Diallo Ibrahima M’Bemba (Guinea)

Email: s129308 @matsu.shimane-u.ac.jp

Thesis title:  Evaluation of coastal environments from geochemical analysis of beach sands in Ise Bay, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Supervisor:  Prof. Hiroaki Ishiga (2012-2014).

Coastal and estuarine regions are important sinks for many persistent pollutants, which can accumulate in organisms and in bottom sediments (e.g. Kaliszan, 1995). Over the last few decades, the study of surface sediments has proved to be an excellent tool for evaluating the effect of anthropogenic and natural processes on depositional environments.

Ise Bay is located in Mie Prefecture, on the island of Honshu, Japan. From ancient times, Ise Bay has provided the people of the surrounding regions with a rich abundance of natural resources. As a result, unique communities developed around the bay. Fishing, rice cropping, and manufacturing industries flourished. These anthropogenic activities have the potential to affect the quality of soil and water in the region.

The specific aims of my research are:

1. To determine water parameters (PH, DO, Temperature, Conductivity, ORP) in Ise Bay;
2. To analyze sediment geochemistry, Zostera marina, and the effect of suspended solid concentrations;
3. To determine the relationship between sedimentary environments and accumulation of heavy metals.

The results of this study will help policy-makers establish baseline data for future monitoring of environmental changes.