1-Gbps VLBI, The First Detection of Fringes

We report on the detection of VLBI fringes from quasars by a new VLBI system operating at 1 Gbps (1024 Mbits-per-second). Newly developed 1024 Msps (mega sample-per-second) AD samplers and 1024 Mbps recorders were used for the observations. A correlator with external buffers was used for the 1024 Mbps correlation processing of the tapes data.Our new VLBI system enabled 1024 Mbps VLBI, and this allowed the sampling of a 512 MHz bandwidth from a radio telescope receiver. This is the highest sampling speed ever used for VLBI, and the widest bandwidth used for VLBI observation. Initial sensitivity as evaluated by SNR comparison with earlier VLBI systems produced results to matched the expanded bandwidth. In our first observations, simultaneous optical fibre linked real-time VLBI observations were made to check the validity of data and precisely detemine the clock offsets among the radio telescopes.     

Effects of raised CO2 concentration on the egg production rate and early development of two marine copepods (Acartia steueri and Acartia erythraea)

Direct injection of CO(2) into the deep ocean is receiving increasing attention as a way to mitigate increasing atmospheric CO(2) concentration. To assess the potential impact of the environmental change associated with CO(2) sequestration in the ocean, we studied the lethal and sub-lethal effects of raised CO(2) concentration in seawater on adult and early stage embryos of marine planktonic copepods. We found that the reproduction rate and larval development of copepods are very sensitive to increased CO(2) concentration. The hatching rate tended to decrease, and nauplius mortality rate to increase, with increased CO(2) concentration. These results suggest that the marine copepod community will be negatively affected by the disposal of CO(2). This could decrease on the carbon export flux to the deep ocean and change the biological pump. Clearly, further studies are needed to determine whether ocean CO(2) injection is an acceptable strategy to reduce anthropogenic CO(2).     

Sub-Lethal Effects of Elevated Concentration of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Planktonic Copepods and Sea Urchins

Data concerning the effects of high CO₂ concentrations on marine organisms are essential for both predicting future impacts of the increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration and assessing the effects of deep-sea CO₂sequestration. Here we review our recent studies evaluating the effects of elevated CO₂ concentrations in seawater on the mortality and egg production of the marine planktonic copepod, Acartia steueri, and on the fertilization rate and larval morphology of sea urchin embryos, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus and Echinometra mathaei. Under conditions of +10,000 ppm CO₂ in seawater (pH 6.8), the egg production rates of copepods decreased significantly. The survival rates of adult copepods were not affected when reared under increased CO₂ for 8 days, however longer exposure times could have revealed toxic effects of elevated CO₂ concentrations. The fertilization rate of sea urchin eggs of both species decreased with increasing CO₂ concentration. Furthermore, the size of pluteus larvae decreased with increasing CO₂ concentration and malformed skeletogenesis was observed in both larvae. This suggests that calcification is affected by elevated CO₂ in the seawater. From these results, we conclude that increased CO₂ concentration in seawater will chronically affect several marine organisms and we discuss the effects of increased CO₂ on the marine carbon cycle and marine ecosystem. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

西南日本黒濑川带的解剖：晚二叠世和早侏罗世增生混杂岩的构造-地层学与浅变质作用

The Kurosegawa belt forms a relatively narrow terrane that can be traced continuously throughout southwest and central Japan. The major constituent continental fragments of the Kurosegawa belt include Early Paleozoic granitic rocks, high-grade metamor-phic rocks, Carboniferous metamorphic rocks (epi-dote-amphibolite facies), Triassic-Early Jurassic metamorphic rocks (pumpellyite-actinolite facies), serpentinites of unknown age, Silurian–Devonian volcanoclastic rocks intercalated with limestones, and Permian–Jurassic shallow marine sediments (e.g., Ichikawa et al., 1956; Maruyama et al., 1984; Faure, 1985; Yoshikura et al., 1990; Aitchison et al., 1991, 1996; Hada et al., 1992, 2001; Isozaki et al., 1992). These diverse rock suites are highly disrupted, form-ing lenticular bodies within the Late Permian accre-tionary complex (AC) which collectively are covered by younger (Cretaceous) marine to brackish water sediments (e.g., Aitchison et al., 1991; Isozaki et al., 1992). We characterize the tectono-stratigraphic ar-chitecture and low-grade metamorphism of the accre-tionary complex preserved in the Kurosegawa belt of the Kitagawa district in eastern Shikoku, Southwest Japan, in order to understand its internal structure, tectono-metamorphic evolution, and assessments of displacement of continental fragments within the complex.     

