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JAMSTEC Vision An Integrated Understanding of the Ocean, Earth, and Life FOREWORD Oceans I remember the day when, as a small boy, I first encountered the ocean at Tohoku. I was walking through a windbreak forest, when I heard loud booming sounds, which echoed amongst the trees. These powerful sounds made me feel anxious, but then the forest suddenly ended, and I saw the bright, endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean in front of me. I was absolutely stunned by the sight before me, and stood motionless, rooted to the spot. I gradually realized that the noise I had heard in the forest belonged to the roar of the sea and the breaking waves. The horizon blended with the sky, clouds, and ocean. Wondering what lay beyond it, my heart raced; I felt breathless. In 2011, almost 60 years later, I stood on the same beach feeling just as stunned, but for different reasons. The windbreak forest was completely broken, and the area had completely changed. Stubborn foundations of houses and other halfcollapsed structures bore the evidence of the tsunami, which had surged to their second stories. I became overwhelmed with emotion, knowing what had happened there, and my eyes blurred with tears. The ocean was somewhat darker than usual and roaring powerfully. Japan is a country surrounded by the sea; thus, it has always been a part of the lives of its people. Developments in modern science and technology have helped reveal some of the characteristics of the marine systems surrounding Japan. For example, we now know that the Kuroshio Current, the world’s most powerful current, is an ocean heat engine that affects the entire North Pacific Ocean. In addition, the Sea of Japan contains a unique ecosystem that reflects its near desalinization during the Ice Age. Moreover, one of the ocean’s deepest spots, with a minimum depth of 9,000 m, lies 200 km off the entrance to Tokyo Bay. From this spot, which is known to be the world’s only triple trench junction (a triple junction comprised of three subducting tectonic plates), the vertical interval between the ocean floor and the top of Mt. Fuji is 13,000 m; the largest vertical interval on Earth. It can be said that the ocean and the ocean floor around Japan, are one of the most active and dynamic regions on Earth. 2 Appropriately, therefore, Japan’s goal is to be the world’s leader in marine research, and the country’s present and future successes are related to such endeavors. Since Japan’s future depends on the ocean, it is essential for Japan to base its resources on the ocean. Accordingly, the Japan Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is actively leading investigations into the mysteries of the ocean and is pursuing an integrated and comprehensive program that includes topics such as the evolution of Earth and life, the variability of the Earth’s environment, and future forecasts. The ocean is mighty, deep, and gentle, but is sometimes a place to be feared. Some believe that we feel in awe of the ocean because the first life evolved there. We therefore need to understand the ocean, in order to understand ourselves. JAMSTEC hopes to continue to be at the forefront of such a challenge. Asahiko Taira President, The Japan Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Technology 3 Contents 1. Introduction JAMSTEC’s Journey................................................................................................................................6 2. Towards a New Maritime Nation ..........................................................................................10 2.1 A New Perspective of Japan as a New Maritime Nation....................................................................10 2.2 JAMSTEC’s Mission..........................................................................................................................11 3. Research and Development Challenges and Approaches ...................................12 3.1 An Integrated Understanding and Prediction of Global Environmental Changes.............................13 (1) The Ocean’s Role in Global Environmental Change..................................................................13 (2) The Development of New Observation Systems........................................................................14 (3) Seamless Climate Change Prediction.........................................................................................15 3.2 The Establishment of an Advanced Understanding of the Earth’s Interior, and its Application for the Mitigation of Earthquake and Tsunami Disasters..................................15 (1) Elucidating “Earth as a Thermal Engine”...................................................................................15 (2) Understanding Geohazards.........................................................................................................16 3.3 A Comprehensive Study of the Evolution of Life and the History of the Earth................................17 (1) Recent Developments in Marine Biology...................................................................................17 (2) A Unique Approach to the History of the Earth..........................................................................19 3.4 Developments of Resources Research, and Biotechnology...............................................................20 (1) A New Approach to Resources Research....................................................................................20 (2) Development of Biotechnology..................................................................................................21 4. Towards an Integrated Research Institution of the Ocean, Earth, and Life..........22 Contents 4 Developing the JAMSTEC Vision The current long-term vision of the Japan Agency for Marine– Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) was established in February 2008. From this vision, a second medium-term plan was established for the period April 2009 to March 2014, and now that this plan is in its fourth year, the time has come to formulate a new, medium-term plan. Recent years have seen great and dramatic changes in Japan’s social circumstances. In particular, the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on 11 March 2011, required a reexamination and re-evaluation of the entire concept of Japan’s future, including national disaster prevention/mitigation measures, resource/energy measures, economical growth strategies through innovation, and approaches to global environmental problems. 5 Contents On a more positive note, the research and development conducted by JAMSTEC during the past five years has significantly progressed beyond the originally conceived domains. Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, JAMSTEC began comprehensive research into the epicenter of the earthquake, in collaboration with domestic and international communities. Furthermore, in recent years, the multidisciplinary understanding of extremophiles and their surrounding geological and geochemical environments has advanced, revealing a world of science wider than previously believed. Immediate application of research results is demanded by society more than ever before, and thus, greater efforts are being made to satisfy such demands. Taking all this into account, and looking forward to the next 15 years, JAMSTEC has decided to reconsider its goals and approaches, and to redefine them as JAMSTEC’s new vision. 