EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON FACILITATION OF INHABITABILITY FOR LIVING THINGS BY STEEL-MAKING SLAG SUBMERGED BANK, OFF INNOSHIMA ISLAND, HIROSHIMA

Abstract

 A submerged bank was constructed using steelmaking slag in the sea area off Innoshima Island, Hiroshima in March 2002. Nine-year-monitoring revealed that individual number and species number of seaweed on the steel-making slag submerged bank were equal or higher compared to those observed on the natural stones in the surrounding area, and fish and benthos on the steelmaking slag were equal to those on natural stones. Moreover, growth of several endangered species designated by Okayama Prefecture were also observed. It was proven that steel-making slag submerged bank was effective to facilitate inhabitance for marine living things for long periods.