Transport Properties and Modeling of Ryukyu Limestone as a Soil-Rock Mixing Medium

Associate Professor Tomoki Kurasawa, based at Ehime University’s Graduate School of Agriculture, is pioneering research into water quality management in subsurface dams, with a particular focus on the mass transport mechanisms in soil-rock mixed media such as Ryukyu limestone. Subsurface dams, which utilise underground aquifers without requiring surface structures, offer sustainable water resource solutions. However, water retention can lead to quality deterioration due to pollutant accumulation. Kurasawa’s research explores the unique properties of Ryukyu limestone, a sedimentary rock with high porosity and permeability, revealing it to be a complex mixture of soil and rock–a material type with limited academic understanding. By combining high-resolution X‐ray CT imaging and advanced particle recognition algorithms, Kurasawa seeks to model microstructural pore networks and enhance understanding of how fluids and contaminants move through these materials. His work integrates field investigations, including borehole dilution testing and porosity analysis, with sophisticated laboratory simulations, bridging microscale phenomena with macroscale water management objectives. This research not only supports the design and sustainability of subsurface dams in Japan but may also inform the viability of such infrastructure globally. Beyond his scientific pursuits, Kurasawa is committed to raising awareness and interest in geotechnical and agricultural civil engineering among younger generations. By linking research to societal challenges and embracing cutting-edge technologies, he promotes the field’s relevance in addressing environmental and disaster-prevention needs. His efforts highlight the vital role of multidisciplinary research in tackling the complex interactions between natural materials and human water usage.