1 INTRODUCTION JAMSTEC’s journey JAMSTEC was established in 1971 as the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center. Marine development had captured the public’s imagination as a “new Japanese frontier,” during the period of rapid economic growth in the 1960’s, and JAMSTEC was then established on the recommendation of national and economic organizations to promote marine development, under the umbrella of the Science and Technology Agency. The following sections provide a review of JAMSTEC’s journey and background, and they are followed by a discussion on the future of the organization. Phase 1: The Dawn of JAMSTEC—Era of Diving Technology Development For the first 10 years after its establishment, between 1971 and 1980, JAMSTEC focused mainly on the development of diving technology. A saturation diving project known as “Seatopia” was developed, to enable long-term underwater habitation and diving operations. In addition, a manned research submersible, “Shinkai 2000” and its support vessel “Natsushima” were built during this period for deep-sea research. During this era, revolutionary developments were made in the fields of earth and marine sciences. The first of these was an understanding of plate tectonics. This theory describes the evolutionary development of seafloor spreading at the oceanic ridges, and subduction at the margins of continents or island arcs. The ramifications of this theory expanded beyond geology, with startling findings from ocean floor research. In 1977, the human occupied vehicle “Alvin”, operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), discovered a deep-sea chemosynthetic community in the Galapagos Rift, consisting of hydrothermal vents, deep-red giant tube worms (Riftia pachyptila), and large bivalves (Calyptogena magnifica). With this discovery, the relationship between plate tectonics and a peculiar, chemosynthetic community on the ocean floor was identified for the first time. Left: the Seatopia Project Right: the New Seatopia Project INTRODUCTION 6 Upper: “Shinkai 6500 ” Lower: “Shinkai 2000 ” Phase 2: Technological Expansion —Establishment of the Deep Sea Technological Institution From the 1980’s to the mid-1990’s, JAMSTEC made a quantum leap in the development of technology. In 1984, the deep-sea submersible, “Shinkai 2000” discovered a deep-sea, cold-seep, clam community, off the coast of Hatsushima Island. “Shinkai 2000” also began to conduct submersible exploration on a global scale. In 1990, work was completed on the submersible “Shinkai 6500,” one of the world’s premier ultra deep-sea manned submersibles. Additional research equipment developed during this period included the deep ocean floor survey system, known as “DEEP TOW,” and a remotely operated vehicle known as “DOLPHIN-3K.” A research program was also launched, mainly to study microorganisms in extreme deep-sea environments. During this phase, JAMSTEC grew into an organization that possesses the world’s most advanced deep-sea research technologies. During this second phase, environmental issues such as global warming and marine pollution began to gain global prominence. In 1988, concerns about global warming were discussed in U.S. Senate confirmation hearings. Moreover, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was raised, along with the Convention on Biological Diversity, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, (also known as the 1992 Rio Summit). 7 INTRODUCTION Phase 3: The Development of Scientific Research —Establishment of a Research System Blending Science and Technology In the mid-1990’s, JAMSTEC began its research into global environmental change. Construction of the oceanographic research vessel, “Mirai,” was completed in 1997, and the following year, JAMSTEC’s first marine observation buoy, the “TRITON buoy,” was placed in the equatorial area of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, development began on the deep-sea cruising autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), “URASHIMA,” an unmanned cruising observation platform. The research system was also enriched by the organization of the “Frontier Research System for Global Change,” and the “Frontier Observational Research System for Global Change.” After the year 2000, facilities and systems for research and development were further expanded. Along with the establishment of the “Institute for Frontier Research on Earth Evolution,” and the “Frontier Research System for Extremophiles,” construction of the deep-sea drilling vessel “Chikyu” began. In 2002, the parallel vector supercomputer system, known as the “Earth Simulator,” was benchmarked as the having the best computing performance in the world. JAMSTEC became an independent administrative institution in 2004, and in 2007, “Chikyu” joined the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) and began international scientific drilling in the Nankai Trough. Along with the phase that included the second mid-term plan in 2009, the research system was changed to a flatter constitution, to activate research activities beyond established areas and fields. During the period 1996¬–2010, JAMSTEC underwent a phase of scientific research development, which was achieved through a transition from purely technological development to an expansion of scientific research, combined with technological development. JAMSTEC’s research and development capability has come to equal that of major foreign research institutions, and JAMSTEC has made great contributions to projects such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) evaluation report. Therefore, the third phase, from 1996 to 2010, can be regarded as the era of “The Development of Scientific Research—Establishment of a Research System Blending Science and Technology.” In this third phase, there were great and iconoclastic changes in world culture and society. The systems that had provided the cornerstones of our beliefs, such as our concept of values, our understanding of trends and societal structure, and perspectives of society itself, were in flux. The emergence of new countries, and some newly gained independence, significantly altered socioeconomic structures, including those of the global economy, logistics, and population. In the field of science and technology, it was imperative to modify goals, in order to respond to rapidly changing societies or contribute to risk management. Efforts to rejuvenate sluggish economies, particularly in Japan, have emphasized the importance of the contribution of science and technology to economic and social structural reform and innovation. Earth Simulator INTRODUCTION 8 For Today and Towards the Future On 11 March 2011, a massive earthquake of magnitude (M) 9.0, and its induced tsunami, struck the northern Pacific coast of Japan. This devastating event and its related after-effects have presented some extremely serious issues for Japan to solve in the future. The widespread extent and severity of the damage, and the devastation caused, has re-emphasized the unpredictability and ubiquity of the threat of natural disasters, and the subsequent limitations of science and technology in their ability to protect us. At the same time, issues were raised that could not be ignored, such as the effects of the release and diffusion of radioactive materials on the environment, and health