1. Aquatic and terrestrial monitoring
2. Biological monitoring
3. Air quality monitoring
4. Chemical monitoring


1. Aquatic and terrestrial monitoring


Based on regulations such as the Water Pollution Control Law, we monitor water pollution sources and improper disposal of industrial waste. In case of accidents such as oil spills, we assess the effects on the water quality and atmosphere in order to contain the damage. In addition, we analyze water quality to conserve the environment in specific areas such as major swimming areas, Lake Nishi-no-ko, and Lake Yogo.
Furthermore, we inspect the water quality of Lake Biwa and the Seta River to assess compliance with environmental quality standards.
Monitoring target
Monitoring of water pollution sources : * Water discharge from facilities that are subject to control by the law
* Water discharge from waste disposal facilities
* Specific pollutants in the aquatic environment
* Improper waste disposal
* Emergencies and accidents
Water quality analysis of specific areas: * Swimming areas
* Lake Nishi-no-ko
* Lake Yogo
* Around contaminated wells
Evaluation of environ- mental quality stan-dards * Lake Biwa and the Seta River
* Bottom sediments of the lake
* Rainwater runoff pollutant load

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2. Biological monitoring


We monitor the plankton responsible for causing blue-green algal blooms and analyze trends in their abundance.
Furthermore, based on the Water Pollution Control Law, we measure the total coliform bacterial count in Lake Biwa and the Seta River to evaluate whether it meets environmental quality standards.
Monitoring target
Analysis of the bio-logical environment * Blue-green algae
Evaluation of environ-mental quality stan-dards * Coliform bacteria count of Lake Biwa and the Seta River

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3. Air quality monitoring


Based on government regulations such as the Air Pollution Control Law, we monitor sources of atmospheric pollutants such as flue gas of various facilities, specific pollutants including asbestos, and roadside air that is affected by automobile exhaust.
Furthermore, we evaluate compliance with environmental quality standards through the use of Continuous Atmospheric Monitoring Stations and a mobile Environmental Monitoring Laboratory. In addition, we assess the concentrations of hazardous substances that have the potential to harm humans through long-term exposure, as well as other chemical substances that are discharged into the air abundantly.
Monitoring target
Monitoring of air pol-lution sources * Flue gas emissions from facilities that are subject to control by the law
* Asbestos sources
* Specific air pollutants such as antimony
Analysis of the atmo-spheric environment * Pollution characteristics of photochemical oxidants
* Environmental concentration of asbestos
* Automobile exhaust gas
Evaluation of environ-mental quality stan-dards * Continuous Atmospheric Monitoring Stations (9 sites)
* Mobile Environmental Monitoring Laboratory
* Hazardous atmospheric pollutants (19 kinds)
* Chemical substances that are discharged in large amounts (7 kinds)

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4. Chemical monitoring


We monitor chemical substance infiltration around pollution sources such as contaminated wells and also analyze the residual state of the persistent organic pollutants in Lake Biwa.
Furthermore, based on the Water Pollution Control Law, we assess compliance with environmental quality standards for human health hazards and other monitored substances in Lake Biwa and the Seta River.
Monitoring target
Monitoring of chemi-cal substance sources * Effects of personal watercrafts on water quality
* Chemical substances around contaminated wells
Determination of cur-rent conditions of chemical substances * Tracking research in specific environments
Evaluation of environ-mental quality stan-dards * Lake Biwa and the Seta River