The development of coastal management model

The study on material transport and ecosystem in the costal region of Ishikari Bay

Coastal zone is very important area where is an interface of the interaction between land system and ocean system. Ishikari Bay (IB) is located in western Hokkaido, northern Japan. In IB, active coastal fisheries are operated and scallops are cultivated. The freshwater supply to IB is mainly from the Ishikari River (IR). Coastal waters affected by the IR (high nutrients), would increase primary production in IB. The contributory area of the IR covers 14,330 km2, including intensive agricultural area, and the huge urban agglomeration of Sapporo with 1.9 million inhabitants. We force on material transport and ecosystem in the costal region of IB. Our final goal is the development of coastal management model.

In this study, effects of materials supplied from the IR on ecosystem in coastal region of IB are investigated by in sutu observations and numerical models. We address the following three issues

1. Development of Lower trophic model
2. Development of Seaweed model.
3. Environmental risk assessments of toxic substances