Case studies > Sample cases About the Toyama Bay Project (NPEC) - Project outline In order to demonstrate the usefulness and value of remote sensing as a means of environmental monitoring, Toyama Bay was selected as a model area and reviewed using existing algorithms and new algorithms. Toward this end, we are undertaking efforts to gather survey data from monitoring by satellite as well as monitoring done by ship observation. In Toyama Bay, we are also striving to get a handle on the behavior of phytoplankton and its relation to the water quality situation, especially in regard to the relationship to classified phosphorous. Our objective is through these results to demonstrate the usefulness and value of remote sensing as a means of monitoring the environment to the nations of NOWPAP (China, Korea and Russia). This NOWPAP spearheaded project was undertaken at the request and on part of the Environment Ministry in 2003. This project has been implemented based on a collaborative research framework with the Northwest Pacific Region Environmental Cooperation Center (NPEC) at the center and with help from Nagasaki University, Toyama University, Toyama National College of Maritime Technology, Toyama Prefectural Fisheries Research Institute, Toyama Prefectural Environmental Science Research Center (TESC). - Implementation status 1) FY 2003 Survey We undertook to process and compare data gathered by ship during ocean-going surveys focusing on phosphorous and water quality surveys with data received via satellite. We found a strong correlation between the temperatures observed by satellite and the data taken at sea. In addition, we discovered a positive correlation between in situ chlorophyll a concentrations and chlorophyll a estimations generated based on GLI ocean color algorithms including other coastal areas in general while Toyama Bay data itself showed insufficient correlation. 2) FY 2004 Survey a. Sea area monitoring survey   - Period and frequency: April 2005 to March 2006, once monthly.   - Survey points: 9 points in the interior of Toyama Bay, 2 points in the central part of the bay and outer ocean for a total of 11 points (chart 1).   - Survey items and implementing organization . ( Ship on-site survey ) pH, surface water temperature and salinity, water color, transparency, on-ship spectral radiometer measurements, water samples CTD measurements (Toyama University, Toyama National College of Maritime Technology, Toyama Prefectural Fisheries Research Institute, NPEC) ( Items analyzed ) DO, chlorophyll a, SS (TESC) state specific phosphorous, hydrated silica§ACOD, etc. (Toyama University) CDOM (Nagasaki University and TESC) Analysis of water temperature and salinity change: (Toyama National College of Maritime Technology) Chart 1: Survey points for 2004 and 2005 b. Environmental monitoring survey by satellite.   - Retrieving of satellite data from the §gNorthwest Pacific Region Marine Environmental Watch System"(NOAA, MODIS) [ NPEC ]   - Retrieving satellite data (SeaWiFS, MODIS, etc.), analysis and review of ocean color algorithms, etc. [ Nagasaki University ] 3) FY 2004 overview of results ( interim report ) a. Marine area monitoring survey - FY 2004 results indicate that COD increased with a phytoplankton rise along the coastal area of Toyama Bay, and the phosphorous level affected the phytoplankton increase.   - Surveys of the N/P ratio indicated that in July, August and December, there were points where the N/P ratio was below 16, hinting that nitrogen could be the limiting factor varying by season and location.   - Confirmation of the seasonal changes of the surface structure of the ocean were confirmed to depths of 50 meters via CTD monitoring.   - Calculations for correlation between ocean winds and vertical water circulation were conducted using numerical simulation. b. Environmental monitoring survey by satellite. - Comparison of in situ chlorophyll a data and that taken by satellite (MODIS) showed that while the satellite has a tendency to overestimate values (of chlorophyll a), for cases in July 2004 a strong correlation was found (R=0,88**, N=9). In addition, the satellite chlorophyll data hints at effects by the SS and CDOM and it has been pointed out that the unique monitoring attributes of each satellite (TERRA and AQUA) must also be considered.   - Upon review of underwater algorithms, QC optical data results from measurements taken with a spectral radiometer using an existing algorithm showed less variation in Toyama Bay in comparison with FY 2003 data and a correlative relationship approaching ratio 1:1 was confirmed. Chart 2 : GLI underwater algorithm review results for the Toyama Bay and other coastal data ( Ishizaka 2005 ) . Case studies > Sample cases Privacy policy | notes | Contact Us | Link | Site Map Distribution of this publication's content without permission is strictly prohibited. Ministry of the Environment , Northwest Pacific Region Environmental Cooperation Center