The Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology

Kanazawa University

Self-Review/Assessment
Report2017, September
The Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology,
Kanazawa University

Contents

1

Preface・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 1

2

Division of Atmospheric Environmental Studies・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・3

3

Division of Marine Environmental Studies・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・7

4Division of Terrestrial Environmental Studies・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・10

5Division of Integrated Environmental Studies・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・14

6Department of Inter-Institutional Collaboration・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・16

The Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology at Kanazawa University wasestablished in 2002 as a joint research and education facility with the purpose of
streamlining existing facilities such as the Low Level Radioactive Laboratory, theMarine Laboratory, the Botanical Garden as well as the Electromagnetic Field Control
Laboratory. In 2007, the institute was further integrated with the Japan Sea ResearchInstitute at Kanazawa University in order to promote the 21st Center of Excellence
program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT): Environmental Monitoring and Prediction of Long- & Short-Term Dynamics of
the Pan-Japan Sea Area. The institute was further reorganized in 2015 to promote
environmental research and education in the pursuit of creating sustainable
environmental management programs (Figure 1).
Five years has passed since the last assessment of research and educational activities
in the Institute held in 2012. This short report introduces our activity during the fiscal
year 2012-2016 to help the assessment. In these five years, the Noto Marine Laboratory
has been authorised as a joint usage/ education center by MEXT in 2012. The whole
institute was then authorised as a joint usage/ research center by MEXT in 2016.

1

2007-2014
3 departments,
8 research divisions

20152 departments,
4 research divisions

Department of Natural

Department of

Science and Measurement

Environmental Research
Division of AtmosphericDivision of Earth Dynamics

Environmental Studies

Division of Eco-Technology

Division of Marine
Division of Biodiversity

Environmental Studies

Division of Biological

Division of Terrestrial

Measurement and Application

Environmental Studies
Division of Integrated

Department of Environmental

Environmental Studies

Information
Division of Natural

Department ofEnvironmental Information

Inter-Institutional
Collaboration

Division of Human
Environmental Information

Department of Regional
Studies
Division of Environment andDisaster Prevention
Division of Human and Social
Sciences
Fig.1 Intraorganization was modified in 2015.

2

Division of Atmospheric Environmental Studies
This division focuses on the atmospheric environment of the Circum-Sea of Japan area, an
area of the world where high concentrations of atmospheric pollutants such as Asian dust
(Kosa: yellow dust) and PM 2.5 have become one of the most prominent environmental issues.
The aim of this division is to clarify their mechanisms of generation, transport, reaction,
deposition, ecosystem and human consequences, and to better predict future pollution in thearea. To this end, this division devises and develops new analytical methods and fosters joint
international research networks. These activities and their results will make substantial
contributions to the global efforts to mitigate atmospheric contamination.

【 Behaviors of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) andNitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in East Asia】

PAHs are a group of organic compounds consisting of two or more fused benzene rings, and

NPAHs are their nitrated derivatives. PAHs and NPAHs are ubiquitous environmental
pollutants. Atmospheric PAHs and NPAHs mainly originate from imperfect combustion andpyrolysis of organic matters, although some NPAHs are formed in the atmosphere via reactionsof their parent PAHs such as 2-nitropyrene (2-NP) and 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NFR). PAHs and
NPAHs exist in both the gas and particle phases in the atmosphere, and their gas/particulate
partition depend on factors such as the vapor pressure, temperature and the concentrationand properties of dust. In urban areas, PAHs and NPAHs are mainly emitted from automobiles,
power plants, domestic heating and industrial processes. Many PAHs and NPAHs havecarcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-NP are categorized ingroups 1 (carcinogenic to humans) and 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans), respectively(International Agency for Research on Cancer). Several PAHs also exhibit estrogenic,

antiestrogenic, antiandrogenic activities or reactive oxygen species producing activity. In

addition, prenatal exposure to PAHs could impact cognitive development and learning ability.
Therefore, it is necessary to monitor PAHs and NPAHs in the atmosphere because of theirhealth risks to humans
In East Asia, the economics and industrial outputs of Japan, China, Korea and Russia havedeveloped rapidly in recent decades. Together, these countries account for more than a quarterof the world energy consumption. Especially, the primary energy consumption of China
increased drastically and has reached to 12% of the total world consumption in 2014. The mainenergy sources in these countries are oil in Japan and Korea, coal in China and natural gas in
Russia (but coal for Far Eastern Russia). The burning of these fuels and biomass releases manypollutants including gases and particulates into the atmosphere.
Atmospheric concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs
Airborne particulate matter (PM) has been collected at four cities (Sapporo, Kanazawa,
Tokyo and Kitakyushu) in Japan starting in the late 1990s, at five or more major cities in
China (Sheyang, Tieling ,Fushun, Beijing and Shanghai), Korea (Seoul and Busan) and Russia(Vladivostok) starting in 2001. Nine particulate-bound PAHs (fluoranthene (FR), pyrene (Pyr),benz[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene3

