Vertical transport and residence time of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the open ocean water column

The vertical transport of PCBs and chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides such as DDT compounds and HCH (BHC) isomers in the deep sea are discussed on basis of their vertical profiles and the proportion of their adsorbed and dissolved fractions in surface water surveyed in the Western Pacific, Eastern Indian and Antarctic Oceans.All chlorinated hydrocarbons determined were detected with measurable concentrations throughout the water column, even at depths of several thousand meters. The vertical distributions of PCBs and DDT compounds were found to show small variations in concentration throughout the water column, whereas HCH isomer concentrations decreased systematically with depth. A large portion of DDT compounds in surface water was adsorbed on suspended solids, while most of the HCH isomers were present in the filtered water. The proportion of PCBs adsorbed on suspended solids was smaller than the proportion of DDT compounds, but was much greater than that of HCH isomers. These observations suggest that HCH isomers have been slowly scavenged from the surface to the deeper layers in the water column, while PCBs and DDT compounds have been rapidly and abundantly transported downward by sinking particles.The percentages of chlorinated hydrocarbons adsorbed on suspended solids in surface water increased towards the high latitude locations, and the percentage seemed to be proportional to the concentration of suspended solids in the surface water. This implies that the residence time of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the water column will differ significantly among oceans that differ in primary productivity. According to our estimation based on the data presented in this study, the residence time ofHCH in the euphotic zone, the top 100 m of the water column, is more than 2 years, whereas those of PCBs andDDT are less than 1 year. The longest residence time, of from 5 to 10 years, was obtained forHCH in oligotrophic water of the western North Pacific. The shortest value, only 11 to 19 days, was estimated forDDT in the Antarctic Ocean.     

Partitioning of heavy metals into mineral and organic fractions in a sediment core sample from Osaka Bay

Partitioning of copper, zinc, iron and manganese into oxide, sulfide, organic and silicate fractions has been determined with a selective chemical leaching technique on sediment samples from a core collected in Osaka Bay. The samples have been dated by the²¹⁰Pb method. Most of the copper and zinc in the polluted surface sediment layer are contained in both oxide and sulfide fractions. This suggests that the transformation of oxides and hydroxides to sulfides under anoxic conditions within the sediment is significant for the fixation of copper and zinc discharged through human activities into the sediment. Manganese is apparently enriched in oxide and hydroxide fractions of the surface layer due to the post-depositional migration of manganese within the sediment. The copper, zinc and manganese contents of the 30 % H₂O₂ soluble fraction (mostly organic fraction) decrease with depth in the sediment core, and correlate significantly with the organic carbon content. The heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) contents of the silicate fraction, without exchangeable sites, are almost constant with depth.     

Experimental studies on the possible influences of composition changes of pore water on the stability conditions of methane hydrate in marine sediments

Experiments with a set of electrolyte solutions have been carried out to investigate the effects of pore water composition changes on the stability conditions of methane hydrate in marine sediments. The results reveal that (1) SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻ concentration changes can affect hydrate stability slightly, (2) the changes in both the type and the concentration of cations, which occur in normal diagenetic processes, do not exert a significant influence on the methane hydrate stability conditions, and (3) the shift of hydrate stability in pore water can be expressed as a function of the Cl⁻ concentration only. Based on the results above, an empirical equation ΔT (K)=0.00206 Cl⁻ (mmol/dm³) has been obtained for estimating the shift in the equilibrium temperature of methane hydrate in pore water at a given pressure.     

Nifte: The near infrared faint-object telescope experiment

The high sensitivity of large format InSb arrays can be used to obtain deep images of the sky at 3–5 m. In this spectral range cool or highly redshifted objects (e.g. brown dwarfs and protogalaxies) which are not visible at shorter wavelengths may be observed. Sensitivity at these wavelengths in ground-based observations is severely limited by the thermal flux from the telescope and from the earth's atmosphere. The Near Infrared Faint-Object Telescope Experiment (NIFTE), a 50 cm cooled rocket-borne telescope combined with large format, high performance InSb arrays, can reach a limiting flux < 1 Jy (1) over a large field-of-view in a single flight. In comparison, ISO will require days of observation to reach a sensitivity more than one order of magnitude worse over a similar area of the sky. The deep 3–5 m images obtained by the rocket-borne telescope will assist in determining the nature of faint red objects detected by ground-based telescopes at 2 m, and by ISO at wavelengths longer than 5 m.     

