Crystal bending,subgrain boundary development,and recrystallization in orthopyroxene during granulite-facies deformation

A prominent feature of a granulite-facies shear zone from the Hidaka Main Zone (Japan) is the folding of orthopyroxene (opx) porphyroclasts. Dislocation density estimated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and chemical etching in homogeneously folded domains is too low to account for the amplitude of crystallographic bending, leading us to propose a model similar to “flexural slip” folding, where folded layers are micrometer-wide opx layers between thin planar clinopyroxene (cpx) exsolutions. Extension (compression) in the extrados (intrados) of the folded layer is accommodated by dislocations at the cpx–opx interfaces. Alternatively to distributed deformation, crystal bending also localizes in grain boundaries (GBs), mostly oriented close to the (001) plane and with various misorientation angles but misorientation axes consistently close to the b-axis. For misorientation up to a few degrees, GBs were imaged as tilt walls composed of regularly spaced (100)[001] dislocations. For misorientation angles of 7°, individual dislocations are no longer visible, but high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) observation showed the partial continuity of opx tetrahedral chains through the boundary. For 21° misorientation, the two adjacent crystals are completely separated by an incoherent boundary. In spite of these atomic-scale variations, all GBs share orientation and rotation axis, suggesting a continuous process of misorientation by symmetric incorporation of (100)[001] dislocations. In addition to the dominant GBs perpendicular to the (100) plane, boundaries at low angle with (100) planes are also present, incorporating dislocations with a component of Burgers vector along the a-axis. The two kinds of boundaries combine to delimit subgrains, which progressively rotate with respect to host grains around the b-axis, eventually leading to recrystallization of large porphyroclasts.     

Performance of dry-separation processes in the recovery of cenospheres from fly ash and their implementation in a recovery unit

Cenospheres recovery is one of the coal fly ash beneficiations, providing economic as well as environmental benefits. Current techniques, such as lagoon or other wet-separation processes, consume large amounts of water and add to water pollution due to leaching of toxic materials from fly ash. The other possible disadvantage is the need for a wide operational area, which is unsuitable for densely populated countries. As wet-separation processes have some disadvantages, an improved and/or sustainable alternative recovery technique is required. An air classifier is one of the alternative techniques. In this study, two types of air classifiers, namely a closed-type pneumatic separator and a micron separator, have been investigated. In terms of separation efficiency, it was found that the micron separator has the potential to be applied in cenospheres recovery from coal fly ash, giving a Newton's efficiency of 0.44, as compared to a value of about 0.26 for the closed-type pneumatic separator. The cenospheres recoveries of both pieces of equipment at their optimum Newton's efficiencies were similar at over 60 wt.%. The separation performance was further assessed from the particle distributions of the overflow and underflow products obtained from both pieces of equipment, as well as from SEM images. It was found that the lower Newton's efficiency of the closed-type pneumatic separator was due to the re-concentration of fine particles in the underflow product at air-flow rates higher than 2.2 m/s (the underflow product yield was about 55 wt.%).In order to further confirm the applicability of this technique, the micron separator, which had provided higher separation efficiency and cenospheres recovery, was deployed in a cenospheres recovery unit prior to the use of a wet-separation process (float and sink tank). About 80% of the cenospheres was recovered, with an 87.8% reduction in the total mass of fly ash to be separated in the float and sink tank. Consequently, much less water was needed for the process of cenospheres recovery. Moreover, it was also confirmed that the micron separator could yield higher quality fly ashes, that is, fly ash types I and II, from lower feed quality of fly ash type IV, which is the lowest category in commercial classification of fly ash according to JIS A6201.     

Structural-stratigraphic control on the Umitaka Spur gas hydrates of Joetsu Basin in the eastern margin of Japan Sea

Integrated geological, geochemical, and geophysical exploration since 2004 has identified massive accumulation of gas hydrate associated with active methane seeps on the Umitaka Spur, located in the Joetsu Basin on the eastern margin of Japan Sea. Umitaka Spur is an asymmetric anticline formed along an incipient subduction zone that extends throughout the western side of the Japanese island-arc system. Seismic surveys recognized chimney structures that seem strongly controlled by a complex anticlinal axial fault system, and exhibit high seismic amplitudes with apparent pull-up structures, probably due to massive and dense accumulation of gas hydrate. Bottom simulating reflectors are widely developed, in particular within gas chimneys and in the gently dipping eastern flank of the anticline, where debris can store gas hydrates that may represent a potential natural gas resource. The axial fault system, the shape of the anticline, and the carrier beds induce thermogenic gas migration to the top of the structure, and supply gas to the gas hydrate stability zone. Gas reaching the seafloor produces strong seepages and giant plumes in the sea water column.     

