Centerfor
Regional
Environmental
Research
National Institute for Environmental Studies

National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)

Center for Regional Environmental Research (CRER)
16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba-City, Ibaraki, 305-8506 Japan
https://www.nies.go.jp/chiiki/en/index_en.html
Jan. 2018

At CRER we’ re studying theconservation of our regional
environment : ouratmosphere,
water, soil, andecosystem.

1

To preserve our quality of life, NIES
(National Institute for Environmental
Studies) / CRER (Center for Regional
Environmental Research) aims to solvea variety of regional environmental
problems arising in our atmosphere,
water, and soil, and in our whole ecosystem.
CRER’s fields of research range from the urban to thecontinental scale, and include Japan, East Asia, and South
East Asia.
CRER integrates sound scientific knowledge and methods,
including field observations, laboratory experiments, andtheoretical model simulations, and studies the processes andmechanisms of environmental problems.

2

Health andEnvironmental
Safety Research
Program
NIES promotes eight programs. CRER is working
on projects 6 and 7, which are parts of the Healthand Environmental Safety Research Program.

Project

6

Development of pollution control plans and alert systems using an improved
air quality model, and collection of evidence for adverse health effects

Research project on atmospheric processes, toxicity,and health effects of air pollutants including PM2.5

To achieve the following aims, we develop an improved air quality model and collect evidence of
epidemiological studies, then we contribute to construct the safe and secure society.
1 Understand the atmospheric processes of air pollutants, and develop and propose pollution control plans
and mitigation strategies;
2 Construct alert systems for high concentrations of PM2.5 ;3 Collect evidence of the adverse health effects and toxicity of PM2.5

Atmospheric observation

Emission inventory

Toxicity studies

Beijing

Air quality modelA study of
atmosphericprocesses

Epidemiologicalstudies
Tsukuba

Sub-theme 2

A study for emission inventory andpollution control

A study of adverse health effects caused byair pollutants

・A study for air quality model to improve
reproducibility and predictability

Epidemiological studies:
Evaluation of adverse health effects caused by air
pollutants (PM)・A study for effect of local emission andtransboundary air pollution
・Show the air pollution control plan and construct
alert systems for high concentrations of PM 2.5

Toxicity studies:
Evaluation of toxicity of chemical species includingorganic compounds and metals

Contribution to the safe and secure society by air pollution control
３

Systematic development of risk sciences toachieve the goal of safe and secure society■ Issue-Oriented Research Programs
Low-Carbon Research Program

PJ 1

Elucidation of the effects on higher- order biological functions andmulti/transgenerational epigenetic effects of chemicals

PJ 2

Comprehensive, simultaneous monitoring and analysis of known andnew environmental chemicals

Health and Environmental Safety Research Program

PJ 3

Elucidation of the causal relationships among environmental disturbancesand ecological communities

Environment-Economy-Society Integration Research Program

PJ 4

Development of comprehensive ecotoxicity test methods forcoastal ecosystems

PJ 5

Elucidation of the indoor-, regional-, and global-scale dynamics of chemicals

PJ 6

Development of pollution control plans and alert systems using an improved
air quality model, and collection of evidence for adverse health effects

Environmental Renovation Research Program

PJ 7

Development of advanced technologies and evaluation methods forconservation of the aquatic environment in Asia

Environmental Emergency Management Research Program

PJ 8

Implementation of scientific achievements within social management framework

Sustainable Material Cycles Research Program
Harmonization with Nature Research Program■ Environmental Emergency Research Programs
Environmental Recovery Research Program

Project

7

Development of appropriate technologies for conserving the water environment
and methods for evaluating these technologies domestically and in Asia

Research project to develop technologies andassessment methods for water quality conservation
This research project consists of the following two sub-themes: Sub-theme 1 Development of appropriatetechnologies for conserving the water environment; Sub-theme 2 Development of methods for evaluating thewater environment and its conservation technologies by using a variety of indicators. By integrating the two
sub-themes, we intend to propose management techniques and technologies to suit the resilience and regional
characteristics of each water body.
Japan(domestic)
Asian
Developing
Countries

