Downward carbon transport by diel vertical migration of the copepods Metridia pacifica and Metridia okhotensis in the Oyashio region of the western subarctic Pacific Ocean

Seasonal change in the downward carbon transport due to respiration and mortality through diel vertical migration (DVM) of the calanoid copepods Metridia pacifica and Metridia okhotensis was estimated in the Oyashio region, western subarctic Pacific during six cruises from June 2001 to June 2002. M. pacifica (C4, C5 and adult females) was an active migratory species throughout the year though its DVM amplitude varied among seasons and stages. The mean distribution depths of adult females during the daytime were positively related with the illumination level in the water column, being shallowest in April and deepest in January. M. okhotensis generally showed less-extensive migrations than M. pacifica. Therefore, together with their lower abundance, this species is considered to be a less-important mechanism of downward transport of carbon except for April when their DVM was more active and descended deeper than M. pacifica, which remained in the upper 150 m even during the daytime. The mean migrating biomass of the two Metridia species was 558 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ and was high during summer to winter (263–1676 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹) and low during spring (59–63 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹). Total downward flux through DVM fluctuated between 1.0 and 20.0 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ with an annual mean of 8.0 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹. Contribution of the respiratory flux was greater than the mortality flux and accounted for 64–98% of total migratory flux throughout the year except for January when contribution of both fluxes was equal. Overall the annual carbon transport by DVM of Metridia spp. was estimated as 3.0 g C m⁻² year⁻¹, corresponding to 15% of the annual total POC flux at 150 m at the study site, suggesting that DVM is a significant process for carbon export in the subarctic region as well as that in tropical and subtropical oceanic regions. Since DVM in M. pacifica is more active during the non-bloom season when the gravitational flux of particulate matter is low, this species plays an important role in driving the biological pump in the subarctic Pacific during summer to winter.     

From the simplest chemical system to the natural one: garnet peridotite barometry

The available experimental data on garnet-bearing-assemblages for synthetic chemical systems (MAS, FMAS, CMAS) have been used to calibrate consistent models for the Al-solubility in orthopyroxene coexisting with garnet, on the basis of equilibrium reaction Py(opx) ? Py(gt). The alternative reaction En(opx)+MgTs(opx) ? Py(gt) is discarded as it yields larger a-posteriori uncertainties. To provide a reliable equation, directly applicable to natural garnet lherzolites, each successive synthetic-system calibration is tested against Mori and Green's (1978) natural-system reequilibration data. For the MAS system, an ideal solution model with constant ΔH°, ΔV° and ΔS° based on 12-oxygen structural formulae for aluminous pyroxenes yields the best fit (GPa, K), $${\text{25,134 + 9,941 }}P - 23.177{\text{ }}T{\text{ + }}RT{\text{ ln (}}X_{{\text{Al}}}^{TB'} {\text{) = 0}}$$ . The MAS synthetic-system calibration can be directly applied to the FMAS system by adding an empirical correction term (20,835 [X _Fe ^gt ]²) independent of either pressure and temperature. However, this correction term is not important because of the limited Fe content of mantle peridotites. When calcium is added to the MAS system, the equilibrium constant is calculated as: $$K_{{\text{CMAS}}} = {{[(1 - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{M2} )^2 (X_{{\text{Al}}}^{TB'} )]} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{[(1 - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^{M2} )^2 (X_{{\text{Al}}}^{TB'} )]} {[(1 - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^X )^3 (X_{{\text{Al}}}^Y )^2 ]}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {[(1 - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^X )^3 (X_{{\text{Al}}}^Y )^2 ]}}$$ where M2 and TB′ are pyroxene sites and X and Y are garnet sites. Up to 5 GPa, X _Ca ^X ～ and the CMAS experimental data agree well with the MAS model, but for Yamada and Takahashi's (1983) higher pressure experiments (up to 10 GPa), this no longer holds. Indeed, the garnet solid solution does not behave ideally and an asymmetric regular solution model is needed for application to the deepest natural samples available (>7GPa). Calibration based on new high pressure data yields, $$\begin{gathered} \Delta G_{{\text{CMAS}}}^{XS} = (X_{{\text{Ca}}}^X )(1 - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^X )(0.147 - X_{{\text{Ca}}}^X ) \hfill \\ {\text{ }} \cdot {\text{(6,440,535 - 1,490,654 }}P{\text{)}} \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$ . According to tests of the inferred solution model, the CFMAS system is a good analogue of natural systems in the pressure, temperature and composition ranges covered by the natural-system reequilibration data (up to 1,500° C and 4 GPa). Simultaneous application of this thermobarometer and of the two-pyroxene mutual solubility thermometer (Bertrand and Mercier 1985) to the phases of the garnet-peridotite xenoliths from Thaba Putsoa, Lesotho, yields a refined paleogeotherm for southern Africa strongly contrasting with previous results. The “granular” nodules yield a thermal gradient of about 8 K/km characteristic of a lithospheric-type environment, whereas the “sheared” ones show a lower gradient of about 1 K/km. This is a typical geotherm expected for a steady thermal state with an inflexion point at the depth of about 160 km corresponding to the lithosphere/asthenosphere boundary.     

