Relationship between radar reflectivity and the time scale of warm rain formation in a global cloud-resolving model

The connections between radar reflectivity and the time scale of warm rain formation are examined within a global cloud-resolving model. The parameterizations formulae of auto-conversion and accretion processes in the model reveal specific relationships between the time scale for auto-conversion and radar reflectivity of cloud water as well as between the time scale for accretion and radar reflectivity of rain water. The overall time scale for warm rain formation, determined by combined contributions from these processes, is found to relate with total radar reflectivity in the manner that varies with cloud-rain composition between auto-conversion and accretion limits. The global statistics from the model output reveals that the time scale is closely related with the total radar reflectivity, thus suggesting that the radar reflectivity is a gross measure of the warm rain time scale. The relationship developed is applied to both model-simulated and CloudSat-observed radar reflectivities to compare the time scales of warm rain formation between observation and the model. Comparison of the time scale so derived reveals significant differences between the model and CloudSat observations. These differences suggest that the simulated cloud-rain composition in the model is biased toward larger rain water contents and smaller content of cloud water compared to reality due to an accelerated cloud-to-rain water conversion in the model.     

Laboratory detection of a new interstellar free radical CH2CN(2B1)

An asymmetric-top free radical CH2CN, which as a 2B1 ground state, was detected for the first time by laboratory microwave spectroscopy. The radical was produced in a free-space absorption cell by a DC glow discharge in pure CH3CN gas. About 60 fine-structure components were observed for the N = 11-10 to 14-13 a-type rotational transitions in the frequency region of 220-260 GHz, and many hyperfine resolved components for the N = 4-3 and 5-4 transitions in the 80 and 100 GHz regions, respectively. The molecular constants, including the rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, and spin-rotation coupling constants with centrifugal distortion correction terms were determined from the fine-structure resolved transitions, and the hyperfine coupling constants due to the hydrogen and nitrogen nuclei were obtained from the low-N transitions. As a result we assigned U100602 and U80484 from Sgr B2, and U40240 and U20120 from TMC-1, to the N = 5-4, 4-3, 2-1, and 1-0 transitions with K-1 = 0 of the CH2CN radical.     

Diverse Range of Mineralization Induced by Phase Separation of Hydrothermal Fluid: Case Study of the Yonaguni Knoll IV Hydrothermal Field in the Okinawa Trough Back-Arc Basin

The Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal vent field (24°51′N, 122°42′E) is located at water depths of 1370–1385 m near the western edge of the southern Okinawa Trough. During the YK03–05 and YK04–05 expeditions using the submersible Shinkai 6500, both hydrothermal precipitates (sulfide/sulfate/carbonate) and high temperature fluids (Tmax = 328°C) presently venting from chimney‐mound structures were extensively sampled. The collected venting fluids had a wide range of chemistry (Cl concentration 376–635 mmol kg^?1), which is considered as evidence for sub‐seafloor phase separation. While the Cl‐enriched smoky black fluids were venting from two adjacent chimney‐mound structures in the hydrothermal center, the clear transparent fluids sometimes containing CO₂ droplet were found in the peripheral area of the field. This distribution pattern could be explained by migration of the vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid within a porous sediment layer after the sub‐seafloor phase separation. The collected hydrothermal precipitates demonstrated a diverse range of mineralization, which can be classified into five groups: (i) anhydrite‐rich chimneys, immature precipitates including sulfide disseminations in anhydrite; (ii) massive Zn‐Pb‐Cu sulfides, consisting of sphalerite, wurtzite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and marcasite; (iii) Ba‐As chimneys, composed of barite with sulfide disseminations, sometimes associated with realgar and orpiment overgrowth; (iv) Mn‐rich chimneys, consisting of carbonates (calcite and magnesite) and sulfides (sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, alabandite, and minor amount of tennantite and enargite); and (v) pavement, silicified sediment including abundant native sulfur or barite. Sulfide/sulfate mineralization (groups i–iii) was found in the chimney–mound structure associated with vapor‐loss (Cl‐enriched) fluid venting. In contrast, the sulfide/carbonate mineralization (group iv) was specifically found in the chimneys where vapor‐rich (Cl‐depleted) fluid venting is expected, and the pavement (group v) was associated with diffusive venting from the seafloor sediment. This correspondence strongly suggests that the subseafloor phase separation plays an important role in the diverse range of mineralization in the Yonaguni IV field. The observed sulfide mineral assemblage was consistent with the sulfur fugacity calculated from the FeS content in sphalerite/wurtzite and the fluid temperature for each site, which suggests that the shift of the sulfur fugacity due to participation of volatile species during phase separation is an important factor to induce diverse mineralization. In contrast, carbonate mineralization is attributed to the significant mixing of vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid and seawater. A submarine hydrothermal system within a back‐arc basin in the continental margin may be considered as developed in a geologic setting favorable to a diverse range of mineralization, where relatively shallow water depth induces sub‐seafloor phase separation of hydrothermal fluid, and sediment accumulation could enhance migration of the vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid.     

