Sedimentation of terrigenous red soils in coastal area adjacent to an estuary and coral reefs,the Okkubi River estuary,Okinawa Island,Japan

Sedimentation process of fine-grained terrigenous red soils was observed on the seafloor by coral reefs near an estuary using a paired mooring of turbidity meter and sediment trap or a mooring of sediment trap and current meter. Silty clays contained in the bottom calcareous sands were mainly resuspended and trapped in both surface and bottom layer traps, at noncatastrophic normal sedimentation periods. In addition, silty clays were supplied to this mooring site by inflowing river. Turbidity and the flux rate determined by sediment traps show certain relationship accompanied with the coefficient, which is changed by precipitation, current, and other conditions. Resuspension process caused by a typhoon was recorded as both core sequence of sediment trap and time-series data of bottom current. Maximum velocity of 49.5 cm/s was recorded from bottom currents resulting from the passing of attyphoon at the mooring site. A graded sand layer is interbedded in dark-gray, silty clay and considered to be a resuspended sediment resulting from the passing of the typhoon. Flux of the resuspended sediments by the typhoon was estimated from this core sequence and compared to the flux observed at the normal sedimentation.     

Clinopyroxene on the join CaMgSi2O6-CaFe3+AlSiO6-CaTiAl2O6 at low oxygen fugacity

Subsolidus phase relations on the join CaMgSi₂O₆-CaFe³⁺ AlSiO₆-CaTiAl₂O₆ were studied by the ordinary quenching method at \(f_{O_2 } = 10^{ - 11} \) atm and 1,100°C. Crystalline phases encountered are clinopyroxene_ss (ss:solid solution) (Cpx_ss), melilite (Mel), perovskite (Pv), spinel_ss (Sp_ss), magnetite_ss (Mt_ss) and anorthite (An). There is no Cpx_ss single phase field, and the following assemblages were found; Cpx_ss+Mel, Cpx_ss+Mel+Sp_ss, Cpx_ss+Mel+Pv, Cpx_ss+Mel+Sp_ss+Pv, Cpx_ss+Pv+Sp_ss+An, Sp_ss+Pv+Mel+An+Cpx_ss, Mel+Mt_ss+An+Sp_ss+Cpx_ss+liquid and Mel+Mt_ss+An+Sp_ss+Cpx_ss+Pv. Mössbauer spectral study revealed that Cpx_ss contains both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the octahedral site, and it was confirmed that the CaFe³⁺ AlSiO₆ content in the Cpx_ss at low \(f_{O_2 } \) is considerably less than that in the Cpx_ss crystallized in air, whereas the CaFe²⁺Si₂O₆ component increases. The maximum solubility of CaTlAl₂O₆ component in the Cpx_ss at low \(f_{O_2 } \) is higher than that in air. The decrease of CaFe³⁺ AlSiO₆ in the Cpx_ss at low \(f_{O_2 } \) may cause increase of CaTial₂O₆ in the Cpx_ss.     

Ore and Skarn Mineralogy of the Yamato Mine,Yamaguchi Prefecture,Japan, with Emphasis on Silver‐, Bismuth‐, Cobalt‐, and Tin‐bearing Sulfides

Assemblages and chemical compositions of ore minerals from the Yamato mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, were investigated in detail to clarify its characteristics as a skarn deposit. Special attention was paid to silver‐, bismuth‐, cobalt‐, and tin‐bearing sulfide minerals and native gold at the mine, which are described here for the first time. Samples of arsenopyrite‐dominant massive ore, and garnet‐rich, clinopyroxene‐garnet‐rich, and wollastonite‐bearing skarn ores were collected from the mine dump. Arsenopyrite is the most abundant ore mineral (>80 vol.%) in the massive ore, in association with both As‐poor/free and As‐bearing pyrite. The major ore minerals in the skarn specimens are pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite, along with minor argentite, Ag‐Pb‐Bi sulfate, matildite, bismuthinite, native bismuth, molybdenite, scheelite, stannite, stannoidite, cassiterite, cobaltite, gersdorffite, and Co‐rich violarite. In addition, native gold is observed in the interstices of gangue minerals. Based on the mineral assemblages and textures of the specimens examined, the major ore minerals formed in the early stage of mineralization, and the Bi‐, Ag‐, Co‐, Ni‐, As‐ and Sn‐mineralization occurred in the middle stage. Native gold was deposited in the late stage. The estimated formation temperature of the middle mineralization stage was 312±5 °C, according to iron and zinc partitioning between stannite and coexisting sphalerite. The mineralogical properties and mineralization process of the Yamato mine are consistent with those of common skarn‐ and vein‐type ore deposits associated with ilmenite‐series granitoids in the San‐yo and San‐in districts.     

