Erosion and slope instability on Horizon Guyot,Mid-Pacific Mountains

Seismic-reflection profiles, sediment cores, and current velocities were assessed to study the impact of erosion and sediment redistribution on the pelagic sediment cap of Horizon Guyot, a flat-topped submarine volcanic ridge in the Mid-Pacific Mountains. These processes seem to concentrate their effect around the rim of the sediment cap. Sediment slumping occurs on the northwest perimeter of the guyot's sediment cap. Slope stability analysis suggests that if overconsolidation on Horizon Guyot is the result of current reworking or if local undercutting by bottom currents steepens the sea floor declivity, the sediment cap may be unstable during infrequent earthquake loading, transporting sediment from the guyot summit to the abyssal sea floor.     

Stock assessment and management implications of horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) in Korean waters, based on the relationships between recruitment and the ocean environment

This study presents an example of horse mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) stock to demonstrate that marine environmental factors are important in stock assessment for the new Korean Total Allowable Catch (TAC)-based fisheries management system. The estimated survival rate (S) of horse mackerel ranged from 0.25 to 0.36. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) was 0.48/year, and the age at first capture was 0.83 year. Annual biomass of horse mackerel in Korean waters was estimated by a biomass-based cohort analysis using annual catch in weight at age during 1965–1995. Yield-per-recruit and spawning biomass-per-recruit were estimated under various harvest strategies at F_max, F_0.1, F_30% and F_40%. A method for estimating acceptable biological catch (ABC) is proposed for dealing with the large differences in the quality and quantity of information and data available. Using recruitment of horse mackerel estimated from various spawner–recruitment relationship models combined with salinity, volume transport, and zooplankton biomass as environmental factors, the ABC under the best information available was estimated to range from 3100 to 3800 mt.     

Geological interpretation of cone penetrometer tests in Norton Sound,Alaska

In situ cone-penetrometer tests at 11 stations in Norton Sound, Alaska, complement previous studies of geologic processes and provide geotechnical data for an analysis of sediment response to loading. Assessment of the penetrometer records shows that various geologic factors influence penetration resistance. On the Yukon prodelta, penetration resistance increases with the level of storm wave or ice loading. In central and eastern Norton Sound, thermogenic and biogenic gas, as well as variations in sediment texture and composition, effect a wide range of resistance to penetration.     

The reliability of the thermodynamic constants for the dissociation of carbonic acid in seawater

Laboratory measurements of all four CO₂ parameters [f_CO2 ( = fugacity of CO₂), pH, TCO₂ ( = total dissolved inorganic carbon), and TA ( = total alkalinity)] were made on the same sample of Gulf Stream seawater (S = 35) as a function of temperature (5–35 °C) and the ratio of TA/TCO₂ (X) (1.0–1.2). Overall the measurements were consistent to ±8 μ atm in f_CO2, ± 0.004 in pH, ± 3 μ mol kg⁻¹ in TCO₂, and ± 3 μ mol kg⁻¹ in TA with the thermodynamic constants of Goyet and Poisson (1989), Roy et al. (1993), and Millero (1995). Deviations between the measured pH, TCO₂, TA and those calculated from various input combinations increase with increasing X when the same constants are used. This trend in the deviations indicates that the uncertainties in pK₂ become important with increasing X (surface waters), but are negligible for samples with the lower X (deep waters). This trend is < 5 μ mol kg⁻¹ when the pK₂ values of Lee and Millero (1995) are used.The overall probable error of the calculated f_CO2 due to uncertainties in the accuracy of the parameters (pH, TCO₂, TA, pK₀, pk₁, and pK₂) is ± 1.2%, which is similar to the differences between the measured values and those calculated using the thermodynamic constants of Millero (1995).The calculated values of pK₁, (from f_CO2-TCO₂-TA) agree to within ± 0.004 compared to the results of Dickson and Millero (1987), Goyet and Poisson (1989), Roy et al. (1993), and Millero (1995) over the same experimental conditions. The calculated values of pK₂ (from pH-TCO₂-TA) are in good agreement (± 0.004) with the results of Lee and Millero (1995) and also in reasonable agreement (± 0.008) with the results of Goyet and Poisson (1989), Roy et al. (1993), and Millero (1995). The salinity dependence of our derived values of pK₁ and pK₂, (S = 35) can be estimated using the equations determined by Millero (1995).     

