Methane hydrate

　Hello, everyone. It became the last report contribution still more.
　I have summarized the information which exists in the middle of research until now. A still more familiar thing is taken up this time. In fact, there are some which have influence on our life early most. It is methane hydrate.
　I introduce easily the methane hydrate which is capturing the spotlight now.

　First, what is methane hydrate? Speaking directly, it being a kind of natural gas. Natural gas, such as methane, combined with water and is made. Although it tends to seem whether to be a liquid, it is a solid crystal in practice. Appearance resembles ice. Since it has the character to burn if fire is brought close, it may be called "the ice which burns." Only water remains, after burning. It is a very wonderful substance. 

　Compared with oil or coal, the amount of discharge of carbon dioxide of this substance is a half about. Methane is included in large quantities, and moreover, since only water remains, after use can be said to be a very environment-friendly substance. If utilizable, it will greatly be useful also for the global environmental destruction prevention currently tackled on a worldwide scale. This can be used for various energy sources, such as fuel of a car, town gas, and power generation. This is very reliable!

　Is this what has occurred with distant backgrounds, such as Europe and Africa? It is different. That is an important point of this methane hydrate is Japan in which what and we live. As said for beginning, having influence on a life is not restricted to use. It is the first point that natural gas can be exploited at its own country. 

　Two conditions are required in order for methane hydrate to occur. It is "high pressure" and "low temperature." First of all, it is the very limited place that existence of methane hydrate is checked. One is a place of 100 meters of the underground number of the North Pole or the South Poles. Another is a place deeper than the depth of water of 500 meters. It is the latter that it is related to Japan, of course. 

　Then, what methane hydrate is really sleeping in the world?

 

　An abundant quantity of methane hydrate exists all over the world. On what and land, the quantity of several 1 quadrillion cubic meters is checked in several 10 trillion cubic meters and ocean space. Doesn't imagination stick at all? This is about 10 times the quantity of the deposits of the natural gas in the world. They say that it is equal to the amount of primitive of the natural gas used now. Furthermore, the quantity of the methane hydrate around Japan is uncanny. About 4,200 billion cubic meters is told to the Nankai Trough around Japan. Furthermore, it is surmised in the Hokkaido surrounding ocean area that it also amounts to 6 trillion cubic meters. 

　Do you think that you will have in what year if there is a quantity like this? 50 year ? 80 years? It is the quantity which can say and is equal to 100 income tax years. This is the world's largest methane hydrate quantity possessed. Could the natural blessing possibly receive just because it was the island country surrounded by the sea? Probably, the day which becomes the world's largest energy-resources power also has near Japan. 

　Then, this finishes the blog contribution over ten weeks. "The world of deep sea" -- Did you have enjoy this blog? It is happy if you get interested. Thank you. 

reference

• http://mhy.cmpcmp.net/010/ent1.html
• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/メタンハイドレート
• http://methanehydrate.net/
• http://www.eps.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/res-edu/geosphere/matsumoto.html

Hydrothermal vent

On the ground, a volcano exists. The crack which the water heated with heat of the earth spouts is in deep sea as well as it. The name is Hydrothermal vent. They mainly have volcanic activity in an active place.


　Even if it calls it Hydrothermal vent at a word, especially the thing of deep sea is characteristic.
First, a biological activity is very prosperous. It is because many chemical substances have melted into the liquid which blew off. Furthermore, only one kind is not breeding and various kinds of living things form society intricately.

The society which surrounds this Hydrothermal vent is greatly dependent on bacteria and Archea. Bacteria are increased in large quantities, thanks to the chemical substance blowing off. Then, it increases and bacteria spread in thick mat. Then, the living thing which makes this food flocks. Furthermore, a food chain is formed when a big living thing preys on it.
　Moreover, this bacteria and relation of a tube worm are deep. They make bacteria parasitic on the inside of the body. It is each digestive function which a tube worm and bacteria have, and is living together well.


Thus, Hydrothermal vent is called source of the life of a living thing. Two or more hypotheses that the life was born from here also actually exist.