issues associated with the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Under these circumstances, JAMSTEC fully utilized its capabilities and instantly initiated cooperation with emergency research into the earthquake and tsunami generation area, with radioactivity monitoring in marine areas, and marine ecosystem research. Through these efforts, JAMSTEC determined that the landward slope of the Japan Trench had moved 50 m east, into the Pacific. Seismic reflection surveys and ultra-deep water drilling research have helped sample the fault zone region, to the top of the subducting Pacific plate. Additionally, an increased frequency of abnormal weather events has been recorded worldwide in recent years, and other global environmental indicators, such as rising sea levels and ocean acidification, are becoming more evident. In addition, the circumstances surrounding the oceans are rapidly changing, as the consequences of increased competition for natural resources, caused by the rapid growth of new developing countries, and a new focus on marine renewable energy, are emerging. These problems required a re-evaluation of Japan’s future and the necessity of Japan taking the role of “a new maritime nation,” as a future core foundation, together with the role of JAMSTEC, has become more clearly apparent. 9 INTRODUCTION 2 Towards a New Maritime Nation 2.1 A New Perspective of Japan as a New Maritime Nation What benefits can Japan provide domestically and globally as a new maritime nation, in relation to science and technology? The following points look at the possibilities for the next 15 years: ● In the field of biotechnology, knowledge derived from the study of living organisms in the sea, on the deep-sea floor, and even deeper regions such as in the Earth’s crust can help industries develop new medicines and enzymes, among other products, and become a major driving force of economic prosperity. ● By increasing our scientific understanding of the origin and occurrence of ocean floor mineral resources, new resources can be discovered for economic development and commercial application. Developing such resources concurrently with the use of environmental conservation practices, technologies, and environmental policies, will help establish Japan’s initiative in the economic development and export of technology, in partnership with other nations. ● An improvement in the reliability of seasonal climate forecasting can be broadly applied to a wide range of socio-economic activities. As a further development, the knowledge gained can then be extended into a system providing services to the marine environment. This will potentially affect a wide range of activities, including the cultivation and management of marine resources, maritime traffic safety, and marine sports. ● By developing and applying advanced technologies related to marine renewable energy and unconventional hydrocarbon energy sources, such as methane hydrates and marine shale gas, these technological capabilities will be utilized, not only in the seas around Japan, but also globally. ● The development of widespread natural disaster observation networks, particularly for earthquakes and tsunamis, both domestically and internationally, (designed to deliver realtime information for disaster mitigation), offers a multitude of benefits. Through these efforts, general social awareness and education of disaster prevention/mitigation is enhanced. The ability of society to resist and respond to natural disasters is enhanced, providing greater disaster-resistance awareness amongst the citizenry, thereby preparing them to protect the safety and security of themselves and others. ● An improvement in our scientific understanding of the relationship between the Ocean, Earth, and Life, will lead to a better, and more useful, promotion of scientific, technological, and industrial innovation, as well as an improvement in general education and enlightenment. ● By improving the way in which marine environmental conservation activities are made available to the public, an education in how ecosystem services contribute to the improvement of human welfare and healthy living will be provided from the ocean. The above achievements demonstrate the desirability of establishing a diverse and broad-based national model, with Japan’s firm foundation as a new maritime nation, and show the benefits available to the Japanese public as members of such a new global standard. Towards a New Maritime Nation 10 2.2 JAMSTEC’s Mission The philosophy towards achieving the goal of becoming a fully ocean-based nation, as described above, is briefly stated in the Basic Act on Ocean Policy established in 2007, and is now being put into practice. JAMSTEC’s role in this mission is very clear: to support our society in achieving this goal, through developing new scientific and technological capabilities which contribute to the sustainable development, and responsible maintenance, of a peaceful and fulfilling global society. We believe that the path to making this research institute a global leader is based on reflecting on past achievements, accepting the challenge of developing an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the Ocean, Earth, and Life; and the pursuit of ever-advanced theories to open new paradigms of research. These challenges can help JAMSTEC develop new marine-related scientific knowledge, create advanced technologies, and propose specific solutions for social issues. The basic philosophies of these activities are uniqueness, flexibility, and adaptability. Uniqueness of applying novel approaches to problem solving; flexibility is needed in applying research results to societal needs, and adaptability is necessary for coordinating diverse lines of research towards future goals. Systems thinking, capturing the mutual influences of various events and phenomena, and combining them, is the new paradigm. Dynamically developing viewpoints from the micro to the macro and then back again, from basic concepts to applications and vice versa—are the challenges existing beyond currently established fields and efforts. 11 Towards a New Maritime Nation 3 Research and Development Challenges and Approaches In the long-term vision established in 2008, JAMSTEC identified the following three priority research objectives: I. To advance the observation of global environmental changes, to analyze the cause of these changes, and to extrapolate trends into future forecasts. Simultaneously, to deepen our understanding of the mutual influence of global environmental changes and life systems on Earth, and actively contribute to protecting society from global environmental changes, such as global warming. II. To determine the basic principles regarding the dynamics of Earth’s interior, (e.g. mantle convection, plate movement, and magma generation), that cause earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic phenomena, through observational, analytical and technological innovations, and adopt results for disaster prevention/mitigation in and around Japan. III. To elucidate the unique biological and ecological adaptations of life existing in the mesopelagic zone, deep-sea floor, and crust. To examine the mutual interactions between the environment and life, and biological diversification and evolution, and to explore and promote practical applications of biodiversity. These three items are the core elements of