Stage-V copepodites of Calanus sinicus and Calanus jashnovi (Copepoda: Calanoida) in mesopelagic zone of Sagami Bay as identified with genetic markers, with special reference to their vertical distribution

We applied genetic makers to identify Calanus species occurring in Sagami Bay, Japan, in order to investigate their vertical distribution in the upper 1000 m. First, interspecific genetic distances of three gene loci, mitochondrial small ribosomal RNA (srRNA), nuclear internal transcribed spacers 1 (ITS1) and 2 (ITS2), were estimated from morphologically distinguishable adult females of Calanus sinicus, Calanus jashnovi and Calanus pacificus that were collected from Sagami Bay, the Kuroshio Extension and the Oyashio region, respectively. The highest levels of interspecific genetic distance were observed in srRNA, followed by ITS1 and ITS2. The intraspecific genetic distances within C. sinicus were much lower than the interspecific genetic distances, indicating that DNA sequences in these loci are consistent with the morphological differences. This information was used as a criterion for species identification based on DNA sequence variation, and allowed us to identify the fifth copepodites (CVs) or younger stages of these species. Next, the vertical distribution of Calanus species was investigated in Sagami Bay in May 2006, on the basis of a stratified sampling in the upper 1000 m. By applying the genetic markers, 23 individuals comprising all copepodite stages were allocated into either C. sinicus or C. jashnovi, and the small- and large-sized CVs were identified as C. sinicus and C. jashnovi, respectively. The total abundance of C. sinicus was highest at 0-50 m and decreased with depth. On the contrary, CV individuals of C. sinicus were abundant not only in 0-50 m but also below 200 m with minimum occurrences in 150-200 m depth. C. jashnovi was much less abundant than C. sinicus and comprised of only CIV and CV which occurred in the upper 100 m and deeper than 50 m depths, respectively. The abundance of C. sinicus in the 1000-m water column of Sagami Bay was at a level comparable to that in shelf waters, suggesting the importance of off-shelf individuals in the biological production and organic transport in the respective areas.     

Melting relationships in the system Fe-Feo at high pressures: Implications for the composition and formation of the earth's core

A reconnaissance investigation has been carried out on melting relationships in the system Fe-FeO at pressures up to 25 GPa and temperatures up to 2200° C using an MA-8 apparatus. Limited studies were also made of the Co-CoO and Ni-NiO systems. In the system FeFeO, the rapid exsolution of FeO from liquids during quenching causes some difficulties in interpretation of textures and phase relationships. The Co-CoO and Ni-NiO systems are more tractable experimentally and provide useful analogues to the Fe-FeO system. It was found that the broad field of liquid immiscibility present at ambient pressure in the Co-CoO system had disappeared at 18 GPa, 2200° C and that the system displayed complete miscibility between molten Co and CoO, analogous to the behaviour of the Ni-NiO system at ambient pressure. The phase diagram of the system Fe-FeO at 16 GPa and from 1600–2200° C was constructed from interpretations based on the textures of quenched run products. The solubility of FeO in molten iron is considerably enhanced by high pressures. At 16 GPa, the Fe-FeO eutectic contains about 10–15 mol percent FeO and the eutectic temperature in this iron-rich region of the system occurs at 1700±25° C, some 350° C below the melting point of pure iron at the same pressure. The solubility of FeO in molten Fe increases rapidly as temperature increases from 1700 to 2200° C. A relatively small liquid immiscibility field is present above 1900° C but is believed to be eliminated above 2200° C. This inference is supported by thermodynamic calculations on the positions of key phase boundaries. A single run carried out on an Fe₅₀ FeO₅₀ composition at 25 GPa and 2200° C demonstrated extensive and probably complete miscibility between Fe and FeO liquids under these conditions. The melting point of iron is decreased considerably by solution of FeO at high pressures; moreover, the melting point gradient (dP/dT) of the Fe-FeO eutectic is much smaller than that of pure iron and is also smaller than that of mantle pyrolite under the P, T conditions studied. These characteristics make it possible for melting of metal phase and segregation of the core to proceed within the Earth under conditions where most of the mantle remains below solidus temperatures. Under these conditions, the core would inevitably contain a large proportion of dissolved FeO. It is concluded therefore, that oxygen is likely to be the principal light element in the core. The inner core may not be composed of pure iron, as often proposed. Instead, it may consist of a crystalline oxide solid solution (Ni, Fe)₂O.     

