Modeling and Prediction of Environmental Change
Takuya Kawanishi, Dr. Eng., Associate Professor |
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Modeling is essential in the prediction of environmental change in Pan-Japan Sea area. Following are some of the modeling studies running under this COE program.
Modeling nitrogen in local environment: Nitrate groundwater pollution is serious in several regions in Pan-Japan Sea area. In this model, nitrogen loads will be estimated from the agricultural practices, live stocks, population, economic activity, and some other factors, and the future trends of river water and groundwater quality will be predicted. This model aims at assessing the effects of possible counter measures and finding the way for the preservation of surface water and groundwater quality.
Modeling carbon and nitrogen dynamics in forest soil: Except for tropical regions, forests accumulate more carbon in soil than plant bodies. Yet, the number and the quality of soil carbon dynamics models are much less than the plant carbon assimilation models. In this model, change in carbon in Pan-Japan Sea area forests and nitrogen loads from forest soil to the local water environment will be predicted. This research will be done in collaboration with ecosystem studies.
Modeling PAH dynamics in soil and sediments: Our research group has long
been investigating the transport and transformation of various substances
in soil. In this research, the behavior of PAHs in soil and sediments will
be investigated. Also, we are now monitoring chemical substances in Northwest
Pacific.
