Present status of the JAEA-AMS-TONO (2022FY)

Fujita, Natsuko; Miyake, Masayasu; Matsubara, Akihiro*; Ishii, Masahiro*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Jinno, Satoshi; Nishio, Tomohiro*; Ogawa, Yumi; Kimura, Kenji; Shimada, Akiomi; et al.

Dai-35-Kai Tandemu Kasokuki Oyobi Sono Shuhen Gijutsu No Kenkyukai Hokokushu, p.17 - 19, 2024/03

The JAEA-AMS-TONO facility at the Tono Geoscience Center, JAEA has three accelerator mass spectrometers. We report the present status of the JAEA-AMS-TONO.

Field-based description of near-surface crustal deformation in a high-strain shear zone; A Case study in southern Kyushu, Japan

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

https://doi.org/10.1111/iar.12516

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.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2022

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.

Efficient detection of methane seepage using a vehicle-mounted cavity ring-down spectroscopy analyzer

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimo, Michito*; Shimada, Koji; Goto, Akira

JAEA-Research 2022-004, 38 Pages, 2022/06

JAEA-Research-2022-004.pdf:2.86MB
JAEA-Research-2022-004-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:0.41MB

Methane (CH) seepage to the surface in the early stage of hydrocarbon exploration has attracted increasing attention. Also, detection of CH-rich fluid emission can be applied to reconnaissance surveys for safety management in geological disposal of radioactive waste because high-temperature fluids that come from slab dehydration along a subduction zone are often rich in CH. These fluids likely migrate along faults and fractures. In this study, we employed a portable analyzer that used a wavelength-scanned cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) with high accuracy (in ppb levels) and short measurement intervals (1 s). An on-vehicle measurement that employed the CRDS system was performed in the Hongu area in southeast Kii Peninsula, Japan, which included CH-bearing hot springs (Kawayu and Yunomine). The measurement near the hot springs detected a clear CH anomaly (2 ppm) that exceeded the background concentration. The estimation of CH diffusion in air based on the Gaussian plume model corresponded to the result of the on-vehicle measurement. This study confirmed that the method using the vehicle-mounted CRDS analyzer can help in quickly and easily identifying CH-bearing fluid emissions at the surface. Additionally, directions for use of the analyzer were summarized in this report.

Quantitative analyses of major and trace elements in geological samples using a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer at Tono Geoscience Center; An Analytical method of whole-rock geochemical composition by 3-mm diameter small spot measurements

Yamamoto, Yusuke; Watanabe, Takahiro; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji

JAEA-Testing 2021-003, 58 Pages, 2022/01

JAEA-Testing-2021-003.pdf:6.82MB

A long term geosphere stability for geological disposal is evaluated by the past geological environmental changes and modern conditions. Whole-rock geochemical compositions in rocks and sediments are useful information to estimate the past environmental changes and modern conditions. Recently, the portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were installed in the Tono Geoscience Center for rapid and simple whole-rock geochemical analyses (original specification; 8 mm-diameter analysis). In particular, the 3 mm-diameter small spot analysis using the portable XRF was performed for quantitative analyses of small-weight geological samples. In this study, we reported a quantitative method for major and trace elements using calibration curves by standard reference materials, as well as evaluation tests of uncertainty by repeated analyses of the standards measured by the portable XRF (3 mm-diameter small spot analysis). Furthermore, the small spot quantitative analyses by the portable XRF were also applied to fault rock samples that have been analyzed in previous studies.

Infrared images of outcrops around the Kawayu hot springs, Hongucho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture

Shimada, Koji; Goto, Akira; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimo, Michito*

Chishitsugaku Zasshi, 127(10), p.I - II, 2021/10

AA2021-0095.pdf:1.35MB

https://doi.org/10.5575/geosoc.2021.0021

Continuous leaking point of high-temperature fluid (liquid/gas) from underground can be easily grasped by infrared images. We show images confirmed by a FLIR C5 camera that can simultaneously obtain an infrared image and a visible light image at the outcrops of Kawayu Onsen that naturally spring along the river. Outcrops and river surface temperature rise due to hot springs that leaking from riverbanks and riverbeds, rock temperature rise around cracks where gas containing high-concentration methane leaks with hot springs, abandoned fluid pathway due to construction of the bank and damming river for hot spring river bath in winter can be confirmed at a glance. Infrared images may be useful for quick identification of hot fluid leaking points from underground.

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

AA2020-0092.pdf:4.61MB

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.

Recent evolution of fission-track chronometry; Advanced analytical methods, understanding of annealing kinetics, and developments of new dating systems

Sueoka, Shigeru; Shimada, Koji; Hasebe, Noriko*; Tagami, Takahiro*

Radioisotopes, 70(3), p.189 - 207, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.3769/radioisotopes.70.189

no abstracts in English

Rapid identification of water-conducting fractures using a trace methane gas measurement

Niwa, Masakazu; Amano, Kenji; Takeuchi, Ryuji; Shimada, Koji

Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation, 41(3), p.41 - 50, 2021/00

https://doi.org/10.1111/gwmr.12428

Identification of water-conducting fractures is important for the safety assessment of underground projects in crystalline rocks at geological disposal sites. We applied a portable methane gas analyzer by wavelength-scanned cavity ring-down spectroscopy to detect the water-conducting fractures in an underground tunnel excavated in granite with CH-rich groundwater. Two approaches were taken to obtain the profile of CH concentration along the gallery walls: (1) Scan by walking at the speed of 0.5 m/s and (2) monitoring for 30 s at 0.5 or 1-m intervals. In the Scan by walking approach, the peaks of the CH concentration corresponded well with the occurrence of high water flow rate fractures. Thus, this method is useful for rapid identification of major water-conducting fractures. Monitoring at constant intervals takes more time than the Scan by walking approach; however, this method can largely detect occurrences of fractures with low fluid fluxes.

A Catalog showing distribution and features of lineaments and related landforms in an active shear zone with unclear fault displacement topography; An Example of an active left-lateral shear zone in southern Kyushu Island, southwest Japan (Contract research)

Goto, Akira; Sasaki, Akimichi*; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Miwa, Atsushi*; Terusawa, Shuji*; Kagohara, Kyoko*; Shimada, Koji

JAEA-Research 2020-013, 88 Pages, 2020/11

JAEA-Research-2020-013.pdf:22.86MB
JAEA-Research-2020-013-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:0.18MB

Improvement of the investigation techniques to identify active faults is important for the implementation of geological disposal projects from the viewpoint of avoiding locations where permeability increases due to fault displacement. Generally, the existence of active faults is confirmed by aerial photography interpretation of fault displacement topography, which is a topographical trace of fault movement, and on-site geological surveys. However, the investigation method for cases where the topographical traces are unclear is not sufficiently developed. Therefore, to improve existing topographical methods, this study deciphered lineaments up to the rank of poorly defined features, which are almost neglected in general active fault research. The investigation area is one of the geodetic strain concentration zone, called the southern Kyushu shear zone, where the seismogenic faults of the 1997 Kagoshima northwest earthquakes are concealed. We conducted aerial photography interpretation of 62 sheets of 1/25,000 topographic maps, and obtained 1,327 lineaments. Distribution density, direction and length of lineaments were also investigated with topographic and geologic information. As a result, it was clarified that the east-west lineaments in the south Kyushu shear zone predominate in the western part, and the lineaments are densely distributed in the aftershock distribution area of the Kagoshima northwest earthquake. Along with these results, we have compiled a catalog of typical 13 lineaments based on combinations of clarity, direction, length and geomorphic characters of lineaments.