M. Azadur Rahman (Bangladesh)

Email: Muhammad_azadur @yahoo.com

Thesis title:  Geochemical investigation of the tidal flat coastal sediments from the Yamaguchi Bay, Southwestern Japan.

Supervisor:  Prof. Hiroaki Ishiga (2008-2011)

My study area is the coastal ecosystem of Yamaguchi Bay in the Seto Inland Sea of Southwest Japan (Fig. 1).

The aims and methods of my study are:

1. To determine the spatial concentrations, distribution and source of selected major and trace elements in the study area.
2. To examine elemental pollution status and their impact on the study area.
3. To evaluate the factors that control the distribution patterns of the elements, and establish baseline data for the region.

Trace and major elements concentrations have been determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in the Dept. of Geoscience, Shimane University. To examine element status, I used contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution load index (PLI), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and modified degree of contamination (mCd) methods. Data are compared to geochemical guidelines to establish baselines for this region. Correlation matrices and principal component analysis were also applied to establish the factors that control the concentrations of individual elements.

Outcomes and significance

As a result of determining the concentrations, distributions, and sources of the target elements, the pollution status and their detrimental affects on environmental conditions of the investigated area can be evaluated. Consequently, appropriate mitigation process can be recommended to preserve the coastal environments to sustain the variety and abundance of marine life.

My home, Bangladesh, is a low-lying riverine country where waters from about 800 rivers (including tributaries) flow into the sea at a deltaic coastline about 580 km in length. The coastal environment is apparently polluted, and has been damaged by improper management and discharge of untreated or semi-treated industrial effluents and municipal wastes. However, due to lack of laboratory facilities and scientific expertise, research on our coastal environment is very limited. I firmly believe that the knowledge I am acquiring at Shimane University will be invaluable for conducting future research, and also to raise people’s awareness on the detrimental effects of metals if concentrations reach levels such that they constitute toxic pollutants. I also hope to be able to suggest effective mitigation processes to protect the aquatic environment.