　Let's investigate in detail about a tube worm. Structure of their body is very interesting. It has the mouth and no alimentary canal. Gills is used in order to take in nutrition. Although they are not fish, either, where on earth is gills? Please see a right photograph. The reddest portion at a tip is gills. Is what was being imagined differed from considerably? A substance is absorbed from here and an organic matter is compounded in a body.




　A hydrothermal venting hole is often called a chimney from the figure projected from the ground. Then, what degree is the temperature of the "hot water" which blows off from the chimney really? Ashore, water boils at 100 ℃.
If it evaporates, water will become vapor and will be gas. That is, water (hot water) 100 ℃ or more should not be made.
　However, if something melts or big pressure is applied into water, the boiling point of water will go up. Is this surprised? Near the seabed with a chimney requires terrestrial big pressure about 200 times  by sea water. Therefore, the water of the temperature which is not considered exists in the ground of 200~400 ℃.
This is just a submarine wonder! A somewhat hotter bath is about 41 ℃. If it becomes, what heat is 400 ℃ hot water really? Isn't imagination attached, either? But such a thing has happened very ordinarily in deep sea.

　The chimney was discovered for the first time off the Galapagos Islands in 1977. Since then, a lot is discovered at a place which is called the boundary portion of a plate, etc. and where diastrophism is active. However, however the chimney might be discovered, the kind of living thing seen on the outskirts was generally the same. Even if it investigates the ocean of what, a kind does not change. How on earth were they scattered all over the world? Or did it carry out by producing a life one after another with the chimney? This mystery has not been solved yet. A chimney will surely be useful for research of primitive global environment.




reference

• http://www.nationalgeographic.co.jp/environment/habitats/deep-sea-vents.html
• http://rikanet2.jst.go.jp/contents/cp0170/main/stmain/contents/menu/menu.html
• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/熱水噴出孔

http://www.jamstec.go.jp/j/index.html

Thermohaline circulation

　Have you heard the word "thermohaline circulation"? I extracted only to the thing of deep sea and have so far written the report. Then, deep sea and the surface sea don't have relation at all? It can say and that is never right. More than we are imagining rather, these two are a relation inseparable even if it cuts.

　Then, What is thermohaline circulation ? It is "heat" when thermo is put in another way. Moreover, when haline puts in another way, it is "salto". The density of sea water is decided by this heat and salt.

　What on earth happens with the density of sea water? First, it is cooled as the sea water which was flowing through the warm sea goes near the North Pole (or South Pole). And if the sea water becomes high latitude, it will begin to sink. High-density sea water sinks in deep sea further. Circulation becomes the point here. The sea water which sank in deep sea returns to a surface until 1200 years ago! The talk that it is patient.
　But this system has had big influence on us. What is it? Yes, it is climate.

　Recently, does the cold day continue in Japan? It is said that it applied especially to the end of last year or today, and had become cold markedly rather than the ordinary year. A little this is a wonder. Although "Global warming is progressing" is said, not to mention it gets warm in winter, why does it become cold in the world?

　First of all, let's observe the ice of the Arctic Ocean. The ice of the Arctic Ocean melts by introduction and warming. If a right photograph is seen, it turns out that this ice remarkable in 30 years has melted. And the more marine ice has a small area, the more it absorbs solar heat. Moreover, heat is emitted to the atmosphere from a sea surface because sea ice becomes small. Thereby, the atmosphere around the Arctic Ocean gets warm. Then, atmospheric pressure high up in the sky goes up, and the strong cold flows into Japan under the influence of various winds. High up in the sky, such a thing has happened.

　Then, how is this related to thermohaline circulation?

　The theory of "cooling conversely by warming" is leading in Europe. The system of thermohaline circulation has backed this up. Thermohaline circulation has a sea route like a belt as an upside picture is seen and understood. Moreover, sea water does not only simply move. Various heat and energies are conveyed. In other words, work like the conveyor belt of a factory is carried out. The cause of cooling feared what and now is in this. It is said that this conveyor, i.e., thermohaline circulation, may stop. 