(BkF), BaP, benzo[ghi]perylene (BgPe) and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IDP)) and eleven NPAHs(1,3-, 1,6-, 1,8-dinitropyrenes, 9-nitroanthracene, 1-, 2-NPs, 2-NFR, 6-nitrochrysene, 7nitrobenz[a]anthracene, 6-nitro-BaP and 3-nitroperylene) were determined by HPLC withfluorescence and chemiluminescence detections, respectively. Annual concentrations of PAHs

and NPAHs were in the order, China > Russia≫Korea = Japan, with seasonal change (winter> summer). During the observation period, concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs in Japanesecities significantly decreased but the increases in the PAH concentration were observed in
Chinese and Russian cities. Concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs were higher in the Northern
China than those in the Southern China. A dramatic change in atmospheric concentrations of
PAHs and NPAHs in East Asia suggests the rapid and large change of PM pollution in East
Asia. Considering the adverse health effects of PM, especially PM 2.5 , continuous monitoring of
atmospheric PAHs and NPAHs is necessary in this area.
Spatial and Temporal Distributions of PAH Concentrations and Deposition
In order to better understand the spatial and temporal distributions of PAH concentrations
and deposition, the source-receptor relationship analysis of PAH deposition in Northeast Asia
was investigated using an Eulerian regional-scale aerosol chemical transport model. The SRR
is an effective analytical method for evaluating the contributions from various source regions
to receptor regions. Dry deposition (DD) of PAH was controlled by wind flow patterns, whereas
wet deposition (WD) depended on precipitation in addition to wind flow patterns. The
contribution of WD was approximately 50-90% of the total deposition, except during winter inNorthern China (NCHN) and Eastern Russia (ERUS) because of the low amount ofprecipitation. The amount of PAH deposition showed clear seasonal variation and was high in
winter and low in summer in downwind (South Korea, Japan) and oceanic-receptor regions. In
the downwind region, the contributions from NCHN (WD 28-52%; DD 54-55%) and Central
China (CCHN) (WD 43-65%; DD 33-38%) were large in winter, whereas self-contributions (WD20-51%; DD 79-81%) were relatively high in summer. In the oceanic-receptor region, thedeposition amount decreased with distance from the Asian continent. The amount of DD wasstrongly influenced by emissions from neighboring domains. The contributions of WD from
NCHN (16-20%) and CCHN (28-35%) were large. The large contributions from China insummer to the downwind region were linked to vertical transport of PAHs over the Asian
continent associated with convection.

【Monitoring at Noto Ground-based Research Observatory (NOTOGRO) station,
Japan】
Source identification of aerosols transported to central Japan

Atmospheric aerosols are largely responsible for deteriorating the air quality in multiple
spatial scales (local and regional), but their source includes variety of both natural andanthropogenic processes. The situation is further complicated by the fact that aerosol
composition changes due to secondary gas-to-particle conversion and aging processes along its
transport pathway, often hampering the accurate identification and apportionment that canrelate them directly to a specific source. Based on the isotopic analysis on the filter samples
collected at the Suzu site of the NOTOGRO station, we are investigating on the sources of4

atmospheric aerosols transported long-ranges to central Japan.
Results from the stable and radio carbon isotopic analysis revealed large seasonal variationin the relative contribution of fossil and contemporary carbon, which can be highlighted by thesporadic influence of biomass burning in Siberia and North Eastern China. Heavy metal
isotopes are also good indicators of the aerosol sources since they can be considered as ofprimary origin and do not show isotope kinetic effects. Preliminary results showed signs ofAsian dust transport taking place not only in Spring but also in Summer, as well as asignificant influence from domestic volcanic activities in the western Japan.
Contribution to the International Observation Network of Atmospheric Aerosols (CCN)
Subset of atmospheric aerosols acts as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), and therefore affectthe microphysical properties of the clouds. This will lead to the changes both in thehydrological cycle and the energy budget of the atmosphere (radiative forcing). In the recent
years, the aerosol-cloud interaction is considered to constitute the largest uncertainty in theanthropogenic radiative forcing on the climate. The effort to minimizing such uncertainty
requires long-term CCN measurements covering multiple locations and seasons. An
unprecedented international campaign was conducted to inter-compare the regional CCN
characteristics which involved 70 experts from 23 institutions and 14 countries. Our Suzu siteof NOTOGRO station also contributed to this international effort representing a remote sitein East Asia. Related works have been published in a data descriptor paper, and another paper
submitted as a scientific journal. This dataset is expected to make a significant contribution
to the comprehensive aerosol characterization (e.g., closure studies of CCN), model- andsatellite retrieval validations.
Long range transposition of PAHs and NPAHs from the Asian continent to Japan
PM was collected at the Wajima site of the NOTOGRO station from September 2004 to June
2014. Nine PAHs (FR, Pyr, BaA, Chr, BbF, BkF, BaP, BgPe and IDP) were determined by HPLC
with fluorescence detection. The mean concentrations of the nine PAHs in the cold season(November to May for the years 2004 – 2014) was 670 pg/m3 (range 37 to 4100 pg/m3). The
mean concentration in the warm season (June to October for the same period) was 170 pg/m3(range 31 to 960 pg/m3). The atmospheric PAH level at the Wajima site decreased in recent
years, although no significant change was found in the warm season. An analysis ofmeteorological conditions showed that the atmospheric PAHs at the Wajima site were longrange transported from Northeast China in the cold seasons and were contributed to by
Japanese domestic sources in the warm seasons. Activities associated with the Beijing Olympic
and Paralympic Games in 2008 and reconstruction after the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake may
have contributed to the yearly variations of atmospheric PAH levels at the Wajima site during
the period 2007 – 2009. Source control measures implemented by the Chinese and Japanese
governments appear to have been effective in decreasing the atmospheric PAH levels at the
Wajima site in recent years. Furthermore, our data showed that most of the atmospheric1-, 2NPs and 2-NFR at the Wajima site in the cold season were also long range transported from
Northeast China.