The stratigraphic evolution of the Indus Fan and the history of sedimentation in the Arabian Sea

The Indus Fan records the erosion of the western Himalayas and Karakoram since India began to collide with Asia during the Eocene, 50 Ma. Multi-channel seismic reflection data from the northern Arabian Sea correlated to industrial well Indus Marine A-1 on the Pakistan Shelf show that sedimentation patterns are variable through time, reflecting preferential sedimentation in deep water during periods of lower sea-level (e.g., middle Miocene, Pleistocene), the diversion of sediment toward the east following uplift of the Murray Ridge, and the autocyclic switching of fan lobes. Individual channel-levee systems are estimated to have been constructed over periods of 10⁵–10⁶ yr during the Late Miocene. Sediment velocities derived from sonobuoys and multi-channel stacking velocities allow sections to be time-depth converted and then backstripped to calculate sediment budgets through time. The middle Miocene is the period of most rapid accumulation, probably reflecting surface uplift in the source regions and strengthening of the monsoon at that time. Increasing sedimentation during the Pleistocene, after a late Miocene-Pliocene minimum, is apparently caused by faster erosion during intense glaciation. The sediment-unloaded geometry of the basement under the Pakistan Shelf shows a steep gradient, similar to the continent-ocean transition seen at other rifted volcanic margins, with basement depths on the oceanward side indistinguishable from oceanic crust. Consequently we suggest that the continent-ocean transition is located close to the present shelf break, rather than >350 km to the south, as previously proposed.     

Interactive effects of UV, benzo[alpha] pyrene, and cadmium on DNA damage and repair in embryos of the grass shrimp Paleomonetes pugio

We examined the link between DNA strand breaks and hatching rates in grass shrimp, (Paleomonetes pugio), embryos exposed to 0.2 microM benzo[alpha] pyrene (BP), 5 microM cadmium (Cd) and 330 kJ/m(2) UV light, either alone or together. After exposure, embryos were transferred to clean seawater with or without 5 microM Cd. Hatching rates and DNA strand breaks (Comet Assay) were determined. DNA lesions caused by exposure to BP, UV light, or BP/cadmium were rapidly repaired and were not associated with any effects on hatching. Exposure to Cd after exposure to BP or UV did not affect embryological development or DNA repair. Exposure to BP/UV resulted in a high level of DNA lesions which were slowly repaired. Exposure to cadmium following BP/UV exposure inhibited hatching and DNA repair. Adducts formed during exposure to BP/UV exposure may be difficult to excise or may saturate the nucleotide excision repair system.     

Strength Characteristics of the Cement-Stabilized Surface Layer in Dredged and Reclaimed Marine Clay, Korea

A series of tests in both laboratory and field were performed to investigate the engineering and mechanical properties, especially flexural strength, of cement-stabilized soils. The strength of cement-stabilized soils mainly depends on water-to-cement ratio and curing temperature. The higher curing temperature and the longer curing time, the higher strength in cement-stabilized soils generates. The high ratio of water-to-cement results in lower strength. The compressive strength observed in the field is similar to the strength in the laboratory. Field tests on a cement-stabilized soil layer indicate that the strength is significantly affected by the thickness of the improved layer, which is directly related to the moment of inertia. In addition, the failure shape observed in a cement-stabilized layer in the field looks likes a bending failure type, because the flexural tensile strength, rather than the compressive strength, mainly dominates the failure of cement-stabilized layer. The flexural tensile strength is closely related to the moment of inertia. Therefore, the flexural tensile strength should be considered for determining the thickness and strength in improvement of soft clay.     

Acute toxicity of heavy metals, tributyltin, ammonia and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to benthic amphipodgrandidierella japonica

Benthic amphipod,Grandidierella japonica widely inhabits the Korean coastal waters and is developed as a standard test species for sediment toxicity tests. We exposedG . japonica to various pollutants including 4 kinds of inorganic metals (Ag, Cd, Cu and Hg), tributyltin [TBT], ammonia and 7 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds (acenaphthene, chrysene, fluoranthene, fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene) to estimate the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) and the median lethal concentration (LC50) of each pollutant during the 96-hour acute exposure. Among all tested pollutants, TBT was most toxic toG. japonica, and Hg was most toxic among inorganic metals. The toxicity of pyrene toG. japonica was greatest among PAH compounds, followed by fluoranthene, phenanathrene, acenaphthene, fluorene and naphthalene. The toxicity of PAH compounds was closely related to their physico-chemical characteristics such as K_ow and water solubility.G. japonica responded adequately to pollutant concentrations and exposure durations, and the sensitivity ofG. japonica to various inorganic and organic pollutants was generally comparable to other amphipods used as standard test species in ecotoxicological studies, indicating this species can be applied in the assessment of environments polluted by various harmful substances.     

