4 years after the earthquake and tsunami, it appears that conditions in the ocean are settling down. However, most of the more than 3 million tons of debris washed out onto the sea floor is still there and affecting ecosystems as well as the fishing industry. Under the Tohoku Ecosystem-Associated Marine Sciences project, JAMSTEC is conducting deep-sea surveys using remotely operated vehicles and other devices to assess current conditions of the seafloor debris and its effects on surrounding ecosystems, aiming at the mapping of seafloor debris and marine life in the offshore waters of the Tohoku region.
Selected Papers No.19