Three-year investigations into sperm whale-fall ecosystems in Japan

We report the first study of sperm whale‐fall ecosystems, based on mass sinking of whale carcasses at shelf depths in the northwest Pacific. We conducted three observations over a 2‐year period on replicate sperm‐whale carcasses implanted at depths of 219–254 m off the southern part of Japan from July 2003 to August 2005. The study was made possible by a mass stranding of sperm whales in January 2002, and the subsequent sinking of 12 carcasses in the waters off Cape Nomamisaki. Dense aggregations of unique chemosynthesis‐based fauna had formed around the whale carcasses after 18 months (July 2003). The mytilid mussel Adipicola pacifica was the most abundant macrofaunal species and covered most of the exposed bone surfaces. The general composition of the fauna was similar to that of deep‐water reducing habitats, but none of the species appearing in this study has been found at hydrothermal vents, cold seeps or deep‐water whale falls. A new species of lancelet, which was the first record of the subphylum Cephalochordata from reducing environments, a new species of Osedax; a rarely encountered benthic ctenophore, and a rare gastropod species were discovered at this sperm whale‐fall site. Benthic communities were similar across all the carcasses studied, although the body sizes of the whales were very different. The succession of epifaunal communities was relatively rapid and the sulphophilic stage was considerably shorter than that of other known whale falls.     

Wind- and density-driven circulation in a bay on the Sanriku ria coast,Japan: study of Shizugawa Bay facing the Pacific Ocean

Flow fields in Shizugawa Bay on the Sanriku ria coast, which faces the Pacific Ocean, were investigated using hydrographic observations for the purpose of understanding oceanographic conditions and the process of water exchanges in the bay after the 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku. In spring to summer, density-driven surface outflow is part of estuarine circulation and is induced by a pressure gradient force under larger longitudinal gradients in density along with lower salinity water in the innermost part of the bay, regardless of wind forcing. In winter to summer, another density-driven current with a thermal structure is induced by a pressure gradient force under the smaller longitudinal density gradients in calm wind conditions. Particularly in winter, Tsugaru Warm Current water can be transported in the surface layer inside the bay. Wind-driven bay-scale circulation with downwind and upwind currents in the surface and deeper layers, respectively, is induced by strong longitudinal wind forcing under the smaller longitudinal density gradients, irrespective of season. Particularly in fall to spring, this circulation can cause the intrusions of oceanic water associated with Oyashio water and Tsugaru Warm Current water in the deeper layer. These results suggest that wind- and density-driven currents can produce the active exchange of water from inside and outside the bay throughout the year.     