JAMSTEC’s future activities. At the same time, the following activities have recently gained importance: ● Particularly after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the importance of marine mineral and energy resources has increased. JAMSTEC is actively contributing to this issue through applications of accumulated knowledge gained from ocean floor research and exploration technology. ● The novel concept, that microbes living within the Earth’s crust are integral parts of a larger biological network known as “super life,” has gained interest. By this theory, conventional concepts of nature and life have changed rapidly, and new fields of science, such as biotechnology, have been developed. ● The general public is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of a thorough understanding of phenomena occurring on various spatio-temporal scales in the ocean and on Earth, and of life that will provide insights in solutions necessary for challenging global environmental issues and developing new natural resources. ● Along with the advanced understanding of atmosphere–ocean phenomena, and the dramatic development of information science and technology, numerical predictions of physical phenomena in the atmosphere and oceans relative to their mutual relationship, on a global- and local-scale, has become available. Such methods are expected to be applied, to predict the structure of future ecosystems and the diffusion of anthropogenic substances within them. Considering these, the following challenges related to research and development need to be addressed by JAMSTEC over the next 15 years: A. An integrated understanding and prediction of global environmental changes. B. The establishment of an advanced understanding of the Earth’s interior, and its application for the mitigation of earthquake and tsunami disasters. C. A comprehensive study of the evolution of life and the history of the Earth. D. Development of resources research, and biotechnology. Details of these challenges and approaches are described below. Research and Development Challenges and Approaches 12 3.1 Sediment sampling with piston corer An Integrated Understanding and Prediction of Global Environmental Changes (1) The Ocean’s Role in Global Environmental Change The ocean is an important component in characterizing the global environment, and is a major player in thermal and material circulation within the global system. It can therefore be said, that the ocean is a basic fundamental environmental component of the global biosphere. For instance, energy and material exchanges between the ocean and the atmosphere, the sea and the land, and the tropical zones and the polar regions critically influence climate and weather. Therefore, precise understanding of these relationships, and the development of technology for the accurate prediction of climate and weather, is essential in the establishment of the prevention of disasters caused by severe climate and weather, and mitigation measures. Moreover, an adequate interpretation of the role of the oceans in the carbon cycle on a global basis provides accurate predictions of long-term climate changes, including global warming and ocean acidification. JAMSTEC has carried out active research, based on the idea that tropical oceans and the atmosphere are major engines of global thermal circulation and global climate patterns, such as the Madden– Julian Oscillation (MJO), the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). At the same time, climate change in tropical zones interacts with the mid- and high-latitude fluctuations, and it has been suggested that such changes affect global climate on a scale of several years to several decades. However, adequate scientific understanding has not necessarily been provided regarding atmospheric changes on much shorter time scales, or the relationship with, and similarity to, past extreme climate changes, such as the Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles. A number of uncertainties related to climate change remain, such as the response of marine ecosystems to such changes on the scale of seasons, years, and decades; variations in material circulation; hydrological circulation, (particularly changes in cloud amount and associated effects), and the relationship of these changes with solar activities and effects of human activities. 13 Research and Development Challenges and Approaches Past research with climate model calculations using the Earth Simulator, a superior parallel vector supercomputer, showed that human activity is very likely the cause of an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, and the related warming effects on the climate. Moreover, it is becoming evident that the decrease in Arctic sea ice affects the climate and weather of the mid-latitude regions, including that of Japan. Furthermore, recent major scale increases in deep-sea water temperature, (a critically important fact discovered for the first time by JAMSTEC); show that the deep oceanic water circulation around the Antarctic may be weakening. Since great changes in ocean circulation have been tied to rapid and massive changes in the global environmental climate, as demonstrated in the Earth’s history, it is crucial for the future that we improve our understanding of the Earth’s processes. Technology has been developed to analyze the entire marine ecosystem, such as new food web analyses using the nitrogen isotope ratios of amino acids, and new methods of analyzing biogeochemical cycles via biomarkers. As a result, estimates of low trophic-level ecosystem productivity, the balance between production and consumption in the ocean, and figures of fluctuations, have become available. At this point in time, however, the relationship between the function of ecological systems/biodiversity and climate change, is not fully understood. It is therefore clear that a number of issues remain to be solved, regarding the relationship between global environmental changes and the oceans. (2) The Development of New Observation Systems To overcome these unsolved issues, it is desirable to observe the oceans on a global basis with high accuracy. As global environmental changes have recently become more apparent, an understanding of the structure and function of the oceans, which are excessively broad and complex, and the accurate prediction of their changes and variations, are becoming increasingly important scientific issues. In areas where changes and variations influence the entire ocean through its circulation, or where such influences are prominent, it is necessary to produce comprehensive marine data. A “super site,” established for an integral observation of the sea and atmosphere to the ocean floor in real-time, as well as physical oceanographic, chemical, biological, and geoscientific events, can provide such marine data. For the development of such a “super site,” is necessary to cooperate with satellite observation, gather various kinds of information, and develop technologies for underwater acoustics, marine seismology, and bio-logging data collection. More specifically, current observations that utilize moored or drifting buoys essentially provide chronological observation of physical parameters, such as salinity determined through electric conductivity, temperature, and depth. In the future, an advanced observation network for the next generation will provide geochemical