The distribution of Fe3+ and Ga3+ between two tetrahedral sites in melilites,Ca2(Mg,Fe3+, Ga,Si)3O7

The distribution of Fe³⁺ and Ga³⁺ between the two tetrahedral sites in three synthetic melilites has been studied by using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. In the melilite, (Ca₂Ga₂SiO₇)₅₀ (Ca₂Fe³⁺GaSiO₇)₅₀ (mol %), the distribution of Fe³⁺ and Ga³⁺ in T1 and T2 sites is apparently random, which can be explained in terms of the electrostatic valence rule. However in the melilites, (Ca₂MgSi₂O₇)₅₂ (Ca₂Fe³⁺GaSiO₇)₄₂ (Ca₂Ga₂SiO₇)₆ and (Ca₂MgSi₂O₇)₆₂ (Ca₂Fe³⁺GaSiO₇)₃₆ (Ca₂Ga₂SiO₇)₂ (mol %), Fe³⁺ shows preference for the more ionic T1 site and Ga³⁺ for the more covalent T2 site. If the electronegativity of Ga³⁺ is assumed to be larger than that of Fe³⁺, the mode of distribution of Fe³⁺ and Ga³⁺ can be explained in terms of our previous hypothesis that a large electronegativity induces a stronger preference for the more covalent T2 site.     

The use of sintered diamond anvils in the MA8 type high-pressure apparatus

A new multi-anvil type high-presure apparatus has been developed using sintered diamond anvils to generate pressures over 30 GPa and temperatures up to about 2000°C. A maximum sample volume of about 1 mm³ is available in this system. The pressure was confirmed by dissociation of forsterite into Mg-perovskite and periclase. The basic techniques and problems in utilizing sintered diamond in the MA8 type high-pressure apparatus are discussed with an emphasis on the future prospect of incorporating simultancous X-ray diffraction observation.     

The bearing of the system CaMgSi2O6CaAl2SiO6CaFeAlSiO6 on fassaitic pyroxene

The system CaMgSi₂O₆CaAl₂SiO₆CaFeAlSiO₆ has been studied in air at 1 atm. The phase assemblage at subsolidus temperatures in the CaMgSi₂O₆-rich portion is Cpx + An + Mel and that in the CaMgSi₂O₆-poor portion Cpx + An + Mel + Sp. At subsolidus temperatures the sigle-phase field of clinopyroxene increases with an increase in the CaFeAlSiO₆ component of the system. The Al₂O₃ content of clinopyroxene, however, continues to increase beyond the single-phase field and attains at least 16.04 wt.% Al₂O₃ with 3.9 wt.% Fe₂O₃. The stability field of fassaite in the system over a range of pressures and oxygen fugacities has been estimated from data in the literature as well as the present data. The CaFeAlSiO₆ content of fassaite is dependent on oxygen fugacity, but is not influenced by pressure. The stability field is strongly influenced by oxygen fugacity at low and high pressure, and decreases with decreasing oxygen fugacity. Clinopyroxenes in both volcanic and metamorphic rocks from various localities, when plotted on the CaMgSi₂O₆CaAl₂SiO₆CaFeAlSiO₆ triangle, show that there is no compositional gap between diopside and fassaitic pyroxene in metamorphic rocks, and that the fassaitic pyroxene in alkalic rocks becomes richer in both CaAl₂SiO₆ and CaFeAlSiO₅ components as crystallization proceeds. These results agree with those obtained in the experimental study.     

Ag-rich Tetrahedrite in the El Zancudo Deposit,Colombia: Occurrence,Chemical Compositions and Genetic Temperatures

Chemical compositions of tetrahedrite—Ag-rich tetrahedrite—freibergite solid solutions (Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss) and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in quartz and carbonates of seventeen samples from nine veins in the El Zancudo deposit, Antioquia, Colombia, were investigated to reveal the origin of silver in Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss, to derive their crystallization temperatures and to examine the relationship between chemical compositions of Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss and their crystallization temperatures. The ores consist of arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss, galena, boulangerite, andorite, owyheeite, diaphorite, jamesonite, miargyrite, bournonite, chalcopyrite, and electrum. Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss forms about 10 volume % of the total ores and is one of the most common and widely distributed sulfosalts in this deposit. Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss is rich in Ag (1.13 to 31.02 wt%) and Sb (22.93 to 29.82 wt%), and poor in As (0.06 to 2.43 wt%), consistent with the reported incompatibilities of Ag and As in Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss. The Zn/(Zn + Fe)-, Ag/(Ag + Cu)- and Sb/(Sb + As + Bi)-atomic ratios exhibit some variations among the veins. Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss with higher Ag/(Ag + Cu) ratios coexist with diaphorite, whereas those with lower ratios are not associated with this sulfosalt. Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss in the assemblages of Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss+ sphalerite and of Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss+ bournonite + galena shows no Zn ↔ Fe and Cu ↔ Ag variations between core and rim, respectively, negating the possibility of solid state reaction during cooling. Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss is thus regarded as primary phase. Homogenization temperatures of primary fluid inclusions in quartz and carbonates co-existing with Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss define the mineralization temperatures of 134 to 263°C. Independent crystallization temperatures of Ag-rich tetrahedrite estimated based on Zn/(Zn + Fe) and Ag/(Ag + Cu) ratios of the Ag-rich tetrahedrite_ss associated with silver minerals such as miargyrite, andorite and diaphorite using Sack's thermochemical database lie in a range between 170 and ∼250°C. Both results are thus in good agreement.