This conveyor is moving according to the difference of the density of surface sea water and deep sea water. Since if sea ice, such as the Arctic Ocean, melts, the density of sea water will fall. 

Then, the power of sinking to the seabed gradually is lost. If it compares, it will be in a state it becomes impossible for a car to run with a gasoline piece. The slowdown of thermohaline circulation cannot be stopped but it may stop soon. If it becomes so, cooling will take place to the whole world. 

　Can you believe this theory? It seems that the earth itself is going to reset the inside with will completely. Always don't forget the natural threat. 

reference

• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/熱塩循環
• http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/COLUMN/20120213/204698/?P=3
• http://blog.umigaeru.com/2009/01/the-day-after-tomorrow.html
• http://tamekiyo.com/documents/W_Engdahl/icemelting.php

The movie of deep sea

　Hello, everyone.
　I introduced three fish of deep sea with the last report. It is further deepened this time. It focuses on all deep sea and introduces focusing on an movie. Let's approach attractive deep sea more.

　First, there is an organization which investigates the sea in Japan. It is called "JAMSTEC." They are not conducting investigation under the government. It stepped forward one new step as an independent administrative agency in 2004. Their existence is indispensable to marine research of Japan. Necessity of the existence increased further by the big earthquake in 2011. Let's get to know deep sea more after being based on their activity.

　The image here will be broadcast from NHK in August, 2012. It is a precious image when the "hyper-dolphin number" of JAMSTEC searches deep sea. This diving place is Okinawa. Depth of water is 1400 meters. What kind of the world spreads out sure enough?

controller

　As the image was suited, the arm of a submarine can be operated by remote control. A left photograph is a controller. The two arm  are called the robot arm. If a small arm operation term is moved, it is possible to a fine motion just like man's hand. And that it should further observe is a monitor which projects this Hi-Vision image. This monitor is the same as an "eye" for the human being who operates it. Each has an important role.
　Moreover, the structure called a "chimney" appeared in the second half of an image. This chimney is introduced with a future report. Can it be said that it is the same as approaching the actual condition of the earth to study deep sea?

 Let's go to the next movie.

　Recently, the top news about deep sea was reported. A legendary monster --Giant Squid--it is having succeeded in the photography of the figure which the cuttlefish is alive and swims. Giant squid is proud of the size of the world's largest class as a friend of a cuttlefish or an octopus. An 18-meter thing is also checked at the maximum. Since deep sea was inhabited, the ecology was strange, but it became one big step by having succeeded in image photography for the first time.
　Then, please look at an movie.

　It is a very wonderful image?
　It is said that the 50 staff participated from 11 nations in scientists or engineers in order to photo this image. A filming site is Ogasawara Islands in Japan. It will be excited if it thinks that that living thing [ like ] is alive to the seabed in Japan.
　But photography did not necessarily progress simply. It was the investigation and preparation to which what and the time as long as ten years were applied. 100 thing under which they go to the seabed, and its time reached also in 400 hours. The rhubarb which does not appear easily. It is said that various strategy was given to the Giant squid.This image has held many Japanese's heart.

　In addition, many deep sea images are exhibited in JAMSTEC. In this blog, there are many great images, so that it cannot introduce! How about looking in at the site of JAMSTEC? 

reference

• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAMSTEC
• http://www.jamstec.go.jp/j/about/index.html
• http://homepage2.nifty.com/matsuura-ma/jamstec.html
• http://superkumamushi.web.fc2.com/ships.html
• http://www.nhk.or.jp/special/detail/2013/0113/index.html

Deep-sea fishes

　Have you seen the living thing of deep sea?
　The fish which generally lives in ocean space deeper than the depth of water of 200 meters is called deep-sea fish. However, the kind which changes depth is also in it as it grows up to be inside. Now, about 2000 sorts are checked. In order to bear the severe environment of deep sea, many living things are having special structure. The Deep-sea creature is carrying out as very strange appearance as the thing living the deep place.
　Let's show you three animals of my favorite are introduced with this report.

　The shark which exist also in the shallow sea. There are various kinds to what acts as an adult and attacks people from that of a potato of sharks. Then, what kind of figure is the shark of deep sea carrying out? 