parameters, including alkalinity, nutrient concentration, and pH, and ecological parameters such as chlorophyll concentration, the distribution and number of living organisms, and biogeographic information. In addition, the network will include various buoys capable of collecting ocean floor information, and underwater gliders. Moreover, these in-situ observation data, along with the observation data from satellites and aircraft, underwater structural data, (to be available through 3D seismic reflection survey), are added to repeatedly, and conclusively observe atmospheric components, hydrological balances, sea-level changes, and ocean floor deformation. CTD observation Research and Development Challenges and Approaches 14 Visualization using Earth Simulator (3) Seamless Climate Change Prediction Global environmental changes, such as global warming, vary over long periods. However, an increase in the frequency of short-term and local extreme phenomena have been reported, including extremely hot summers or mild winters, caused solely by atmosphere-ocean changes, as well as urban-scale intense rainfall, and tornados. If a practical prediction of such phenomena was available, and information was provided to its users at appropriate times, the effects on society would be extremely significant. In response to these needs, JAMSTEC aims to develop seamless climate/environment prediction models. These models can seamlessly present various spatiotemporal scales, ranging from global changes to urban-scale phenomenon. To achieve this, JAMSTEC will couple various algorisms and develop new schemes by using a high-performance computer system. As a result, simultaneous long-term to short-term, or global to local, forecasts can be realized for the first time. Research development that unifies observation and numerical models continues to be the core of JAMSTEC’s research in global environmental changes. The target numerical model, named the “Earth system model,” plays a key role in understanding global environmental changes and downscaled regional environmental characteristics, in addition to forecasting the future of local environments. 3.2 The Establishment of an Advanced Understanding of the Earth’s Interior, and its Application for the Mitigation of Earthquake and Tsunami Disasters (1) Elucidating “Earth as a Thermal Engine” Present scientific thought believes that the oceans formed on the Earth’s surface as it cooled during the early stage of its evolution. Unlike other planets in the solar system, the rigid lithosphere overlies a “softer” region of the mantle, known as the asthenosphere. The dynamics of the lithosphere and asthenosphere are believed to be linked, and are driven by mantle convection and by the motion of the Earth’s internal thermal engine, the core. 15 Research and Development Challenges and Approaches Plate tectonics describe the motion and interaction of the various plates that are composed of the lithosphere. Plate tectonics cover both a geological and human timescale; the gradual “drifting” of the various plates, opening, and closing of the oceans, the creation of massive mountain chains and deep ocean trenches, all occur over 10’s of millions of years. The very same processes also create earthquakes and tsunamis on a scale of minutes to hours. Mantle and core convection drives plate movement on the Earth’s surface, while slowly cooling the planet’s deep interior. Not only does mantle convection affect the physical makeup of the Earth, by transporting material from deep within to the surface, but it also effects long-term environmental changes by processes such as releasing CO2 into the atmosphere and continental crust development, and through significant effects on marine chemistry and ecological systems. The deep core also affects the Earth’s nearspace environment, through the geomagnetic field generated and maintained by core convection motion. The magnetic “shield” generated, protects life on Earth from high-energy cosmic rays, and also helps protect and preserve the Earth’s atmosphere, maintaining an environment in which life can exist on the Earth’s surface over the long period of its history. JAMSTEC has been investigating the scientific challenges related to the major agendas of the Earth’s interior dynamics, by combining diverse activities such as: seafloor topography surveys, seismic exploration, high-pressure experimentation, large-scale numerical simulations, analyses of rocks and minerals, and ocean floor drilling. This research has provided results that help to advance our knowledge of core and mantle convection, crustal structure and continental crust formation in plate subduction zones, volcanic activity, and massive earthquake-generating mechanisms. Such surveys and explorations are expected to advance and continue into the future. One important unsolved problem in solid-earth science is an understanding of the driving force of plate tectonics. JAMSTEC’s ocean floor research has recently uncovered findings that have a bearing on the foundations of plate tectonics theory. It has been suggested that mantle convection is directly related to crust formation beneath oceanic ridges, and such a theory has led to a re-evaluation of mantle convection as the driving force of plate tectonics. In the future, revolutionary knowledge will be available regarding the relationship between mantle convection and oceanic crust formation, the driving force of plate movement, and water and carbon circulation inside the Earth, using 3D seismic reflection surveys and deep-sea drilling as far down as the Moho and the uppermost mantle. These results will also be utilized to construct a dynamic model of the entire Earth’s interior, which simulates the Earth’s evolution and dynamics. Drilling by D/V “Chikyu ” (2) Understanding Geohazards The movement of tectonic plates triggers various geohazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic explosions, and massive landslides, and most of these disasters originate in the oceans. As a matter of urgency, JAMSTEC needs to increase efforts towards understanding the mechanisms of such geohazards, and apply the knowledge gained towards new and improved disaster prevention/mitigation measures. The occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 11 March 2011 has emphasized the importance of such an undertaking. The complete devastation of an extensive area of eastern Japan has illuminated the importance of reforming the Japanese public’s knowledge of such high-risk ocean-trench giant earthquakes zones, such as the Nankai, Tonankai, and Tokai regions, and their response to associated disasters. Therefore, science and technology sectors must make greater efforts to understand earthquake-related deformations, and the long-term recovery process of the marine ecological environment. These efforts require observatories stationed in the seas around Japan, particularly in areas that are known to be a high risk for large earthquakes. JAMSTEC is working towards this goal, and is engaged in the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiments with the drillship “Chikyu”, deploying the Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET). JAMSTEC is also planning an expansion of real-time observations of ocean floor deformation, using advanced technology such as lasers with a synchronized Research and Development Challenges and Approaches 16 Right: Tsunami simulation of Nankai