Evaluation of a curve-fitting method for diffuse reflectance spectra in the UV–Visible–NIR wavelength region

The Modified Gaussian Method (MGM) proposed by Sunshine et al. [Sunshine, J.M., Pieters, C.M., Pratt, S.F., 1990. Deconvolution of mineral absorption bands: an improved approach. Journal of Geophysical Research 95, 6955–6966.] is generally used to decompose spectra in the UV–Visible–NIR wavelength region into the characteristic absorption bands of minerals. Here, we compare the optimized results obtained using different curve-fitting methods for this spectrum. The result obtained using the Gaussian function for the absorption band shows a better fit than that obtained using the Lorentzian function. The background continuum of a quadratic polynomial for the wavenumber provides a better result than does the linear function for the wavenumber. We successfully decomposed the spectra of ordinary chondrites and eucrites into the absorption bands of olivine and pyroxene. The wavelength positions of these absorption bands are broadly consistent with the Fe contents of olivine and pyroxene. Although the present results are derived from a limited number of spectra, they are of use in terms of the decomposition of diffuse reflectance spectra.     

Impacts of the Nakhodka heavy-oil spill on an intertidal ecosystem: an approach to impact evaluation using geographical information system

A major heavy-oil spill from the Russian tanker Nakhodka occurred in the Sea of Japan on 2 January 1997. We investigated the impacts of this spill on a rocky intertidal ecosystem along the southern coast of the Sea of Japan. We selected Imago-Ura Cove as our study site to observe temporal changes along the oiled shore, because minimal cleaning effort was made in this area. Field surveys were conducted every autumn and spring from 1997 to 2000. We measured coverage by macroalgae in 1 x 1-m(2) quadrats and counted the animals in 5 x 5-m(2) quadrats along the intertidal zone. Changes in the ecosystem caused by the oil spill were analyzed by applying a geographical information system (GIS) to the Sea of Japan for the first time. The GIS showed that following the accident there were heavily oiled areas in sheltered regions, but these decreased over the three years. It also showed that coverage by macroalgae and the number of animals increased, although some species of algae with microscopic sporophyte generations, and some populations of perennial shellfish, remained stable or decreased during the study period. GIS was able to trace temporal changes in intertidal communities resulting from the impacts of heavy oil on flora and fauna at a spatial scale of 10-100 m. GIS is thus a practical tool for visualizing, analyzing, and monitoring changes in an ecosystem polluted by oil, taking into account topographic differences along the coastline.     

Temperature structure of active regions deduced from the helium-like sulphur lines

Solar active-region temperatures have been determined from the full-Sun spectra of helium-like sulphur (Sxv) observed by the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer on board theYohkoh satellite. The average temperature deduced from Sxv is demonstrated to vary with the solar activity level: A temperature of 2.5 × 10⁶ K is derived from the spectra taken during low solar activity, similar to the general corona, while 4 × 10⁶ K is obtained during a higher activity phase. For the latter, the high-temperature tail of the differential emission measure of active regions is found most likely due to the superposition of numerous flare-like events (micro/nano-flares).     

Comparison of stable isotopes,ratios of Cl/Cl and I/I in brine and deep groundwater from the Pacific coastal region and the eastern margin of the Japan Sea

Fifty-three samples, including brines associated with oil and natural gas reservoirs and groundwater samples from deep boreholes, were collected from the Pacific and Japan Sea coastal regions in Japan. The ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I and ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios, and stable isotopes (δD and δ¹⁸O) are compared to investigate differences related to the geotectonic settings of the two regions. The δD and δ¹⁸O data indicate that brine and groundwater from the Pacific coastal region reflect mixing of meteoric water with connate seawater in the pores of sedimentary rocks. On the other hand, brine and groundwater from the Japan Sea coastal region have been hydrothermally altered. In particular, brines associated with petroleum accumulations at Niigata and Akita showed the same isotopic characteristics as fluids found in the Kuroko deposits of the Green Tuff region in northeastern Japan. There is little difference in the ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios in brine and groundwater from the Pacific and Japan Sea coasts. Most brine and some deep groundwater, except those from the Pleistocene Kazusa Group, have already reached the average secular equilibrium ratio of 9.9 ± 2.7 × 10⁻¹⁵ for their mudstone and sandstone reservoirs. There was no correlation between the ³⁶Cl/Cl ratios and differences in geotectonic setting between the Pacific and the Japan Sea coast. The molar I/Br ratio suggests that the I in all of water samples was of biogenic origin. The average ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratio was 290 ± 130 × 10⁻¹⁵ to 294 ± 105 × 10⁻¹⁵ in both regions, showing no relationship to the different geotectonic settings. The uncontaminated brine and groundwater samples are likely to have retained the original ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratios of marine I released from the old organic matter stored in sedimentary rock.     

