Silicate to Nitrate Ratio of the Upper Sub-Arctic Pacific and the Bering Sea Basin in Summer: Its Implication for Phytoplankton Dynamics

Consumption of silicate and nitrate (Si:N molar ratio) in the upper layer of the pelagic subarctic Pacific in summer was evaluated by a regression analysis of silicate vs. nitrate concentrations at the upper 100 m depth. Based on data of three cruises, the pelagic subarctic Pacific can be classified into two groups. First group is characterized by roughly 1:1 consumption of silicate and nitrate, and occupies rather larger area of subarcfic Pacific, i.e., the Gulf of Alaska and the Western Subarctic gyre (averaged slope of Si:N linear regression: 1.21, n = 10 and 1.45, n = 9, respectively). Second group is the regions of the Bering Sea basin and the Oyashio region, and showed higher silicate consumption compared to that of nitrate (averaged slope of Si:N linear regression: 2.14, n = 9 and 2.36, n = 3, respectively). The Si:N difference observed is possibly attributed to relative contribution of diatoms production among the phytoplankton assemblages in the regions, i.e., dominance of diatoms production in the regions of the second group. Higher accumulation of ammonium at the bottom of euphotic layer in the summer Bering Sea basin would also contribute to increase consumption ratio of Si:N amounts.     

Some factors affecting the survival of coliform bacteria in seawater

Some experiments were carried out to explain thein situ phenomena that the number of coliform organisms decreased rapidly from estuaries to offshore, and also at deeper layer, and that the appearance of coliform types varied.In natural seawater, experimental results did not show thatEscherichia coli was extinct by self-purification or anti-biosis action of seawater, but it showed that this organism decreased mainly because of their starvation caused by lack of nourishment. Although the decreasing rate of bacterial density was delayed in enriched seawater, addition of nutrient even at the time of bacterial extinction promoted the appearance of variated form of this bacteria with floc formation.Flocculation of bacterial cells was influenced by quality and quantity of added nutrients. Temperature was shown to have an effect on the floc formation, but appearance of variated form in flocculated cells ofE. coli was not affected by temperature. Flocculated particles of coliform bacteria were adsorbed on suspended particles in seawater and precipitated rapidly. This phenomenon seems to be a cause of the rapid disappearance of coliform bacteria in coastal waters.In bottom deposits the coliform bacteria probably survive longer as physiologically variated forms when suitable nutrients were supplied.     

Interpretation of Mineral Zoning in Submarine Hydrothermal Ore Deposits in Terms of Coupled Fluid Flow‐Precipitation Kinetics Model

Major minerals (sulfates, sulfides, quartz) are distributed in different parts of submarine hydrothermal ore deposits. For instance, the abundance of barite increases stratigraphically upwards in the massive orebodies of the Kuroko deposits (black and yellow ores), while quartz is abundant in the lower parts (siliceous ore). The different distribution of barite and quartz in the Kuroko deposits can not be accounted for by thermochemical equilibrium calculations based on the precipitation due to mixing of ascending hydrothermal solutions with ambient cold seawater. In the present study, a coupled fluid flow‐precipitation kinetics model was used to calculate the amounts of quartz, barite, and anhydrite precipitated from a hydrothermal solution mixed with seawater, assuming reasonable values for temperature, precipitation rate, fluid flow velocity, mineral surface area/fluid mass ratio (A/M), and initial concentrations of hydrothermal solution and seawater before mixing occurred. The results indicate that barite precipitates more efficiently than quartz from discharging fluids with relatively higher flow velocity, lower temperatures and under the condition of lower A/M ratios on the seafloor (black ore), whereas quartz precipitates more effectively from solutions with lower flow velocity, higher temperatures and higher A/M ratios beneath the seafloor (siliceous ore) and in the orebody (barite ore, ferruginous chert ore). Anhydrite precipitates in shallow sub‐seafloor environments with lower precipitation rates and higher A/M ratios than barite and higher precipitation rates and lower A/M ratios than quartz. These results explain the observed occurrences of barite, anhydrite, and quartz in the Kuroko deposits. Namely, barite is abundant in black ore and barite ore which formed above the seafloor, anhydrite formed in high‐permeability tuff breccias, and quartz formed in low permeability dacite intrusive bodies in the sub‐seafloor environment.     

