Hiromichi Igarashi

Development of a novel digital twin for blue carbon sequestration by seagrass and macroalgal beds

Research Director

Hiromichi Igarashi

Collaborator

Masaaki Iiyama	Professor Faculty of Data Science Shiga University
Masahiro Nakaoka	Professor Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere Hokkaido University
Masakazu Hori	Head, Group Fisheries Resources Institute Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency
Toshihiro Miyajima	Assistant Professor Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute The University of Tokyo

Outline

In this project, we develop a digital twin for blue carbon sequestration by seagrass and macroalgal beds around Japan coastal area by integrating field observation of seagrass and macroalgal production and export, oceanographic observation by RV, chemical analyses of sediment and water samples, decomposition experiments for tracing the fate of organic carbon derived from seagrasses and macroalgae, and ocean numerical model simulation experiments. And we aim to contribute to policy making for climate change adaptation and mitigation through generating information of accurate estimation of present and future blue carbon mass transport from the seagrass and macroalgal beds around Japan coastal area to the sequestration reservoirs in open ocean.

Haruko Kurihara

Advanced prediction and risk detection and of costal ecosystem transition under high CO2 world

Research Director

Haruko Kurihara

Collaborator

Takashi Nakamura	Associate Professor School of Environment and Society Tokyo Institute of Technology
Nina Yasuda	Professor Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo
Hiroya Yamano	Director Biodiversity Division National Institute for Environmental Studies

Outline

This project is consisted by four groups; ecophysiology, molecular ecology, modelling and social adaptation group. Here we aim to develop 1. Multi-Environmental Simulation Aquatic System (MESAS) and evaluate biological response to environmental change, 2. Stress detection technology using environmental RNA, 3. Integrated coastal ecosystem model and predict the ecosystem transition, and we will practice 4. Social adaptation under biodistribution and ecosystem change at high CO2 world.

Toshio Suga

Elucidation of CO2 absorption and storage mechanism of subtropical mode water by Argo

Research Director

Toshio Suga

Collaborator

Hajime Kayanne	Professor Graduate School of Science The University of Tokyo
Shigeki Hosoda	Group Leader Global Oceanic Environment Research Group, Research Institute of Global Change Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Outline

We aim to resolve mesoscale (~monthly/~100 km) and submesoscale (~weekly/~10 km) phenomena related to CO2 absorption and storage with the seasonal cycle being captured. For that purpose, we will conduct multi-parameter high-frequency profile observations in the northwestern subtropical gyre (around Ogasawara Islands), where the physical processes in the upper ocean are best understood. We will conduct cross-disciplinary research by obtaining high-frequency time series data for multiple years and combining them with existing field and satellite observations.

Koji Suzuki

Changes in the dynamics of microalgae unraveled by wide-area, frequent, high-precision observations

Research Director

Koji Suzuki

Collaborator

Hisashi Endo	Associate Professor Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University
Shin-Ichiro Nakaoka	Senior Researcher Earth System Division National Institute for Environmental Studies
Shinji Nakaoka	Associate Professor Faculty of Advanced Life Science Hokkaido University

Outline

As anthropogenic carbon dioxide increases, there is concern about changes in the dynamics of microalgae (phytoplankton), the major primary producers in the ocean. Through unprecedented, highly frequent, and high-precision observations using cooperating merchant and research vessels, this project aims to understand seasonal and interannual changes in the abundance, community composition, and productivity of phytoplankton playing an essential role in the carbon sequestration in the highly productive North Pacific mid-to-high latitude region among the world’s oceans, and to clarify the effects of warming and ocean acidification on these quantitatively.

Ryosuke Makabe

Exploring the Southern Ocean carbon cycle by imaging and AI technologies

Research Director

Ryosuke Makabe

Collaborator

Daiki Nomura	Associate Professor Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere Hokkaido University
Seiji Yamada	Professor National Institute of Informatics Research Organization of Information and Systems

Outline

The aims of this project are (1) to develop an automated surface water monitoring system for observing plankton community with high resolution, (2) to understand key processes of retention and export of particulate organic matters, (3) to reveal long-term changes in marine environments and response of zooplankton community. Through these studies, we will establish the innovative methods for quantitative observation of the Southern Ocean ecosystem and the carbon cycle, including long-term change in zooplankton community structure. These new methods, which can be applied to the other oceans, will contribute to further understanding of the role of biological processes for global carbon cycle.

Yusuke Yokoyama

Developing efficient analytical method of radiocarbon in water samples

Research Director

Yusuke Yokoyama

Collaborator

Naohiko Ohkouchi	Director-General Research Institute for Marine Resources Utilization Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Yasuhiko Yamaguchi	Senior Researcher Systems Analysis Division Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute

Outline

Radiocarbon (C-14) is an extremely powerful tool as a tracer of the carbon cycle, as it can provide the age of the carbon itself (i.e. the time since it was removed from the atmosphere). However, due to its scarcity in the environment, these methods require large quantities of samples and long preparation times in the laboratory before the actual identification of its abundance using mass spectrometry. This research will develop techniques to achieve trace and rapid analysis of C-14, thereby developing a world-leading toolbox for elucidating the carbon cycle in the hydrosphere, including the oceans, from Japan.