Environment Assessment Research Group
ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT
This group is working to solve environmental problems such as air and ocean pollution caused by ship activities. This group is working on predicting environmental pollution by ships, clarifying the phenomena, and assessing the environmental impact methods. In addition, based on the results of these studies, this group provides technical advice and data when the Japanese government makes environmental policies and proposals to the International Maritime Organization Marine Environment Protection Committee (IMO/MEPC).
Members
(◎: Head of the Group)
Research Subjects
1. Development of environmental impact assessment methodology for air pollution caused by ship emissions
Sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), etc. in the exhaust gas from the main engines of ships not only degrade air quality, but also cause serious health problems such as asthma.
Through the development of a system for air pollutant emission analysis using AIS (Ship Position Information System) and the execution of air quality simulation calculations using CMAQ, this group estimates the emission of above air pollutants from moored and navigating ships and evaluates how much the vessels are affecting the overall air pollution.
Furthermore, based on these studies, we are working on methods for assessing the effectiveness of environmental measures targeting ship exhaust gas and developing air quality control indicators that can be introduced practically and are scientifically rational.
2. Research on the prevention of marine pollution caused by discharges and spills of oil and hazardous liquid substances from ships
When a tanker or other vessel collides with or runs aground in a maritime accident and spills cargo or fuel oil, it is crucial to collect and treat the spilled oil before it drifts to the shore or spreads to distant locations by using oil fences, oil recovery equipment, or spraying oil treatment chemicals to minimize the damage to the ocean.
This group is conducting fundamental research to efficiently apply oil treatment agents for oil spills in seawater through mock laboratory experiments. Specifically, we aim to disperse oil treatment agents efficiently in seawater. In addition, we are conducting R & D on oil fences and other products with high oil recovery performance under severe sea conditions such as rough weather.
Furthermore, to prevent oil spills from the fuel tanks of grounded ships to the ocean, we are developing a method for efficiently draining oil with low fluidity at low temperatures from the fuel tanks of vessels grounded at marine accident sites.
3. Research for preventing transboundary aquatic organism migration with ship bottom antifouling paints
In recent years, transboundary aquatic organisms have migrated globally by being included in the ballast water and adhering to the surface of hulls. This "ecosystem disturbance" has been highlighted as an environmental issue.
In cooperation with the Environmental Analysis Research Group, this group is conducting laboratory tests and actual sea area tests using antifouling paints that have the function of gradual elution and prevent the adhesion of organisms when applied to the hull. We aim to establish a method for assessing transboundary migration risk due to aquatic organisms attached to ships.