocks of the Ramah Group, except for black shales of the Nullataktok Formation. The black shales were apparently derived from Provenance II that was comprised mostly of felsic rocks with SiO2 contents approximately 65 wt%. Comparing the compositions of the Ramah Group sedimentary rocks and their source rocks, we have recognized that several major elements, especially Ca and Mg, were lost almost entirely from the source rocks during weathering and sedimentation. Sodium and potassium were also leached almost entirely during the weathering of the source rocks. However, significant amounts of Na were added to the black shales and K to all the rock types during diagenesis and/or regional metamorphism. The intensity of weathering of source rocks for the Ramah Group sediments was much higher than that of typical Phanerozoic sediments, possibly because of a higher PCO2 in the Proterozoic atmosphere. Compared to the source rock values, the Fe3+/Ti ratios of many of the graywackes and gray shales of the Ramah Group are higher, the Fe2+/Ti ratios are lower, and the sigma Fe/Ti ratios are the same. Such characteristics of the Fe geochemistry indicate that these sedimentary rocks are comprised of soils formed by weathering of source rocks under an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The atmosphere about 1.9 Ga was, therefore, oxygen rich. Typical black shales of Phanerozoic age exhibit positive correlations between the organic C contents and the concentrations of S, U, and Mo, because these elements are enriched in oxygenated seawater and are removed from seawater by organic matter in sediments. However, such correlations are not found in the Ramah Group sediments. Black shales of the Ramah Group contain 1.7-2.8 wt% organic C, but are extremely depleted in sigma Fe (<1 wt% as FeO), S (<0.3 wt%), U (approximately l ppm), Mo (<5 ppm), Ni (<2 ppm), and Co (approximately 0 ppm). This lack of correlation, however, does not imply that the approximately 1.9 Ga atmosphere-ocean system was anoxic. Depletion of these elements from the Ramah Group sediments may have occurred during diagenesis.