Trough earthquake Left: An experiment that reproduces rapid earthquake faulting in the laboratory submarine cable-observatory system. Data received will then be converted into a 4D monitoring of fault activities, combined with precise, 3D seismic reflection surveys. JAMSTEC is planning a trial experiment to forecast future variations in these phenomena, using sequential data assimilation obtained in the intervals between giant earthquakes and during earthquakes. The hope is that, as far as scientifically possible, better models can be developed to forecast earthquake occurrence. The practical benefits of such a monitoring system would contribute immeasurably to the advancement of real-time emergency warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis. Within this research outline, JAMSTEC looks to advance drilling into the sedimentary section mantle, combining deep, bore hole experiments, and high-accuracy, real-time observation of ocean floor deformation. JAMSTEC looks to combine these research endeavors into a comprehensive and integrated theory of the Earth’s interior dynamics, including processes such as plate tectonics, the short-term processes of massive earthquakes, plate and continental crust evolution, and global environmental changes. 3.3 A Comprehensive Study of the Evolution of Life and the History of the Earth (1) Recent Developments in Marine Biology The concept of life on Earth has changed dramatically in recent years. Countless unknown microorganisms have now been discovered living in the surface layers of the ocean, on the deep sea floor, and even within the Earth’s crust. In addition, it is now recognized that these microbes greatly influence the structure and function of various ecosystems. Moreover, it is becoming evident that an enormous biosphere exists in the deep sea and on the ocean floor. Research has also revealed that many microorganisms coexist within larger living organisms, to function as a “micro biome.” For instance, it is estimated that there are 10 times more bacterial cells than human cells in the human “micro biome.” These two groups of cells can be said to be organized together in a unit to create a “super-living organism.” In a similar manner, the Gaia theory states that Earth can be considered as a super-living organism, consisting of water and organisms. The mystery of how Earth became a unique planet containing a wealth of life, is a question asked by people all over the world, as well as being an important research theme in natural sciences. Throughout most periods in the history of the planet, life on Earth evolved in the oceans. Terrestrial plants and animals only appeared after the Paleozoic Era, i.e. during a very late period in the Earth’s history. It is therefore possible to say, that most of the history of life on Earth is recorded in marine organisms. JAMSTEC has achieved breakthrough research regarding the interaction between physical, chemical, and geological environments and life existing in, and on, the seafloor. This has been conducted on ecosystems developing in extreme conditions, such as hydrothermal areas, where chemosynthetic ecosystems develop, and in microbial communities within the Earth’s crust. For example, research 17 Research and Development Challenges and Approaches conducted by JAMSTEC has illuminated the diverse symbioses in chemosynthetic ecosystems, the existence of thermophilic microbes, the marginal conditions for the existence of life (e.g. the highest temperature on pressure), the development of an “Archea” world in the deep bottom layer, the survival of primitive protists in the hadal zone, a system to establish a biomarker that indicates methane production, and a technique to analyze the food web using the stable isotope ratio of amino acids. To understand the evolution of marine organisms, particularly the biosphere within the seabed, it is necessary to clarify the mechanism of evolution, i.e., how organisms obtain a new function and adapt to their environment, symbiosis, gene transfer, and mutation. In particular, microorganisms found in extreme environments bear the high possibility of having unusual biological characteristics. It is thus important that thorough research is conducted in understanding the mechanism of the distribution of such organisms, and by studying their function and adaptation to various environments, the roles that these organisms have in the evolution of life can be clarified. To carry out this research, there is an urgent need to establish a brand new research system that can culture extremophiles that were not possible to cultivate so far, and to analyze their genome, physiological properties, and responses to the environmental change. In addition, it is necessary to develop and establish an in-situ biological and chemical experimental system to be used within the borehole. Furthermore, the promotion of studies on underground bio-environments, using newly developed high resolution analyzing techniques for reading the records in strata, is necessary. Using drilling samples collected from a variety of environments, together with specimens collected using certain equipment, and by the application of sophisticated analyzing tools, JAMSTEC will reveal the structure of the complicated marine ecosystems developing in hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, midwater deep zones, and diverse sea floor environments. In addition, JAMSTEC will search for a limit of the existence of life, and will then carry out an integrated survey to find crucial evidence for the birth of life and subsequent evolutionary history. Moreover, JAMSTEC aims to be a global leader in a field of science pursuing the establishment of a library containing live materials and genomes, as well as creating a “life simulation model,” with the consideration that life is a functional assemblage of live material. This target means that JAMSTEC will contribute greatly to biotechnology, a science that is targeting the wise utilization of the function of life. (2) A Unique Approach to the History of the Earth To predict the future of the biosphere on Earth with high scientific credibility, an understanding of the history of the Earth, listing past events in detail, is indispensable. In the 4.6 billion years since the birth of the Earth, there have been many mysterious events that science cannot completely decipher, such as: the origin of the oceans; the birth of life; the evolution of Archea and methane synthesizing bacteria; the impact of these microorganisms on the environment of the Earth; the origin and evolution of eukaryotes; the mechanism of the snowball Earth event and its relationships with the explosive evolution of life; the creation and separation of the supercontinents and the relationship of such with global biological productivities; the Cambrian explosion of invertebrate biodiversity; the mass extinction of life; the huge explosion and super warm Earth etc. To understand the unknown in relation to these events, JAMSTEC will attempt to clarify the role of the ocean and marine life in the Earth’s history, by comprehensively applying state-of-the-art scientific technologies, and building a model simulating the whole history of marine life. A variety of deep-sea organisms Simultaneously, JAMSTEC will also develop a “whole earth system model,” that takes into account the precise short-term biogeochemical cycle, and its mutual interaction with climate change. Through this program, JAMSTEC will provide scientific knowledge regarding the circulation of anthropogenic waste released into the environment, and enable a prediction of the impact to the environment, which can then be used for global decision making. Furthermore, by applying the “whole earth system model” to the simulation of past environments, an assimilation of the current climate and prediction of the future environment (which also accounts for anthropogenic impacts) will be helpful in philosophical discussions, such as, “What meaning do human beings have in the history of the Earth?” Promoting such comprehensive research is prerequisite for the deepening of research which pursues the answers to fundamental questions, such as, “What is the meaning of the ocean?”, “What is the meaning of the Earth?”, “What is the meaning of life?”, and “What does it mean to be human?” 