U–Pb zircon age from the radiolarian‐bearing Hitoegane Formation in the Hida Gaien Belt,Japan

The dating of radiolarian biostratigraphic zones from the Silurian to Devonian is only partially understood. Dating the zircons in radiolarian‐bearing tuffaceous rocks has enabled us to ascribe practical ages to the radiolarian zones. To extend knowledge in this area, radiometric dating of magmatic zircons within the radiolarian‐bearing Hitoegane Formation, Japan, was undertaken. The Hitoegane Formation is mainly composed of alternating beds of tuffaceous sandstones, tuffaceous mudstones and felsic tuff. The felsic tuff and tuffaceous mudstone yield well‐preserved radiolarian fossils. Zircon grains showing a U–Pb laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry age of 426.6 ± 3.7 Ma were collected from four horizons of the Hitoegane Formation, which is the boundary between the Pseudospongoprunum tauversi to Futobari solidus–Zadrappolus tenuis radiolarian assemblage zones. This fact strongly suggests that the boundary of these assemblage zones is around the Ludlowian to Pridolian. The last occurrence of F. solidus is considered to be Pragian based on the reinterpretation of a U–Pb sensitive high mass‐resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon age of 408.9 ± 7.6 Ma for a felsic tuff of the Kurosegawa belt, Southwest Japan. Thus the F. solidus–Z. tenuis assemblage can be assigned to the Ludlowian or Pridolian to Pragian. The present data also contribute to establishing overall stratigraphy of the Paleozoic rocks of the Fukuji–Hitoegane area. According to the Ordovician to Carboniferous stratigraphy in this area, Ordovician to Silurian volcanism was gradually reduced to change the sedimentary environment into a tropical lagoon in the early Devonian. And the quiet Carboniferous environment was subsequently interrupted, throwing it once more into the volcanic conditions in the Middle Permian.     

Petroloy of the Taga Volcano Group,Izu Peninsula,Central Japan

The Taga Volcano Group of the Izu Peninsula is divided into four volcanoes: Older Taga, Atami, Shimo-Taga and Himenosawa. Each volcano consists of basalt-andesite lavas and volcaniclastic sediments, mainly of low alkali tholeiite composition.The activity of the Shimo-Taga Volcano is divided into three stages (early, middle and later). Rocks of the first two stages consist of lavas and volcaniclastic sediments of olivine basalt, phyric and aphyric basaltic andesite. The later stage rocks consist of volcaniclastic sediments which were erupted as mudflow deposits.Basalts and andesites of the first two stages are considered to have been derived from a zoned magma chamber. They were produced by fractional crystallization, which involved the gravitational separation of plagioclase, olivine and/or pyroxene crystals. Eruption of aphyric and phyric basaltic andesite from the upper part of the chamber occurred first, followed by olivine basalt from lower parts of the chamber.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Taga-Vulkan Gruppe besteht aus dem älteren Taga, dem Atami, dem Shimo-Taga und dem Himenosawa Vulkan. Jeder dieser Vulkane wird aus basaltisch-andesitischen Laven und vulkano-klastischen Sedimenten, hauptsächlich subalkalisch tholeiitischer Zusammensetzung, aufgebaut.Die Eruptionstätigkeit des Shimo-Taga Vulkans läßt sich in drei Phasen, eine Früh-, Mittel- und Spätphase untergliedern. Laven und vulkanoklastische Sedimente der ersten beiden Phasen bestehen aus Olivinbasalten, sowie aus basaltischen Andesiten mit porphyrischem und nichtporphyrischem Gefüge. Während des letzten Stadiums wurden vulkanoklastische Sedimente in Form von vulkanoklastischen Schlammströmen eruptiert.Die Basalte und Andesite der ersten beiden Stadien werden als Produkte einer zonierten Magmenkammer gedeutet. Sie entstanden durch fraktionierte Kristallisation und durch die gravitative Abtrennung von Plagioklas, Olivin und/oder Pyroxenkristallen. Der Eruption der porphyrischen und nichtporphyrischen basaltischen Andesite aus dem obersten Teil der Magmakammer folgte die Eruption von Olivinbasalten aus dem tieferen Teil der Magmakammer.

     

Chitinozoans and scolecodonts from the Silurian and Devonian of Japan

Silurian and Devonian chitinozoans and scolecodonts are recorded from strata of the Hida‐Gaien Terrane, central Honshu. Silurian chitinozoans include Eisenackitina, Bursachitina, and the species Angochitina elongata. The latter provides a precise biostratigraphical tie between the Japanese succession and the Type Ludlow Series of the Welsh Borderland, UK, and indicates a Ludlow age (Gorstian or early Ludfordian) for the upper member of the Yoshiki Formation in the Ichinotani Valley. Chitinozoans from other Yoshiki Formation localities contain other specimens of Lagenochitinidae. Scolecodonts are more common than chitinozoans in the palynological residues, but are mostly represented by fragments or minor apparatus elements with a low biostratigraphical value. However, material from the Yoshiki and Fukuji Formations includes several species of Mochtyella as well as representatives of Oenonites, Kettnerites, Lunoprionella, Vistulella? and possibly other placognath taxa. Scolecodonts are also present in the Silurian Middle Member of the Gionyama Formation, Kyushu, including a well‐preserved jaw of Pistoprion, and fragments of putative Kettnerites and Oenonites. These finds of scolecodonts suggest close similarity in assemblages between Paleozoic polychaete faunas of Japanese terranes and those of Baltica‐Laurentia.     