5

Contribution to the International Observation Network ofAtmospheric Aerosols (CCN)

NOTOGRO supersite
Noto Ground Based Research Observatory

Map showing locations of atmospheric supersites conducting
long-term monitoring of CCN.
Schmale et al. (2017), Scientific Data

NOTOGRO station participated in the international
effort to inter-compare CCN characteristics worldwide.

Atmospheric concentrationsof polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons andnitropolycyclic aromatichydrocarbons in East Asia

Instrumentations for CCN
measurements

Source-relationship analysis of the atmospheric deposition of
PAHs subject to long-range transport in northeast Asia

Yearly variations of PAHs atthe Wajima site of NOTOGRO
station in the cold (L) andwarm (R) seasons from 2004
to 2014

Purpose In order to evaluate the contributions of PAH deposition, which istransboundary transported from the Asian continent to Japan, we conducted thesource-receptor analysis by using numerical chemical transport model.
Fig. 1.Source-Receptor domain

Fig. 2. Contribution (%) from the source to the receptor region

ERUS
NCHA
CCHA

SOJ
SKR JPNSCHAECS NWP(a)WinterNCHN(c) Summer CCHN(b) Winter
CCHN

Transboundary transport of anthropogenic sulfur in PM2.5 at acoastal site in the Sea of Japan by sulfur isotopic ratio
measurement# #䖃 Background Noto
䕧 Sakurajima ash
䕕 Chinese soil

Niigata Maki
(Coastal site of
Sea of Japan)

* *

#

# # #

# #

# # #

#
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

20
15
10
5

0
100

Sr and Pb isotopes suggested mixingof volcanic ash (e.g. sample 5).

Contribution (%)

Largest contribution from modern biological activity
and/or biomass burning in Autumn.

2-

Forest fire in
Siberia

*

25

# #

*

* *

#

# # #

# #

# # #

Snss (%o)

Potential influence of Sakurajima volcano-3

Biomass burningin NE China

34

Source identification of aerosols transported to central Japan
Contribution of modern carbon in PM2.5(d) Summer JPN

The relative contribution from
NCHN and CCHN are large inwinter, whereas those fromCCHN and JPN are large insummer.

SO4 (mg m )Both PAH and NPAH levels were in the order:
China > RussiaӑKorea = Japan
Both PAH and NPAH levels were higher in the
Northern China (Beijing, Shenyang, Tieling andFushun) than those in the Southern China(Shanghai and Fuzhou).

The atmospheric PAH level at the Wajima site
decreased in recent years, although no significant
change was found in the warm season. Source
control measures implemented by the Chinese andJapanese governments appear to have been effective
in decreasing the atmospheric PAH levels at the
Wajima site in recent years.

#

80
60
40

sea salttransboundary transport
local

20

Air-mass trajectories passing over many fire spots
in Northeast China (October 2014).

13
14
15
16
17
18
19

29
30
31
1
2
3
4

28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4

27
28
29
30
31
1
2

0
May
Spring2013

Jul Aug
SummerOct Nov
AutumnJan Feb
Winter2014

Non-sea salt d34S (d34Snss) in PM2.5 showed seasonal variations with relatively high values in winter(1.03.9‰ in spring, 2.84.5‰ in summer, 1.34.5‰ in autumn, 3.75.7‰ in winter). d34Snss in the air
masses which originated in the Asian continent and were transported over the Sea of Japan to themonitoring sites (#) were higher than those values for air masses which were transported over theJapanese islands. The relative contribution of transboundary transport in winter was higher (4075% in
spring, 5163% in summer, 4573% in autumn, and 5381% in winter).

Air-mass trajectories passing over western Japan
during 23-30 July 2014 (sample 5).