Water environment(rivers, lakes, sediments)

City

Industry

Discharge of
wastewaterand effluent
Conservation technology

Introduction of appropriatetechnology, Management system

Evaluation

Sub-theme 1

KyusyuOkinawa

Sub-theme 1

8 programs promoted by NIES

Water sample,data

Sub-theme 2

Development of appropriate technologies
for conserving the water environment
・Demonstration of appropriate domestic
wastewater treatment systems
・In-situ remediation of sediments
・Co-benefit treatment technology forhigh-risk industrial wastewaters

Evaluation

1 Development of methods for evaluating the impacts
Water sample,
data

Analysis method,
Water quality
control index

Cooperation with local research institutions,
government, and the private sector

Development of methods for evaluating the water
environment and its conservation technologies byusing a variety of indicators

Integrationof water conservation technologies on water bodies

・Characterization of the metabolism of organic carbon andnitrogen in wastewater and effluent inflow areas
・Development of methods for evaluating water bodies andconservation technologies by using a variety of indicators
2 Evaluation of water quality conservation

technologies by using a social engineering approach
Evaluation of technologies on the basis of such parameters
as wastewater inventories and energy use

Proposal of management techniques suited to the soundness andregional characteristics of water bodies
４Research introduction

Research
introduction

Atmospheric behavior and toxicity study of particulate matters fromun-regulated open burning
The residues of agricultural wastes including rice straws are sometimes burned in the open air in Japan. Particulate matters(PM) from Un-Regulated Open Burning (UROB) is considered to be one of the main sources of PM in the atmosphere. In
this project, we aim to elucidate UROB and to examine whether the PM from UROB affects the local air quality. In addition,
we study the toxicity of PM from rice straws.

Concentration measurementsin the ambient air

PM emission from UROB

Study of toxicity andadverse health effects

The calculation method is being improved by comparing the

Improvement of nitrateaerosol calculation

evaporation behavior of organic aerosols measured in laboratory
experiments with the simulated values.

Subtheme

Subtheme

3

Improvement of emissions data

Emission of NH3Emission of NOx

Improvement of organic
aerosol calculation

Introduction and improvement of VBS model

1【Numerical scheme of secondary production of organic aerosol, 2D-VBS】
Subtheme

2

Fragmentation
Condensation/
Evaporation

POA

Oligomerization
Fragmentation

Condensation/
Evaporation SVOC3

Aging

SVOC2
Emission

Consideration offertilization timing
for each region
and crop

Considerationof temporalvariation andweatherdependence

Preparation ofemission data for
VBS

SVOC2

VOC

SVOC1

Oxidation

Oxidative stresses (AU )Concentration / AU

Apr. 2016

0

T21

Measurements of PM massand chemical composition

Frequency of UROB

Evaluation of air quality using thechemical transport model which
integrates emission inventory, atmosphericprocesses and toxic information

T1

T7

T13

T19

Oxidative stresses by PMShow the control
plan to reduce
PM from UROB

Air quality
model

NV-SOA

SOA (I/S)
SVOC1Mar. 2016

improve the accuracy of PM2.5 simulations.

Jan. 2016

Improvement of PM2.5 simulation modelof organic aerosol (one of the main components of PM 2.5 ) toFeb. 2016

We are studying a method of calculating the secondary production

2.5

Dec. 2015(improvement of simulation models and emission data and evaluation of aerosol volatilization
characteristics to improve PM2.5 forecasts)

Events of UROB
per day

Improvement of aerosol simulation methods

SVOC3

Aging
Condensation/
Evaporation

Measurement of volatilization
characteristics

SOA (V)

Fragmentation

NV-SOA

Regional Atmospheric Environment Section continues the Long-term monitoring of atmospheric pollutants at Cape Hedo,
Okinawa, and Fukuejima, Nagasaki, to monitor the air quality in East Asia

� CHAAMS is one of the Atmospheric Brown Clouds supersite, which joins many institutions.
Oligomerization

Air pollution research incollaboration with local government
environmental research institutes