Boron cycling by subducted lithosphere; insights from diamondiferous tourmaline from the Kokchetav ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt

Subduction of lithosphere, involving surficial materials, into the deep mantle is fundamental to the chemical evolution of the Earth. However, the chemical evolution of the lithosphere during subduction to depth remains equivocal. In order to identify materials subjected to geological processes near the surface and at depths in subduction zones, we examined B and Li isotopes behavior in a unique diamondiferous, K-rich tourmaline (K-tourmaline) from the Kokchetav ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt. The K-tourmaline, which includes microdiamonds in its core, is enriched in ¹¹B relative to ¹⁰B (δ¹¹B = −1.2 to +7.7) and ⁷Li relative to ⁶Li (δ⁷Li = −1.1 to +3.1). It is suggested that the K-tourmaline crystallized at high-pressure in the diamond stability field from a silicate melt generated at high-pressure and temperature conditions of the Kokchetav peak metamorphism. The heavy isotope signature of this K-tourmaline differs from that of ordinary Na-tourmalines in crustal rocks, enriched in the light B isotope (δ¹¹B = −16.6 to −2.3), which experienced isotope fractionation through metamorphic dehydration reactions. A possible source of the heavy B-isotope signature is serpentine in the subducted lithospheric mantle. Serpentinization of the lithospheric mantle, with enrichment of heavy B-isotope, can be produced by normal faulting at trench-outer rise or trench slope regions, followed by penetration of seawater into the lithospheric mantle. Serpentine breakdown in the lithospheric mantle subducted in subarc regions likely provided fluids with the heavy B-isotope signature, which was acquired during the serpentinization prior to subduction. The fluids could ascend and cause partial melting of the overlying crustal layer, and the resultant silicate melt could inherit the heavy B-isotope signature. The subducting lithospheric mantle is a key repository for modeling the flux of fluids and associated elements acquired at a near the surface into the deep mantle.     

Estimated respiration rate of myctophid fish from the enzyme activity of the electron-transport-system

Whole animal respiration rates (R) of myctophid fishes which migrate up to the surface at night were estimated using enzyme activities of the electron-transport-system (ETS). The fish, currently unsusceptible to laboratory experimentation, were caught at sea and stored frozen at –20°C for 14–17 days prior to enzyme assay. Supplemental tests on two tropical marine fishes (gobies and poma-centrids) showed no measurable loss of ETS activity during storage for up to 36 d at –20°C. The ETS/R ratio for gobies and pomacentrids was 1.61. Respiration rates of myctophid fishes estimated using this ETS/R ratio ranged from 17.7 to 453µl O₂ individual^–1 hr^–1 for specimens weighing 26–1101 mg wet weight atin situ temperature of 24–27°C. The relationship between the respiration rate standardized to a temperature of 20°C (R:µl O₂ individual^–1hr^–1) and wet weight (WW: mg) of myctophid fishes was expressed asR=0.790 WW^0.84 (r=0.964,n=27). This relationship does not differ appreciably from the respiration rates of other marine fishes calculated from Winberg's equation.     

The Optical Characteristics of the Water in the Three Oceans Part—IV

An attempt to the approximate figures of seasonal distribution of solar energy reached to and penetrated in the water of the oceans, as a preliminary step to the estimation of primary production in the oceans from the optical point, was performed in the Indian Ocean, North Pacific Ocean and Antarctic Ocean on the same lines in the part III. In consequence, the total amount of solar energy for the year in each depth showed marked differences in each zone of the oceans as illustrated in Fig. 5. By way of example, it could be said that underwater solar energy already came to 33.4 Kg·cal/cm²·year in 10 m deep in the equator of Indian Ocean and was 54% of that, in the Kuroshio region of the North Pacific Ocean, 44% in the Sub-Antarctic zone, 13% in the Antarctic zone and 6% in the Antarctic Convergence zone, respectively. Besides, on the assumption that a lower limit of the photic zone is marked by the depth here underwater surface solar energy is reduced to 1% or 5g·cal/cm²·day, the ratio of the total photic zone for the year in unit area of sea surface was approximately 100∶80∶60∶25 or 100∶75∶50∶20 in the equator of the Indian Ocean, Kuroshio region, Sub-Antarctic zone, and Antarctic and Antarctic Convergence zones, respectively.     

Seasonal Changes in Nano/Micro-Zooplankton Herbivory and Heterotrophic Nano-Flagellates Bacterivory off Cape Esan, Southwestern Hokkaido, Japan

Seasonal changes in nano/micro-zooplankton grazing on pico-, nano- and micro-size phytoplankton and heterotrophic nano-flagellates (HNF) feeding on heterotrophic bacteria were quantified by the dilution technique in the surface layer off Cape Esan, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan. Pico- and nano-size phytoplankton were major components throughout the year except in spring when a diatom bloom was observed. Although there was little seasonal variation in bacteria and HNF biomass throughout the year, the micro-zooplankton biomass varied appreciably with a peak in spring. Nano/micro-zooplankton grazing or feeding on pico-size chl-a and bacteria were well balanced throughout the year. However, nano-size and micro-size chl-a growth were much greater than grazing in summer. Nano/micro-zooplankton ingestion of phytoplankton was greater than their ingestion of bacteria almost throughout the year, which suggests phytoplankton are more important as food sources of nano/micro-zooplankton in microbial food webs off Cape Esan than bacteria off Cape Esan. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Algal Growth Potential and the limiting nutrient in Mikawa Bay

The Algal Growth Potential (AGP) of water samples collected off Gamagori in Mikawa Bay was measured from May 1978 through February 1979, and the limiting nutrient was determined using regression analysis and enrichment bioassays. The surface and bottom water samples had AGP that produced increments of chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 2.1 mg l^–1 and 3.1 mg l^–1, respectively, on average. These values ofCOD correspond to 46% and 97% of the average COD values of the raw water samples at the surface and bottom, respectively. Seasonal changes of AGP showed a close correlation with those of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentration. Enrichment bioassays showed that DIN was the most deficient nutrient. The DIN:phosphate-phosphorus (PO₄ ^3–-P) ratios and DIN: dissolved phosphorus (DP) ratios in the water samples were below the cellular N:P ratios of the natural algal populations. These results suggest that AGP was mainly limited by DIN concentration.