Sensitivity Analysis for Dominant Factors of Hypoxia caused by Long Term Environmental Changes in Ariake Sea

Abstract

Sensitivity analysis for dominant factors of hypoxia was conducted using Benthic-Pelagic coupling model in Ariake Sea. It became clear that (1) Natural variation of tidal amplitude in open sea affects more than geographical features modification for the change of tidal current since 1977 (set as the case for analysis) in inner area. (2) Oxygen consumption changes influenced from the change in the amount of primary production which unavailable benthic activities. In addition, these analyses those made clear that the primary production variation depends on bivalve amounts and intensity of tidal current except river discharge change and meteorological variation from consideration. It was shown again that recovery of tidal current and benthic activity is important problem for reducing hypoxia.