Maki Aita Noguchi

Carbon cycle and lower trophic level oceanic organisms investigation for future environments

Grant No.：JPMJCR24J1

Research Director

Maki Aita Noguchi

Collaborator

Katsunori Kimoto	Senior Researcher(Dupty Group Leader) Research Institute for Global Change Japan Agency for Marine -Earth Science and Technology
Chiho Sukigara	Researcher Research Institute for Global Change Japan Agency for Marine -Earth Science and Technology
Kazuaki Tadokoro	Chief Scientist Fisheries Resources Institute Marine Environmental Division Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency

Outline

This project will apply numerical modeling and observations to evaluate the potential impacts of anthropogenic carbon dioxide-induced global warming and acidification on marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. We will advance understanding of key physical and ecological processes and their potential feedbacks in order to enhance the ability to predict the impacts of future climate change. Our research focuses on understanding plankton response based on laboratory culture experiments and field studies, validating biological carbon transport using optical sensors and time-series mooring observations, and incorporating the results of the aforementioned studies in the development of dynamic models to capture the adaptive response of marine ecosystems.

Maiko Kagami

Integrative evaluation for carbon and biodiversity in coupled land-sea systems

Grant No.：JPMJCR24J2

Research Director

Maiko Kagami

Collaborator

Tomoya Iwata	Professor Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research University of Yamanashi
Hideyuki Doi	Professor Graduate School of Informatics Kyoto University
Akira Mori	Professor Research Center for Advanced Science aand Technology The University of Tokyo

Outline

This study aims to elucidate the role of carbon and nutrients delivered from terrestrial areas to coastal ecosystems, and their relationship with biodiversity and carbon processes in forests and rivers. Based on observational data, we will develop a method to assess land-sea coupling in terms of carbon and biodiversity. We will analyze the relationship between carbon sequestration, land use in watersheds, and biodiversity, while also making future predictions for blue and green carbon. Furthermore, we will propose strategies for land-sea coupling and ecosystem management to optimize the ocean’s carbon sequestration capacity.

Toshihiro Somekawa

Contribution to marine decarbonization by the development of laser CO2 monitoring technique

Grant No.：JPMJCR24J3

Research Director

Toshihiro Somekawa

Collaborator

Toru Sato	Professor Graduate School of Frontier Sciences The University of Tokyo
Kiminori Shitashima	Specially appointed professor Faculty Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Shigeru Tabeta	Professor Graduate School of Frontier Sciences The University of Tokyo
Hidetaka Houtani	Lecturer School of Engineering The University of Tokyo

Outline

We contribute to marine decarbonization by developing the lidar technique, in- situ sensor measurements, and model simulations for the evaluation of CO2 reduction by blue carbon ecosystems and the CO2 leakage monitoring from a seafloor CCS site. Also, we develop an underwater towing towed vehicle equipped with the lidar system to maintain the height above the seabed and verify the applicability to underwater CO2 lidar monitoring through the simulated observation in real sea areas.

Kazutaka Takahashi

Mechanisms of carbon sequestration transported by vertically migrating biota

Grant No.：JPMJCR24J4

Research Director

Kazutaka Takahashi

Collaborator

Yuji Okazaki

Senior Research Scientist Fisheries Resources Institute Fisheries Research and Education Agency

Outline

Zooplankton and micronekton are widely distributed in the ocean and exhibit diurnal and seasonal vertical migration between the surface layer and several hundred metres deep. This migration is known to transport a significant amount of carbon to the mesopelagic zone, resulting in carbon sequestration over hundreds of years. However, the characteristics of its variability remain poorly understood. In this study, we will use optical and acoustic techniques to estimate the spatio-temporal variability of active carbon transport by vertically migrating biota at high resolution over a large area around Japan. We will also assess the ecosystem feedbacks of this variability.

Gregory Naoki Nishihara

The accurate quantification and evaluation of the potential for seaweed aquaculture farms store blue carbon

Grant No.：JPMJCR24J5

Research Director

Gregory Naoki Nishihara

Collaborator

Teruko Konishi

Professor Faculty of Agriculture University of the Ryukyus

Outline

We will develop a technique to directly measure the CO2 fixation capacity of monoculture seaweed aquaculture farms by quantifying the amount of carbon absorbed by the cultivated seaweed and the amount of carbon respired and released as organic carbon. Focus will be placed on accurately calculating quantity of residual carbon stored in the environment by quantifying recalcitrant organic carbon (e.g., fucoidan). Additionally, we propose that NPP (Net Primary Production) and NEP (Net Ecosystem Production) are appropriate proxies for CO2 fixation, since they are more readily estimated. The results of this study is expected to contribute greatly to the development of related fields.