Analysis procedure for halogen elements (bromine and iodine) in powder pellets using a sequential wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry system at the Tono Geoscience Center, JAEA

Watanabe, Takahiro; Kida, Fukuka; Nara, Fumiko; Yamasaki, Shinichi*; Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi*

JAEA-Testing 2025-006, 52 Pages, 2025/12

JAEA-Testing-2025-006.pdf:6.72MB

Total bromine and iodine concentrations in geological samples serve as valuable geochemical proxies for reconstructing past environmental changes, including relative sea-level changes and marine incursions into an inland area. These halogens have also been used in previous studies to identify past tsunami and storm surge deposits in geological records. Such information contributes to the evaluation of long-term geosphere stability, which is an essential aspect in the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. At the Tono Geoscience Center, a sequential wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry system (WDXRF) has been installed for the major and trace element measurements. However, the application of WDXRF analyses to bromine and iodine has not been established. In this study, we developed analytical methods of total bromine and iodine contents using powdered pellets of standard reference materials. Additionally, evaluation tests of calibration curves were performed using the WDXRF. The validated method was then applied to sediment samples to examine its utility in determination of halogen concentrations.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2024

Asamori, Koichi; Sueoka, Shigeru; Kobayashi, Tomoharu; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Tanaka, Kiriha; Murakami, Osamu; Fukuda, Shoma; Ogata, Manabu; Uchida, Mao; Komatsu, Tetsuya; et al.

JAEA-Research 2025-007, 99 Pages, 2025/10

JAEA-Research-2025-007.pdf:12.36MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 3rd 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.

Whole-rock geochemical analysis of geological samples using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometer with glass beads

Kida, Fukuka; Watanabe, Takahiro; Nara, Fumiko

JAEA-Testing 2025-002, 62 Pages, 2025/08

JAEA-Testing-2025-002.pdf:2.97MB

Whole-rock geochemical analysis is one of the basic approaches in petrology or geochemistry to characterize various types of rocks and to investigate their origins, particularly by combining the data on mineral compositions and isotopic ratios. This approach is regarded as an essential technique for providing the fundamental information of the geological sites. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry on glass beads is widely used for whole-rock geochemical analysis due to its ability to analyze multiple samples rapidly and efficiently. In this study, we present a quantitative method for analyzing major elements (SiO, TiO, AlO, FeO, MnO, MgO, CaO, NaO, KO, PO) and trace elements (V, Cr, Ni, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Pb, Th), using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF, Rigaku ZSX Primus II) spectrometer installed in Tono Geoscience Center. We also evaluate the analytical uncertainty through repeated measurements of geochemical standards. Furthermore, this report provides detailed instructions on glass bead sample preparation and the operation of ZSX Primus II, including precaution points, making it a useful reference for XRF analytical procedures.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2024)

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.

Late-Holocene salinity changes in Lake Ogawara, Pacific coast of northeast Japan, related to sea-level fall inferred from sedimentary geochemical signatures

Nara, Fumiko*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Matsunaka, Tetsuya*; Yamasaki, Shinichi*; Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi*; Seto, Koji*; Yamada, Kazuyoshi*; Yasuda, Yoshinori*

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 592, p.110907_1 - 110907_11, 2022/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.110907

Radiocarbon dating, tephrochronology, and geochemical signatures such as bromine (Br), iodine (I), total sulfur (TS), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) in a continuous sediment core (OG12-2) were applied to estimate past salinity change on the Lake Ogawara, Pacific coast of northeast Japan. Since the Lake Ogawara was the inner bay of the Pacific Ocean and became the brackish lake in the late Holocene, clarifying the past salinity change on the lake Ogawara could give us important insight into the past sea level changes of the Pacific Ocean. The core OG12-2 has two tephra layers, the Towada eruption and the Changbaishan eruption (B-Tm: AD 946). The age model for the core OG12-2 was established using the radiocarbon measurements of the plant residues in the core, also was constrained by the B-Tm tephra. Depletions of marine-derived elements (Br, I, and TS), from 88.4 to 64.2 mg/kg, 20.0 to 14.1 mg/kg, and 3.1 to 1.1 mass %, respectively, were observed in the layers with 2200-2000 cal BP. These results indicate paleosalinity changes from saline (inner bay) to brackish conditions within Lake Ogawara caused by sea level fluctuations during the late Holocene.

