Purpose

In the 21st century, with the threat of global-scale environmental changes from warming and harmful pollutants and food shortages caused in part by the worldwide increase in population, conservation of coastal environments, which produce abundant biological resources, is extremely important. The Center for Marine Environment Studies (CMES) was established in response to this social need on the base of outstanding research achievements of Ehime University in relation to coastal environments. Its activities are not limited to coastal waters but extend to the world's oceans and land areas as well.

Outline of the Facility

CMES comprises five research areas (dynamic analysis of the environment, environmental measurement, analysis of environmental toxicity, ecosystem analysis, and environmental impact assessment) based in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences. It includes, as an affiliated facility, the Environmental Specimen Bank for Global Monitoring (es-Bank). The es-Bank contains over 100,000 frozen specimens of wildlife, soil, etc. that Ehime University has collected from around the world during the past 40 years. This unparalleled collection of specimens, along with supporting the high level research conducted by CMES, is available to research institutions both inside and outside Japan. In addition, CMES' well-equipped research vessel “Isana” (14 tons) was completed in March 2008 and is being used for research in nearby waters, as well as for environmental education.

Brief Introduction

The Center for Marine Environmental Studies carries out environmental research in both the Seto Inland Sea and around the world, making use of various methods of science such as theory, experiments, and field investigation. It was designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology under the 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE) Program from 2002 to 2006. In 2007 it was selected as a center for even greater support under the higher level Global COE Program and is becoming a world center for environmental research. The world is waiting for you!

Center for Marine Environmental Studies Homepage (Japanese)

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