Development and improvement of
an air-pollution forecast system

We are continuing to collaborate with about 50 regional

Under contract from the Ministry of the Environment, inenvironmental research institutes nationwide regarding air pollution

collaboration with other units such as the Environmental Information

problems such as PM2.5. Currently, the team is divided into several

Department in NIES, we are working on improving VENUS (Visualresearch groups. They analyze the data from continuous

atmospheric ENvironment Utility System), an air-pollution forecast

atmospheric environment monitoring, make group-specificsystem being developed by NIES.

observations, and perform aLong-term monitoring of atmospheric pollutants by NIES

Fukuejima http://www.nies.go.jp/chiiki/fukuejima/index.html

Cape Hedo http://www.nies.go.jp/asia/hedomisaki/home-e.html

� Measurement items
Physical and optical measurements

Chemical composition

PM2.5 mass concentration, vertical profiles, black carbon,
particle number concentration, radiation, cloudAerosol chemical composition, total nitrate, mercury, metals,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, gaseous species
Fukuejima Atmospheric Observatory
in Nagasaki

AMS

Lidar

number of other activities to
elucidate the mechanisms
and factors causing PM 2.5 toexceed the environmental

URL

５

TsukubaShanghaistandards.
http://venus.nies.go.jp/

Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS)
on Okinawa Island

Fukuejima
Cape Hedo

6

Research introduction

Development of a new personal mobility system resulting to reduce
CO2 emissions (in the human transport sector)

Simulation of air pollution by using a NICAM-Chem model
We are simulating the impacts of air pollutants such as PM 2.5 on the environment and climate by using a non-hydrostatic

To create an environment where drivers of passenger vehicles will willingly

simulate air pollution with high resolution (~10-km grid spacing), not only around Japan and East Asia, but also globally,

compact three – wheel personal mobility system. We are also studying ways to

icosahedral atmospheric model (NICAM) coupled to an aerosol-chemistry module (NICAM-Chem). The model canswitch to using public transportation systems, we are developing a new andby using the K computer . We are now developing the next generation of the model.

disseminate its adoption by society along with more effective and smoother

NICAM has being developed by AORI (the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute) at the University of the Tokyo, the RIKEN Advanced

In our super-aging society, Japan needs ways to transport the elderly or

The K computer at RIKEN AICS has the highest performance of any supercomputer in Japan.

and welfare, it’ s very important to optimize the conditions of support between

1

2

1

utilization of the current infrastructure.

handicapped people safely and securely. Moreover, in the fields of nursing

Institute for Computational Science (AICS), and JAMSTEC (the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology).
2care receiver and caregiver. A care receiver needs to feel able to readily ask

their caregiver to help them move about, and the caregiver needs to be able to

Global high-resolution simulation

respond willingly.

Regional high-resolution simulation

The basic concept of this personal mobility system is that it can be used bothevery day and in emergencies. In everyday situations
the user can move safely, securely, and smartly. In

Downscaling andregional analysis

emergencies, the mobility system will automaticallyHighaerosolloadingLow
aerosolloading

Upscaling andestimation of
global impacts

Lidar network observation of Asian dust and anthropogenic aerosols

head to the evacuation area and communicate withemergency systems.

The ultra-compact personal mobility system
can be transformed to suit the user type andthe purpose of use (multi-purpose mobility).

Sensing or detecting a dangerous holeor obstacle for the personal mobility user

Development of theautomatic stopping system

Vehicle Test Facility
This facility can test fuel economy and the characteristics of emissions

from low-emission vehicles such as pure electric vehicles and hybrid

We are improving our near-ground data acquisition and areelectric vehicles, as well as from internal combustion-engine vehicles

producing a dataset for health impact studies in order to moreusing gasoline or diesel fuels under real-world conditions.

efficiently use the lidar (laser-radar) network, which measures the

Published values for fuel economy are measured under specificvertical distribution of Asian dust and anthropogenic aerosols.

conditions. Because few values have been measured under real-world
conditions, vehicle performance has not yet been evaluated properly.

