Author(s): Lin Hao; Zhaolin Sun; Yasuyuki Maruya; Satoshi Watanabe And Shinichiro Yano
Linked Author(s): Yasuyuki Maruya
Keywords: Hypoxia Flood events Climate change d4PDF Ariake Se
Abstract: Climate change is profoundly altering precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and severe flooding events that significantly impact riverine and marine ecosystems. The Ariake Sea, a vital estuarine ecosystem on Kyushu Island, Japan, is particularly susceptible to these impacts. Distinguished for its thriving fisheries and seaweed cultivation, the region experiences severe hypoxia during the rainy season, jeopardizing its ecological integrity and economic sustainability. This study used the d4PDF climate simulation database, which provides high-resolution regional climate simulations for Japan, to examine hypoxia dynamics in the Ariake Sea. By integrating current climate data with the Delft3D-FLOW hydrodynamic model and the Delft3D-WAQ ecosystem model, we analyzed dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics under various flood scenarios. The findings revealed a strong correlation between flood exceedance probabilities and hypoxia severity, with hypoxic conditions reaching their peak during July and August. These results underscore the urgent necessity for implementing adaptive strategies to mitigate climate change impacts, preserve marine ecosystems, and protect the communities that depend on them.
Year: 2025