Mesorbitolina (Cretaceous larger foraminifera) from the Yezo Group in Hokkaido,Japan and its stratigraphic and paleobiogeographic significance

In this paper, we describe an Aptian (Early Cretaceous) larger foraminiferal species Orbitolina (Mesorbitolina) parva from the limestone olistoliths in the lower part of the Yezo Group in the Yubari–Ashibetsu area, central Hokkaido and from limestone pebbles in the lowermost part of the Yezo Group in the Nakagawa area, northern Hokkaido. This is the first report of this species from the circum-North Pacific regions. Based on its occurrences, the shallow-marine carbonates, re-deposited in the lower part of the Yezo Group, are precisely assigned in age to the Late Aptian. Comparison of the lower part of the Yezo Group in central and northern Hokkaido indicates differences of the Aptian–Albian depositional history between the two areas. This study reveals that after Late Aptian, Mesogean key taxa (typical Cretaceous Tethyan biota) demised in the Northwest Pacific.     

Distribution of Helium Isotopes in Western Pacific Upper Layer

3He/4He ratios in samples of sea water obtained at depths from surface to 300 m in the upper layer of the Western Pacific Ocean were measured by a mass spectrometer VG5400. The lateral and vertical distribution of He isotopes in the studied area was discussed in detail on the basis of 3He/4He ratios. Excess and depleted 3He. in relation to δ3He value of surface water in equilibrium with air has been discussed in the area, which may be mainly attributed to the incorporation of the North Pacific Intermediate Water with the Equatorial Upwelling and the exchange of water masses between the South China Sea and the Western Pacific, respectively. The present work in Western Pacific has also indicated that He isotopes may be used as a tracer for mixing processes of water masses and oceanic circulation.     

Impact of the closure of Indonesian seaway on climate: A numerical modeling study

Using a global OGCM and its relevant coupled ocean-atmosphere GCM with the contemporary, 6 MaBP and 14 MaBP oceanic topography, respectively, a series of numerical experiments are implemented in order to investigate the effect of the north shift of Australian continent on the tropical oceanic circulation, especially the formation of the western Pacific warm pool. The numerical experiments of the individual OGCM forced by the modern atmospheric circulation indicate that the closure of Indonesian passage results in warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean and cooling in the tropical Indian Ocean; furthermore, it also results in change in source of the Indonesian Through Flow (ITF) water, e.g. ITF mainly originates from the south Pacific at 14 MaBP, but it mainly originates from the north Pacific now. The coupled model shows similar results as the individual OGCM qualitatively.     

A local positive feedback of the tropical Pacific ocean-atmosphere system on interdecadal timescales

SINCE THE 1990S, THE CLIMATIC VARIABILITY ON INTERDE- CADAL TIME SCALES BECAME THE FOCUS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATOLOGY RESEARCH MISSIONS[1―3]. ON TIME SCALES OF A DECADE OR MORE, THE OCEAN CIRCULATION PREDOMINATEDHEAT BALANCE AND HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE, S…     

Response of the northwestern Pacific upper water δ~(13)C to the last deglacial ventilation of the deep Southern Ocean

The deglacial δ~13C minimum events that originated from the ventilation of the deep Southern Ocean around Antarctica, have been recorded in a range of marine sediments from the southern to tropical oceans in late Pleistocene. However, the broad δ~13C minimum event was also reported as far as to the northern middle latitudes, in northwestern Pacific marginal sea areas, during the last deglaciation. In the northwestern Pacific, forcing from the northern high latitudes is strongly expressed, while the records of in- fluence from the southern high latitudes are few. The Kuroshio Source Region (KSR) forms a boundary between the northwestern Pacific and the southern, tropical Pacific. So, high-resolution planktonic foraminiferal records in core MD06-3054 from the KSR are well positioned to identify signals from the southern hemisphere in the northwestern Pacific. Planktonic foraminiferal tests from the upper 1030 cm of the core were subject to AMS14C, carbon and oxygen isotopic measurements. A negative excursion was found to occur from about 20.0-6.0 ka BP in δ~13C records of both surface (Globigerinoides ruber) and subsurface (Pulleni- atina obliquiloculata) dwellers, but the overall trends of the two curves have reversed since 26.5 ka BP. Moreover, the δ~13C rec- ord of G. ruber (the surface dweller) shows a robust link to the record of atmospheric CO2, and its changes precede the records of P. obliquiloculata (the subsurface dweller). According to the hydrologic conditions, the broad δ~13C minimum event recorded in the KSR is also a response to the increasing ventilation of the deep Southern Ocean around Antarctica during the last deglaciation. The inconsistency between the records of the surface and subsurface dwellers was possibly caused by the ways that the low δ~13C signal was transmitted. Subsurface water primarily received the low δ~13C signal from the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW), whereas the surface water was probably mainly impacted by atmospheric CO2 in the KSR. The records from the KSR confirm the deduction that the broad δ~13C minimum event in the Okinawa Trough was due to the impact of tropical Pacific surface water dur- ing the last deglaciation, and suggest that signals from the southern high latitudes also can be delivered to the northern middle latitudes.     