Mobilization and speciation of arsenic from hydrothermally altered rock in laboratory column experiments under ambient conditions

This paper describes the mobilization and speciation of As found in hydrothermally altered rock under oxic column conditions. The altered rock sample was obtained from a tunnel project located in the Nakakoshi area of Hokkaido, Japan, whose geology is represented by slate, shale and sandstone. This area has undergone silicification, pyritization and argillic alteration resulting in As-enrichment of the rock. Results of the column experiments show that the infiltration rate, bulk density and rock bed thickness affected the duration of water residence, which in turn influenced the pH of the rock–water system. Coexisting ions most notably Ca²⁺ at amounts greater than ca. 50 mg/L retarded the mobilization of As. Mobilization of As from the rock with time occurred in two stages: stage 1 (weeks 1–20) with higher As leaching and stage 2 (weeks 20–76) characterized by nearly constant As release. In addition, pore water As concentrations revealed that the columns developed into two regions: the top half where most of the leaching occurred and the bottom part dominated by adsorption. Thus, the mechanism controlling the mobilization of As from the rock is a combination of one or more of the following processes: dissolution of soluble As-bearing fractions, pyrite oxidation and adsorption reactions. Arsenite (As[III]) was the dominant species in the effluent at the start of the experiment in columns with shorter water residence time and lower pH conditions (<8). On the other hand, arsenate (As[V]) was the major inorganic species released from the rock at higher pH (8–9.5) and when the system was close to equilibrium. Speciation of As with depth also indicated that As[III] disappeared around the bottom half of the columns, probably as a result of adsorption and/or oxidation. Arsenic speciation is partially controlled by the pH dependent adsorption of As species. The important adsorbent phases in the rock included Fe–Al oxides/oxyhydroxides, clay minerals and organic matter, which permitted the columns to attenuate additional As loadings including As[III]. Implications of these results on the design of a novel disposal method for these altered rocks include the enhancement of As adsorption through the addition of natural or artificial adsorbents and the utilization of a covering soil with low permeability to minimize rainwater infiltration into the rock.     

Bacterial growth rate and the relative abundance of bacteria to heterotrophic nanoflagellates in the euphotic and disphotic layers in temperate coastal waters of Sagami Bay,Japan

This study aimed to clarify the vertical differences in bacterial growth and grazing pressure on bacteria by heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and to identify the controlling factors of bacterial growth in temperate coastal waters of Sagami Bay, Japan. In addition to environmental factors, the annual monthly variations in bacterial growth rate (BGR) and the relative abundance of bacteria to HNF (BA/HNFA) were investigated in the euphotic and disphotic layers between May 2012 and May 2013. Significant vertical differences in BGR and BA/HNFA were evident between the two layers during the thermal stratification times of May to October 2012 and April to May 2013. BGR indicated significantly stronger limitation of bacterial growth in the euphotic layer compared to the disphotic layer. In contrast, significantly lower BA/HNFA was observed in the euphotic layer, suggesting significantly higher grazing pressure on bacteria by HNF. However, significant differences in BGR and BA/HNFA were not observed between the two layers from November 2012 to Match 2013, when the water column was well-mixed vertically due to the cooling and wind-induced mixing of surface water. This study indicates that bacteria in the euphotic layer grow less actively and are more vulnerable to predatory grazing by HNF relative to the disphotic layer during the stratification period. Further, multiple regression analyses indicate that bacterial growth was most controlled by the concentrations of chlorophyll a and dissolved organic carbon in the euphotic and disphotic layers, respectively.