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Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Nakajima, Toru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Wall, C. J.*; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (37), p.11 - 13, 2024/12
In recent years, advances in analytical technology have made it possible to measure the U-Th-Pb dating of young geological units (e.g. 
1 Ma). However, there are very few young standard samples available for evaluation. In this study, we attempted U-Pb dating using isotope dilution Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ID-TIMS) on young zircon samples (TRG04 and OGPK). As a result, we obtained preliminary U-Pb ages of 2.6654 
0.0016 Ma and 1.1266 0.0014 Ma, respectively.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Asamori, Koichi; Murakami, Osamu; Fukuda, Shoma; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Kagami, Saya; et al.
JAEA-Research 2024-013, 65 Pages, 2024/11
JAEA-Research-2024-013.pdf:4.22MB
This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 2nd fiscal year of the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. 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. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Asamori, Koichi; Sueoka, Shigeru; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Nakajima, Toru; Ogata, Manabu; Uchida, Mao; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Tanaka, Kiriha; et al.
JAEA-Review 2024-035, 29 Pages, 2024/09
JAEA-Review-2024-035.pdf:1.24MB
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 2024. The objectives and contents of this research are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). 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.
Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Niki, Sota*; Kawakami, Tetsuo*; Danhara, Toru*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Geochronology (Internet), 6(3), p.313 - 323, 2024/07
In this study, we explored the impacts of radiation damage and chemical composition on the etching time of fission tracks in monazite. Despite the potential of monazite fission-track (MFT) dating as an ultralow-temperature thermochronology, the comprehensive effects of radiation damage and non-formula elements, especially on the etching rate of MFTs, remain unexplored, and established analytical procedures are lacking. We quantified the degree of radiation damage (dFHWM) in Cretaceous to Quaternary monazites distributed in the Japan arc through Raman spectroscopy and chemical composition analyses. Subsequently, MFT etching was performed to examine the correlation between these parameters and the etching time. Estimation of the degree of radiation damage showed an increase in radiation damage corresponding to the cooling age of each geological unit. For example, the Toya ignimbrite (ca. 0.1 Ma) and the Kurobegawa granodiorite (0.8 Ma), both of which are types of monazite from Quaternary geological units, have dFHWM values of 0.27 and 0.55 cm
, respectively. In contrast, the Muro ignimbrite (ca. 15 Ma) has a dFHWM value of 4.01 cm, while the Kibe granite and the Sagawa granite, both of which are Cretaceous granitoids, yielded 7.35 and 6.31 cm, respectively. MFT etching of these samples according to the existing recipe (6M HCl at 90
C for 60-90 min) was completed at 1200, 860, 210, 120, and 90 min for the Toya ignimbrite, Kurobegawa granodiorite, Muro ignimbrite, Sagawa granite, and Kibe granite, respectively.
Nishiyama, Nariaki; Nakajima, Toru; Goto, Akira*; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu
Earth and Space Science (Internet), 11(6), p.e2023EA003360_1 - e2023EA003360_15, 2024/06
Times Cited Count：0 Percentile：0.00(Astronomy & Astrophysics)Earthquakes with magnitudes of 6-7 have been reported even in various active tectonic settings where fault deformation topography have not been detected. Therefore, delineating concealed active faults generating such earthquakes is necessary to reduce earthquake damage; however, few studies exist to provide its clues regarding such faults. The 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake in Japan was a main shock with a magnitude of Mj 6.8 and a depth of 2 km at the source. Solid bedrocks are well-exposed in the earthquake source region; however, no surface rupture have been identified, and the active fault is known to be concealed. In this study, we collected data on striations observed in fractures by geological survey around the source area of the 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake. Using the collected data, the multiple inverse method was used to estimate the stresses that affected the striation formation. Consequently, stresses similar to acting faults in this area were detected in minor faults around the known concealed active fault. This suggests that the minor faults might be part of the damage zone that has been developed around the concealed active fault. Some minor faults were recognized in Quaternary volcanic rocks, confirming that they experienced displacements recently. This study indicates the possibility of detecting concealed active faults in the bedrock by geological survey.