Detailed observation of the wind-exerted surface flow by use of flow visualization methods

Detailed observations were performed of the wind-exerted surface flow, before and after the generation of wind waves. As flow visualization techniques, 6 classes of polystyrene beads of from 0.33 mm to 1.93 mm in diameter, with a specific gravity of 0.99, and also, hydrogen bubble lines, were used. Experiments were carried out at three ranges of the wind speed: 4.0, 6.2 and 8.6ms^–1 in the mean in the wind-wave tunnel section, and the observations were made at 2.85 m in fetch. In the case of 6.2 m s^–1, when the initial surface skin flow attains 0.22 cm in the scale thickness and 16 cm s^–1 in the surface velocity in about 3 second from the onset of the wind, regular waves of about 1.7 cm in wave length appear on the water surface. In one second after that, the downward thrust of the surface flow and the consequent forced convection commences, and the transition of the surface layer to a turbulent state occurs. Ordinary wind waves begin to develop from this state. In developed wind waves the viscous skin flow grows on the windward side of the crests, frequently producing macroscopic skin flows, and these skin flows converge to make a downward thrust at the lee side, and the viscous skin layer disappears there. The velocity of the downward flow has a maximum at the phase of about 30, and the value is of the order of 10 cm s^–1 at 4-mm depth after the orbital velocity of the sinusoidal wave is subtracted. As the process through which the wind stress acts on the water surface, it is considered that the following particular one may be real: the skin friction concentrated at the windward side of the crest produces skin flows, which thrust into the inner region to make the forced convection, carrying the acquired momentum. The viscous shearing stress just before the generation of the surface undurations was about 1/4 of the total shearing stress under the existence of wind waves. It is considered that the increase of the wind stress by wind waves is caused by this mechanism.     

40Ar–39Ar analysis of phlogopite in the Horoman Peridotite Complex, Hokkaido, Japan and implications for its origin

Abstract ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar analysis of phlogopite separated from a plagioclase lherzolite of the Horoman Peridotite Complex, Hokkaido, Japan, has yielded a plateau age of 20.6 ± 0.5 Ma in an environment where the metamorphic fluid was characterized by an almost atmospheric Ar isotopic ratio. The age spectrum is slightly saddle-shaped, implying some incorporation of excess ⁴⁰Ar during the formation of the phlogopite at a depth. As the phlogopite has been inferred to have formed in veins and/or interstitials during exhumation of the peridotite body, metasomatic fluids, to which ground- and sea water might have contributed, were probably involved in the formation of phlogopite in the crustal environment. A total ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age of 129 Ma of a whole rock sample of the plagioclase lherzolite, from which the phlogopite was separated and is representative of the main lithology of the Horoman Peridotite Complex, indicates the occurrence of excess ⁴⁰Ar. Hence, the age has no geological meaning.     

Molecular and isotopic composition of hydrate-bound and dissolved gases in the southern basin of Lake Baikal, based on an improved headspace gas method

Assessments of the molecular and isotopic composition of hydrate-bound and dissolved gases in pore water were conducted during the multi-phase gas hydrate project (MHP-09) cruise VER09-03 to the southern basin of Lake Baikal in September 2009. To avoid changes in gas composition during core sampling and transport, various headspace methods were investigated aimed at preserving the dissolved gases in pore water. When distilled water was added to the sediment samples, the concentrations of carbon dioxide and oxygen decreased because of dissolution into the water and/or microbial consumption. When the headspace was not flushed with inert gases, trace levels of hydrogen and ethylene were detected. The findings suggest that best preparation is achieved by flushing the headspace with helium, and adding a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride. This improved headspace method served to examine the molecular and isotopic compositions of gas samples retrieved at several new sites in the southern basin. Methane was the major component, and the proportion of ethane ranged widely from 0.0009 to 1.67?mol% of the total hydrocarbon gases. The proportions of propane and higher hydrocarbons were small or less than their detection limits. The carbon isotope signatures suggest that microbial-sourced methane and ethane were dominant in the Peschanka study area, whereas ethane was of thermogenic origin at all other study sites in the southern basin of Lake Baikal.     