6

Division of Marine Environmental Studies
This division studies the influence of harmful chemical substances on marine organisms and the
dynamics of these substances in the marine environment in the Circum-Sea of Japan area;
particularly in coastal areas. This examination of marine biota is performed through the use ofbiochemical assays. The research performed aids in the development of marine environment
evaluation systems and for this purpose involves international collaborations.
To achieve the purpose, we recently focus on the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
PAHs are widespread environmental contaminants derived from petroleum and generated throughthe incomplete combustion of fossil fuel, wood, and other organic materials. In the aquatic
environment, PAH contamination occurs through storm water runoff. Atmospheric deposition of
PAHs is now the largest source of aquatic PAH contamination. Furthermore, oil tankers are anotheranthropogenic source of PAHs and oil spills are correlated with the major shipping routes in marine
environments. Moreover, accidental oil spills, such as those from the Deepwater Horizon, the Exxon
Valdez, and the Nakhodka, have caused direct PAH pollution in the marine environment. PAH
contamination is thus prevalent throughout the global marine system and directly affect marineorganisms. In this division, thus, we recently studied the toxicity of PAHs and their metabolites inaquatic animals such as fish and sea urchin. We describe below.

【Fish scales as a suitable model for the analysis of pollutants including PAHs on bonemetabolism】

A teleost scale is a bone-like tissue in which coexist osteoblasts (Fig. 1A), osteoclasts (Fig. 1B), andcalcified bone matrix. The bone matrix, which includes type I collagen, osteocalcin, osteonectin, andhydroxyapatite, is present in scales as well as in mammalian bone. Teleost scales have an importantfunction in regulating blood calcium levels because teleost scales, which have both osteoblasts andosteoclasts, are known to function as potential internal calcium reservoirs similar to those in theendoskeletons of mammals. Using a functional calcium-regulating organ (teleost scales), we havedeveloped a novel assay system (Suzuki et al., Endocrine, 2016). This system can simultaneously
detect the activities of both scale osteoblasts and osteoclasts with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) andtartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) as markers.
Using an assay system, we investigated the influence of PAHs on calcium metabolism. For example,

goldfish were intraperitoneally injected with benz[a]anthracene (BaA) (5µg/g body weight) (around10-5 M). BaA induced hypocalcemia at 24 and 48 h (Fig. 2A) resulting from inhibition of osteoclastic
activity in the scales of goldfish (Fig. 2B) (Suzuki et al., Internat. J. Zool. Invest., 2017).

【The influence of OHPAHs on fish embryogenesis】

Monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs) with four aromatic rings, such as

3-hydroxybenz[a]anthracene (3-OHBaA) and 4-hydroxybenz[a]anthracene (4-OHBaA), showed the
toxicity for osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the scales of goldfish and wrasse (Suzuki et al., Life Sci.,

2009). Therefore, using medaka embryos, we examined the toxicity of OHPAHs on embryogenesis.

Nanoinjecting 3-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene (3-OHBcP) (1 nM) in ovo accelerated the developmentof medaka embryos on the 1st, 4th, and 6th days post fertilization (dpf) (Fig. 3A). On the 5th dpf, theheart rates of embryos in the 1-nM 3-OHBcP exposure group were significantly higher than those in7the control and solvent control groups (Fig. 3B). Furthermore, the expression of genes related to eye
development, muscle development, energy supply, and stress-response proteins significantly changed
during early development in medaka. Thus, 3-OHBcP acts on several organs and is toxic to fishembryogenesis (Chen et al., Aquatic Toxicol., 2017).

【Influences of seawater highly contaminated with PAHs on fish bone metabolism】

The Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Since its inauguration in

November 1869, many ships and oil tankers have used the canal. Furthermore, Alexandria, locatedat the mouth of the Nile, is an important port of the Mediterranean Sea route and fishing port withseveral kinds of marine resources. However, both crude oil and heavy oil are often included in theballast water discarded by ships, and the marine pollution of the Mediterranean Sea coast and theSuez Canal worsens even if a ship accident does not happen. It was found that the concentration of
PAHs (approximately 1,000 ng/l) in both the seawater of the Red Sea side of the Suez Canal and of
the Alexandria port was remarkably high at around 100 times that of the Sea of Japan (Table) (Suzuki
et al., Zool. Sci., 2016). Furthermore, we indicated that ALP activity in the scales was significantly
suppressed by both polluted seawater samples, even if seawater was diluted up to 500 times, although
TRAP activity did not change, at least in present conditions (Fig. 4) (Suzuki et al., Zool. Sci., 2016).

【Toxicity of PAHs and OHPAHs to sea urchins】

Furthermore, we examined the effect of both PAHs and OHPAHs on the embryogenesis of sea

urchins (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) (Suzuki et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 2015). Prior to

fertilization, the eggs were washed twice with FSW. Eggs used in the present study reached at least

95% fertilization within 10 min postinsemination. The eggs were divided into control andexperimental groups. After fertilization, BaA and 4-OHBaA were added to seawater at concentrationsof 10-8 and 10-7 M and kept at 18ºC while mixing lightly. Embryos treated with BaA and 4-OHBaA
were compared to control embryos. In the blastula and prism stages, there was no difference regarding
external features between the control and experimental groups. In the pluteus stage, morphologicaldifferences were observed. Spicule length (arrows in Fig. 5) was measured using embryos crushed bya cover glass. Spicule length was significantly inhibited by 4-OHBaA (10-8 and 10-7 M). BaA (10-7 M)
suppressed the length of the spicule significantly, while the length did not change with BaA (10-8 M).