Hasegawa, Toshinari; Nagasumi, Satoru; Nemoto, Takahiro; Nakajima, Kunihiro; Yokoyama, Keisuke; Fujiwara, Yusuke; Arakawa, Ryoki; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Inoi, Hiroyuki; Kawamoto, Taiki
Proceedings of 2024 International Congress on Advanced in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2024) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2024/06
The filter element of the primary gas circulators (PGC) in High Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) and its deposits were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis to find the cause of the increase of the filter differential pressure during the operation in 2021. SEM observation showed that the clumpy deposits and fibrous deposits smaller than the filtration pore size and the rod-shaped deposits larger than the pore size were present on the filter element. EDX analysis showed that the clumpy deposits and fibrous deposits could include silicone oil in the primary helium purification system (PHPS) gas circulators and that the rod-shaped deposits were thermal insulators inside of the co-axial double pipes in the primary cooling system. It is considered that silicone oil leaked from the PHPS gas circulators due to deterioration in the absorption performance of the activated charcoal filter. Next, it could be vaporized and reach PGC's filter element after passing through the reactor core. Since those deposits including silicone oil were present over the entire surface of the filter element, the filter differential pressure could be increased due to a reduction in the pore size and a rise in its flow resistance. The thermal insulator was unrelated to filter clogging because it was present mainly in the lower part of the filter element. Therefore, silicone oil could increase the filter differential pressure, and the graphite powder, which is the cause of the previous issue was unrelated.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Terusawa, Shuji*; Goto, Akira*; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Nakajima, Toru; Ishihara, Takanori; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki
Island Arc, 33(1), p.e12516_1 - e12516_16, 2024/02
Times Cited Count：1 Percentile：53.96(Geosciences, Multidisciplinary)To investigate the geological evidence of near-surface crustal deformations in a high-strain shear zone that has been geodetically identified but not associated with clear tectonic landforms, a fieldwork was conducted in E-W trending southern Kyushu high-strain shear zone, Japan. According to our study, an investigation based on the slip data from minor faults and the occurrences of fracture zones could help to identify a concealed fault that is small in terms of size to record tectonic landforms but can trigger large earthquakes.
Ishikawa, Norito; Fukuda, Shoma; Nakajima, Toru; Ogawa, Hiroaki; Fujimura, Yuki; Taguchi, Tomitsugu*
Materials, 17(3), p.547_1 - 547_21, 2024/02
Times Cited Count：2 Percentile：73.35(Chemistry, Physical)Natural monoclinic zirconia (baddeleyite) was irradiated with 340-MeV Au ions, and the irradiation-induced nanostructures (i.e., ion tracks and nanohillocks) were observed using transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of the nanohillocks is approximately 10 nm, which is similar to the maximum molten region size calculated using the analytical thermal spike model. Ion tracks are imaged as strained regions that maintain their crystalline structure. The cross-sections of most of the ion tracks are imaged as parallelopiped or rectangular contrasts as large as 10 nm. These results strongly indicate that the molten region is recrystallized anisotropically, reflecting the lattice structure. Furthermore, low-density track cores are formed in the center of the ion tracks. The formation of low-density track cores can be attributed to the ejection of molten matter toward the surface.