Occurrence and exploration of gas hydrate in the marginal seas and continental margin of the Asia and Oceania region

Supplies of conventional natural gas and oil are declining fast worldwide, and therefore new, unconventional forms of energy resources are needed to meet the ever-increasing demand. Amongst the many different unconventional natural resources are gas hydrates, a solid, ice-like crystalline compound of methane and water formed under specific low temperature and high pressure conditions. Gas hydrates are believed to exist in large quantities worldwide in oceanic regions of continental margins, as well as associated with permafrost regions in the Arctic. Some studies to estimate the global abundance of gas hydrate suggest that the total volume of natural gas locked up in form of gas hydrates may exceed all known conventional natural gas reserves, although large uncertainties exist in these assessments. Gas hydrates have been intensively studied in the last two decades also due to connections between climate forcing (natural and/or anthropogenic) and the potential large volumes of methane trapped in gas hydrate accumulations. The presence of gas hydrate within unconsolidated sediments of the upper few hundred meters below seafloor may also pose a geo-hazard to conventional oil and gas production. Additionally, climate variability and associated changes in pressure-temperature regimes and thus shifts in the gas hydrate stability zone may cause the occurrence of submarine slope failures.Several large-scale national gas hydrate programs exist especially in countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and New Zealand, where large demands of energy cannot be met by domestic supplies from natural resources. The past five years have seen several dedicated deep drilling expeditions and other scientific studies conducted throughout Asia and Oceania to understand gas hydrates off India, China, and Korea. This thematic set of publications is dedicated to summarize the most recent findings and results of geo-scientific studies of gas hydrates in the marginal seas and continental margin of the Asia, and Oceania region.     

Phytoplankton productivity in the western subarctic gyre of the North Pacific in early summer 2006

We deployed a profiling buoy system incorporating a fast repetition rate fluorometer in the western subarctic Pacific and carried out time-series observations of phytoplankton productivity from 9 June to 15 July 2006. The chlorophyll a (Chl a) biomass integrated over the euphotic layer was as high as 45–50 mg Chl a m⁻² in the middle of June and remained in the 30–40 mg Chl a m⁻² range during the rest of observation period; day-to-day variation in Chl a biomass was relatively small. The daily net primary productivity integrated over the euphotic layer ranged from 144 to 919 mg C m⁻² day⁻¹ and varied greatly, depending more on insolation rather than Chl a biomass. In addition, we found that part of primary production was exported to a 150-m depth within 2 days, indicating that the variations in primary productivity quickly influenced the organic carbon flux from the upper ocean. Our results suggest that the short-term variability in primary productivity is one of the key factors controlling the carbon cycle in the surface ocean in the western subarctic Pacific.     

Recent hydrological and geochemical research for earthquake prediction in Japan

Hydrological and geochemical studies for earthquake prediction in Japan during the last two decades are reviewed. Following the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu (Kobe) earthquake, the central approach to research on earthquake prediction was modified. Instead of precursory detection, emphasis was placed on understanding the entire earthquake cycle. Moreover, the prediction program for the anticipated Tokai earthquake was revised in 2003 to include the detection of preslip-related precursors. These changes included the promotion of the following hydrological and geochemical studies for earthquake prediction: (1) development and/or application of statistical methods to extract small fluctuations from hydrological/geochemical data, (2) evaluation of the detectability of preslip-related anomalies in terms of groundwater levels in wells in the Tokai region, and (3) establishment of a new groundwater and borehole strain observation network for Nankai and Tonankai earthquake prediction research. The following basic geochemical studies were carried out: (1) development of a new monitoring system using a quadrupole mass spectrometer, (2) experimental studies on hydrogen generation by the grinding of rock and crystal powders, (3) comprehensive monitoring of groundwater gas and precise crustal deformation, and (4) mantle-derivative helium observation to compare with seismic velocity structures and the distribution of non-volcanic tremors. Moreover, hydrological and geochemical investigations related to the evolution of fault zones were introduced within the framework of fault zone drilling projects.     