Goblin shark

　This fish is called "Goblin Shark".   It is a very rare shark. The tip of the nose of the feature is very long. It is supposed that deep sea with a depth of about 1300 meters or more is inhabited. Since there is the feature of an ancient shark, it is also called "the living fossil." 

Full length is very large at about about 6 meters. While swimming usually, it acts as an adult very much, and it is and is visible to appearance. Since it is not a man-eater shark and people are attacked, it does not become precocious. 

　Goblin Shirk's jaw is very interesting. Please look at the movie here. The scene of which a jaw jumps out is very strange. Why did it have such a feature in dark deep sea? It is wonderful.

　

　Let's see the next fish. 

RYUGUNOTSUKAI

　WOW! It is very holy! This fish is called "RYUGUNOTSUKAI(竜宮の使い)". In an English name, it is called "Regalecus glesne." In 3 meters - about 11 meters, full length weighs about about 250 kg. In the fish with the bone checked now, it is considered as the longest kind in the world. The body is flat and becomes thin toward a tail. It is stood still where the whole body is uprighted usually. RYUGUNOTSUKAI is rarely launched by the offing. Since it does not seem to be rare to be realized as an earthquake or the previous announcement of evil these days. 

　It is here and they are bits of knowledge. It is said that RYUGUNOTSUKAI is a friend of ocean sunfish. From long and slender this, I do not imagination.  

　The right photograph of launched　RYUGUNOTSUKAI is here. It is this size even if it holds by three adult men. It is a surprise as such a living thing exists on the earth. 

Finally, I introduce the deep-sea frogfish.It seems that they were discovered to the seabed in Great Barrier Reef according to the report of National Geographic. It could be said that the ancient living thing is just alive. 

Them feature is the line of a fillet is extended for a long time. When the filar thing which has grown in some places of the body is the skin along which feeling passed, is it? That each one will catch change of delicate water. To the depth of water of 100 meters - 10000 meters, it lives broadly. A male can rarely meet with a scalpel in dark deep sea. So, the male of many animals is parasitic on the scalpel of one animal.   

　How was it? 

　Many kinds inhabit deep sea still more. How about finding one animal of your favorite? You can meet a surely interesting living thing!

reference

• http://pub.ne.jp/sakura2011/?entry_id=3973186
• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/mainpage
• http://www.jamstec.go.jp/j/
• http://www.nationalgeographic.co.jp/news/

Deep sea water

　Deep sea water is taken up in this topic.

　Is deep sea water one? It is unfamiliar language not much. The sea on the earth is divided into a surface and the depths bordering on the depth of water of 200 meters. From the depths, water temperature falls suddenly. The sea water which is flowing through this deep sea that a solar light does not reach, either is deep sea water. These deep sea water is moving over two years in the ocean in the world. And for this reason, it is greatly concerned also with the climate of the earth almost as long as what and 2000 years going round. Although the talk of some sea water tends to be seemed, about 95% of the sea on the earth is this deep sea water.

　Deep sea water was found the 1920s for the first time in the world. It is said that it is the power generation experiment using the difference in temperature of sea water conducted by the French scientist. It was an occurrence in Hawaii in 1981 that research started for the purpose of employing in industry efficiently after that. The first research institute was built by Muroto in Japan in 1989. Now, various results of research are got. 

　Then, let's see the feature of deep sea water. 

1. Clean 
2. Nutritious
3. Water quality is stability 

　1: Deep sea water is very beautiful. It is because it is not subject to the influence of the river water which man polluted. That is, there is no contamination by a chemical substance. It is very safe water. 

　2: Deep sea water is nutrition perfect. The kind of many good also for man's body of mineral is included. Of course, the nutrient is abundantly contained in this deep sea water also for the marine living thing. 

　3: Water temperature is maintaining low temperature through one year. Since it can be said that the ingredient contained in deep sea water is also constant, and water quality is stable. 

　For what kind of thing is deep sea water utilized? It starts for food and is medical treatment, health, and cosmetics. Very various usage is carried out so that it may be called cosmetics, agriculture, and culture industry. 