Characteristics in trace elements compositions of tephras (B-Tm and To-a) for identification tools

Nara, Fumiko*; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Yamasaki, Shinichi*; Minami, Masayo*; Asahara, Yoshihiro*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yamada, Kazuyoshi*; Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi*; Yasuda, Yoshinori*

Geochemical Journal, 55(3), p.117 - 133, 2021/00

https://doi.org/10.2343/geochemj.2.0619

The absolute date of the Millennium Eruption (ME) of Changbaishan Volcano is widely recognized as AD 946. The Baegdosan-Tomakomai (B-Tm) tephra dispersed during the ME is a robust-age key bed. In order to identify the tephra, refractive index and major-element compositions of volcanic glass shards are conventionally used. However, trace-element analysis has been rarely carried out, especially for rare-earth elements (REEs) and for tephra layer bulk sediments. Here we present the datasets of major- and trace-element compositions datasets for the glass shards and bulk sediments of the B-Tm and Towada caldera eruptions (To-a) tephra deposits from the Lake Ogawara sediment core, Tohoku region, northern Japan. The depth profiles of the major and trace elements show the significant peaks for the KO and some trace elements (Zn, Rb, Zr, Nb, Sn, Y, La, Ce, Nd, Th, and U) at the B-Tm tephra layer in the Lake Ogawara sediment core, but no peaks of these elements at the To-a tephra layer. High concentrations of the trace elements in the B-Tm tephra layer were observed in individual glass shards as well as in the bulk sediment. These concentrations are highlighted by the elemental abundance pattern normalized by the crustal abundance. The elemental pattern in individual glass shards from other Japanese tephras showed significant differences from those of the B-Tm tephra, especially in REEs compositions. The trace-element compositions of the glass shards and bulk sediment show strong advantages for distinguishing the B-Tm tephra from other Japanese tephras.

A Geochemical approach for identifying marine incursions; Implications for tsunami geology on the Pacific coast of northeast Japan

Watanabe, Takahiro; Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi*; Yamasaki, Shinichi*; Sawai, Yuki*; Hosoda, Norihiro*; Nara, Fumiko*; Nakamura, Toshio*; Komai, Takeshi*

Applied Geochemistry, 118, p.104644_1 - 104644_11, 2020/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104644

Possible tsunami inundation areas can be predicted from the distribution of paleo tsunami deposits, which are mainly composed of marine-derived sands and muds on land. Such exotic sandy and muddy layers have been identified by multiple approaches. However, there still remain uncertainties and other useful proxies need to be investigated for the identification of tsunami deposits. Here we show the geochemical signatures of modern tsunami deposits from the Pacific coast of Northeast Japan (2011 Tohoku tsunami), as well as those paleo tsunami deposits, which were taken from the Tohoku District (Jogan, ca. 1080 calibrated ages before present [cal BP] and Yayoi, ca. 2000 cal BP). A geochemical ternary diagram (Seawater-Rock-(As+Metals)) enables the weathering trend of tsunami deposits over ca. 2000 years in the Sendai Plain in the Tohoku to be shown. In the paleo tsunami layers from the Tohoku, the Na/Ti atomic ratios markedly increased to 23.4, and the average values were 19.33.0 (Jogan and Yayoi tsunami deposits), which were clearly higher than those of other layers (soil deposits, 10.33.5 on average). These results show that the Na/Ti ratio is a useful indicator of marine incursions in our case. Our rapid and simple method using the Na/Ti ratio can be easily applied to the Tohoku, and it may contribute to the detection of unrecorded muddy tsunami deposits.

