Microscopic filamentation due to electrothermal instability and plasma heating in time-dependent solar transition layer

We have investigated nonlinear equilibrium states of a microscopic current filamentation (electrothermal instability) in solar atmosphere. The microscopic filamentation instability will develop for transition zone ion temperature plasmas, provided T _e/T_i > 1, where T _e and T _i are the electron and ion temperatures, respectively. Since the temperature radio for a steady-state solar atmosphere is approximately unity, the electrothermal instability will develop only in a time-dependent solar atmosphere. Indeed, such a condition is provided by time-dependent currents, which seem to exist in many magnetic loops as recent analysis by Porter et al. (1987) indicates. When the onset condition for the electrothermal instability is satisfied, the instability drives a current filamentation to a nonlinear equilibrium state with a spatially periodic electron temperature variation with the wavelength comparable to several ion-Larmor radii. The amplitude of the periodic temperature variation may be so large that the transition layer temperature and coronal temperature plasmas may exist within several Larmor radii — coexistence of the transition zone and corona within the same macro-volume.     

Instruments, Detectors and the Future of Astronomy with Large Ground Based Telescopes

Results of a survey of instrumentation and detector systems, either currently deployed or planned for use at telescopes larger than 3.5 m, in ground based observatories world-wide, are presented. This survey revealed a number of instrumentation design trends at optical, near, and mid-infrared wavelengths. Some of the most prominent trends include the development of vastly larger optical detector systems (> 10⁹ pixels) than anything built to date, and the frequent use of mosaics of near-infrared detectors – something that was quite rare only a decade ago in astronomy. Some future science applications for detectors are then explored, in an attempt to build a bridge between current detectors and what will be needed to support the research ambitions of astronomers in the future.     

Trans-Equatorial Loop System Arising from Coronal Hole Boundaries through Interactions between Active Regions and Coronal Holes

It is not clear how trans-equatorial loop systems (TLSs) are formed, although they have been observed often with Yohkoh/SXT. We focus here on a TLS that appeared on 27 May 1998. Yokoyama and Masuda (Solar Phys. 254, 285, 2009) proposed a new scenario for the formation mechanism of the TLS. In this scenario, they pointed out the importance of magnetic interaction between an active region and a coronal hole to make “strong-seed magnetic fields” before a transient (bright and short-lived) trans-equatorial loop was created. The main aims of this study are to verify the scenario and to make the TLS formation mechanism clear, based on observational data. Yohkoh/SXT images, SOHO/MDI magnetograph data, and Kitt Peak coronal-hole maps were mainly used for our analyses. We investigated the TLS in detail from the time that there were no signatures of the TLS to its clear appearance. The following results are obtained: i) an active region emerged in the vicinity of a coronal-hole boundary, ii) the coronal-hole boundary retreated during the period when the active region was developing, iii) temporal variations of soft X-ray intensities were roughly synchronized between the coronal-hole boundary and a trans-equatorial region, and iv) new closed loops were observed in soft X-rays clearly at the coronal-hole boundary. Since i), ii), iii), and iv) are just what we expect in the scenario of YM2009, the scenario found support. We conclude that the TLS was originating with large-scale magnetic fields of the coronal-hole boundary through magnetic reconnection between the active region and a coronal hole.     

Influences of channelization on discharge of suspended sediment and wetland vegetation in Kushiro Marsh, northern Japan

The effects of wetlands on hydrology, water quality, and wildlife habitat are internationally recognized. Protecting the remaining wetlands is one of the most important environmental issues in many countries. However wetlands in Japan have been gradually shrinking due to agricultural development and urbanization, which generally lowers the groundwater level and introduces suspended sediment and sediment-associated nutrients into wetlands. We examined the influences of channelization on discharge of suspended sediment and wetland vegetation in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The impact of river channelization was confirmed not only by the sediment budgets but also by river aggradation or degradation after the channelization and by the resultant vegetational changes. The budgets of suspended sediment demonstrated that wash load was the predominant component accounting for 95% of the total suspended load delivered into the wetland. This suspended sediment was primarily transported into the wetland by flooding associated with heavy rainfall. Twenty-three percent of the wash load and 63% of the suspended bed material load were deposited in the channelized reach, which produced aggradation of about 2 m at the end of the reach. A shorting of the length of the channel, due to channelization of a meandering river, steepened the slope and enhanced the stream power to transport sediment. This steepening shifted the depositional zones of fine sediment 5 km downstream and aggraded the riverbed. Development of the watershed may increase not only the water discharge but also the amount of suspended sediments. The aggradation reduced the carrying capacity of the channel and caused sediment ladened water to flood over the wetlands. The fine sediment accumulated on the wetlands gradually altered the edaphic conditions and wetland vegetation. A low percentage (10 to 15%) of organic contents of wetlands' soil is more evidence indicating that the present condition is far different from normal. Original vegetation such as sedges and Alnus japonica were disappearing from the adjacent areas of the river channel and were being replaced by willow trees (Salix spp.).     