Nakajima, Toru; Sueoka, Shigeru; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Kohn, B. P.*; Ramos, N. T.*; Tsutsumi, Hiroyuki*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Earth, Planets and Space (Internet), 75(1), p.176_1 - 176_11, 2023/12
Times Cited Count：1 Percentile：24.68(Geosciences, Multidisciplinary)Geo- and thermochronological methods were applied to dioritic rocks from the Cordillera Central, Luzon, Philippines, to understand their emplacement and exhumation history in the island arc mountains. Zircon U-Pb ages range from 32.54 0.70 to 6.11 0.15 (2SE) Ma, indicating that dioritic magmas intruded the middle and upper crust intermittently during Tertiary magmatism. Zircon fission-track (ZFT) pooled ages range from 35.63 2.17 to 6.91 0.36 (2SE) Ma, and are generally comparable with the U-Pb ages at each locality. These results suggest that the diorites cooled rapidly below 250-350 degree, (i.e. through the partial annealing zone of the ZFT system), following their intrusion. On the other hand, the zircon and apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (ZHe and AHe) weighted mean ages, ranging from 11.71 0.36 to 8.82 0.26 and 9.21 0.52 to 0.98 0.088 (2SE) Ma respectively, indicate a decrease in cooling rates at a lower temperature range, especially through the partial retention zone of the AHe system. This observation suggests that the ZFT ages reflect initial cooling of the dioritic magma, whereas the AHe ages reflect the cooling history associated with regional exhumation following the initial cooling phase. Spatial distribution of the AHe ages suggest that rapid exhumation of the Cordillera Central during the Quaternary resulted from the block-like uplift of the entire mountain range.
Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yagi, Koshi*; Yokoyama, Tatsunori
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (36), p.9 - 13, 2023/12
Zircon U-Pb and fission track (FT) dating and moonstone (sanidine) K-Ar dating of the Wassogatake Formation in the southern part of Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture were carried out as part of the search for zircon standard materials for dating. The weighted average U-Pb dates obtained from the three samples are ca. 21.9-21.7 Ma, overlapping within the uncertainty range. Zircon FT and moonstone K-Ar dates were obtained younger ages from some samples. In addition, the track lengths of the three samples are short. Based on the above results, the zircons of the Wassogatake Formation are effective for the high closure temperature dating method (e.g., U-Pb dating), but are not suitable for the low closure temperature dating method (e.g., FT dating).
Nakajima, Toru; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru
Chishitsugaku Zasshi (Internet), 129(1), p.503 - 507, 2023/11
Zircon U-Pb dating was carried out on granitic rocks from plutons in the Taiheizan Complex in Akita Prefecture, NE Japan. Two granodiorites from the Main Intrusive Rocks yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U dates of 103.41.0 Ma and 115.61.1 Ma (1SE). Three porphyrygranite from the Young Intrusive Rocks yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U dates of 11.40.1 Ma, 4.70.1Ma, and 4.80.1 Ma (1SE). The older and younger dates can be interpreted as the ages of early and later stages of granitic intrusion at the sampling locations. The Pliocene U-Pb dates suggest that the Nibetsu Body in the Young Intrusive Rocks is one of the youngest granitic plutons currently exposed on Earth.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fujita, Natsuko; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Nakajima, Toru; Kagami, Saya; Ogata, Manabu; et al.
JAEA-Review 2023-017, 27 Pages, 2023/10
JAEA-Review-2023-017.pdf:0.94MB
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 2023. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2023 are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). 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.
Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Ogawa, Hiroki; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Ogata, Manabu; et al.
JAEA-Research 2023-005, 78 Pages, 2023/10
JAEA-Research-2023-005.pdf:6.51MB
This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 1st fiscal year of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. 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. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.
Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Sueoka, Shigeru
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (35), p.34 - 36, 2022/12
In this presentation, we report the results of fission-track etching experiments for the practical use of baddeleyite fission-track dating and a brief discussion of the results.
Ishikawa, Ryoya*; Suzuki, Masatoshi*; Kino, Yasushi*; Endo, Satoru*; Nakajima, Hiroo*; Oka, Toshitaka; Takahashi, Atsushi*; Shimizu, Yoshinaka*; Suzuki, Toshihiko*; Shinoda, Hisashi*; et al.
