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Molecular Geochemistry Lab (MGL)
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The lab unravels material cycles on Earth at the atomic and molecular level.
AboutAbout the lab
Looking at the Earth from the atomic and molecular level
The Environmental Geochemistry Lab studies "molecular geochemistry," an approach that understands phenomena on Earth through chemical reactions at the atomic and molecular level.
The lab deals with material cycles in every kind of environment, including the atmosphere, water, soil, organisms, rocks, human activities, and even extraterrestrial materials.
It seeks to understand, at the atomic and molecular level, which chemical reactions underlie the visible macroscopic phenomena.
From there, the lab aims to accurately understand and predict Earth's past, present, and future.
Key terms
- Molecular geochemistry
- An approach to research that seeks to understand phenomena on Earth through chemical reactions at the atomic and molecular level
- Material cycle
- The way elements and substances circulate among the atmosphere, water, soil, organisms, and other reservoirs, changing form along the way
- Biogeochemistry
- A field that investigates how the activities of organisms and the cycling of elements affect each other
NewsLab news
Press release on research findings: "Elucidating manganese oxidation that extends from oxygen minimum zones to the deep sea"
Prof. Takahashi selected as a recipient of the FY2026 (Reiwa 8) Commendation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the field of science and technology
Press release on research findings: "New developments in high-energy-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy enabled by superconducting technology"
A master's student received the Student Excellence Award (poster presentation) from the Geochemical Society of Japan
ResearchResearch themes
Keeping in mind the elementary chemical processes at the atomic and molecular level, the lab works on material cycles in every kind of environment, environmental and resource science, and Earth history. Its goal is to carry out research with a sense of wonder and enjoyment, based on data built up steadily, bit by bit.
*Illustrative imageMolecular Geochemistry
The lab clarifies the chemical states and reactions of elements at the atomic and molecular level, in order to understand material cycles from Earth's interior to the environment and the mechanisms by which resources form.
*Illustrative imageEnvironmental Geochemistry
The lab analyzes how elements move and undergo chemical change at Earth's surface, contributing to solutions for environmental pollution, climate change, and resource and energy problems.
*Illustrative imageBiogeochemistry
The lab studies how the activities of organisms and the cycling of elements affect each other, and clarifies the effects that ecosystems and life activity have on the global environment.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Environmental Geochemistry Lab consist of faculty, project researchers, doctoral and master's students, international students, visiting research collaborators, and secretaries.As of 2026
- ProfessorYoshio TakahashiPublications ↗
- Associate ProfessorTakaaki Itai
VoicesStudent voices
Compiled from answers by students who were in the lab. Ratings and reviews reflect individual students' experiences, not the lab's official views.
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On a 4-point scale, ● marks where students' answers fall
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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: “Diamond by Peter Smyth” Peter Smyth / CC0 (cropped)
- Molecular Geochemistry: “Pelagite (deep seafloor manganese nodule) (Pacific Ocean) 2” James St. John / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Environmental Geochemistry: “Severe Dust Storm Blankets Eastern Asia (MODIS)” MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC / Public domain (cropped)
- Biogeochemistry: “Microbial biofilms in hot spring ( )” pedrik / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Itai Lab): “LakeBiwa” Ka23 13 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamano Lab): “Shirahoreef ＆ New Ishigaki Airport by Peach Airbus A320-214 Shiraho Coast Coral Reef and New Ishigaki Airport DSCF9566a” 松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Takigawa Lab): “Allende meteorite ( )” Steve Jurvetson / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Mori Lab (Volcanic Fluids / Volcanic Chemistry)): “Mount Aso acid lake seen from helicopter by ET” Wikiwanito / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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