Katsuhiro Hama

Carbon-14 study of groundwater in the sedimentary rocks at the Tono study site, central Japan

Isotopic investigations using 14C of groundwater were carried out to understand the hydraulic conditions in the sedimentary rocks at the Tono study site, central Japan. 14C activities of groundwater observed range from 2 to 32 % Modern Carbon (pMC). Measured 14C activities of groundwater are corrected by the isotopic mass balance model based on 14C activities, δ13C values, concentrations of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and δ13C values of non-active carbon dissolved into the groundwater from carbonate minerals and organics. Assuming that the groundwater reservoir is comparable to the piston flow situation, the relative 14C ages of groundwaters were calculated from the corrected 14C activity. The relative 14C age suggests that the groundwater infiltration from the upper part of the sedimentary rocks to the lower part takes several thousands of years, or that the groundwater in the lower part of sedimentary rocks is derived from long distance flow from the surface through the unconformity between the sedimentary rocks and basement granite. The flow rate calculated by relative 14C ages shows similar values to those estimated by computer simulation using hydraulic pressure and conductivity data. Hydraulic conditions at the Tono study site inferred from 14C activity agree with those suggested from hydrogeological analyses. Isotopic approaches using 14C activity can be applied as geochemical evaluation for interpretations from the hydraulic study.

Unique distribution of deep groundwater bacteria constrained by geological setting

We collected groundwater samples at depths of up to 482 m from three boreholes drilled into sedimentary rock within two formations in Hokkaido, Japan. The prokaryotic community in each subsurface groundwater sample was analysed by microscopic counts and cloning-sequencing the 16S rRNA genes. On total direct counts, there were between 4.61 × 10(4) and 5.06 × 10(6) prokaryote cells ml(-1) in the samples, which is similar to the numbers observed at the marine subsurface. However, the vertical distribution of the prokaryotes did not show a simple decrease in abundance with increasing depth. A high abundance of cells with significant amounts of RNA was identified in the domain Bacteria using fluorescence in situ hybridization, with a high frequency of dividing cells at the transition zone between the two sedimentary rock formations. Cloning-sequencing analysis showed the predominance of γ-Proteobacteria at this transition zone at 281-312 m. The horizontal heterogeneity of the microbial distribution in the subsurface environment was also demonstrated by a relatively high density of members of the domain Archaea in borehole HDB-4, drilled only 1.5 km northeast of HDB-6 and in the same formation.

Current Status of Phase II Investigations: Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) Project

The Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) Project, a comprehensive research project investigating the deep underground environment in crystalline rock, is being conducted by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency at Mizunami City, Central Japan. The MIU Project is being carried out in three overlapping phases: Surface-based Investigation (Phase I), Construction (Phase II), and Operation (Phase III), with a total duration of 20 years. The overall project goals of the MIU Project from Phase I through to Phase III are: 1) to establish techniques for investigation, analysis and assessment of the deep geological environment, and 2) to develop a range of engineering techniques for deep underground application. Phase I was completed in March 2004, and Phase II investigations associated with the construction of the underground facilities are currently underway. Phase II investigation goals are to evaluate the geological, hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and rock mechanical models developed in Phase I and to assess changes in the deep geological environment caused by the construction of underground facilities. Geological mapping, borehole investigations for geological, hydrogeological, hydrochemical and rock mechanical studies are being carried out in shafts and research galleries in order to evaluate the models. Long-term monitoring of changes in groundwater chemistry and pressure associated with the construction of the underground facilities continue in and around the MIU site, using existing boreholes and monitoring systems. This report summarizes the current status of the MIU Project on results of the Phase II investigations to date.Copyright