Phase boundary between ilmenite and perovskite structures in MnGeO3 determined by in situ X-ray diffraction measurements

In situ X-ray observations of the phase transition from ilmenite to perovskite structure in MnGeO₃ were carried out in a Kawai-type high-pressure apparatus interfaced with synchrotron radiation. The phase boundary between the ilmenite and perovskite structures in the temperature range of 700–1,400°C was determined to be P (GPa) = 16.5(±0.6) − 0.0034(±0.0006)T (°C) based on Anderson’s gold pressure scale. The Clapeyron slope, dP/dT, determined in this study is consistent with that for the transition boundary between the ilmenite and the perovskite structure in MgSiO₃.     

Continuing observation of disturbed reproductive cycle and ovarian spermatogenesis in the giant abalone, Haliotis madaka from an organotin-contaminated site of Japan

Histological examination of gonads as well as chemical analysis of organotin compounds in tissues of the giant abalone, Haliotis madaka, was conducted to evaluate continuing endocrine disruption in abalone populations in Japan. Abalone specimens were collected from two different areas, Tsushima as a reference site and Jogashima as a site representative of declining abalone populations where serious organotin contamination had been observed, each month from January 1998 to March 1999. Scores were given to the development stages of reproductive cells in the ovary and testis. The degree of sexual maturation was evaluated by calculating the mean value of a histogram of these scores for the reproductive cells of each abalone. The temporal variations in degree of sexual maturation showed that female and male abalone from Tsushima matured synchronously, while those from Jogashima did not, which were similar to results of the previous study during September 1995–November 1996. Approximately 19% of the female abalone from Jogashima were masculinized with an ovo-testis, which was also similar to the result of the previous study. The masculinization of female abalone is reported to be induced by tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) from antifouling paints. Concentrations of the sum of butyltins (TBT, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT): ΣBTs) and the sum of phenyltins (TPhT, diphenyltin (DPhT) and monophenyltin (MPhT): ΣPhTs) in the muscle of abalone from Jogashima (n = 73) of 7.8 ± 9.0 ng/g wet wt. and 4.5 ± 6.8 ng/g wet wt., respectively, were significantly higher than those from Tsushima (n = 87) of 4.7 ± 4.9 ng/g wet wt. and 0.8 ± 1.7 ng/g wet wt., respectively (p < 0.05 for ΣBTs; p < 0.001 for ΣPhTs), although concentrations of TBT and TPhT in the muscle of abalone from Jogashima (n = 73) of 2.2 ± 2.5 ng/g wet wt. and 5.8 ± 5.1 ng/g wet wt., respectively, were insignificantly and significantly higher than those from Tsushima (n = 87) of 0.4 ± 0.6 ng/g wet wt. and 0.5 ± 0.9 ng/g wet wt., respectively, (p > 0.05 for TBT; p < 0.001 for TPhT). Thus, endocrine disruption as well as contamination by organotins in the giant abalone from Jogashima is still persisting.     

Spectroscopic study of the eclipsing system R canis majoris

Variation of the residual intensities of metallic and hydrogen lines of R CMa with phase is presented from measurement of its spectrograms obtained with dispersions of 10.3 Å/mm and 4.1 Å/mm at the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. It is found from variation of the residual intensities of these lines, with the exception of the Ca–K line, that the duration of the eclipse is longer than expected from the photometric elements. The fractional loss of light of the eclipsed component at mid-eclipse has been derived from the ratio between residual intensities of the lines at mid-minimum and outside eclipse. The value so deduced is found to be larger than expected from the light-curve analysis. The behaviour of the residual intensities of the K line around the mid-minimum provides some evidence of emission at the line center. The possible existence of gaseous matter surrounding the components is discussed.Presented at the Trieste Colloquium on Mass Loss from Stars, September 12–16, 1968.     

On the duration of totality in the eclipse of Zeta Aurigae

From a discussion of narrow-band observations of Zeta Aurigae in the 1963–64 eclipse, the duration of totality has been precisely found to be 36.901 days, which is appreciably smaller than the value 37.48 days currently used. The present result reveals that a hypothesis of gradual expansion of the K-type supergiant component could not be tenable.     

Long-term riverbed response of lower Tedori River,Japan, to sediment extraction and dam construction

Effects of sediment extraction and dam construction on changes of riverbed characteristics over yearly to decadal scales in the lower Tedori River of Japan are clarified. Over 1950–1991, the riverbed degraded in excess of 0.5–3.5 m. Concurrently, riverbed sediment volume of the 0–16 km reach decreased by 12.7 × 10⁶ m³. Intensive sediment extraction was the dominant cause of riverbed degradation during the period. During 1991–2007, an increase in riverbed sediment volume of 0.6 × 10⁶ m³ resulted in accretion of the riverbed by average depth 0.04 m. The cessation of sand and gravel mining (SGM), coupled with Tedorigawa Dam operation since 1980, was responsible for that accretion. Temporal change in riverbed elevation during 1950–2007 indicates that there were five phases of vertical adjustment. Combination of nonlinear regression models described four of these phases well. During 1950–1979, the first four modes of empirical orthogonal function analysis successfully captured temporal and spatial responses of the riverbed to natural and anthropogenic impacts. That is, the first mode explained the mean riverbed profile and temporal variation in riverbed sediment volume. The second through fourth spatial eigenfunctions reflected spatial variation in vertical adjustment rate for phases II, III and I, respectively. The corresponding temporal eigenfunctions explained the respective effects on the riverbed of SGM, of imbalance between sediment transport capacity and sediment supply, and of dredging activity.     