Eine einfache Methode zur Messung der Tagessummen ultravioletter Globalstrahlung

Zusammenfassung Tagessummen der Globalstrahlung von Wellenl?ngen unter 345 nm k?nnen mit dünnen Pl?ttchen eines leicht erh?ltlichen Harzkunststoffes, Plexiglas, Typ G [Abk. P (G)] von 0,8 mm Dicke direkt integriert werden. Die optischen Dichte?nderungen des P (G) im Spektralbereich zwischen etwa 340 und 390 nm sind den UV-Dosen proportional und k?nnen mittels einfacher densitometrischer Apparate gemessen werden. Verschiedene physikalische und phototropische Eigenschaften des P (G) wurden geprüft, insbesondere die Abh?ngigkeit der Photodegradierung von der Temperatur. Der Temperatureinflu? wird durch Reduktion der Me?werte auf 45° C ausgeschaltet; hierzu dient eine Formel mit einem empirisch bestimmten Temperaturkoeffizienten, in welcher die w?hrend der Bestrahlung erreichte maximale Lufttemperatur benützt wird. Die P (G)-Pl?ttchen wurden mittels einer Normalstrahlungsquelle geeicht und damit wurde der Eichfaktor bestimmt. Die Fehlerquellen und die Genauigkeit der unter verschiedenen Bedingungen gemessenen UV-Dosen werden analysiert.

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Summary The daily sums of global radiation of wavelengths below 345 nm can be directly integrated by means of thin platelets of an easily obtainable acrylic plastic, Plexiglas, type G [abbr. P (G)] of 0.03 inch thickness. The optical density changes of P (G) in the spectral range between approximately 340 and 390 nm are proportional to the UV-doses and can be measured with simple densitometric instruments. Various physical and phototropic properties of P (G) were tested, in particular the dependence of the photodegradation on temperature. This temperature effect is removed by reduction of the measurements to 45° C; for this purpose a formula containing an empirically determined temperature coefficient is given in which the maximum air temperature during irradiation is used. The P (G)-platelets were calibrated by means of a standard irradiance source, and the calibration factor was determined. The error sources and the accuracy of the UV-doses under various conditions of measurement are analyzed.

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Résumé Il est possible d'intégrer directement les sommes journalières du rayonnement global ayant une longueur d'onde de moins de 345 nm. Pour ce faire, on utilise des lames minces (0,8 mm d'épaisseur) d'une substance synthétique du commerce: le Pléxiglas Type G [abrégé par P (G)]. Les modifications de la densité optique du P (G) sont, dans les lignes spectrales comprises entre 340 et 390 nm proportionnelles aux doses d'ultra-violets re?ues. Elles peuvent être mesurées au moyen d'un densitomètre simple. On a examiné différentes propriétés physiques et phototropiques du P (G), en particulier la relation existant entre sa dégradation et la température. L'influence de la température peut alors être éliminée par une réduction à 45° C des valeurs mesurées. Pour ce faire, on utilise une formule contenant un coefficient de température déterminé empiriquement. Le maximum des températures de l'air atteint durant l'exposition entre également dans la dite formule. Les lames de P (G) ont été étalonnées au moyen d'une source de rayonnement normale et on en a déduit un facteur d'étalonnage. On analyse enfin les sources d'erreurs et la précision des doses d'ultra-violets recueillies dans diverses conditions.

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Mit 6 Textabbildungen

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Die vorliegende Untersuchung wurde durch Subventionen des U. S. Weather Bureau, E.S.S.A., erm?glicht.     

Diffraction of multidirectional random waves by multiple rectangular submarine pits

A numerical model is presented to predict the interaction of multidirectional random surface waves with one or more rectangular submarine pits. The water depth is assumed uniform and the method involves the superposition of diffraction solutions based on linearized shallow water wave theory obtained by a two-dimensional boundary integral approach. The incident wave conditions are specified using a discrete form of the Mitsuyasu directional spectrum. The present numerical model has been validated through comparisons with previous theoretical results for regular waves. Good agreement was obtained in all cases. Based on these comparisons it is concluded that the present numerical model is an accurate and efficient tool to predict the wave field around multiple submarine pits and navigation channels in many practical situations.