JMA has been conducting observations of greenhouse gases and marine pollution in the seas around Japan and the western North Pacific by using five research vessels (Figure 7.4.1): the Ryofu Maru, the Kofu Maru, the Keifu Maru, the Chofu Maru, and the Seifu Maru. These vessels are based at Tokyo, Hakodate, Kobe, Nagasaki, and Maizuru, respectively.
Note: From April 2010, JMA operates two research vessels, the Ryofu Maru and the Keifu Maru, at the headquarters.
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Fig. 7.4.1 JMA's research vessels (Ryofu Maru, Kofu Maru, Keifu Maru, Chofu Maru and Seifu Maru). |
Observation areas and locations
Observations of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons are conducted by the five vessels along the observational line across the major ocean currents around Japan and the meridional line across the western North Pacific. Observations of greenhouse gases in the air and seawater are conducted by the Ryofu Maru and the Keifu Maru in the seas around Japan and the western North Pacific. Figure 7.4.2 shows the major observational lines and locations for the observations of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.
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Fig. 7.4.2 Principal observational lines (solid lines) and stations (open circles) for heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons (open circles) of JMA research vessels. |
Observation method
Table 7.4.1 lists the outline of the observations for greenhouse gases and related substances.
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Table 7.4.1 List of observation parameters, instruments and sampling methods for greenhouse gases and related substances. |
| Parameter | Instrument | Sampling Method | Sample< |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 | Non-dispersive Infrared Analyzer Rosemount Analytical MLT 3.1 |
Continuous | Air and seawater |
| Total Inorganic Carbon (TIC) |
Coulometric titration system UIC Inc. MODEL 5012 |
Water sampling at monitoring point |
Seawater |
| CH4 | Gas chromatograph with FID Shimadzu Corporation GC-8A |
Continuous | Air and seawater | Gas chromatograph with FID Shimadzu Corporation GC-8A |
Water sampling at monitoring point |
Seawater |
Table 7.4.2 shows the outline of the observations for marine pollutants.
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Table 7.4.2 List of observation parameters, instruments and frequencies of marine pollutants. |
| Category | Parameter | Instrument | Frequency or Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating pollutants |
Oil slick and floating plastics |
Visual observation | Continuous in the daytime |
| Floating tarballs | Neuston net | Once a day | |
| Petroleum hydrocarbons | Fluorescent spectrophotometer Shimadzu Corporation RF-5300PC |
Prescribed monitoring points | |
| Heavy metals | Cadmium | Graphite furnace atomic absorbance spectroscopy VARIAN Spectra AA 220Z |
Prescribed monitoring points |
| Mercury | Cold atomic absorption spectrometer Nippon Instruments, Co., Ltd. CR-1A, MD-1 |
Prescribed monitoring points |