Research
Urban Pollution Runoff in Wet Weather and Evaluation of Water Cycle
Polyphasic Approach for Evaluation of Urban Water Environment
Microbial Community and Function Analysis for Biological Water/Wastewater Treatment Processes
Bioremediation of Water and Soil Environment Pollution by Volatile Organic Compounds
Urban Pollution Runoff in Wet Weather and Evaluation of Water Cycle
Problems related to pollution runoff at wet weather condition include non-point pollution load from road traffic and combined sewer overflow (CSO). We target chemical pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic nucleic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pathogenic microorganisms. By clarifying structure of the problems and evaluating their risk quantitatively, we propose proper management of pollution runoff, and we aim to construct sound urban water cycle by promoting rainwater infiltration.
Polyphasic Approach for Evaluation of Urban Water Environment
Urban water environment and water cycle have various aspects. It is necessary to approach them polyphasically by targeting river, pond, sediments etc. to evaluate them and to discuss their future. We especially focus on effect of environmental pollutants on ecosystems, and study ecotoxicology of heavy metals and PAHs and river ecosystems focusing on natural/anthropogenic organic matters and benthic fauna. We also analyze speciation of heavy metals and bioavailability of pollutants in the environment.
Microbial Community and Function Analysis for Biological Water/Wastewater Treatment Processes
Biological water/wastewater treatment processes are composed of highly complex microbial communities. Deep understandings of the communities are needed to construct logical and systematic operational methodology. We focus on microorganisms in activated sludge process as well as biological activated carbon (BAC) for drinking water treatment to find determinative factors for the populations and their functions.
Bioremediation of Water and Soil Environment Pollution by Volatile Organic Compounds
There are many polluted sites of soil and ground water caused by inappropriate waste disposal or industrial activities. We focus on in situ bioremediation to clean them up using complex microbial communities. We especially focus on anaerobic dehalogenation of chlorinated ethylenes, and anaerobic degradation of benzene.
