Crystal chemical significance of chemical zoning in dissakisite-(Ce)

Dissakisites from Trimouns dolomite mine, France, have two kinds of single crystals: chemical-zoned and homogeneous types. Back-scattered electron microprobe (BSE) images of these dissakisites reveal both Ca–Al rich dark zones and Fe-ΣREE rich bright zones. Crystal structures of three dark and two bright zones in a chemical-zoned dissakisite and of a homogeneous zone in unzoned dissakisite were refined to individual R indices (about 3.0–5.0%) based on 1,400 observed [|F ₀| > 4σF ₀] reflections measured with MoKα X-radiation using the single crystal diffractometer. The differences in brightness between their BSE images arise from those in coupled substitutions of the elements occupying A2 and M3 sites. The main reason for these differences is that ten-coordinated A2 polyhedra and M3 octahedra are directly linked through their shared edge, which creates a great potential for making this coupled substitution. This zoning indicates that formation of the whole zoned crystal, where each zone could be grown steadily with its crystallographic axes mutually parallel to each other, may be identified as autoepitaxy.     

Todorokite formation in seawater by microbial mediation

Microbial manganese oxidation in seawater was carried out in enrichment cultures which were obtained from the seawater supply system at the Marine Science Museum, Tokai University (Shimizu-shi, Japan). The manganese oxide formed was well-crystallized todorokite. The major element composition was within the range of marine manganese concretions and the O/Mn molar ratio was 1.8. The conditions for formation of manganese oxide minerals in marine environments are discussed on the basis of these results.     

Metal-organic complexes in seawater pumped up from under the ground

Metal-organic complexes of transition elements removed by Amberlite XAD-2 resin from seawater pumped up from under the ground were determined. The proportions of iron, copper and zinc retained on the resin to dissolved forms of these metals were about 70, 40 and 5%, respectively, while manganese, cobalt and nickel were not retained on the resin. These results suggest that although iron may be retained in colloidal form, a significant fraction of copper is present in some organic form(s).     

Detecting fluctuations of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan using TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter data

Sea surface dynamic topography (SSDT) can be divided into temporal mean SSDT and fluctuation SSDT. The former is approximated with a climatological mean SSDT and the latter is derived from satellite altimetry data, to give an approximated total SSDT (called a composite SSDT). The method is applied to detecting fluctuations of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan using TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter data from the first year mission in 1992–1993. The fluctuation SSDT averaged over a wide area south of Japan clearly shows an annual cycle with an amplitude of about 15 cm. Temporal changes of SSDT along a subsatellite track crossing the Kuroshio compare moderately well with those estimated from repeated hydrographic observations, although there is a discrepancy of unknown origin. The composite SSDT also compares well with SSDT estimated from the same hydrographic data. Horizontal distribution of the surface geostrophic velocity component normal to subsatellite tracks is derived every ten days from the composite SSDT. Most locations of estimated strong eastward geostrophic velocities coincide well with locations of the Kuroshio axis determined every 15 days fromin situ surface velocity measurements on various vessels; for example, a fairly large meander of the Kuroshio south of Honshu is clearly detected. It is concluded that the composite SSDT can be used reliably to detect fluctuations of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan.     

GEK measurements in a shallow water region

Evidence for the applicability of GEK (Geomagnetic Electrokinetography) measurements to shallow water regions is provided from observations in the shelf region of the East China Sea. The reason for the effectiveness of GEK measurements in this case is investigated theoretically, and it is shown to be attributable to the existence of a thick conductive sedimentary layer. In addition, it is shown that low conductive basement rock can be regarded as a good conductor for GEK measurements if the current width is broad enough and if the ratio of current width to water depth is larger than the resistivity ratio of basement rock to sea water. This implies that barotropic tidal currents can be measured with GEK in any ocean on the earth if they have significant magnitudes.     

Fluctuation of the sea surface dynamic topography southeast of Japan as estimated from Seasat altimetry data

The sea surface dynamic topography (the sea surface height relative to the geoid; hereafter abbreviated SSDT) can be divided into the temporal mean SSDT and the fluctuation SSDT around the mean. We use the optimal interpolation method to reduce the satellite radial orbit error and estimate the fluctuation SSDT southeast of Japan from Seasat altimetry data during the 17-day near-repeat mission. The fluctuation SSDT is further combined with the mean geopotential anomalies estimated from hydrographic data during the Seasat mission in order to give the approximated total SSDT, called here the composite SSDT (the approximated mean plus fluctuation SSDT's). The fluctuation SSDT is in accord with the low-frequency sea-level fluctuation recorded at tide gauge stations in the Japanese islands. The composite SSDT describes thoroughly variations of the location of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan determined on the basis of the GEK (Geomagnetic Electro-Kinematograph) surface velocities and the horizontal temperature distribution. The composite SSDT also agrees with oceanic variations east of Japan found in the temperature distribution at the depth of 200 m. These results confirm that the SSDT derived from altimetry data can provide fairly precise synoptic views of low-frequency oceanic phenomena.     

Microseismicity Induced by Heavy Rainfall Around Flooded Vertical Ore Veins

—?Microseismicity (M?M?M?M??6 were also monitored at a crustal movement monitoring station located several hundred meters from the veins. It was found that the opening of the vertical ore veins primary led to significant strain and tilt, but not to seismicity, because the delay and the longer duration of the seismicity were significant. Most seismic events involve thrusting mechanisms that are consistent with the present stress state of E-W-oriented tectonic compression, but are not consistent with the opening of the deepest ore vein. Interstingly, all the events within a few months of the heavy rainfall occurred near the faults that offset the deepest ore veins, wheareas all those events located away from the deepest ore veins occurred many months after the heavy rainfall. Consequently, the delayed diffusion of water appears to have played a dominant role in reducing rock strength, which led to seismicity in the Ikuno mine.     

Kinematic analysis of sinistral cataclastic shear zones along the northern margin of the Mino Belt, central Japan

In this paper, cataclastic shear zones along the northern margin of the Mino Belt, central Japan are described, and the significance of the shearing in the tectonic evolution of SW Japan is examined. The Mino Belt in SW Japan is composed of accretionary complexes of Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age. Field investigation revealed that remarkable cataclastic shear zones trending east to northeast run along the northern margin of the Mino Belt. Closely spaced cleavage is developed in these shear zones. Lineation on the cleavage plunges at shallow to moderate angles. Deformation structures (e.g. composite planar fabric and asymmetric structure of clasts) in the sheared rocks clearly indicate a sinistral sense of shear. The shearing ceased by latest Cretaceous time, because the sheared rocks are overlain by unsheared Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks. The sinistral shearing may be closely related to Cretaceous sinistral movement along the eastern margin of Asia. Sinistral shearing along the northern margin of the Mino Belt can be considered as a key for re-examining the tectonic development of SW Japan.