Oblique Whistler-Mode Waves in the Inhomogeneous Magnetospheric Plasma: Resonant Interactions with Energetic Charged Particles

A consistent account is given of the theory of resonant interactions between energetic charged particles and a whistler-mode wave propagating obliquely to the non-uniform geomagnetic field in the inhomogeneous magnetospheric plasma. The basic equations for the wave field and charged particle dynamics are presented, with the emphasis being placed on the parameters governing the problem. A Hamiltonian approach is consistently used in the analysis of the particle equations of motion which are discussed in detail and solved analytically in various cases. Two applications of the theory are considered. First, we calculate the growth (or damping) rate for a whistler-mode wave propagating obliquely to geomagnetic field in the magnetosphere. Secondly, we estimate the proton precipitation into the upper atmosphere induced by a VLF transmitter signal.     

Seasonal variations in coastal debris on Awaji Island, Japan

The subject of our study was Awaji Island, an island located in the west of Japan that is surrounded by sea and that has serious problems relating to coastal debris. We conducted a long-term investigation focusing on three beaches and evaluated the results. The study was designed to develop an understanding of the actual situation, to inform local citizens, and raise their concerns about the problem of debris with a view to taking action against it. We obtained the following results: the amount, type, and ratio of debris changed according to weather and ocean conditions; debris also differs according to geographical conditions; social and economic activities of the surrounding area influence the type of debris encountered. Following this study, we have continued our investigation, and are continuing to gather data. At the same time, it is important to spread our ideas and enlighten people so as to encourage them not to dump debris. We hope that these actions manage to raise the level of consciousness among local citizens and to expand their anti-debris activities.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations and congener composition in masu salmon from Japan: A study of all 209 PCB congeners by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS)

We collected two subspecies of masu salmon: Oncorhynchus masou masou from four localities (southern Sea of Japan northward to Hokkaido) and O. masou ishikawae from upstream from Ise Bay close to a heavy industrial area. All 209 PCB congeners were analyzed using HRGC/HRMS. PCA ordination of congener concentrations divided data into three groups: (i) ssp. masou from Hokkaido, (ii) ssp. masou from the other regions and (iii) ssp. ishikawae. The highest ∑ PCB concentration (40.39 ng/wet wt) was in ssp. ishikawae followed by ssp. masou from southern waters; however the TEQ_{dioxin-like PCBs} was highest in ssp. masou from southern water (1.96 pg-TEQ_{dioxin-like PCBs}/g wet wt.) due to the high proportion of congener #126 in its complement (#126 has the highest toxic equivalency factor among congeners). There is likely a contamination source offshore in the southern Sea of Japan and/or along the migratory route of ssp. masou.     

Kinematic analysis of ultrahigh-pressure–high-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Chaglinka–Kulet area of the Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan

Abstract The central part of the Kokchetav Massif is exposed in the Chaglinka–Kulet area, northern Kazakhstan. The ultrahigh-pressure–high-pressure (UHP–HP) metamorphic belt in this area is composed of four subhorizontal lithological units (Unit I–IV) metamorphosed under different pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions. The coesite- and diamond-bearing Unit II, which consists mainly of whiteschist and eclogite blocks, is tectonically sandwiched between the amphibolite-dominant Unit I on the bottom and the orthogneiss-dominant Unit III on the top. Total combined thickness of these units is less than 2 km. The rocks of the UHP–HP metamorphic belt are affected by at least four deformational events post-dating peak metamorphism: (i) The earliest penetrative deformation is characterized by non-coaxial ductile flow in a NW–SE direction. The shear sense indicators in oriented samples from Unit I provide consistent top-to-the-northwest motions and those from Unit III provide top-to-the-southeast, south or south-west motions; (ii) Upright folds with subhorizontal enveloping surface refold earlier foliations including shear-indicators throughout the metamorphic belt; (iii) The third stage of deformation is denoted by large-scale bending around a subvertical axis; and (iv) Late localized fault (or shear) zones cut all earlier structures. The fault zones have subvertical shear planes and their displacements are essentially strike-slip in manner. The subhorizontal structure and opposite shear directions between Unit I and Unit III during the earlier deformation stage suggest north-westward extrusion of UHP Unit II.     

日本海东缘海洋天然气水合物矿藏之上的甲烷羽状流--地下甲烷运移到浅水的可能机制

在日本海会聚边缘的东侧,第三纪沉积物厚度大、有机质丰富,是日本最好的油气区。2003—2004年,在对该区南部的Naoetsu盆地中的UT-04海岭进行调查时,日本METI和JOG-MEC意外地发现了与气体活动有关的较大的麻坑、浅表层含气沉积物以及充气泥丘。高精度地震调查证实海底之下约170