Temporal changes in electrical resistivity at Sakurajima volcano from continuous magnetotelluric observations

Continuous magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were conducted from May 2008 to July 2009 at Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Two observation sites were established at locations 3.3 km east and 3 km west–northwest of the summit crater. At both observation sites, the high-quality component of the impedance tensor (Zyx) showed variations in apparent resistivity of approximately ± 20% and phase change of ± 2°, which continued for 20–180 days in the frequency range between 320 and 4 Hz. The start of the period of changes in apparent resistivity approximately coincided with the start of uplift in the direction of the summit crater, as observed by a tiltmeter, which is one of the most reliable pieces of equipment with which to detect magma intrusion beneath a volcano. A 2D inversion of MT impedance suggests that the resistivity change occurred at a depth around sea level. One of the possible implications of the present finding is that the degassed volatiles migrated not only vertically through the conduit but also laterally through a fracture network, mixing with shallow groundwater beneath sea level and thereby causing the observed resistivity change.     

Heavy metals contamination in water and sediments of an urban river in a developing country

Water and sediment samples were collected from 20 location of the Buriganga river of Bangladesh during Summer and Winter 2009 to determine the spatial distribution, seasonal and temporal variation of different heavy metal contents. Sequential extraction procedure was employed in sediment samples for the geochemical partitioning of the metals. Total trace metal content in water and sediment samples were analyzed and compared with different standard and reference values. Concentration of total chromium, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt and arsenic in water samples were greatly exceeded the toxicity reference values in both season. Concentration of chromium, lead, copper and nickel in sediment samples were mostly higher than that of severe effect level values, at which the sediment is considered heavily polluted. On average 72 % chromium, 92 % lead, 88 % zinc, 73 % copper, 63 % nickel and 68 % of total cobalt were associated with the first three labile sequential extraction phases, which portion is readily bioavailable and might be associated with frequent negative biological effects. Enrichment factor values demonstrated that the lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium and copper in most of the sediment samples were enriched sever to very severely. The pollution load index value for the total area was as high as 21.1 in Summer and 24.6 in Winter season; while values above one indicates progressive deterioration of the sites and estuarine quality. The extent of heavy metals pollution in the Buriganga river system implies that the condition is much frightening and may severely affect the aquatic ecology of the river.     

Production and bacterial decomposition of dissolved organic matter in a fringing coral reef

The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC and DON, respectively) were measured in Shiraho fringing reef (Japan), using a high-temperature catalytic-oxidation method. When the seawater on the reef flat (shallow lagoon) was isolated from the surrounding ocean due to the low tide, the concentrations of DOC and DON on the reef flat were 66–75 and 4.8–5.7 μmol l⁻¹, respectively. The DOC and DON concentrations were higher than those of the adjacent outer ocean (57–58 and 3.8 μmol l⁻¹, respectively), suggesting that the coral reef functioned as a net source of dissolved organic matter for the surrounding ocean. In order to investigate long-term bacterial decomposition of the reef-derived DOC (RF-DOC), the seawater samples collected on the reef flat and at the adjacent ocean were incubated in the dark for 1 year. Regression analysis using an exponential curve that considered two degradability pools (labile and refractory) fitted the mineralization of the RF-DOC very well (r ² > 0.89). According to the regression analysis, the DOC produced on the reef flat was composed of the labile fraction of 63–94% (average 77%) and the refractory fraction of 6–37% (average 23%). It was concluded that some of the DOC that was produced in the coral reef ecosystem was exported to the surrounding ocean if the reef flat had a water residence time less than several months. The exported organic matter may support microbial communities in the ocean as an energy source.     

Effects of hypoxia on benthic organisms in Tokyo Bay, Japan: a review

Bottom hypoxia (dissolved oxygen concentration ≤2 ml l(-1)) from anthropogenic eutrophication is a growing global concern. Here, we summarized characteristics of hypoxia and its effects on benthic organisms in Tokyo Bay. Despite recent decreases in nutrient inputs, hypoxia has been increasing in duration and spatial extent, suggesting that the substantial loss of tidal flats from reclamation is contributing to a decrease in the ability of Tokyo Bay to recycle nutrients. Hypoxia develops in the central to northern part of the bay and persists from spring to autumn, causing defaunation of benthic organisms. After the abatement of hypoxia in autumn, the defaunated area is recolonized, either through migration or larval settlement. Some megabenthic species with a spawning peak in spring and summer experience failure of larval settlement, which is probably due to hypoxia. The adverse effects of hypoxia are an impediment to recovery of benthic organisms in Tokyo Bay.     

钻孔千斤顶压裂测量技术的发展和原地测量

为了测量距地表1 000 m以下位置的地壳应力状态,我们研究并开发了钻孔千斤顶压裂技术.技术的原理是:当钻孔千斤顶对钻孔壁加载时,与钻孔轴向平行的方向将会产生两个相对的新裂隙;卸载之后,如果千斤顶对钻孔壁的同一个地方进行施压,这对裂隙将会再次张开.与钻孔轴向垂直的平面上的两个主应力的大小和方向分别是由重张压力和裂隙的方...