Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. Despite its central position in the Shiga Prefecture and its importance as a drinking water resource for the Kansai region, the noble-gas geochemistry of this inland water body has never been directly investigated.
On March 28th 2014 we collected water and sediment samples for noble-gas analysis form the deepest region of the lake basin. More pictures can be found under Expeditions.
On January 24th 2014 the Marine Analytical Chemistry Group organized a welcome party for the start of my research project at AORI. The main course: cheese fondue! I had also the chance to try a Japanese cheese fondue… Very interesting. It made me realize that the general taste preferences for cheese in Japan are different.
The event was also a good opportunity to celebrate Sano-san’s birthday (check the cake in the posted pictures).
After a first week dedicated to all kind of administrative tasks (here I have to express my special thanks to Ishida-san who provided a great support in achieving all the formal tasks after my landing at Narita Airport), I could spend the second week doing some “real” work at AORI.
My office is located on the 7th floor and, at least for the moment, I am its only inhabitant. Coffee in not an issue.