　For example, in medical treatment, it is taken in as thalassotherapy. This word means "thalassotherapy." This is the medical treatment performed using the mud of seaweed, sea water, and the sea. In Japan, although this cure has not been authorized yet, it is taken in by the resort facility. It excels especially in the relaxed action which relieves the fatigue of mind and body. 

　Let's give an example in a fishery field. Cultivation of the sea weed from the stability of deep sea water or the abundance of nutrition, an abalone, etc. became easy. These can be ashore cultivated now. It is exactly because it is easy to adjust water temperature and amount of water can also be given abundantly. Therefore, growth and maturity earlier than usual came to be obtained. 

　Land and deep sea tend to be apparently considered without relation. However, many in this way blessings for man or a living thing are brought about in practice. It is unseparable, even if it cuts as it seems that all the living things were produced from the sea. 

reference

• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/海洋深層水
• http://www.shinsousui.com/
• http://www.npojadowa.net/
• http://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/~sinsosui/index.html
• http://deepsea-shop.jp/about_dsw.html

The submarine in the world

　In this topic, I write about the submarine in the world.

　Let's explore from the original purpose of a submarine first. Originally, with the submarine, it was used as a kind of a warship. The power was based on human power. As it was called from there the air engine, the electric motor, and a gasoline engine and an electric motor, it has progressed through long history. the background -- a color -- the negative history of war exists deeply. Use any the submarine has expanded the width of the people's activity greatly. 

　Here, "Deep-submergence vehicle" which is a submarine used for the purpose of "investigation of deep sea" is introduced.

NAUTILE of france 

　Right picture is deep-submergence vehicle of France,  "NAUTILE". (NAUTILE is a thing with the mind of a "nautilus") This was made in 1984. It can get in this ship to three persons. Full length is 8.0 meters and width is 2.7 meters. It is the features 120 hours and that very long time diving can be carried out. Even a depth of 6000 meters serves as a range which can be dived now. It visited by trench investigation also to Japan in 1985. It is for carrying out cooperative study. The plan is called a "KAIKO plan." Plate tectonics with the close relation with an earthquake was studied. It achieved big success. 

ALVIN of USA

　Left photographs are U.S. deep-submergence vehicle and "ALVIN". It was applied for the first time on June 5, 1964. This is also a ship of three-person riding. The pilot is the rule which one person and a scientist declare themselves two. I can stay 4500 meters of deep sea till 9 hours now. ALVIN is famous also for having conducted diving investigation of the Titanic number. 

　Please look at the image of the deep sea living thing of the Gulf of Alaska photoed by this ALVIN. 

　How was it? A deep sea living thing and environment have projected this animation clearly, and it is a very worthy animation. ALVIN has managed thing diving 4000 times or more. Expectation becomes increasingly large still more at this ship of active service.

SHINKAI6500 of Japan

　Then, let's see representation deep-submergence vehicle of Japan of our country. The name of this ship is called "SINKAI6500." It has been considered as submergence vehicle of three-person riding under which it can go in the world most deeply till recent years. It can dive to the depth of 6500 meters. As for this, full length has 9.6 meters and a 2.7-meter-wide body. Extraction of the living thing of deep sea, a sedimentary rock, and hot water is also possible. Bottom time is about 9 hours.


　This SHINKAI6500 has achieved many success until now. The remarkable result in recent years is investigation in the focus ocean space of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The big crack was checked to what and the seabed. This is discovery indispensable to future Japan's research. In addition, discovery of a hydrothermal venting hole, discovery of a new living thing, etc. are only the investigations which repaint history. What kind of investigation is advanced from now on? It cannot let cooperation of each country out of sight.

reference

• http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/潜水艦#.E7.99.BA.E9.81.94.E5.8F.B2
• http://www.jamstec.go.jp/j/kids/tazunete/003/index.html
• http://www.jamstec.go.jp/j/museum/umihoshi/learning/index2.html
• http://karapaia.livedoor.biz/archives/51490074.html
• http://www.jamstec.go.jp/shinkai6500/research_history/