【Conclusions】
In aquatic animals, we discovered the toxicity of OHPAHs, metabolites of PAHs. Judging from theobtained data, the toxicity of OHPAHs is stronger than that of PAHs, at least in fish and sea urchins.
To analyze the toxicity of PAHs and OHPAHs on bone metabolism, furthermore, we developed an
original bioassay with fish scales, which have osteoblasts (bone formation cells) and osteoclasts (boneresorption cells). Using our original bioassay, we indicated that seawater polluted with highly
concentrated PAHs inhibited osteoblastic activity, even if polluted seawater was added into theculture medium at dilution rates of 500 times. OHPAHs that occurred with accumulated PAHs may
have toxic influences on aquatic animals, even if the PAH levels in the aquatic environments are low.
Thus, we should emphasize the prevention of aquatic PAH pollution because of the toxicity of
OHPAHs.

8

(A)osteoblast osteoblast

osteoblast(B)

Table PAH concentrations in the seawater of both Alexanderia)
and Suez Canal sites ((Suzuki et al.,, Zool. Sci.,, 2016).
osteoclast

Tsukumo bay (Noto Peninsula)osteoclast

Fig.1 Teleost scales have an important function in regulating
blood calcium levels because teleost scales, which have both
osteoblasts (A) and osteoclasts (B), are known to function as
potential internal calcium reservoirs similar to those in theendoskeletons of mammals (Suzuki et al., Endocrine, 2016).

(A)

ng/L

(B)

ng/L

Seawater polluted with highly concentrated PAHs influenced bonemetabolism in teleosts.
Osteoblastic activity

Fig.2 In the present study, the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) on calcium metabolism (A: Plasma Ca; B:Osteoclastic activity) were
investigated.
Goldfishwereintraperitoneallyinjectedwithbenz[a]anthracene (BaA) (5Pg/g body weight) (around 10-5 M). BaA induced
hypocalcemia at 24 and 48 h resulting from inhibition of osteoclastic activity
in the scales of goldfish (Suzuki et al., Internat. J. Zool. Invest., 2017).

(A)

ng/L

Osteoclastic activity

Fig. 4 Each sample of polluted seawater was added into culture medium at dilution
rates of 50, 100, and 500 and incubated with the goldfish scales for 6 hrs. Thereafter,
ALP and TRAP activities were measured. As a result, ALP activity was significantly
suppressed by both polluted seawater samples diluted at least 500 times, although
TRAP activity did not change as did 3-OHBcP and 4-OHBcP.(Suzuki et al., Zool.
Sci., 2016).

(B)

Fig.3 Using medaka embryos, we examined the toxicity of OHPAHs onembryogenesis. As a result, nanoinjecting 3-OHBcP (1 nM) in ovo accelerated
the development of medaka embryos on the 1st, 4th, and 6th days post
fertilization (A). Also, an abnormal development of the heart in the 3-OHBcPexposed medaka embryo had occurred (B). Furthermore, the expression ofgenes related to eye development, muscle development, energy supply, andstress-response proteins significantly changed during early development inmedaka. Thus, 3-OHBcP acts on several organs and is toxic to fishembryogenesis. (Chen et al., Aquatic Toxicol., 2017) *: P <0.05; **: P <0.01

Fig. 5 Influences on spicule formation in control (A),BaA (10-7 M)(B)-, and 4-OHBaA (10-7 M)(C)-treated embryos.
(Suzuki et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 2015) Each Bar: 100 Pm.

9Division of Terrestrial Environmental Studies【Outline】
The area of the Circum-Sea of Japan is characterised by existence of various anddiverse terrestrial environments. Aiming to understand their temporal and spatialchanges and to define clearly the current situation of the environments, the Division of
Terrestrial Environmental Studies has been carrying out palaeoenvironmental,
biological and geological researches in the area in order to evaluate influence of humanactivities and natural phenomena.
【Freshwater Conservation and Restoration】
With focus on biodiversity, we perform risk assessment and scrutinise management
strategies of natural and human-altered freshwater habitats in Japan and overseas.
1) Farm pond conservation and management (Japan)
Farm ponds are among the most biodiverse anthropogenic freshwater habitats.
Land-use changes are assumed to be major factors that change such ecosystems from aclear-water state to a turbid state, leading to deterioration of water quality andbiodiversity in such ponds. We evaluated the effects of surrounding land use, fishabundance, and other environmental variables on total phosphorus concentration andtaxonomic richness patterns of six biological indicators associated with changes in thetrophic state. Based on these results, we propose potential landscape and pond
management strategies for conserving and/or restoring the water quality andbiodiversity of farm ponds through maintenance of a clear-water state.
2) Phylogeographic insights into the invasion history and secondary spread of thesignal crayfish (Japan, United States and Canada)

