Marine Ecosystems Research Department - jamstec japan agency ...

JAMSTEC 2002 Annual Report
Institute for Frontier Research on Earth Evolution (IFREE)
water, state of the art apparatus, maintained and
organized by qualified scientists and technicians, have
been installed at the Center and at collaborative
universities.
(i) Electron Probe Microanalyser (EPMA):
We installed two EPMAs last year to decode the
major-element composition in particularly small
regions in minerals and volcanic glasses using an
improved method. We reexamined the analysis conditions
for EPMA standard samples and attained good
operational conditions. We have now started major
element analysis of small areas of minerals and volcanic
glasses in rock samples.
(ii) Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS):
We have established a new technique for the analysis
of Sr, Nd, Pb, Os and Ru isotopic ratios in rock
samples using three TIMS that are installed at the
Center and at a collaborating university. We have
attained the highest level in sensitivity and precision
for these analyses.
(iii) Quadrupole ICP Mass Spectrometer (QP-ICP-MS):
We have established a new technique for the analysis
of ultra-trace elements and platinum group elements
for rock samples using QP-ICP-MS installed at
the D/S Center and at a collaborating university. We
have attained the highest level in precision and sensitivity
using this technique.
(iv) X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF):
We have reexamined the geochemical standard
samples, analysis conditions and technique for XRF at
JAMSTEC. Quantification of major elements (SiO
,
TiO
, Al
O
, Fe
O
, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na
O, K
O,
P
O
) using multi-channel simultaneous XRF, and of
trace elements (Rb, Ba, Th, Nb, Pb, Sr, Zr, Y, Ni, Cu,
Zn, S) using wavelength dispersive XRF, has been set
up for rock and sediment samples.
(v) Noble gas mass spectrometer:
A new noble gas mass spectrometer was installed in
the D/S Center for noble gas isotope analyses and K-
Ar dating of rock and mineral samples. This mass
spectrometer is equipped with an ultra high vacuum
gas purification line and a tantalum furnace gas
extraction system.
(vi) Micro-drill:
We established a method for in-situ measurement of
Sr isotopes in minerals (mainly plagioclase) through
micro-drill sampling at a collaborating university, followed
by TIMS measurement.
(vii) Clean room:
Clean rooms were built at the D/S Center for the
pre-treatment of rock samples, including decomposition
of powdered rock samples and separation of target
elements. The clean rooms allow us to handle samples
under very clean conditions.
3. Pacific Data Network Division
3.1. Electromagnetic data distributing system.
IFREE Center for Data and Sample Analyses,
Pacific Data Network Division is developing a new
unified electromagnetic field (EM) data distributing
system following the NINJA (New Interface for
Networked Java Application) system. Our aim is to
create an easy-use system for both data users and data
providers. The primary concept of the system is that
data users can download any EM data in any format
via a single distributing system requiring less operation
by data providers.
Data users can download data via WWW, requiring
only a standard WEB browser (Fig.) to connect to a
main WEB server. At the WEB server interface, the
simple search involves observatory name and data
period, but additional search options can be used, for
example, global geomagnetic disturbance level, such
as values of the sum of daily Kp indices, the five or
ten quietest days, and the five most disturbed days.
Furthermore, an option to limit the missing rate in data
is provided for users who wish to avoid downloading
data that includes a lot of losses. Data providers can
upload data in any format by simply installing RMI
servers that allow a connection with a WEB server via
http. The data request interface at the WEB server
obtains the requested data from data centers, trans-
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