ESTIMATION OF ELASTICITY AND VISCOSITY OF MARIMOS AND MR DATA ANALYSIS

Abstract

 Aegagropila linnaei are natural monuments of Japan and in danger of extinction. However, the formation of Marimos has been unresolved. For the clarification of the creation of Aegagropila linnaei, a numerical computation is one of the most powerful techniques, such as a Distinct Element Method (DEM). We attempted to estimate two significant parameters for DEM, elastic modulus and viscosity coefficients of Aegagropila linnaei by applying laboratory experiments, which revealed that two parameters are constant regardless of size and density. Furthermore, we investigated Marimos by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which allows non-destructive investigation of Marimos underwater. The base of Marimos is revealed to move from the outer edge to the centre of Aegagropila linnaei when they grow.