In recent decades, invasive signal crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus ) have expanded

their distribution range in Japan. To infer the history and explore the success of thisinvasive crayfish, we combined detailed phylogeographical and morphological analyses
conducted in both their introduced and native ranges. As a result, introduced signal
crayfish populations in Japan originate from multiple source populations from a wide
geographic range in the native range of western North America. A combination of highgenetic diversity, especially for older populations in the invasive range, and rapid
adaptation to colonisation, manifested as larger chela in recent invasions, likely
contribute to invasion success of signal crayfish in Japan.
3) Latrine-site use of small-clawed otters in Indonesian rice fields (Indonesia)

The small-clawed otter ( Aonyx cinereus ) inhabits both natural and rice fieldlandscapes in Southeast Asia. However, the latrine-site use by small-clawed otters in

rice-field landscapes is largely unknown. Based on a 53-week field survey andlandscape analyses, we investigated latrine-site use by small-clawed otters in
rice-field landscapes in West Sumatra. Generalized linear model analyses revealed
that the latrine site preferences of small-clawed otters in rice field landscapes arestrongly associated with intermediate levels of rice farming activities. Indonesian rice
fields are being degraded or disappearing at an accelerated rate because of land10

conversion and modernisation of agriculture. We emphasize an urgent need for design
and implementation of otter-friendly rice farming to conserve small-clawed otters.
【Palaeoenvironmental and Geological Studies】
1) we investigated the tsunami disaster and environmental change using sedimentcores from lake Kitagata, Fukui Prefecture. Lake Kitagata is a brackish lake connectedto the sea. Several cores were collected by the Fukui Prefectural Satoyama-Satoumi
Research Institute, and three of them were analyzed. Age constraints are given by
137Cs radioactivity and 14C ages. The oyster farming was known in the Edo era (17-19
centuries) and layer with a lots of oyster shell remains is a deposit in the Edo era.

A

tuff layer was found in three cores, which is characterized by the low water content,
and attributed to Hakusan volcanic event in 1659AD.

Possible tsunami sedimentlayer was found in the layer between ~1450AD and ~1650AD. This layer includes theshell of sea origin which live on the sand bed as deep as ~30 m, while sediment in Lake
Kitagata is silt size with the deepest lake depth is <5m. The layer shows grading inmineral particle size. A diatom assemblage shows that marine and brackish species
were about 70% of the total diatom, while that of a sample 30 cm beneath this layer
exhibit freshwater species with about 60 percent of the total diatom species.

Theselines of observation indicate that this layer may be a tsunami deposit. The age of thislayer is more or less equivalent to the age of Tensho tsunami.

Before the ~1450AD,

the significant drop in water content is observed in the x-ray CT diagram. This may becorresponding to the start of little ice age after the medieval worm period.

Based onthe age estimate, the Taiho tsunami (701AD) must have left some evidence in one of
the cores, though it is not clear with the present data set.
2) We also worked on the environmental research in the arid area of Mongolia. Paleo
environmental research in Mongolia has two advantages: (1) It locates in the middle ofcontinent with high elevation of ~1500m, sensitive to the solar incision fluctuation and(2) human activity is less intense due to its low population and natural geographicalenvironment is more or less preserved in the country side. There are many lakes andrivers which have been lost following the increase in the air temperature and decreasein the precipitation especially in arid area.

We studied change in lake level and waterchemistory by analysing sediment cores from lakes, paleo-lake sediments at outcrops,
and lake, river, and sprong water. The behaviour of toxic elements probably frommining activity was also studied.
3) In order to clarify stratigraphical horizon and to describe general lithofacies of the
Miocene tuffaceous sandstone, so called “Green Tuff”, widely distributed in Hokuriku
District, preliminary lithostratigraphical survey and petrographical examination weremade in the area of Komatsu City south of Kanazawa City in cooperation with
Komatsu City Office. It is well known that the tuffaceous sandstone in Komatsu yields
green jasper known to have been a favourite gemstone in the Yayoi Period of Japan11

【Social and Cultural Contributions】
The Angkor World Heritage in Cambodia, one of the most famous and outstanding
cultural heritage in the world, has been confronted by serious environmental pollution
and destruction owing to rapid development of tourism. As an ad hoc expert forsustainable development of ICC-Angkor (International Co-ordinating Committee for
the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor), field examinationand inspection were carried out in several urgent sites such as Phnom Kulen National
Park north of the heritage in order to protect and conserve pollution free naturalenvironment, cultural heritage and local society of these sites.

12䛆㻱㼏㼛㼟㼥㼟㼠㼑㼙㻌㼕㼚㻌㻵㼚㼘㼍㼚㼐㻌㼃㼍㼠㼑㼞㼟䛇
Right: Conceptual model summarising
the results of the study on farm pondconservation and management.
Below: A farm pond in a clear water state.