19 Research and Development Challenges and Approaches 3.4 Development of Resources Research, and Biotechnology (1) A New Approach to Resources Research Japan has been described as a country with few natural resources. However, this description only refers to areas of land. In the broad exclusive economic zone/territorial sea, as defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a great potential exists for resource development. Although in some countries marine resource development is in progress toward practical usage, it is only in the very early stages of development in Japan. By applying accumulated experience in exploration, observation and technology, and research development, JAMSTEC is in an excellent position to contribute to national resource development projects. For example, JAMSTEC has carried out exploration on submarine mud volcanoes as possible sources of methane hydrates, and has discovered huge seafloor massive sulfides. In addition, JAMSTEC is preparing to evaluate important topics in relation to resources within deepsea mud, which address the resource potential of a manganese-rich crust containing rare earth deposits. There is a potential for resources and environmental energy technology that goes beyond the framework of conventional concepts, such as the possibility of mining lithium resources that exist in mud volcanoes, the generation of methane using microorganisms in the sub-seafloor which metabolize carbon dioxide introduced via their carbon capture and storage, (Bio CCS) technology, creating “artificial” hydrothermal mineral deposits in seafloor hydrothermal fields, and core technologies related to power generation via the electrical potential difference in a hydrothermal vent, (a possible new use of hydrothermal areas). To help bring these possibilities to the level of practical application, JAMSTEC plans to approach these goals from the viewpoints of both basic and applied science. The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), will help JAMSTEC to achieve these goals. These extremely resilient, completely autonomous research platforms, are capable of cruising at high Upper-Left: A sample taken from below the seafloor Upper-Right: A sample taken from an artificial hydrothermal vent Lower-Left: Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research Lower-Right: A deep-sea amphipod with novel enzymes Nanometer-scale secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (NanoSIMS) speeds (>10 knots), and allow a careful and highly detailed exploration of ocean floor, (and the sub-sea floor) structures. They are essential equipment in the thorough cataloging of the resources belonging to the broad Japanese territorial sea/exclusive economic zone. At the same time as developing highly accurate observation and analysis equipment, (i.e. sensors), for AUVs, it is necessary to develop remotely operating vehicles (ROV), and manned submersibles. The development of ground-breaking manned submersibles, that are designed incorporating innovative scientific ideas, discoveries, and discussion, have the potential to be tools supporting research that could change our general concept of nature. (2) Development of Biotechnology Considering that the water volume of the EEZ and Japanese territorial waters are the fourth largest in the world, it is therefore natural that oceanic biological resources are extremely important to Japan. Cutting-edge application of biotechnology, taking advantage of organisms living in the deep sea, is at the frontier of modern science. The international marine biodiversity project, “Census of Marine Life,” confirms that the amount of information we hold about marine life decreases as both the distance from land and the water depth increase. JAMSTEC will target the exploration of the very same frontiers within midwater and the deep sea, and gather a comprehensive understanding of the diversity and dynamics of marine eco systems, in order that the an application of this information is used for the benefit of all people. JAMSTEC has also developed basic technology to utilize unused biomass resources, such as cellulose or lignin, by, for example, the production of bio plastics and the purification of bioactive substances to enable a new function. An example of such a potential technology, which has attracted recent attention, is the discovery of a cellulase in the hadal zone, and its possibility for use as a new type of bio-fuel. In the future, JAMSTEC will focus on biological resource development in currently unexplored fields, such as the application of supercritical fluids in the crust, and nanotechnology. Another particular focus for JAMSTEC’s research is the massive sub-seafloor microorganism communities thriving under the sediments. Elucidating previously unknown microbial metabolic functions, and promoting the research and development of the effective use of these metabolic pathways, will contribute to finding better applications of such research to the economic development of the entire global eco system. Key elements for this research and development include the appropriate storage and management of biological samples, the active utilization of bioinformatics, and the utilization of models that simulate the life system. 21 Research and Development Challenges and Approaches 4 Towards an Integrated Research Institution of the Ocean, Earth, and Life In addition to the fields of marine science and technology, JAMSTEC has expanded its research and development objectives to include the fields of earth science and biological science, in response to societal needs. As a result, the large-scale research infrastructure required by these fields has been developed and put into place. JAMSTEC has become one of the world’s leading research and development institutions, through the recruitment and development of skilled researchers and engineers from various fields, the ability to hold systems that fully support research requirements, and by promoting the integration of research and development with management and operations. JAMSTEC personnel from various fields will continue to conduct a wide range of research and development into the future, using their free and flexible thinking. As an organization, JAMSTEC places a high value on social-consciousness, and conducts well-managed ethically based research activities. Furthermore, with the understanding that the foundation of an organization is its human resource, JAMSTEC nurtures young staff and scientists in their important and promising