KEK Proceedings 2022-2, p.61 - 66, 2022/11
The balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant activity, which is a defense mechanism against oxidative stress, was investigated in the liver and bladder of wild Japanese macaques captured in Fukushima Prefecture. No significant induction of oxidative stress by exposure to environmental radionuclides after the Fukushima nuclear accident was observed, suggesting that the stress defense mechanism of the organism is activated in some organs.
Sasao, Eiji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Shimada, Koji; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Ogita, Yasuhiro; et al.
JAEA-Review 2022-022, 29 Pages, 2022/09
JAEA-Review-2022-022.pdf:0.97MB
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 2022. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2022 are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). 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
Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Nakajima, Toru; Kajita, Yuya*; Minami, Saki*; Okamoto, Akira*; Tagami, Takahiro*
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (35), p.15 - 18, 2022/09
We performed U-Pb dating on zircons from the Utaosa Rhyolite of the Teragi Group as part of the search for standard materials for dating of zircons. Previous studies about Utaosa Rhyolite have reported ca. 2.30-2.77 Ma zircon fission track, zircon (U-Th)/He, and biotite K-Ar ages. U-Pb dating was carried out on the multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with a laser ablation system. The weighted mean 
U-
Pb ages of 2.650.16 Ma and 2.660.15 Ma were obtained from two samples. These ages are consistent with the ages from the previous studies. Therefore the results show that zircons from the Utaosa Rhyolite may be effective as a standard material.
Nakajima, Toru; Kawakami, Tetsuo*; Iwano, Hideki*; Danhara, Toru*; Sakai, Harutaka*
Journal of Geophysical Research; Solid Earth, 127(5), p.e2021JB023630_1 - e2021JB023630_33, 2022/05
Times Cited Count：3 Percentile：32.37(Geochemistry & Geophysics)The thermochronological methods were applied to the Higher Himalayan Crystalline (HHC) nappe and the underlying Lesser Himalayan sediments (LHS) to elucidate the denudation process of the middle- and upper-crust of eastern Nepal over the geological time scale. The thermochronological inverse analysis was undertaken for new results of fission-track (FT) age and FT length data of zircon and apatite in order to reconstruct the time-temperature (
) paths in the temperature range of 60-350 degree. Eight paths obtained along the across-strike section showed that the cooling process of the HHC nappe was characterized by following three aspects: (1) gradual cooling followed by rapid cooling and subsequent gradual cooling, (2) northward-younging of the timing of the rapid cooling, (3) gradual cooling followed by ca. 2 Myr rapid cooling in the frontmost part of the HHC nappe. The observed FT ages and paths were then compared with those predicted by forward thermokinematic modeling. The results of the thermokinematic modeling for the Flat-Ramp-Flat MHT model, in which the HHC and the underlying LHS are denudated accompanied with the movement of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT), well reproduced the observed paths and FT ages in eastern Nepal. This suggests that the observed FT ages and paths reflect a denudation process driven by the movement of the MHT showing the flat-ramp-flat geometry, and that the denudation rate and its spatial distribution have roughly been constant in eastern Nepal since ca. 9 Ma.
Takagi, Rina*; Matsuyama, Naofumi*; Ukleev, V.*; Yu, L.*; White, J. S.*; Francoual, S.*; Mardegan, J. R. L.*; Hayami, Satoru*; Saito, Hiraku*; Kaneko, Koji; et al.
Nature Communications (Internet), 13, p.1472_1 - 1472_7, 2022/03
Times Cited Count：99 Percentile：99.54(Multidisciplinary Sciences)Nakajima, Toru; Fukuda, Shoma; Ogata, Manabu; Sueoka, Shigeru
Fuisshon, Torakku Nyusureta, (34), p.25 - 26, 2021/12
The 17th International Conference on Thermochronology (Thermo2021) was held on September 12-17, 2021 at the Eldorado Resort in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Due to the social situation and the spread of the COVID-19, the event had been postponed. In this paper, I report on the circumstances surrounding our participation in the conference, the contents and trends of the presentations made at the conference, and the tasks for the 2023 and 2025 conferences.
