The New 300 kV multi-element AMS system at the TONO Geoscience Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Fujita, Natsuko; Miyake, Masayasu*; Matsubara, Akihiro; Kokubu, Yoko; Klein, M.*; Scognamiglio, G.*; Mous, D. J. W.*; Columna, E. L.*; Shimada, Akiomi; Ishimaru, Tsuneari

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 533, p.91 - 95, 2022/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2022.10.020

In the Tono Geoscience Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, investigation of deep underground environments for R&D program related to the geological disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste has been performed by using various dating systems including an AMS system. In response to the increasing demand for our AMS measurements especially from a newly established R&D program supporting development of technology for geological disposal of HLW, a state-of-the-art multi-nuclide AMS system was installed. This system is equipped with a 300 kV AMS. The system has capability to measure four nuclides: carbon-14, beryllium-10, aluminium-26 and iodine-129. The system structure and features, as well as the results of performance test will be presented.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2020

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Kokubu, Yoko; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; et al.

JAEA-Research 2021-007, 65 Pages, 2021/10

JAEA-Research-2021-007.pdf:4.21MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 6th fiscal year during the JAEA 3rd Mid- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the high-level radioactive waste. The planned framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

Discrimination between active and non-active faults based on the chemical composition of fault gouge; An Attempt using linear discriminant analysis

Tateishi, Ryo*; Shimada, Koji; Shimizu, Mayuko; Ueki, Tadamasa*; Niwa, Masakazu; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishimaru, Tsuneari

Oyo Chishitsu, 62(2), p.104 - 112, 2021/06

https://doi.org/10.5110/jjseg.62.104

We attempted to discriminate between active and non-active faults by linear discriminant analysis using the chemical composition data of fault gouges in Japan, and then examined the elements that represent the difference between them and better discriminants. As a result, the multiple discriminants obtained could discriminate between them with high probability. In addition, the generalization performance of these discriminants is discussed, and the discriminants that can be expected to have high discriminant performance for unknown samples are presented. Also, from the combination of elements common to these discriminants, we narrowed down the number of elements that represent the difference between active and non-active faults to 6, and showed that the combination of TiO and Sr contributing the most to the discrimination. The method applied in this study is an innovative one that can discriminate the activity by chemical analysis of fault rocks that are universally present in the bedrock.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2020)

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Shimada, Koji; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; et al.

JAEA-Review 2020-010, 46 Pages, 2020/07

JAEA-Review-2020-010.pdf:1.89MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2020. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2020 are described in detail based on the JAEA 3rd Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.

Identification of capable faults using fault rock geochemical signatures; A Case study from offset granitic bedrock on the Tsuruga Peninsula, central Japan

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Tanaka, Yoshihiro*

Engineering Geology, 260, p.105235_1 - 105235_15, 2019/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105235

In order to identify specific chemical changes induced by recent, near-surface faulting, we compared two faults of different size and evolutionary history, the active Shiraki-Nyu Fault and a nearby minor, inactive fault in central Japan, in terms of their mineralogical and geochemical features. Our analyses suggest that (1) chemical changes such as depletion of NaO and CaO derived from smectite and illite formation, and that changes such as increase of U, Y and REEs derived from absorption to these clay minerals, occurred during the fault initiation and subsequent retrograde alteration and are identical in the two faults, and that (2) MnO increase accompanied by FeO depletion and a positive Ce anomaly can be a key to identify specific chemical changes due to recent, near-surface faulting, because this could be related to upward migration and oxidation of fault-driven reduced fluids from deep underground to the near-surface environment.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2019)

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Hanamuro, Takahiro; Shimada, Akiomi; Kokubu, Yoko; Asamori, Koichi; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; et al.

JAEA-Review 2019-010, 46 Pages, 2019/09

JAEA-Review-2019-010.pdf:2.45MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency, in fiscal year 2019. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2019 are described in detail based on the outline of 7 years plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). Background of this research is clarified with the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress in this report. In addition, the plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.

Proceedings of the 30th Meeting for Tandem Accelerators and their Associated Technologies

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Shimada, Akiomi; Kokubu, Yoko; Fujita, Natsuko

JAEA-Conf 2018-003, 147 Pages, 2019/02

JAEA-Conf-2018-003.pdf:58.99MB

The 30th Meeting of Tandem Accelerators and their Associated Technologies was held on July 6 and 7, 2017 at Tono Geoscience Center of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. This meeting involved the participation of 97 persons from universities, research institutes and companies which have tandem accelerators and/or electrostatic accelerators. The purpose of the meeting is to contribute to research and development of accelerator technology through exchange of information among the engineers and the researchers who are interested in a tandem accelerator or an electrostatic accelerator. The meeting consisted of oral and poster sessions, and there were 33 presentations which contained about the current status of tandem accelerator facilities, technical developments and research using accelerators, etc. This proceedings summarizes the contents of the presentations at the meeting.

The present status of the AGE3 automated graphitization equipment for radiocarbon dating at the JAEA-AMS-TONO

Watanabe, Takahiro; Kokubu, Yoko; Fujita, Natsuko; Ishizaka, Chika*; Nishio, Tomohiro; Matsubara, Akihiro*; Miyake, Masayasu; Kato, Motohisa*; Isozaki, Nobuhiro*; Torazawa, Hitoshi*; et al.

JAEA-Conf 2018-002, p.116 - 119, 2019/02

https://doi.org/10.11484/jaea-conf-2018-002

AMS is widely used for radiocarbon dating of geological samples. However, improvement in efficiency of sample preparation techniques are needed for high-time resolution dataset. In 2016, automated graphitization equipment (AGE3, IonPlus AG) has been installed in Toki Research Institute of Isotope Geology and Geochronology, Tono Geoscience Center, JAEA. Background values and carbon recovery rates during preparation process of AGE3 should be estimated before application in radiocarbon dating. In this study, the AGE3 system was evaluated using the international standard materials (IAEA-C1, C4, C5, C6, C7, C9 and NIST-SRM4990C) at JAEA-AMS-TONO. Graphite samples was prepared by the AGE3 system and radiocarbon concentration of these standards was measured by AMS. The results were agreement with the consensus values. Background values were 0.150.01 pMC (IAEA-C1) using the AGE3 system. Therefore, we concluded that the system can be adapted for radiocarbon dating of geological samples.

The 20th anniversary of JAEA-AMS-TONO

Ishimaru, Tsuneari

JAEA-Conf 2018-013, p.13 - 16, 2019/02

https://doi.org/10.11484/jaea-conf-2018-003

In the Tono Geoscience Center, JAEA-AMS-TONO was introduced in March 1997 and it will be the 20th year in this year. After introduction, we maintained the carbon-14 measurement first and we were able to steadily accumulate results.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific Program for fiscal year 2018)

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Shimada, Akiomi; Asamori, Koichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Watanabe, Takahiro; Saiga, Atsushi; Sueoka, Shigeru; Komatsu, Tetsuya; et al.

JAEA-Review 2018-020, 46 Pages, 2019/01

JAEA-Review-2018-020.pdf:1.25MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency, in fiscal year 2018. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2018 are described in detail based on the outline of 7 years plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). Background of this research is clarified with the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress in this report. In addition, the plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.