Paleohydrogeology of the Horonobe area, Northern Hokkaido, Japan; Groundwater flow conditions during glacial and postglacial periods estimated from chemical and isotopic data for fracture and pore water

Mochizuki, Akihito; Ishii, Eiichi

Applied Geochemistry, 155, p.105737_1 - 105737_15, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105737

Understanding the difference in groundwater flow between glacial and interglacial periods is crucial for predicting the impact of future climate changes on groundwater movement. This study assesses the difference in groundwater flow between the last glacial period (LGP) and the postglacial period (PGP) in fractured mudstones of the Horonobe area, Japan, by combining the data for stable isotopes (D and O) and Cl concentration of fracture and pore waters with radiocarbon (C) age. The isotopic compositions of fractures and pore waters indicate that groundwater at 28250 m deep in a borehole closest to the recharge area comprises meteoric water, recharged under the same climates as the present. The fracture water has isotopic compositions more similar to meteoric water than the matrix pore water near the fracture. The C age of fracture water suggests meteoric water recharge during the PGP. At greater depths in the borehole and sampling points in other boreholes, the isotopic compositions indicate the mixing of glacial meteoric and altered connate water, with the fracture water having comparable isotopic compositions with the matrix pore water. The recharge timing of meteoric water is inferred to be the LGP or before based on C dating. These results suggest that the meteoric water recharged during the PGP flows at a shallow depth, whereas the meteoric water recharged during the LGP intruded to greater depths. This result is consistent with previous inferences from surface geophysical and geological surveys that the depths of local valleys during the LGP were greater by 50 m than the present ones and enhanced the downward hydraulic gradient. Combining the chemical and isotopic compositions of groundwater with C age helps assess the groundwater flow during the LGP and PGP in fractured rocks.

Isotopic signals in fracture-filling calcite showing anaerobic oxidation of methane in a granitic basement

Mizuno, Takashi; Suzuki, Yohei*; Milodowski, A. E.*; Iwatsuki, Teruki

Applied Geochemistry, 150, p.105571_1 - 105571_11, 2023/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105571

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) affects both the redox conditions and carbon cycle in groundwater. However, examples of studies on crystalline rock deep in terrestrial subsurface as well as the potential host rock for geological disposal are few. Therefore, we conducted a paleohydrogeological study on fracture-filling calcite in the Toki Granite. The O value (-32.7 to -0.59 permil) revealed that the groundwater that precipitated the calcite was groundwater derived from hydrothermal fluid, freshwater that came from the surface, and seawater that penetrated during marine transgression. On the other hand, C (-56.6 to 6.0 permil) was wider than the isotopic range of DIC that originated from hydrothermal, freshwater, and seawater sources (-25 to 2 permil). Calcite with C that was lighter than -25 permil was believed to have precipitated DIC, which was provided by AOM. In contrast to previous studies, the Mizunami AOM calcite was precipitated in a freshwater environment, indicating that various processes could have generated AOM in crystalline rocks deep in the terrestrial subsurface.

Uranium (VI) sorption on illite under varying carbonate concentrations; Batch experiments, modeling, and cryogenic time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy study

Mei, H.; Aoyagi, Noboru; Saito, Takumi*; Kozai, Naofumi; Sugiura, Yuki; Tachi, Yukio

Applied Geochemistry, 136, p.105178_1 - 105178_8, 2022/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2021.105178

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.

Preface of SI; RNs in the environments

Tanaka, Kazuya; Kaplan, D. I.*; Onuki, Toshihiko

Applied Geochemistry, 85(Part B), p.119 - 120, 2017/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2017.09.016

We have prepared a special issue for Applied Geochemistry entitled "Transformation and Fate of Natural and Anthropogenic Radionuclides in the Environments". Here, we present 13 peer-reviewed articles on the general theme of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in different environments. At the same time, these articles cover various topics of field research on the distribution of radionuclides, as well as laboratory experiments on adsorption and redox chemistry of these. The articles have been written by the attendees of the session at the Goldschmidt 2016 held in Yokohama, Japan, and by other authors who submitted their manuscripts to Applied Geochemistry focusing on the theme of the special issue.

