Researches for environmental protection in the Northwest Pacific Region
Overview of environmental protection researches
In order to protect the marine environment in the Northwest Pacific Region and its surrounding areas, it is necessary to obtain precise and broad scientific knowledge by conducting researches to understand the status of the ocean and mechanisms of pollution.
Therefore, NPEC implements a variety of research programs in cooperation with research institutions in the neighboring countries and areas.
Reseach activities
1. Promotion of the Toyama Bay Project（since 2004）
We are conducting Toyama Bay Project, in which we obtain field data and satellite observation data on water turbidity of Toyama Bay as a model sea water area and analyze them to develop algorithm for the coastal environment assessment through the satellite remote sensing.In addition, a research program is being undertaken to improve the NOWPAP Common Procedure for eutrophication assessment.
2.Seagrass bed mapping through the satellite remote sensing (since 2011)
We developed the seagrass bed map before and after the Great East japan Earthquake through the satellite remote sensing from 2011 to 2013 to support restoration of the seagrass beds in Miyagi prefecture where there was huge damage from the earthquake.
3.Access to the satellite remote sensing data (since 2002)
In order to promote NOWPAP activities Ministry of the Environment installed the facilities called the Watch System for the Marine Environment of Northwest Pacific Region at the Toyama Prefectural Environmental Science and Research Center for receiving and processing data from the satellites. The data such as the concentration levels of chlorophyll a, which is an indicator of the concentration of phytoplankton, and sea surface temperature in the NOWPAP region are obtained and analyzed. These data are accessible from the Website.
Please refer to “Marine Environmental Protection of Northwest Pacific Region.” for details.
4.Marin litter monitoring research
We have conducted the international research on marine litter by the common method with municipalities and NGOs from Japan, China, Korea and Russia to comprehend the current situation of marine litter in the Northwest Pacific Region.
Please refer to “Marin Litter Portal Site” for details.” for details.
5.Joint research on coastal organisms and marine indicator organisms
It is said that the current extinction rate of species is 100 to 1,000 times higher than ever. Now, biodiversity must be conserved in the global scale.
Concerning the marine biodiversity, information on it is very limited compared to the terrestrial one. Therefore, we have started a joint research since 2016. We collect information on organisms from the local coasts to comprehend the distribution of them along the region.
Please refer to “Marine organisms in the Sea of Japan” for details.