Carbon and oxygen isotope chemostratigraphies of the Yangtze platform,South China: Decoding temperature and environmental changes through the Ediacaran

Multicellular animals first appeared on the earth during the Ediacaran period. However, the relationship between the abrupt biological evolution and environmental changes is still ambiguous. In order to examine seawater temperature and the carbon cycle through the Ediacaran, we analyzed the carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of carbonate rocks from drill cores from the Three Gorges area, South China. Importantly, the core samples include the Nantuo tillite, corresponding to the Marinoan glaciation, through the Doushantuo to the lower Dengying Fms. in ascending order.The δ¹³C profile displays five positive and five negative anomalies (PI-1 to 5 and NI-1 to 5), and the oxygen isotopes display very high absolute values around 0‰ with the highest at + 1.83‰. The combined δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C chemostratigraphies display both positive and negative correlations between the δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values. The occurrence of the negative correlations supports the preservation of primary δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values.The sample NI-4 has a negative correlation of the δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C excursions. The correlation supports a primary signature for both δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C variations. The positive δ¹⁸O excursion, accompanied by evidence of a eustatic sea-level fall, provides direct evidence for global cooling in the mid-Ediacaran; the 580 Ma Gaskiers Glaciation is a potential candidate for this global cooling event. The negative δ¹³C excursion was possibly caused by an increase in remineralization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) due to enhanced continental weathering during the glaciation.Sample NI-5 is characterized by very low δ¹³C values, down to ? 10‰, corresponding to the Shuram-Wonoka-Pertatataka Excursion. The cause of the δ¹³C negative excursion is still not clear. However, a ubiquitous occurrence in excursions worldwide, and the lower δ¹³C values in deeper sections favor the enhancement of remineralization and respiration rather than secondary alteration, a restricted sea environment and lithification in coastal areas.     

Three-Dimensional Subsurface Structure Model of Kansai International Airport by Integration of Borehole Data and Seismic Profiles

The three-dimensional subsurface structure model around Kansai International Airport (KIX) has been developed based on the geologically and geotechnically investigated results of a large amount of borehole data for estimation of subsidence. The model consists of the alternation of marine clay and coarse deposits. The many seismic surveys and borehole drillings were carried out around the KIX before the constructing the airport. The stratigraphy of the model was renewed by the KIX18-1, which was about 1,300 m long drilling core and was drilled near the 2nd runway of the KIX from 2006 to 2007. In this study, the subsurface geological model was revised by integration of renewed borehole data and seismic profiles to incorporate complex warping structure and heterogenic lateral variation.     

Secondary remanent magnetization carried by magnetite inclusions in silicates: a comparative study of unremagnetized and remagnetized granites

Magnetic carriers in remagnetized Cretaceous granitic rocks of northeast Japan were studied using paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) by comparison with unremagnetized granitic rocks. The natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of the remagnetized rocks is strong (0.3–1.7 A/m) and shows a northwesterly direction with moderate inclination (NW remanence), whereas the unremagnetized rocks preserve weak NRM (<0.5 A/m) with westerly and shallow direction (W remanence). Although thermal demagnetization shows that both NRMs are carried by magnetite, the remagnetized rocks reveal a higher coercivity with respect to alternating field demagnetization (20 mT相似文献   

真鲷饵料生物褶皱臂尾轮虫和眼点拟微绿藻的大量培养

于1992～1994年 ,在中国水科院黄海水产研究所小麦岛试验基地(青岛)进行的“中日合作真鲷增殖放流项目”执行期间 ,对真鲷饵料生物———眼点拟微绿藻 (Nannochloropsisoculata)和L型褶皱臂尾轮虫 (Branchionus plicatilis)进行了大量培养。眼点拟微绿藻的平均接种密度为1211.3×104个/ml,经5～6d的室内或室外露天培养即可达到平均为2341.0×104 个/ml的收获密度 ;采用眼点拟微绿藻和新鲜面包酵母作为混合饵料 ;褶皱臂尾轮虫 (L型 )培养3～4d即可由接种时平均密度148.0个/ml,增长至平均216.8个/ml的采收密度。眼点拟微绿藻和轮虫的日间增殖密度分别是12.8 %和26.6 %。每生产108个褶皱臂尾轮虫需要消耗0.73m3眼点拟微绿藻 (密度为2000×104/ml)和790.8g 鲜面包酵母。采用此法 ,作者连续3a成功地为每年百万尾以上真鲷苗种提供了足够的生物饵料。总结3a苗种培育和生物饵料培养之间的关系 ,作者认为 ,大规模稳定生产海水鱼类苗种时,育苗与饵料生物培养 (褶皱臂尾轮虫和眼点拟微绿藻 )水体的合理比例应为1∶1～1.5∶3。