Time–height section of Asian dust distribution

This facility has an exhaust-gas dispersion chamber for analyzing
exhaust emitted to the atmosphere. It also has an equipment foranalyzing in detail the characteristics of gaseous or particulate matter

5

Automated driver (robot) instead of a human driver( km )

4in exhaust.

3
2
1
0

27

28

29

Date

30

31

1

Asian dust density observed at Matsue (Shimane Prefecture)in late May 2014. Warmer color corresponds to higher density.

7

Night-time view oflidar observation
at NIES

Vehicle on a chassis dynamometer in theenvironment simulation room

Vehicle exhaust measurement system

Confirmation of test results8Research introduction

Investigating the mechanism of nitrogen saturation of forests
on Mount Tsukuba

Impacts of macrophyte harvesting on water quality

Mount Tsukuba has been exalted as a dwelling place of the gods

Recently, aquatic macrophyte overgrowth has become a serious environmental problem in the southern part of Lake Biwa.

for the Waka poets of the Manyoshu (Collection of Ten Thousandsocial frameworks based on macrophyte harvest activities as examples of profitable conservation approaches. In thisweekends and holidays. However, its forests are being subjected to

From our study, we concluded that one way of harvesting increased the short-term risk of sediment elution, but harvesting

phenomenon, nitrogen compounds originating in human activity

environmental effect.

since ancient times. Its beautiful shape was a source of fascination

The Environment Research and Technology Development Project of the Ministry of the Environment has started studying

Leaves), and the mountain comes alive with pilgrims and hikers on

project, our laboratory continues to analyze the effects of macrophyte harvesting on the quality of sediments and water.

an environmental problem known as nitrogen saturation. In thisitself decreased the long-term risk of sediment elution. Our goal is to find the method of harvesting with the leastaccumulate in forests via atmospheric deposition over long periodsof time, causing levels of mineral nitrogen to become excessive. We

A new system enables us to extract pore watercontinuously. This system is good for monitoring thesediment environment with minimal disturbancewhen sampling.

regularly visit monitoring sites to collect samples of air, plants, soil,

and water from the mountain streams. We then perform a variety ofanalyses and experiments to elucidate the dynamics of nitrogencompounds in forest ecosystems.

Schematic image of macrophyte harvesting using
customized tools, called mangan in Japanese. In
harvesting, both resuspension of surface sediments
and increased sediment elution are serious
environmental problems (created by Prof. S. Ban,
Univ. of Shiga Pref.)View of Mt. Tsukuba and Mt. Hokyo

Walking to the monitoring site

Sampling the streamwater

Dynamics of phosphorus in Lake Kasumigaura

Underwater view in southern Lake
Biwa, showing overgrowth ofsubmerged macrophytes(off Karasaki, 23 June 2015)

Research Station for Preservation and Enhancement of
the Water Environment ( Lake Kasumigaura Water Research Laboratory)
The Research Station for Preservation and Enhancement of the Water
Environment, located on the shore of Lake Kasumigaura, is a field station forstudies of pollution and water quality recovery in this heavily eutrophicatedlake.
This station has been the base for field studies of the lake, its influent rivers,
and ground waters. We are analyzing the causes of eutrophication and ways
to restore good water quality. We are field testing liquid waste-treatment andresource-recovery systems such as Johkasou systems.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are key nutrients for
phytoplankton growth; once they reach highconcentrations, they can cause atypical events of

cyanobacterial blooming. In Lake Kasumigaura, thesecond-largest lake in Japan, cyanobacterial

blooming due to eutrophication has been observed. It
sometimes causes nuisance odors around the lake.

Takahama bay
Center of lake
Phosphate

Cyanobacterial blooming in Lake Kasumigaura

Lake Kasumigaura

Approx.
outlet of lake

To solve the problem, studies to clarify the dynamics ofnitrogen and phosphorus are indispensable. Recently, in ourlaboratory, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy,
which is also used for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging),
has been used to quantify components such as DNA in
NMR

9Phosphorus compounds analyzed
by NMRphytoplankton and sediment.