Seasonal evolution of hydrographic properties in the Antarctic circumpolar current at 170°W during 1997–1998

This paper discusses the seasonal evolution of the hydrographic and biogeochemical properties in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) during the US Joint Global Ocean Flux (JGOFS) Antarctic Environment and Southern Ocean Process Study (AESOPS) in 1997–1998. The location of the study region south of New Zealand along 170°W was selected based on the zonal orientation and meridional separation of the physical and chemical fronts found in that region. Here we endeavor to describe the seasonal changes of the macronutrients, fluorescence chlorophyll_, particulate organic carbon (POC), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the upper 400 m of the ACC during the evolution of the seasonal phytoplankton bloom found in this area. While the ACC has extreme variability in the meridional sense (due to fronts, etc.), it appears to be actually quite uniform in the zonal sense. This is reflected by the fact that a good deal of the seasonal zonal changes in nutrients distributions at 170°W follow a pattern that reflects what would be expected if the changes are associated with seasonal biological productivity. Also at 170°W, the productivity of the upper waters does not appear to be limited by availability of phosphate or nitrate. While there is a significant decrease (or uptake) of inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate associated with the seasonal phytoplankton bloom, none of the nutrients, except perhaps silicate (north of the silicate front) are actually depleted within the euphotic zone. At the end of the growing season, nutrient concentrations rapidly approached their pre-bloom levels. Inspection of the ratios of apparent nutrient drawdown near 64°S suggests N/P apparent drawdowns to have a ratio of 10 and N/Si apparent drawdowns to have a ratio of >4. These ratios suggest a bloom that was dominated by Fe limited diatoms. In addition, the surface water in the Polar Front (PF) and the Antarctic Zone (AZ) just to the south of the PF take up atmospheric CO₂ at a rate 2–3 times as fast as the mean global ocean rate during the summer season but nearly zero during the rest of year. This represents an important process for the transport of atmospheric CO₂ into the deep ocean interior. Finally, the net CO₂ utilization or the net community production during the 2.5 growing months between the initiation of phytoplankton blooms and mid-January increase southward from 1.5 mol C m⁻² at 55°S to 2.2 mol C m⁻² to 65°S across the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ) into the AZ.     

A 9-year time-series of planktonic foraminifer fluxes and environmental change in the Bering sea and the central subarctic Pacific Ocean, 1990–1999

A 9-year study of planktonic foraminifer fluxes was conducted in the Bering Sea (Station AB) and in the central subarctic Pacific (Station SA). Results clearly reflected variations of the water mass characteristics in the upper layers. The 9-year means of total foraminifer fluxes were the same (1400 shells m⁻² d⁻¹) at both stations. However, total foraminifer flux at Station AB tended to show its primary maximum during fall (October–December) and its secondary maximum in spring (April–June), whereas the primary maximum appeared in spring and the secondary maximum in fall at Station SA. Seasonal variation was more apparent at hemipelagic Station AB than at pelagic Station SA. Planktonic foraminifers found at both stations were of six species: Neogloboquadrina pachyderma, Globigerina umbilicata, Globigerinita glutinata, Globigerina quinqueloba, Globorotalia wilesi, and Orbulina universa. The foraminifer assemblages at the two stations reflected the temperature difference in the surface waters. The variable %G. umbilicata tended to be high in the warm surface waters during the summers. The temporal and geographical variation of %G. quinqueloba indicated that this taxon prefers regions with relatively low diatom fluxes. A notable appearance of O. universa occurred in 1997 at Station SA. During this period, other measured biogenic particle fluxes, such as those of diatoms, were low. This unusual 1997 event may be a reflection of global climatic change that happened to be observed in the central subarctic Pacific Ocean.     

Age compositions of flatfish stocks as determined by a new otolithometric method, its application in the estimation of growth, spawning potential and fisheries management

We developed an ageing methodology and examined age composition of three flatfish stocks inhabiting the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Ages were difficult to determine for three-lined tongue sole (Cynoglossus abbreviates) and ridged-eye flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus) because the first year annulus ring was often indistinct; therefore, we used directional change in otolith growth to distinguish it. Sectioning and etching methods were powerful tools for identifying annual checks for red tongue sole (Cynoglossus joyneri). Using these ageing methods, we determined age–length relationships and growth curves. The age composition of the populations studied and of the landings showed that a large proportion of the latter consisted of individuals under the mean age of sexual maturity, thereby reducing the percent spawning potential ratio (%SPR) to ≈ 20% for all species. These findings suggest that fishing pressure on immature fish is leading to overfishing of these flatfish stocks.