Nagaoka City (11/24)
The purpose was to meet with Nishida-san and present current research results, which at the time included all water sample analyses that were completed in March-April of 2021. Yokoyama-sensei was present as well. This was done ahead of the trip to Kashiwazaki so Nishida-san would be made aware of progress. Those involved included myself (Jian), Yokoyama-sensei, and Kozue Ando.
Kashiwazaki Marine Environmental Research Institute
This particular visit was to see where clam samples that were ultimately used for my thesis experiment were bred and incubated and learn about the research institute’s continuing experiments and goals. Furthermore, many photos of the interior workings of the lab were taken specifically for the purpose of incorporating it into my final master’s thesis.
In total, Yokoyama-sensei, Nishida-san, Kozue, and I spent around 2.5 hours at the MERI site being introduced to the grounds and equipment by Hayashi-san (unfortunately I never caught his last name). From what I understood, MERI studies many types of ecosystems, acidification effects, fishery work in regards to commercial selling, and nuclear power plant warming effects on surrounding environments. The power plant pictured above has not been in use since the 2011 earthquake, but MERI continues to perform experiments with regards to it. Hayashi-san began the tour by showing us a short film explaining the different research sites related to MERI.
Photos of the MERI and tanks holding fish outside
The building pictured above is the main building of interest for us at AORI. Here and surrounding the building are several tanks that house a variety of marine creatures in extremely controlled environments where they can closely monitor water temperature, pH, and diet.
Once the tour itself ended, we convened in the meeting room to give research updates to Hayashi-san about how The University of Tokyo has utilized the organisms they had carefully grown and maintained.