广域空间尺度上植被净初级生产力的精确推算

作者介绍了使用遥感、GIS数据和BEPS生态过程模型推算植被净初级生产力 (NPP)的方法。为了准确推算北海道地区NPP,我们改进了BEPS模型,而且使用了高质量GIS数据作为模型的输入数据。通过计算得出1998年北海道NPP的平均值为644 g C/m²,总量为0.078 Gt C。我们还进行了模型输入数据质量对应用生态过程模型推算NPP的精度影响测试。结果表明,高质量的GIS输入数据可以提高NPP推算精度16.6%~39.7%。     

Distribution of ephyrae and polyps of jellyfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aurelia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aurita</Emphasis> (Linnaeus 1758) <Emphasis Type="Italic">sensu lato</Emphasis> in Mikawa Bay,Japan

We surveyed the distribution of colonies of polyps of Aurelia aurita sensu lato (s.l.) in Mikawa Bay, Japan. First, we surveyed the distribution of ephyrae of A. aurita s.l. at 75 stations encompassing the whole of Mikawa Bay in early 2008. A total of 37 ephyrae were sampled mostly from fishing ports. Ephyrae were most abundant around the islands located near the mouth of the bay, and decreased from the western part to the eastern part of Mikawa Bay. Next, we selected five fishing ports in Mikawa Bay where ephyrae occurred and surveyed the underside of floating piers and underwater overhangs of wharfs. We found dense colonies of polyps of A. aurita s.l. under nearly all of the floating piers at the two islands located near the mouth of the bay. Fitting a logistic regression model to the dataset showed that the percentage coverage of Aurelia polyps was significantly greater at the two islands compared with the other locations. In addition, the coverage of Aurelia polyps was greater when the coverage of other fouling organisms was in the range of 65–90%, and the coverage of Aurelia polyps was lower on floating piers with a vinyl surface and on concrete wharfs. The combined distribution of polyp colonies of A. aurita s.l. in Ise Bay and Mikawa Bay suggested that A. aurita s.l. in the two bays probably forms a single population and shoals of medusae mainly originate from protected harbors along the mouth-part of the bays.     

Radiolarian Age of Chert-hosted Bedded Manganese Deposits from the Gen-otani Mine in the Tamba District, Northern Kyoto City, Japan

Abstract. Numerous bedded manganese deposits sporadically distributed throughout the Tamba district, southwestern Japan are intercalated within chert sequence. It is well known that radiolarian remains are commonly included in both bedded manganese deposits and host cherts. The Gen‐otani mine, one of these deposits, is located at Otani, Keihoku‐Shimonaka, northern Kyoto City. Chemical composition and age of the chert sequence at the mine were examined. Mainly according to SiO₂ and MnO contents together with lithology, the chert sequence is divided into three sections; lower massive chert, middle bedded manganese deposit and upper bedded chert sections. Radiolarian faunas consisting of middle Jurassic species such as Eucyrtidiellum unumaense, Dictyomitrella(?) kamoensis, Parvicingula dhimenaensis, Sethocapsa aitai, Sethocapsa kodrai, Transhsuum brevicostatum, Tricolocapsa plicarum, Unuma echinatus and others were extracted from both the middle manganese section and overlying bedded chert of the upper section. This examination reveals that the bedded manganese deposit at the Gen‐otani mine formed until Bajocian to early Bathonian (middle Middle Jurassic) in age.     

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.     

Nitrogen stable isotope ratio in the manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, reflects eutrophication levels in tidal flats

Understanding the effects of anthropogenic eutrophication on coastal fisheries may help in the enhancement of fishery production by effective utilization of sewage effluents, as well as in the consequent reduction of eutrophication. In this study, it was revealed that the nitrogen stable isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) in the soft tissues of the manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, can be used as an indicator of anthropogenic eutrophication levels in tidal flat environments by investigation of δ¹⁵N in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), particulate organic matter (POM), sedimentary organic matter (SOM) and soft tissues of the clam in five tidal flats in Japan with different levels of DIN concentration. In addition, it was found that the acid insoluble fraction of the shell organic matrix, conchiolin, can be used as a proxy for the soft tissues in δ¹⁵N analyses. This will contribute in easier storage handling and the expansion of chances for sample acquisition.     

Sound velocity measurements in dhcp-FeH up to 70 GPa with inelastic X-ray scattering: Implications for the composition of the Earth's core

We have determined the density evolution of the sound velocity of dhcp-FeH_x (x ≈ 1) up to 70 GPa at room temperature, by inelastic X-ray scattering and by X-ray diffraction. We find that the variation of V_P with density is different for the ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic dhcp-FeH_x, and that only nonmagnetic dhcp-FeH_x follows Birch's law. Combining our results with Birch's law for iron and assuming an ideal two-component mixing model, we obtain an upper bound of the hydrogen content in the Earth's inner core, 0.23(6) wt.% H, corresponding to FeH_0.13(3). The iron alloy with 0.23(6) wt.% H can satisfy the density, and compressional and shear sound velocities of the PREM inner core, assuming that there are no other light elements in the inner core.