䛆㻼㼍㼘㼑㼛㼑㼚㼢㼕㼞㼛㼚㼙㼑㼚㼠㻌㼍㼚㼐㻌㻳㼑㼛㼘㼛㼓㼥㻌䛇
Right䠖Water content of Lake Kitagata
shows event layers
Below䠖Lake shrink found in Lake
Olgoy, Mongolia䛆㻯㼛㼚㼠㼞㼕㼎㼡㼠㼕㼛㼚㻌㼠㼛㻌㼏㼛㼙㼙㼡㼚㼕㼠㼥㻌㼍㼚㼐㻌㼠㼞㼍㼐㼕㼠㼕㼛㼚㼍㼘㻌㼏㼡㼘㼠㼡㼞㼑䛇Stratigraphy and petrology of Miocene
Green Tuff in Hokuriku district

Conservation of world heritage: example
on Angkor Wat, Cambodia

JasperTuff with pebbles
2mm

Damrei krap temple

13

Division of Integrated Environmental Studies(The Low Level Radioactivity Laboratory; LLRL)【Outline of this division (and laboratory)】

This division is located in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and extension and structural

alteration of building was finished in March 2014. This division is composed of five researchstaff members, and the hands-on training of Kanazawa University students andcollaborative research activities with other universities and research institutes arecarried out using radioactivity measurement systems. This is aided by the extremely
low background system constructed in the Ogoya Underground Laboratory (OUL; 270m meter water equivalent). In the OUL, the use of 17 HP-Ge detectors is exceptional
for underground laboratories and all detectors at the OUL provide excellent backgroundconditions, stability and counting efficiency.

【 Outline of Research】

In order to understand the migration behavior of chemical substances in the Earth’s

surface environment, it is necessary to study the transport processes within terrestrial,
atmospheric and marine environments, as well as their boundary zones. For thispurpose, this division (and laboratory) uses environmental tracers (particularly forvarious stable and radio isotopes), involving each of the department’s research divisions.
Through the use of environmental tracers and model simulations, this division carries
out the integrated analysis of substance dynamics in the Circum-Sea of Japan area inorder to better predict future circumstances. By the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant
accident (in March 2011), large amounts of radiocesium spread wide area and various environments,
particularly in eastern Japan. The investigation of distribution and migration patterns of theaccident-derived radiocesium is our important work, which is the subject of a project that we are
currently engaged in.
In final goal, we predict future circumstances by wide-range observations and model
simulations, using integrated analyses of substance dynamics in terrestrial-atmosphericmarine environments, and follows researches are ongoing:
1）Development of low-background γ-spectrometry method using Ogoya Underground Laboratory
and applications to various environmental samples (Fig. 1)2）Dating of lake sediment and paleoenvironmental analysis (Fig. 2)3）Study of geochemical cycles within the Sea of Japan from distributions of multiradionuclides (Fig. 3)4) Study on geochemical dynamics in terrestrial and coastal marine environments by using
radionuclides (Fig. 4)5）Study of distribution of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident-derived radiocesiumin marine and riverine environments and their implications (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6)

14

Ogoya Underground Laboratory

Dynamics of riverine part
particulate
ticulate organic matterin the Kumaki River, Japan
JapaanNoto
Pen.

Kanazawa
ToyamaKomatsu
LLRL

OUL

0

10

20

km

Ge detectors (OUL)

60Co-free Fe

Oct.

April

210Pb-free Pb

entrance to OUL

Fig. 1: Low-background J-spectrometry using Ge-detectors in Ogoya
Underground Laboratory was conducted in seawater, riverine particle,
and sediment samples.

Fig. 4: Monitoring results at the middle observation site of the Kumaki River are
shown. Variation in carbon isotope composition in riverine POC during AprilOctober 2016 is controlled by water discharge.

Effects of deforestation on the material transport in the catchment
inferred from reservoir sediments in the Noto Peninsula, Japan
20

25

30

35

Sedimentation Rate(g/cm2/y)Depth (cm)

5 10 15

40

1

0.1
86

1990

1980

134Cs at surface in the Sea of Japan

1970

Deforestation

0.4

Core B

0.3

2Core B11-3

0.2

decay-corrected to
FDNPP accident date

0.1
0

2 /y

1954

Cs (mBq/L)

cm
g/

G13C (‰)

97
06
0.

1975

-30
-31
-32
-33
0.5

0.05

G15N (‰)

0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02

Radioactive
depositions

1.5

-29

1991

0.1

137
Cs
Activity Concentration(Bq/g)

2000

Contaminatedcurrent water

1

134

210
Pbex
Activity Concentration(Bq/g)

54
0.02

(b)

2010
0.5

0.5

0
-0.5
0

-1

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

-1.5

0
0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

0

10

20
A ge (year)

30

40Fig. 5: Effect of radioactive deposition from FDNPP in 2011and mixing of 134Cs-contaminated current water from the
Pacific Ocean during 2013-2016

Mass Depth (g/cm2)

Fig. 2a: Vertical changes in excess 210Pb and
137Cs concentration of the sediment core.

Fig. 2b: Temporal changes in sedimentation
rate, G13C, and G15N of the sediment core.

These results indicate that deforestation had large impact on the transport oforganic matter and it continued for several years after the deforestation.