Tolerance of anhydrobiotic eggs of the tardigrade to extreme environments

Horikawa, Daiki*; Yamaguchi, Ayami*; Sakashita, Tetsuya; Tanaka, Daisuke*; Hamada, Nobuyuki*; Yukuhiro, Fumiko*; Kuwahara, Hirokazu*; Kunieda, Takekazu*; Watanabe, Masahiko*; Nakahara, Yuichi*; et al.

Astrobiology, 12(4), p.283 - 289, 2012/04

https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2011.0669

We examined the hatchability of hydrated and anhydrobiotic eggs of the tardigrade to hatch after ionizing irradiation (helium ions), extremely low and high temperatures, and high vacuum. Anhydrobiotic eggs (50% lethal dose; 1690 Gy) were substantially more radioresistant than hydrated ones (50% lethal dose; 509 Gy). Anhydrobiotic eggs also have a broader temperature resistance compared with hydrated ones. Over 70% of the anhydrobiotic eggs treated at high and low temperatures, but all of the hydrated eggs failed to hatch. After exposure to high vacuum conditions, the hatchability of the anhydrobiotic eggs was comparable to that of untreated control eggs.

Microbial activity in the subsurface environment of the Tono area and its relation to geochemical conditions -Study of the abundance and diversity of groundwater microorganisms-

Naganuma, Takeshi*; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Murakami, Yuki; Hama, Katsuhiro; Okamoto, Takuji*; Tanimoto, Daisuke*; Fujita, Yuka*; Watanabe, Fumiko*; Adachi, Nahomi*; Sato, Makoto*

JNC TY7400 2003-001, 116 Pages, 2003/05

JNC-TY7400-2003-001.pdf:4.97MB

The abundance and diversity of groundwater microorganisms was studied in the Tono area, central Japan. Total cell counts were estimated by epifluorescence microscopy. Cell viability, based on cell membrane integrity, respiration-based metabolism, and esterase activity was estimated to be from 0.001% to approximately 100% of the total counts. The distribution of microbial abundance wad related to a variety of environmental factors, including fracture numbers, hydrological, and geochemical conditions in the groundwater. In the groundwater, profiles of redox sensitive solutes such as sulphate and sulphide ions, abundance and viability of microbes, and sulphur isotope rations of sulphate ions suggest that microbial sulphate redution involving organic matter and subsequent pyrite precipiration are dominant redox reactions at the depths of the uranium ore body. Concentrations of both the sulphate and chloride increase with increasing depth. The dissoloved sulphate is surmised to have originated from dissolution of sulphate and sulphide minerals in a geologic marine formation precipitated in marine environments, in the upper part of the sedimentary rocks. Such a redox process in the water-mineral-microbe system is inferred to have continued from the time when the marine formation underwent uplift above sea-level, because sulphate-reducing bacteria can use sulphate ions dissolved in fresh water that infiltrates from the marine formation and organic matter located in the deeper sedimentary rocks. Calculations by using the sulphate-S contents of the rocks and the sulphate dissolution rate suggest that microbial sulphate redution alone could maintain sufficiently reducing conditions of preserve the uranium ore for several hundred thousand years, in the case where a hydrogeological system continues to exist without much change. On the other hand, iron-oxidizing/reducing bacteria seem to play an important role in iron redox cycling in the granite groundwater.

Trace element distributions of Lake Ogawara sediment core: Implication for the past sea level change at the late Holocene

Nara, Fumiko*; Yamasaki, Shinichi*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Tsuchiya, Noriyoshi*; Yamada, Kazuyoshi*; Yasuda, Yoshinori*

no journal, , 

Lake Ogawara is located northernmost Honshu island Japan, Tohoku region alongside Pacific Ocean. In this study, the trace elements (Br and U) in the Lake Ogawara sediment core were analyzed using XRF to reconstruct the past sea level and salinity changes during the late Holocene. The depth profiles of the trace elements (Br and U) showed the gradual decrease from 160 cm depth to the top of the core (corresponding to ca. 2,200 cal BP). These results showed that the sea level was decreased at around 2,200 cal BP.