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Brine samples from the wells in the Kashio mineral spring (an "Arima-type" hot spring at Ooshika-Mura, central Japan) were analyzed to determine the original chemical and isotopic compositions of the deep brine end-member before its dilution by meteoric water and to elucidate the origin of the end-member. The trends of variation between Cl, δD, and δ18O indicated the existence of a two-component mixing system and a systematic variation in the mixing ratio, which were mentioned in previous studies. By carefully tracking the variation in tritium (3H) and atmospheric noble gas in the brine, the Cl concentration in the end-member was determined to be 24,000 mg/L. This value is consistent with the result of previous studies. Based on the estimated composition and other related data, we inferred that the end-member originated from slab-derived fluid, which in turn may have undergone oxygen isotope exchange reactions with minerals. Although both the Arima and Kashio brines are considered to be derived from fluid dehydrated from the Philippine Sea slab, the chemical and isotopic compositions of the Kashio end-member are different from those of the Arima end-member. In particular, the Kashio end-member is characterized by low Cl concentration (~ 40% lower than that in the Arima end-member), low hydrogen isotope ratio, and low 3He/4He ratio (1.4 Ra). These results indicate that the chemical and isotopic compositions of the slab-derived fluid are different for each location. The significant difference in δD could reflect the difference in the dehydration depth. Finally, the low temperature and relatively low 3He/4He ratio of the brine end-member could be explained by its long residence time within the crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fluid & gas chemistry of the Hatchobaru geothermal field, Kyushu, Japan was studied. • Gas chemistry is likely to reflect the signature of the magmatic heat source. • Carbon isotope systematics yielded an apparent equilibrium temperature of ∼400 °C. We analyzed the chemical and isotopic composition of the geothermal fluids from the Hatchobaru geothermal field in the Kyushu Island, Japan. Fluid chemistry showed similarity with that reported in earlier studies. Chemical geothermometry provided an estimated reservoir temperature of 250–300 °C. Helium and carbon isotopic ratios of the steam is likely to reflect the signature of the magmatic heat source. The apparent equilibrium temperature for carbon isotope exchange between CO 2 and CH 4 was 375–430 °C. The sulfur isotope data were in accordance with the idea that an acidic Cl-SO 4 -type fluid was modified from a neutral Cl-type fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesospheric optical phenomena (including sprites) are becoming an interesting subject from the standpoint of atmosphere–ionosphere coupling. This paper deals with our observation of sprites associated with winter thunderstorms in the Hokuriku area and we show the characteristics of those sprites and their parent lightning discharges. Although the scale of Japanese lightning in winter is very small compared with the MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) for the summer continental lightning, the essential quantities (polarity, charge transfer, and so on) are found to be nearly the same as those for the MCS. However, an additional factor might be required, such as the self-organization of the lightning. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 153(3): 9–17, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20178 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]