CRER is responsible for water quality
monitoring in Lake Kasumigaura atthree registered GEMS Water (Global
Environmental Monitoring System)
monitoring sites. GEMS Water is aninternational institute based inGermany.

Custom-made online
preparation system for nitrate
stable isotope analysis

Fast repetition rate fluorometry
allows us to estimate photosynthetic activity in the field.

Fridge for storing sample stock10Research introduction

Development of environmental impact assessment tools
Accidental spills andand techniques for deep-sea mining
low-level constant leaksof toxic substances

Surface environment

Our interest is growing in seabed mineral deposits as
next-generation resources globally. The scientific

Plankton ecosystems

estimated that there are massive amounts of mineral

Mineralliftingcommunity and mineral resource developers haveresources around the Japanese Islands. They expect

Excavation

essential mining targets for Japan, which is poor in landmarine environment remains unclear. Our team isdeveloping technologies for environmental impact

Discharge

Seabed habitat
destruction

that, in the near future, these resources will become

resources. However, the impact of seabed mining on the

Wastewater
returnRelease ofheavy metal?

Deep sea environment

Diffusion ofdischarged waterand particles
Redepositionof suspended
particles?

Possible pollution during full-scale mining.
Mining and mineral lifting processes carry the risk of affecting both deep-sea andsurface environments.

evaluation and prediction in the Okinawa Trough, one of

Seafloor massive sulfide
minerals used in leaching
tests (left photos) and themetals and metalloids
released in the leachates
from each (right plots)

the potential mining fields. We are using researchcruises and laboratory experiments to evaluate possible
pollution mechanisms such as the emission of toxic
substances from seabed minerals to seawater, thecommunity, and the physical dynamics of the suspended[measurement, reporting, and verification] and related

technological improvements contributing to the joint crediting

NUM Site

Establishment of CO₂ flux monitoring system network

mechanism (JCM) in Mongolia,” commissioned by the Ministry of

Research structure

the Environment. This project is presided over by Chuo University

in collaboration with Hitachi, Ltd., Keio University, the Overseas

Establishment of ground observation system

Institute.

Establishment of satellite data analysis system

Environmental Cooperation Center, and the Japan Research

Our major research objective is to evaluate CO2 sequestration by
rangelands in Mongolia. Our first task is to establish groundobservation systems in typical ecosystems both near an urban

Use of ecosystem model to assess carbon absorption

Contribution to development of an MRV method

spatiotemporal distribution of CO2 absorbed by grasslands. Finally,

the “Environmental Impact Assessment Model,” forfuture full-scale seabed mining. This study is supported

Concentration of eluate (%)

Results of leaching tests on seafloor
minerals and an ecotoxicological test of
the leachate.

Snapshot of our marine observation activities.
We aim to elucidate the processes of diffusionand deposition of the suspended particulatematter generated by seabed excavation or
disturbance.

Development and evaluation of a technology for amending sediments
in coastal seas: application of a benthic microbial fuel cell tosediment amendment in Tokyo Bay
Anode
Cathodereadysuspended in Electricity
for burial water column voltage
loggerin sediment

We are partly responsible for the “Project to implement MRVMODIS data, we will use an ecosystem model to evaluate theintegrate these research results into a numerical model,

Anodeinstallation
by divers(assessment of CO2 sequestration by rangeland in Mongolia)

collect data on meteorology, hydrology, vegetation, and CO 2

excavation and disturbance during mining. We intend to

Program of Japan (FY 2014 to FY 2018).

Ulaanbaatar

fluxes. Then, by collecting and analyzing satellite data such as

mineral and sediment particles produced by seabedby the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion

Nalaikh Site
Hustai Sitearea and far from the urban area. With these systems, we canExample of dose-response curvesof various marine phytoplankton
species to leachate

impact of those toxicants on the marine microbial

Project to implement MRV andrelated technological improvements
contributing to the Joint Crediting
Mechanism in Mongolia

Electricity
voltageloggerSome coastal seas and estuaries abutting urban

areas such as Tokyo Bay suffer from eutrophication

we expect to contribute to the development of an MRV method

Spatial dynamics of
CO₂ absorption

Satellite).