roles within marine research and development, while promoting an environment in which everyone is able to perform to the best of their best ability. JAMSTEC’s research and development objectives include a wide and diverse array of research throughout the oceans, and on land, studying processes over various temporal and spacial scales. However, it is an enormous task for any single institution, let alone JAMSTEC, to cover all these areas adequately. Therefore, JAMSTEC, as a public Japanese research institute, will take the initiative in enhancing all Japanese research and development capabilities as a whole, through a close cooperation with domestic and foreign universities, research institutes, and industries. For example, in unconventionally themed international projects, JAMSTEC will function as the hub institute in Japan and play a central role in coordinating domestic and international research institutes successfully. Moreover, as an open research institute, JAMSTEC can host transnational members, technologies, and information. This will allow further expansion of the organization, the promotion of active and strategic exchanges of research and technology transitions, the establishment of research networks in related research fields, and, furthermore, will contribute to an enhancement of human resource development. By actively sharing the results and knowledge gained from a study of the ocean, Earth, and life with society, JAMSTEC hopes for the development of a mutually enlightened relationship between society, and science and technology. Moreover, based on the philosophy that information and knowledge obtained by research and development is considered the common heritage of all people everywhere, JAMSTEC will do its best to convey these achievements globally. Through all these activities, JAMSTEC will assist in the realization of Japan as a new maritime nation, and contribute to the sustainable development and maintenance of citizens, society, and the Earth. Pursuing the answers to compelling questions related to the existence of oceans, the Earth, life, and humanity, JAMSTEC aims to remain a research institute that daily strives to contribute to the development of a bright future for Japan, and for a global society. Towards an Integrated Research Institution of the Ocean, Earth, and Life 22 H I STO RY Major JAMSTEC Events 1971 • Japan Marine Science and Technology Center Established. 1972 • Seatopia project: initiation of an undersea habitat experiment conducted off the coast of Tago, Shizuoka. 1978 • Initiation of “Kaimei”, a wave power generator used in oceanic experiments. 1981 • Completion of the research vessel “Natsushima” and the manned research submersible “Shinkai 2000”. 1984 • Discovery of deep sea cold seep clam community in Sagami Bay by “Shinkai 2000”. 1985 • Completion of “Kaiyo”, an underwater operations vessel. • New Seatopia Project: implementation of saturation diving experiment. 1988 • Completion of “Dolphine-3K”, a remotely operated vehicle. • New Seatopia Project: 300 m saturation diving experiment off the coast of Hatsushima Island, Sagami Bay. Establishment of the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center The New Seatopia Project 1990 • Completion of the support ship “Yokosuka” and the manned research submersible “Shinkai 6500”. • Inauguration of the DEEP STAR project, an abyssal environment study program. 1991 • Discovery of a fissure at a depth of 6,270 m in the Japan Trench by “Shinkai 6500”. • Completion of submersible exploration survey known as “STARMER” in the North Fiji Basin by “Shinkai 6500”. 1993 • Completion of submersible exploration survey off the coast of Okushiri Island by “Shinkai 2000”, following the Southwest-off Hokkaido Earthquake. 1994 • Completion of MODE’94, a submersible exploration survey by “Shinkai 6500” in the Atlantic/East Pacific Rise. 1995 • Successful submersible exploration using “Kaiko”, a 10,000-m-class, remotely operated vehicle, during its general sea trial to observe the world’s deepest point at 10,911.4 m in the Challenger Deep, within the Mariana Trench. • Establishment of “Frontier Research Program for Subduction Dynamics”. 1997 • Establishment of “Frontier Research System for Global Change”. • Completion of deep sea research vessel “Kairei” and the oceanographic research vessel “Mirai”. 1998 • Installation of first TRITON buoy by oceanographic research vessel “Mirai”. • Achievement of a total of 1,000 submersible explorations by “Shinkai 2000” off the coast of Iheya Island, Okinawa. • Initiation of MIGHTY WHALE, an offshore floating wave energy device. Experiment conducted off the coast of Minami-Ise-cho, Mie. Research vessel “Kaiyo ” “Shinkai 6500 ” and support vessel “Yokosuka ” 10,000m class remotely operated vehicle “Kaiko ” HISTORY 26 1971–2011 1999 • Establishment of “Frontier Observational Research System for Global Change”. 2000 • Successful duplication of the Indian Ocean Dipole for the first time, by simulated calculation using a high-resolution atmosphere–ocean coupled model. • Establishment of the Mutsu Institute for Oceanography. 2001 • Establishment of the “Institute for Frontier Research on Earth Evolution,” and the “Frontier Research System for Extremophiles”. • Establishment of the Global Oceanographic Data Center. 2002 • Completion of the supercomputer “Earth Simulator”, which achieved the world’s best computing performance. • Establishment of the Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences. • Completion of the deployment of 18 TRITON buoys. 2003 • Initiation of the Blue Earth Global Expedition 2003, (BEAGLE 2003), aboard “Mirai”; expedition ended in February 2004. 2004 • Establishment of the Japan Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Technology. • Transfer of research vessels “Hakuho Maru” and “Tansei Maru” from the Ocean Research Institute of the University of Tokyo. 2005 • AUV world record cruising distance of 317 km by “Urashima”, a deep sea cruising AUV. • Completion of “Chikyu”, a deep sea drilling vessel. • Establishment of the Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research. 2006 • Successful prediction of the Indian Ocean Dipole, for the first time. 2007 • Achievement of a total of 1,000 submersible explorations by “Shinkai 6500”, at Hatoma Knoll off Ishigaki Island. • Initiation of “Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiments” by “Chikyu”. 2008 • Discovery of the “archaea world” in abyssal seafloor. • First-time discovery of traces of high-temperature water generated inside a fault at the time of an earthquake. 2009 • Earth Simulator (ES2) upgraded. • Initiation of second medium-term plan. TRITON buoy and oceanographic research vessel “Mirai ” Deep sea cruising AUV “Urashima ” Deep sea drilling vessel “Chikyu ” Earth Simulator (ES2) 2010 • Sea around Japan verified as a hotspot of biodiversity. • Execution of “Deep Hot Biosphere Drilling” and discovery of hydrothermal fluid, both by “Chikyu”. 2011 • Assistance in emergency research and radioactivity monitoring of the sea area associated with the Tohoku earthquake. • Full-scale operation of Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET). Fissures found in the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake source area 27 HISTORY 2-15, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka-city, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan PHONE : +81-46-866-3811 FAX : +81-46-867-9025