The Inference of Geo-Mechanical Properties of Soft Rocks and their Degradation from Needle Penetration Tests

Needle penetration tests (NPTs) are used for inferring the uniaxial compressive strength of soft rocks, particularly in tunneling through squeezing rocks and foundations on weathered rocks in Japan. The device measures the applied load and the penetration depth of its needle. The ratio of applied load to penetration depth was originally called the needle penetration index (NPI). In this study, this device has been used to infer the geo-mechanical properties of soft rocks from Japan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Egypt. Various equations are presented to infer the geo-mechanical properties in terms of the NPI and compared with the experimental results. The possibility of evaluating the anisotropy of geo-mechanical properties is shown. Furthermore, the characterization of geo-mechanical properties of fault/fracture and slip (shear) surfaces is explained. Some additional equations are given to consider the degradation of geo-mechanical properties as a function of water content, weathering state, and number of cycles of freezing–thawing. Furthermore, the possibility of evaluating the time-dependency characteristics of soft rocks by needle penetration testing is discussed through experiments. It is shown that the effects of water content, weathering state, and number of cycles of freezing–thawing and time-dependency can be evaluated using the NPT technique.     

A new typhoon bogussing scheme to obtain the possible maximum typhoon and its application for assessment of impacts of the possible maximum storm surges in Ise and Tokyo Bays in Japan

We developed the new typhoon bogussing scheme to obtain the possible maximum typhoon approaching any region under any climatic conditions by using a potential vorticity inversion method. Numerical simulations with the new typhoon bogussing scheme are conducted for assessment of storm surges by possible maximum typhoons under the present-day and global warming climatic conditions in Ise and Tokyo Bays in Japan. The results suggest that the storm tide higher than the maximum storm tide in recorded history can occur in Ise and Tokyo Bays even for the present-day climate and the storm tide higher than the design sea level can cause severe damage to Nagoya and Tokyo megacities, in particular, airport facilities in Ise Bay for the global warming climate. These results suggest that the new typhoon bogussing scheme we developed is useful for assessment of impacts of storm surge by the possible maximum typhoons.     

Penetration of molten iron alloy into the lower mantle phase

The core–mantle boundary is the only interface where the metallic core and the silicate mantle interact physically and chemically. Many geophysical anomalies such as low shear velocity and high electrical conductivity have been observed at the bottom of the mantle. Perturbations in the Earth's rotation rate at decadal time periods require the existence of a thin conductive layer with a conductance of 10⁸ S. Substantial additions of molten iron from the outer core into the mantle may produce these geophysical anomalies. Although iron enrichment by penetration has only been observed in (Mg,Fe)O, the second dominant mineral in the lower mantle, the penetration process leading to iron enrichment in the silicate mantle has not been experimentally confirmed. In this study, high-pressure and high-temperature experiments were conducted to investigate the penetration of molten iron alloy into lower mantle phases; postspinel, polycrystalline bridgmanite and polycrystalline (Mg,Fe)O. At the interface between (Mg,Fe)O aggregate and molten iron alloy, liquid metal penetrated the (Mg,Fe)O aggregate along grain boundaries and formed a thin layer containing metal-rich blobs. In contrast, no penetration of molten iron alloy was observed at the interface between molten iron alloy and silicate phases. Penetration of liquid iron alloy into the (Mg,Fe)O aggregate is caused by the capillarity phenomenon or Mullins–Sekerka instability. Neither mechanism occurs at the boundary of pure polycrystalline MgO, indicating that the FeO in (Mg,Fe)O plays an essential role in this phenomenon. Infiltration of molten iron alloy along grain boundaries (capillarity phenomenon) is the dominant process and precedes penetration due to the Mullins–Sekerka instability. The capillarity phenomenon is governed by the balance of forces between surface tension and gravity. In the case where the ultralow velocity zone (ULVZ) with a low shear velocity is composed of Fe-rich (Mg,Fe)O, the maximum penetration distance of molten iron alloy by capillary rise is limited to 20 m. The addition of iron-rich melt to the base of the mantle is therefore unlikely to be the main cause of the high conductance of the CMB region predicted from decadal variation of the length of day. Furthermore, the absence of molten iron alloy penetration into silicate phases does not allow an extensive modification of the chemical composition of the mantle by core–mantle interaction.