Upper Silurian and Devonian pelagic deep-water radiolarian chert from the Khangai–Khentei belt of Central Mongolia: Evidence for Middle Paleozoic subduction–accretion activity in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Recent mapping projects undertaken in Central Mongolia have revealed the widespread occurrence of radiolarian chert within a Paleozoic accretionary complex. We present the results of the first detailed tectonostratigraphic and radiolarian biostratigraphic investigations of the Gorkhi Formation in the Khangai–Khentei belt of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.The Gorkhi Formation consists of sandstone shale, alternating sandstone and shale of turbidite affinity and chert with small amounts of siliceous shale, basalt, limestone, and clast-bearing mudstone. Radiolarian chert that is completely devoid of terrigenous clastic material is commonly associated with underlying basalt (sedimentary contact) and with conformably overlying siliceous shale and turbidite deposits. The tectonic stacking of basalt–chert and chert–turbidite successions is the most remarkable structural feature of the formation.The recovery of moderately well-preserved radiolarians and conodonts from red chert led to the recognition of four radiolarian assemblages that have a combined age range from the latest Silurian (Pridolian) to the Late Devonian (Frasnian). No age control exists for the siliceous shale, shale, and sandstone, although they are considered to be latest Devonian or slightly younger on the basis of stratigraphic relationships with underlying chert.The Gorkhi Formation has previously been interpreted as a thick sedimentary basin deposit overlying an unexposed Archean–Neoproterozoic basement; however, the stratigraphy within individual tectonic slices clearly corresponds to that of an ocean plate stratigraphy of an accretionary complex generated by the trenchward movement of an oceanic plate. From the lowermost to uppermost units, the stratigraphy comprises ocean floor basalt, pelagic deep-water radiolarian chert, hemipelagic siliceous shale, and terrigenous turbidite deposits. The biostratigraphic data obtained in the present study provide corroborating evidence for the existence of an extensive deep-water ocean that enabled the continuous sedimentation of pelagic chert over a period of nearly 50 million years. These data, together with structural data characterized by tectonic repetition of the stratigraphy, indicate that these rocks formed as an accretionary wedge along an active continental margin, possibly that of the Angara Craton. The mid-oceanic chert was probably deposited in the Northern Hemisphere portion of the Paleo–Pacific Ocean that faced the Angara Craton and the North China–Tarim blocks. Thus, we propose that subduction–accretion processes along the Paleo–Pacific rim played an important role in the accretionary growth of the active continental margin of the Angara Craton, directly influencing the evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.     

Geological setting of basaltic rocks in an accretionary complex,Khangai–Khentei Belt,Mongolia

We describe the mode of occurrence and geochemical characteristics of basalts, in the Khangai–Khentei belt in Mongolia, overlain by Middle Paleozoic radiolarian chert in an extensive accretionary complex. These basalts are greatly enriched in K, Ti, Fe, P, Rb, Ba, Th, and Nb in comparison to the composition of the mid‐ocean ridge basalts, indicative of within‐plate alkaline type. Ti/Y vs Nb/Y and MnO/TiO₂/P₂O₅ ratios of the basalts also suggest within‐plate affinities. Considering the geochemical characteristics as well as the conformable relationship with the overlying radiolarian chert, the alkaline basalts were clearly not continental but formed a pelagic oceanic island. The mode of occurrence and geochemistry of the basalts show that the alkaline basaltic volcanic activity had taken place to form an oceanic island in the Paleozoic pelagic region sufficiently far from continents to allow radiolarian ooze accumulation.     

Spectral observations of impact dark spots

We carried out a spectral observation of traces of the comet impacts within the wavelength region between 440 and 830 nm. Three dark spots of fragments K, E, and G impact sites were investigated. The spectrum of these dark spots shows no special emission or absorption lines in this observation. The global spectral feature resembles that of Jovian zone cloud rather than that of the belt. While the continuum reflectivity of the dark spots of K and E sites is less than 0.42 at 600 nm, that of the G site is 0.33. These values should be interpreted as an upper limits because of the influence of atmospheric seeing. The equivalent width of the absorption lines at the K sites is also derived. Both the continuum reflectivity and the equivalent width of the dark spots are smaller than those of any Jovian zonal cloud. This indicates that the dark spots are low-albedo cloud formed at the upper atmosphere.