Sea surface temperature east of Australia： A predictor of tropical cyclone frequency over the western North Pacific？

The relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) east of Australia and tropical cyclone frequency over the western North Pacific (WNPTCF) is analyzed by use of observation data.The WNPTCF from June to October is correlated negatively to spring SST east of Australia.When the spring SST is in the positive phase,a cyclonic circulation anomaly in the upper troposphere and an anticyclonic circulation anomaly in the lower troposphere prevail over the western North Pacific from June to October,concurrent with an anomalous atmospheric subsidence and an enlarged vertical zonal wind shear.These conditions are unfavorable for tropical cyclone genesis,and thus WNPTCF decreases.The negative phase of the spring SST east of Australia leads to more tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific.The spring SST east of Australia may give rise to simultaneous change in tropical atmospheric circulation via the teleconnection wave train,and then subsequently affect atmospheric circulation variation over the western North Pacific.     

西北太平洋热带气旋气候特征及其变化研究的若干进展

为了对我国气象工作者全面了解和参与热带气旋的研究有所帮助,在大量阅读和调研的基础上,介绍了近20年西北太平洋热带气旋活动在季节、年际和年代际尺度上研究的若干主要成果.重点阐述了EN-SO与热带气旋的关系,温室效应热带气旋的数值模拟和观测研究等的最新动态.     

西北太平洋柔鱼资源丰度时空分布的GAM模型分析

根据1996~2001年我国在西北太平洋海域柔鱼生产统计及相关数据,利用GAM模型分析了表温、月份、经纬度等因子对柔鱼资源丰度CPUE的影响.研究认为,经纬度、月份和表温对CPUE时空分布都有较大的影响.160°E以西海域CPUE高,而165°E以东海域低,并主要集中在40°N~43°N海域.8~10月CPUE为最大.不同海域柔鱼分布的适宜表温不相同,150°E以西海域为13~18℃,150°E~165°E海域为14~18℃,165°E~180°E海域为11~14℃.     

西北太平洋表层沉积物地球化学特征及其物源指示意义

为深入了解西北太平洋表层沉积物地球化学特征及物质来源,对大洋40航次在西北太平洋马尔库斯-威克海山区采集的表层沉积物进行了全岩地球化学和黏土矿物测试分析。结果表明,研究区表层沉积物稀土元素（REE)平均质量分数为302.87×10^-6,北美页岩标准化稀土配分模式与黄土相似,并具Ce轻微负异常和Eu无异常特征。稀土配分模式、判别函数（discriminant functions,DF）、M/I（蒙脱石/伊利石）及涂片鉴定等结果指示沉积物物源具有多源性,主要为陆源风尘物质,并受海洋自生物质的强烈影响,海山玄武岩及其蚀变产物和硅质生物也有一定的贡献。研究区沉积物稀土特征既不同于边缘海沉积物,也有别于远洋沉积物,而与弧后盆地沉积物类似。结合1/δCe-LREE/HREE和LREE/HREE-Y/Ho判别图解结果,研究区沉积物物源结构属性应介于边缘海沉积物与远洋沉积物之间,为洋陆过渡区沉积。     

Beyond labels: A review of the application of quantum dots as integrated components of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors utilizing optical transduction

A comprehensive review of the development of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors using quantum dots (QDs) as integrated components is presented. In contrast to a QD that is selectively introduced as a label, an integrated QD is one that is present in a system throughout a bioanalysis, and simultaneously has a role in transduction and as a scaffold for biorecognition. Through a diverse array of coatings and bioconjugation strategies, it is possible to use QDs as a scaffold for biorecognition events. The modulation of QD luminescence provides the opportunity for the transduction of these events via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), charge transfer quenching, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL). An overview of the basic concepts and principles underlying the use of QDs with each of these transduction methods is provided, along with many examples of their application in biological sensing. The latter include: the detection of small molecules using enzyme-linked methods, or using aptamers as affinity probes; the detection of proteins via immunoassays or aptamers; nucleic acid hybridization assays; and assays for protease or nuclease activity. Strategies for multiplexed detection are highlighted among these examples. Although the majority of developments to date have been in vitro, QD-based methods for ex vivo biological sensing are emerging. Some special attention is given to the development of solid-phase assays, which offer certain advantages over their solution-phase counterparts.