Observation of pressure-induced phase transition of δ-AlOOH by using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction method

Pressure-induced phase transition of δ-AlOOH was confirmed between 6.1 and 8.2 GPa by using a single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction method. The phase transition is reversible and unquenchable. Results from analysis of the distribution of X-ray diffraction intensities at 8.2 GPa reveal an additional systematic, absence of k + l odd for 0kl in comparison with h + l odd for h0l observed prior to the phase transition (space group, P2₁ nm). The space group of the post-transition phase should be Pnnm or Pnn2 to satisfy the systematic absence rule. Crystal structure refinements of the post-transition phase conducted for the three models (Pnnm, Pnn2, and P2₁ nm) indicate that the space group of the post-transition phase is Pnnm. The O–O distance of hydrogen bond in the post-transition phase at 8.2 GPa is 2.439(6) Å and is significantly longer than the predicted distance (2.366 Å) of the hydrogen bond symmetrization in δ-AlOOH. The H distribution in the post-transition phase would display a fully disordered hydrogen bond pattern.     

Compression behaviors of distorted rutile-type hydrous phases, MOOH (M?=?Ga, In, Cr) and CrOOD

X-ray diffraction measurements of distorted rutile-type oxyhydroxides β-GaOOH, InOOH, β-CrOOH, and β-CrOOD were taken at a maximum pressure of up to 35 GPa under quasi-hydrostatic conditions, at ambient temperature. Anomalies in the evolution of the relative lattice constants and the axial ratios of β-GaOOH, InOOH, and β-CrOOD suggest anisotropic stiffening along the a- and/or b-axes where the hydrogen bond is formed. The changes were observed at 15 GPa in β-GaOOH and InOOH and at 4 GPa in β-CrOOD. The pressures were higher in oxyhydroxides that have longer O…O distances of the hydrogen bond at ambient pressure. In contrast, such stiffening behavior was not observed in CrOOH, which has a significant short O…O distance and strong hydrogen bond. The stiffening behaviors observed in the present study can be attributed to the symmetrization of the hydrogen bonds in oxyhydroxides, as was previously found in δ-AlOOH(D).     

Effects of Mg and Si ions on the symmetry of δ-AlOOH

We conducted powder neutron diffraction for δ-AlOOH samples with and without Mg and Si ions under ambient conditions in order to investigate the long-standing problem of the symmetry of this phase. The observed reflection conditions clearly show that the space group of pure δ-AlOOH is P2₁ nm with ordered hydrogen bonds, whereas that of δ-(Al_0.86Mg_0.07Si_0.07)OOH is Pnnm or Pnn2 with disordered hydrogen bonds. It is more likely that the space group of δ-(Al_0.86Mg_0.07Si_0.07)OOH is Pnnm, because cation or hydrogen ordering that breaks the mirror plane perpendicular to c axis in the Pnnm structure would not occur. The previously reported inconsistency for the space group of this phase was caused by the substitution of Mg and Si ions to Al site, i.e., the disordered cations with different valences may fluctuate hydrogen positions, and the disordered hydrogen causes the symmetry change.     

Size distribution of urban blocks in the Tokyo Metropolitan Region: estimation by urban block density and road width on the basis of normative plane tessellation

The size distribution of urban blocks is important for the characterisation of urban block patterns and is known to follow several parametric statistical distributions. However, it has not previously been analysed on the basis of a normative plane tessellation and in terms of urban block density and mean road width. In this article, we formulate the size distribution of Voronoi cells using the gamma distribution estimated by urban block density and mean road width. We found that (1) both log-normal and gamma distributions can be good candidates for the size distribution of urban blocks at the scale of a region that consists of regular urban blocks and that has a uniform road width; and (2) the size distribution of urban blocks depends on the balance between pattern and width improvement effects. Based on one study region in Tokyo, if the pattern improvement effect is more prominent than the width improvement effect, the mode of urban block sizes tends to be larger than if it is not. These findings are expected to provide scientific support for urban planning (e.g. land readjustment projects).     

High inorganic phosphate concentration in coral mucus and its utilization by heterotrophic bacteria in a Malaysian coral reef

Inorganic nutrient contents of mucus released by Acropora corals and its utilization by heterotrophic bacteria at several different hour intervals in the coral mucus were investigated at a coral reef in Malaysia. The dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) concentration was 135‐fold higher than in the ambient seawater, probably due to inorganic P release from the coral gut cavity. We experimentally confirmed that heterotrophic bacteria rapidly (within 8 h) consumed ca. 80% of the initial concentration of DIP derived from coral mucus. High DIP concentration in coral mucus may enhance heterotrophic bacterial production and associated carbon flow in the microbial loop of reef ecosystems.     

