Air-sea exchange of mercury in Tokyo Bay

In Tokyo Bay the concentrations of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) in the surface seawater and total gaseous mercury (TGM) over the sea were measured during December 2003, October 2004 and January 2005. Based on these data, the evasional fluxes of mercury from the sea surface were estimated using a gas exchange model. In addition, an automatic wet and dry deposition sampler was used to measure the wet and dry depositional fluxes of mercury from December 2003 to November 2004 at three locations in and near Tokyo Bay. The results indicate that the average DGM and TGM levels of seven locations are 52 ± 26 ng m⁻³ and 1.9 ± 0.6 ng m⁻³, respectively, which shows that the surface seawater in Tokyo Bay is supersaturated with gaseous mercury, leading to an average mercury evasional flux of 140 ± 120 ng m⁻²d⁻¹. On the other hand, the annual average wet and dry depositional fluxes of mercury at three locations were 19 ± 3 μg m⁻²yr⁻¹ and 20 ± 9 μg m⁻²yr⁻¹, respectively. These depositional fluxes correspond to the daily average total depositional flux of 110 ± 20 ng m⁻²d⁻¹. Thus, it is suggested that in Tokyo Bay, the evasional fluxes of mercury are comparable to the depositional fluxes.     

Anomalous distribution of suspended matter and some chemical compositions in seawater near the seabed: Transport processes

Vertical fine distributions of suspended matter and some chemical compositions in seawater were measured in the layer near the seabed. Distributions of organic suspended matter were almost uniform throughout the layer, but others were anomalous. However, with respect to their peak heights and distribution patterns, the tendency of profiles was the same on the whole. We suggested that these anomalous distributions were primarily caused by the destruction of the large flocculent particle on the seabed and by upward diffusion of disintegrated particles. The similarity of profiles between chemical compositions of dissolved substances and suspended matter of non-dissolved substances, was explained by assuming that pore water in the large particle was simultaneously transported with disintegrated particles after the destruction. An equation for the vertical distribution of suspended matter near the seabed was derived, provided that the rate of destruction of large flocculent particle was in proportion to the current velocity on the seabed. The equation represented the existence of the anomalous distribution, which was continuously changing its pattern. Measurements of vertical profiles of suspended matter showed almost the same tendency with the theory. From the characteristics of the theoretical equation, it was expected that the eddy diffusivity near the seabed was 1050 cm²/sec.     

A numerical experiment on the variations of western boundary currents: Part II. Response to a moving typhoon

Response of the barotropic western boundary current to typhoon passage is investigated by the use of the numerical models described in Part I. Steady states obtained in Part I are chosen as the initial conditions for undisturbed currents. In these models it is assumed that an axially symmetric typhoon (radius = 100 km, maximum wind speed = 27.4 m/sec) moves parallel to the western boundary.For the model with a flat bottom the boundary flow diminishes its strength and broadens its width after the passage of the typhoon offshore. For the model with a continental slope the effect of the typhoon is significantly different depending on the distance of the path of the typhoon from the western boundary. Specifically the north wind on the continental slope causes the formation of cyclonic vortex, which progresses southwards along the slope in the northern hemisphere. Linear theory of continental shelf waves indicates that the phase speed of the propagation of the vortex is 2.4 m/sec. Anomalies of the water level along the coast are also calculated from geostrophic relationships.     

Graphitization of carbonaceous matter during metamorphism with references to carbonate and pelitic rocks of contact and regional metamorphisms,Japan

This study is an attempt to correlate the graphitization process of carbonaceous matter during metamorphism with metamorphic grade. Graphitization can be parameterized using crystal structure and chemical and isotopic compositions. The extent of graphitization could be characterized mainly by temperature, duration of metamorphism and rock composition. We compared the graphitization trends for two metamorphic terrains, a contact aureole of the Kasuga area and a regional metamorphic terrain of high-temperature/low pressure type of the Ryoke metamorphic terrain in Northern Kiso area, Central Japan, and for two different lithologies (carbonate and pelite), using X-ray diffractogram, DTA-TG analysis, and chemical and stable isotope analyses. During contact metamorphism, graphitization and carbon isotopic exchange reactions proceeded simultaneously in pelitic and carbonate rocks. The decreases in basal spacing d(002) of the carbonaceous matter in carbonate rocks is greatly accelerated at temperatures higher than about 400° C. Furthermore, carbon isotopic ratios of graphite in carbonate rocks also change to ¹³C-enriched values implying exchange with carbonates. The beginning of this enrichment of ¹³C in the carbonaceous matter coincides with an abrupt increase of the graphitization processes. Carbon isotopic shifting up to 5 in pelites could be observed as metamorphic temperature increased probably by about 400° C. Carbonaceous matter in pelitic rocks is sometimes a mixture of poorly crystallized organic matter and well-crystallized graphite detritus. DTA-TG analysis is an effective tool for the distinction of detrital graphitic material. Two sources for the original carbon isotopic composition of carbonaceous matter in pelites in the Kasuga contact aureole can be distinguished, about-28 and-24 regardless of the presence of detrital graphite, and were mainly controlled by depositional environment of the sediments. Graphitization in limestones and pelitic rocks in regional metamorphism proceeds further than in a contact aureole. In the low-temperature range, the differences in extent of graphitization between the two metamorphic regions is large. However, at temperatures higher than 600° C, the extent of graphitization in both regions is indistinguishable. The degree of graphitization is different in limestones and pelitic rocks from the Ryoke metamorphic terrain. We demonstrate that the graphitization involves a progressive re-construction process of the crystal structure. The sequence of the first appearance of crystal inter planar spacing correlates with the metamorphic grade and indicates the crystal growth of three-dimensional structured graphite.     

Cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy of forsterite from Kaba meteorite: An application to the study of hydrothermal alteration of parent body

Highly forsteritic olivine (Fo: 99.2–99.7) in the Kaba meteorite emits bright cathodoluminescence (CL). CL spectra of red luminescent forsterite grains have two broad emission bands at approximately 630 nm (impurity center of divalent Mn ions) in the red region and above 700 nm (trivalent Cr ions) in the red–IR region. The cores of the grains show CL blue luminescence giving a characteristic broad band emission at 400 nm, also associated with minor red emissions related to Mn and Cr ions. CL color variation of Kaba forsterite is attributed to structural defects. Electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) analysis shows concentrations of Ca, Al, and Ti in the center of the forsterite grain. The migration of diffusible ions of Mn, Cr, and Fe to the rim of the Kaba meteoritic forsterite was controlled by the hydrothermal alteration at relatively low temperature (estimated at about 250 °C), while Ca and Al ions might still lie in the core. A very unusual phase of FeO (wüstite) was also observed, which may be a terrestrial alteration product of FeNi‐metal.