Contribution to development of
MRV method based on GOSAT data

based on data from GOSAT (the Greenhouse Gases Observing

Temporal dynamics of
CO₂ absorption

Outreach activities at our Summer Open House
Every summer, NIES holds a public event called the Summer Open House. This event gives participants of all ages the
chance to learn about current environmental problems and hot research topics. We also set up booths with uniqueexperience-based activities. We are looking forward to welcoming you in the next summer!

and hypoxia. Consequently, their sediments containlarge amounts of toxic sulfide and are unfavorable
for benthic fauna. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can

Let’s learn PM2.5

Water quality analysis

Ultra-compact mobility

generate weak electricity via the anaerobic microbial
CathodeHeiwajima
Omori-Furusato
Beachside Park

Bank

Anode

Showajima

sediment

metabolism of reductive substances and thus havethe potential to promote the removal of sulfide fromsediments. We installed and operated a benthic MFC(BMFC) in the bottom sediments of a shallow

channel located in inner Tokyo Bay and tested its

50
40

400
200
0

30
20
10

began to be generated immediately after BMFC

installation and power generation was maintained for
Volts

800
600

PO4-P (mg/L)

H2S ( mol/L)ability to amend impaired sediment quality. Electricity

011

significantly decreased the sulfide and phosphateconcentrations in the interstitial water in theWith BMFC
Without BMFC
Effect of BMFC on
sediment quality

longer than 3 months. Application of the BMFC

sediments.
Electricity generation by a BMFC deployed in the
Gasumio channel, Heiwajima, from May to August 2015

This study was conducted in collaboration with

Explanation

Presentation

After the introduction of PM2.5,
participants collect the air aroundthem, their breath, and exhaust air
from electrical appliances to compare
PM2.5 concentrations.

We ask children “What kind of water
do you know?” First, they look at andsmell the water to give an answer.
They then put on protective glasses
and measure the water quality. They
get to be researchers!

Test ride an ultra-compact mobility
scooter
An electric three-wheel vehicle was
exhibited at the G7 Toyama
Environment Ministers’ Meeting in
2016. The vehicle proved to be
popular. The concept is universal
design for use by people of all ages.

Gunma University.

12

Laboratory
introduction
Regional Atmospheric
Modeling Section
To elucidate the characteristics of multiscale air pollution —fromthe city scale through the Asia scale to the hemisphere scale—and evaluate its forecasting, we are conducting research
focused on air quality modeling.

Environmental Systems
Engineering Section
Our field of study is the development of appropriate conservation
technologies for the water environment and the evaluation of thosetechnologies from a social environment perspective.

Marine Environment Section
We study the following anthropogenic and natural-disaster
impacts on pelagic and benthic marine environments andecosystems around Japan : aa) pollutant loadings from land andocean-developments bb) the Great East Japan Earthquake andsubsequent huge tsunami c)c radioactive materials derived fromthe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Regional
Atmospheric
Environment Section
Regional transboundary air pollution in Asia is studied by theground based observation, remote sensing technique andlaboratory experiments.

Principal Researcher (Wang)
We are conducting research into vulnerability evaluation andadaptation strategies of regional environments in East Asia by
establishing both satellite and ground observation system
networks.

Lake and River
Environment Section
We study the material dynamics of water and soil pollution, as
well as the environmental effects of this pollution and recovery
techniques for its management.

Soil Environment Section
Soils are generated in accordance with natural conditions suchas climate and geology and human land use.
They act as buffers to mitigate the influence of anthropogenic
pollution and provide places for biological activity and water
quality control. This section investigates the relationship between
the soil environment and water, air, and organisms, as well as
the cycling of materials.

Lake Biwa Branch
As leaders in freshwater environmental research, NIES and Lake
Biwa Environmental Research Institute are partners on projects
that involve local universities and private industry in advancing
freshwater environmental research and utilizing researchoutcomes to benefit local development in the region.

Atmospheric Chemistry Cooperation Research
Kajii Group Web Site
http://www.atmchem.ges.kyoto-u.ac.jp/main-e.html