Effect of flavin compounds on uranium(VI) reduction- kinetic study using electrochemical methods with UV-vis spectroscopy

Yamasaki, Shinya*; Tanaka, Kazuya; Kozai, Naofumi; Onuki, Toshihiko

Applied Geochemistry, 78, p.279 - 286, 2017/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2017.01.014

This study examined the rate constant for the U(VI) reduction process by three flavin analogues, which are redox-active biomolecules secreted from anaerobic bacteria, to elucidate their substituent group effect on the U(VI) reduction rate by electrochemical methods. The formation of the U(IV) was monitored by UV-vis spectrometry in the presence of the flavins. The rate constant for the U(VI) reduction by the flavins was determined. The apparent reduction potential of U(VI) increased about 0.2 V in the presence of the mediators, which strongly suggests that the biological electron mediator makes the U(VI) reduction possible even under more oxidative conditions.

Release of mantle and crustal helium from a fault following an inland earthquake

Umeda, Koji; Asamori, Koichi; Kusano, Tomohiro

Applied Geochemistry, 37, p.134 - 141, 2013/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2013.07.018

This study was undertaken to elucidate spatial and temporal changes of He/He ratios around a source region before and after an inland earthquake using both new and existing helium isotope data from hot spring and drinking water wells. Most gas samples near the seismic source region are characterized by increase in postseismic He/He ratios. In contrast, the postseismic ratios decrease by up to about 30% away from the seismic source region. Episodic faulting could release accumulated radiogenic helium from host rocks, or enhance the transfer of mantle volatiles through permeable fault zones, such that subsequent fluid flow proximal to the source region could then explain the spatio-temporal variations in He/He ratios.

A Comparative study of the modelling of cement hydration and cement-rock laboratory experiments

Savage, D.*; Soler, J. M.*; Yamaguchi, Kohei; Walker, C.; Honda, Akira; Inagaki, Manabu; Watson, C.*; Wilson, J.*; Benbow, S.*; Gaus, I.*; et al.

Applied Geochemistry, 26(7), p.1138 - 1152, 2011/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.04.004

The use of cement and concrete as fracture grouting or as tunnel seals in a geological disposal facility for rad wastes creates potential issues concerning chemical reactivity. From a long term safety perspective, it is desirable to be able model these interactions and changes quantitatively. As part of the LCS (Long-term Cement Studies) project programme, a modelling inter-comparison has been conducted, involving the modelling of two experiments describing cement hadration and cement-rock reaction, with teams representing the NDA (UK), Posiva (Finland), and JAEA. This modelling exercise showed that the dominant reaction pathways in the two experiments are fairly well understood and are consistent between the different modelling teams, although significant differences existed amongst the precise parameterisation. Future modelling exercises of this type should focus on a suitable natural or industrial analogue that might aid assessing mineral-fluid reactions at these longer timescales.

I/I ratios in surface waters of the English Lake District

Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Schnabel, C.*; Cook, G.*; MacKenzie, A. B.*; Dougans, A.*; Ellam, R. M.*; Freeman, S.*; Maden, C.*; Olive, V.*; Synal, H.-A.*; et al.

Applied Geochemistry, 22(3), p.628 - 636, 2007/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2006.12.008

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) was used to measure I/I ratios in surface sea, lake and river water samples collected in 2004 and 2005 from the English Lake District and from South west Scotland, areas which are in relatively close proximity to the Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in north west England. The I/I ratios in surface water collected from the shore of the Irish Sea were in the range 2.810 to 8.210. These ratios are one order of magnitude higher than that of seawater collected from the Irish Sea in 1992, correlating with the increase in I content of the Sellafield liquid effluent discharge over the last decade. The I/I ratios in lakes in the Lake District were in the range 0.710 to 6.410 and decreased exponentially as a function of distance from Sellafield.

Hydrochemical baseline condition of groundwater at the Mizunami underground research laboratory (MIU)

Iwatsuki, Teruki; Furue, Ryoji; Mie, Hideki; Ioka, Seiichiro; Mizuno, Takashi

Applied Geochemistry, 20(12), p.2283 - 2302, 2005/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2005.09.002

Hydrochemical conditions up to 1000m below ground level around the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory were investigated to construct a baseline condition model descriving the undisturbed condition.