Lateral profile of 228Ra/226Ra ratio

Spatial distribution of 137Cs radioactivity ofriver waters in Kanto and Tohoku region

Sea of Japan㻟㻤㼻㻺㻝㻟㻠 㻯㼟㻌㻗㻌㻝㻟㻣 㻯㼟㻌㻵㼚㼢㼑㼚㼠㼛㼞㼥㻌㻔㻮㼝㻛㼙 㻞 㻕㻔㻺㼛㼢㻚㻌㻡㻘㻌㻞㻜㻝㻝㻕

137Cs (Bq/L)㻟㻤㼻㻺㻭㼎㼡㼗㼡㼙㼍
㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞

0.10

㼁㼠㼍 㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞

Tsushima Offshore
Branch㻺㼕㼕㼐㼍 㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞

0.05
㻲㻰㻺㻼㻼
㻺㼛㻌㻰㼍㼠㼍

㻲㻰㻺㻼㻼
0.00

㻟㻣㼻
㻺

㻺㼍㼠㼟㼡㼕 㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞㻟㻣㼻㻺㼃 㼍㼠㼍㼞㼍㼟㼑㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞㻿㼍㼙㼑㻌㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞㼀㼛㼚㼑㻌㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞㻷㼡㼖㼕 㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞㻺㼍㼗㼍㻌㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞㻷㼍㼞㼍㼟㼡 㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞

㻟㻢㼻
㻺

㻟㻢㼻
㻺
㼀㼛㼚㼑㻌㻾㼕㼢㼑㼞

226Ra ratio (range
Lateral profile of the 228Ra/228
Fig. 3: Lateral profile of the Ra/226Ra
0.5–1.5) in July within the Sea of Japan. Thisratio (range 0.5–1.5) in July within theindicates
the mixing pattern of 228Ra-rich
Sea of Japan. This indicates the mixing
continental
and shelf
228Ra-poor
pattern of 228shelf
Ra-rich watercontinental
Kuroshiowater
228Ra-poor
Kuroshio Current
water andCurrent

㻝㻟㻤㼻
㻱

㻝㻟㻥㼻
㻱

㻝㻠㻜㼻
㻱

㻝㻠㻝㼻
㻱

Fig. 6a: Inventory of 134Cs + 137Cs on
ground surface by aircraft monitoring
survey in November 2011 (MEXT, 2011)

water

15

㻝㻟㻤㼻
㻱

㻝㻟㻥㼻
㻱

㻝㻠㻜㼻
㻱

㻝㻠㻝㼻
㻱

Fig. 6b: 137Cs radioactivity of river watersfrom Fukushima, Miyagi, Chiba andGunma Prefecture, Japan during 24-26
August in 2012

Department of Inter-Institutional Collaboration
The Japan Sea Research Institute of Kanazawa University established in 1963 became
the Department of Regional Studies at the Institute of Nature and Environmental
Technology in 2007. Over again, the department was reorganised into the Department
of Inter-Institutional Collaboration as a part of a reorganisation programme of theinstitute in 2016.
The Department of Inter-Institutional
Collaboration

managesthecollection,exchange and maintenance of environmental
information in the area of the entire East
Asia while centred on the Circum-Sea ofJapan, and it constructs and sustains
international research networks in the area
to disseminate information to all over theworld (Figs. 1 and 2). The department
promotes interdisciplinary researches in thearea where is geopolitically important region
in the world. It also supports students’internationalisation education.

Fig. 1: Geographical and geopolitical situationof the Circum-Sea of Japan region.

Fig. 2: International and domestic network of the Institute of Nature and Environmental
Technology.

16

The Circum-Sea of Japan region inwhich

industrised

countries

arelocated can be recognised as a core of
East

Asia

in

varioussettings,

environmental issues in particular.
The department has been trying to
expandits

interdisciplinary

activities to whole East Asian region
and to coordinate them. As a part oftheactivities,

thedepartment

publishes a scientific journal named“Japan Sea Research (“Bulletin of

the Japan Sea Research Institute,
Kanazawa University” before 2017)”

which contains original articles,
short articles and so forth on in

Fig. 3: Covers of the journal “Bulletin of the Japan Sea

Research Institute, Kanazawa University” volume
1 in 1969 and “Japan Sea Research” volume 48 in2017.

various research fields such as
natural, human and social sciences related only in the region (Fig. 3).
The department supports students’internationalisation

educationofKanazawa University. Since 2010. It
has been coordinating a students’international internship programme
which

sent

ten

undergraduate

students belonging to various schools
and colleges of the university to the
APSARA

National

Cambodia

which

Authorityofmanagesconservation and maintenance of theFig. 4: International internship programme at the

Angkor World Heritage site as one of

APSARA National Authority of Cambodia in 2017.

most

famousworld

heritageof

UNESCO. The students have been engaged in the routines of the authority to learn
environmental management such as monitoring of groundwater level, water quality
survey in local rivers and afforestation in the areas of the site (Fig. 4).

17