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Aquatic Environmental Biology Lab
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The lab studies pollution of aquatic environments, such as red tides and chemical contaminants, and its effects on aquatic organisms.
AboutAbout the lab
Solving aquatic environmental problems with a wide range of methods
The Aquatic Environmental Biology Lab focuses on environmental problems in aquatic environments such as freshwater and the ocean, and conducts research aimed at solving them.
Using a wide range of methods, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and behavioral science, the lab investigates the mechanisms behind red tide outbreaks and the effects of chemicals and microplastics on aquatic organisms.
Since it was founded as the Laboratory of Aquaculture and Environment, the lab has worked toward its goal of "restoring aquatic environments damaged by human activity."
Key terms
- Red tide
- A phenomenon in which phytoplankton proliferate abnormally, mainly because of eutrophication of the sea. It can cause mass fish deaths through clogged gills or oxygen depletion.
- Microplastics
- Plastic particles 5 mm or smaller in diameter. Primary microplastics are manufactured small, while secondary microplastics become small as larger plastics degrade.
- Ecological death
- A phenomenon in which changes in behavior indirectly lead to the death of individuals or populations, even without direct mortality.
NewsLab news
An Assistant Professor received the Organo Award (Doctoral Research Encouragement Award) at the 27th Symposium of the Japan Society on Water Environment
A master's student received the Best Student Poster Award and an Assistant Professor received the Best Young Scientist Platform Award at the international conference ISTA21
A master's student received the Young Scientist Encouragement Award of the Japanese Society of Environmental Toxicology at its 27th annual meeting
A fourth-year undergraduate student received the 23rd School of Agriculture Award at Kyushu University
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies environmental problems in aquatic environments such as freshwater and the ocean, using a wide range of methods including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and behavioral science. Its research currently rests on two pillars: clarifying the mechanisms of red tide outbreaks and developing measures to reduce the damage they cause, and assessing the effects of environmental pollutants (chemicals and microplastics) on aquatic organisms and considering countermeasures.
*Illustrative imageEcology and fish toxicity of red tide algae
The lab studies the ecology and fish toxicity of the algae that cause red tides (the raphidophyte Chattonella, the diatom Thalassiosira, and the dinoflagellate Karenia) through field observation of plankton in coastal waters, omics analysis, and analysis of fish behavior.
*Illustrative imageAssessing chemical toxicity through behavior
The lab aims to use "ecological death" as an indicator of toxicity: changes in behavior that lead to the death of individuals or populations even when the animals do not die directly. It assesses the toxicity of pollutants by quantifying, in simple ways, behaviors of medaka such as predator responses and shoaling.
*Illustrative imageEnvironmental pollution monitoring with sea slaters
To survey coastal pollution over wide areas, the lab uses the sea slater (Ligia), which lives along coasts around the world and eats a wide variety of things, as a monitoring organism. It is also working to further develop this approach.
*Illustrative imageCombined toxicity of chemicals and microplastics
Microplastics are expected to float in aquatic environments while adsorbing chemicals, but much about their toxicity and effects remains unknown. In addition to exposure experiments, behavioral analysis, and omics analysis, the lab uses analytical chemistry and mathematical models to assess their effects in the environment.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Aquatic Environmental Biology Lab are faculty members, a Project Professor Emeritus, administrative staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorYohei Shimasaki
- Assistant ProfessorYuki Takai
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Red algae bloom, Boathaven Bay, Airlie Beach IMGP0273” John Robert McPherson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Ecology and fish toxicity of red tide algae: “Ross Island Lagonn Harmful Algae Bloom” Gangstaoflove / CC0 (cropped)
- Assessing chemical toxicity through behavior: “Aquarium fish at Reply's” FaysaLBinDaruL / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Environmental pollution monitoring with sea slaters: “Ligia oceanica” Gilles San Martin / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Combined toxicity of chemicals and microplastics: “Secondary microplastic in the natural environment” Oof.cc / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Aquatic Biochemistry Lab): “Aquaculture in Chile” Gordon Leggett / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Forest Planning Lab): “Gunung Nuang summit forest canopy aerial view” Kay Du / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Environmental Meteorology Lab): “Weather station in the solar farm - geograph.org.uk - 8132676” DS Pugh / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Soil Science Lab): “Gombe state University Geography students visits an Escavated hill showing soil profile with its horizons at Waka biu, Borno state 05” Csasavage / CC0 (cropped)
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