INFLOW LOADS CHARACTERISTICS OF MAJOR RIVERS FLOWING INTO THE ARIAKE SEA

Abstract

This study examines a relationship between rainfall, land use and inflow loads of major rivers flowing into the Ariake Sea. Inflow loads are estimated by normal or freshet stage of water discharge. A multiple regression analysis is implemented to obtain both factor for characterizing the inflow loads and those of varying the amount of the inflow loads. From 1976 to 2006, the change of land use were not dominant in the river basins for the Ariake Sea. The Rainfall patterns, change were not recognized in the Ariake sea basin from 1981 to 2010. The river basin areas affect the inflow discharge and loads of COD, T-N and T-P. The land use greatly affects the inflow loads.