High-West and Low-East Distribution Patterns of Chlorophyll a, Primary Productivity and Diatoms in the Subarctic North Pacific Surface Waters, Midwinter 1996

We have determined chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration, primary productivity, cell density and species composition of diatoms, and the number of microzooplankton at the surface in the subarctic North Pacific in January 1996. The wet weight of copepods obtained by vertical tows from 150 m to the surface was also measured during the cruise. Chla concentration and primary productivity tended to be higher in the region west of 180°, the western subarctic North Pacific (WSNP), than east of 180°, the eastern subarctic North Pacific (ESNP). The same results were observed for the total diatom cell densities and for the genera Thalassiosira and Denticulopsis. Significant linear relationships were observed between the Thalassiosira cell density and Chla concentration and primary productivity, indicating that Thalassiosira contributes to the high-WSNP and low-ESNP distribution patterns of Chla concentration and primary productivity. Moreover, naked ciliate abundance tended to be lower in the WSNP than in the ESNP, whereas copepod biomass showed an inverse trend. Significantly negative Spearman rank correlations were found between the Thalassiosira cell density and the number of naked ciliates and between the number of naked ciliates and the wet weight of copepods. These results indicate that copepod grazing indirectly controls Thalassiosira cell density via predation on the naked ciliates. We conclude that the high copepod biomass in the WSNP is a factor controlling the high-WSNP and low-ESNP Thalassiosira abundance and hence Chla concentration and primary productivity patterns.     

Accumulation features of trace elements in mass-stranded harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the North Sea coast in 2002: the body distribution and association with growth and nutrition status

Body distribution and growth- and nutritional status-dependent accumulation of 21 trace elements were investigated in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) stranded in the North Sea coast in 2002. Higher concentrations and burdens of Mn, Se, Mo, Ag, Sn, Hg, and Bi in the liver, Cd in the kidney, As in the blubber, and Co, Sr, and Ba in the bone were observed. Significant positive correlations of hepatic Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, Tl, and Bi with standard body length were found, while significant negative relationships were detected for Mn, As, Rb, Sr, and Sb in the liver. Concentrations of Co, Se, Sr, Sn, Hg, and Bi in the liver, V, Sr, Ag, Sn, and Hg in the kidney, V, Mn, Co, Rb, Sr, Sn, Ba, and Pb in the blubber increased with decreasing blubber thickness of harbor seals, indicating enrichment of these elements in the target tissue by emaciation.     

Isotopic Evaluation on the Genesis of the Kanamaru Pegmatite Deposit, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Abstract: The Kanamaru pegmatite is one of the two largest pegmatite deposits in Japan and is rich in K–feldspar, which is maximum microcline. The mica minerals and microcline from this ore deposit were studied for K-Ar ages and δ¹⁸O ratios. Biotite gives K-Ar age of 78. 5 Ma, but microcline is much younger in age of 66. 0 and 58. 3 Ma. Oxygen isotopic equilibrium temperature of the biotite-quartz pair is 625°C. Using closure temperature of the K-Ar system for biotite and microcline, cooling rate of the pegmatite is calculated to be 88°C/m. y. at the beginning but 12°C/m. y. in the later period of the cooling history. The microcline is slightly depleted in ¹⁸O, yielding apparent equilibrium temperatures of 230°C and 155°C on quartz-microcline pairs. It is suggested that the fluid phase, magmatic and partly meteoric in origin, contained in the solidifying pegmatite, was interacted with the original orthoclase and converted it to microcline during the subsolidus stage.     

Pressure responses of portlandite and H–D isotope effects on pressure-induced phase transitions

The pressure responses of portlandite and the isotope effect on the phase transition were investigated at room temperature from single-crystal Raman and IR spectra and from powder X-ray diffraction using diamond anvil cells under quasi-hydrostatic conditions in a helium pressure-transmitting medium. Phase transformation and subsequent peak broadening (partial amorphization) observed from the Raman and IR spectra of Ca(OH)₂ occurred at lower pressures than those of Ca(OD)₂. In contrast, no isotope effect was found on the volume and axial compressions observed from powder X-ray diffraction patterns. X-ray diffraction lines attributable to the high-pressure phase remained up to 28.5 GPa, suggesting no total amorphization in a helium pressure medium within the examined pressure region. These results suggest that the H–D isotope effect is engendered in the local environment surrounding H(D) atoms. Moreover, the ratio of sample-to-methanol–ethanol pressure medium (i.e., packing density) in the sample chamber had a significant effect on the increase in the half widths of the diffraction lines, even at pressures below the hydrostatic limit of the pressure medium.     

Ultraviolet Fe ii emission in z∼ 2 quasars

We present spectra of six luminous quasars at   z ∼ 2  , covering rest wavelengths 1600−3200 Å. The fluxes of the UV Fe  ii emission lines and Mg  ii λ2798 doublet, the line widths of Mg  ii and the 3000 Å luminosity were obtained from the spectra. These quantities were compared with those of low-redshift quasars at   z = 0.06–0.55  studied by Tsuzuki et al. In a plot of the Fe  ii (UV)/Mg  ii flux ratio as a function of the central black hole mass, Fe  ii (UV)/Mg  ii in our   z ∼ 2  quasars is systematically greater than in the low-redshift quasars. We confirmed that luminosity is not responsible for this excess. It is unclear whether this excess is caused by rich Fe abundance at   z ∼ 2  over low-redshift or by non-abundance effects such as high gas density, strong radiation field and high microturbulent velocity.