Changes in Bottom Sediment Caused by Construction of the Airport Island in Ise Bay, Japan

Abstract

In order to investigate the impact on the marine environment from the construction of the Chubu International Airport Island in Ise Bay, Japan; a careful observation was made to clarify the bottom sediment condition and the composition of benthic fauna at some stations located from east to south of the airport island. Grain size compartment, moisture percentage, ignition loss, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur were measured. The ignition loss values in surface sediment in 2003 averaged 150% times higher than that of data in 2007. The benthic fauna revealed the species and number of individuals were very few. Organic matter increased, the species structure of the benthos was made poor. The average number of individuals and species compared before and after the Airport construction clearly showed a remarkable decrease after the construction. This phenomenon might reflect the ongoing progress of eutrophication and oxygen depletion around the airport island sea.