Japan's Pollution Experience: Bringing Water Back to Life Part 4 of 4

Summary

The script highlights the environmental impact of synthetic detergents on water bodies, focusing on Lake Biwa in Japan. In the 1970s, synthetic detergents caused severe pollution, displacing natural purifiers like reeds and water grasses. Citizens near Lake Biwa, led by Ayako Fuji, worked together to create natural soap from used cooking oil, reducing phosphorus discharge. The movement spread nationwide, leading to a government ordinance banning phosphorus-based detergents. The story also explores innovative water purification techniques using microorganisms, which significantly improved water quality. Despite progress, the challenge of preventing pollution remains ongoing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reeds and water grasses act as natural purifiers by absorbing impurities in water, but synthetic detergents introduced in the 1970s made it difficult for microorganisms to break them down.
• 😀 Foam from synthetic detergents was so abundant in the 1970s that it appeared in rivers and water purification plants, even spilling out of faucets.
• 😀 Household runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorous caused eutrophication, leading to rapid plankton growth in lakes and swamps across Japan.
• 😀 Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, began to suffer from pollution due to excessive nutrient runoff, and its natural ability to purify itself was disrupted by concrete embankments.
• 😀 Pollution in Lake Biwa shocked local residents like Ayako Fuji, who realized that she was both a victim and a contributor to the pollution.
• 😀 The phosphorus in synthetic detergents was a major contributor to the eutrophication in Lake Biwa, prompting local communities to look for alternatives.
• 😀 A local cooperative started making soap powder from used cooking oil to reduce the discharge of phosphorus and lessen water pollution.
• 😀 The movement for phosphorus-free soaps gained momentum, leading to public support from government officials like Masayoshi Takimura, the governor of Shiga Prefecture.
• 😀 By 1979, Japan passed the 'Prevent Eutrophication in Lake Biwa' ordinance, which regulated the use of phosphorus-containing synthetic detergents and imposed fines for violations.
• 😀 Over time, the detergent industry adapted by producing phosphorus-free alternatives, which helped reduce pollution in Lake Biwa and other waterways.
• 😀 Technological innovations in water treatment, such as the use of microorganisms to remove nitrogen and phosphorus, have proven effective, but the high cost and continued pollution highlight the difficulty of fully restoring natural ecosystems.

Q & A

What was the role of reeds and water grasses in purifying water before the 1970s?

Reeds and water grasses naturally purified water by absorbing impurities and using them for nourishment.

How did synthetic detergents affect natural water purification processes in the 1970s?

Synthetic detergents introduced substances that microorganisms could not break down, leading to pollution and foam in rivers and lakes, making it difficult for nature to purify the water.

What was the result of excessive nitrogen and phosphorus in water from household runoff?

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus led to eutrophication, where plankton rapidly multiplied, causing algae blooms and water quality degradation in lakes and swamps.

How did the construction of concrete embankments affect the purification ability of Lake Biwa?

The concrete embankments displaced reeds and water grasses, which were crucial for the lake’s natural purification, exacerbating pollution in the lake.

How did Ayako Fuji and her community respond to the pollution of Lake Biwa?

Ayako Fuji and her community began making soap from used cooking oil to reduce the use of synthetic detergents, thus minimizing pollution in the lake.

What was the impact of synthetic detergents containing phosphorus on Lake Biwa?

Synthetic detergents containing phosphorus significantly contributed to the pollution of Lake Biwa, leading to eutrophication and the proliferation of plankton, which harmed the ecosystem.

How did the local government and detergent companies react to the movement against phosphorus-laden detergents?

The local government supported the movement by regulating the use of phosphorus-containing detergents, while detergent companies initially opposed it but later began selling phosphorus-free alternatives.

What changes occurred in the detergent market after the government and citizens' efforts?

Soap detergents gained popularity, overtaking synthetic detergents on supermarket shelves, and the use of phosphorus-laden detergents decreased, with 70% of the population adopting soap detergents by 1979.

What technology did Mr. Kojima use to purify the water of ammonia in the T River?

Mr. Kojima used the natural action of microorganisms found on the riverbed stones and introduced oxygen to purify the water, effectively reducing ammonia levels by 80%.

What challenge remains in Japan’s water purification efforts despite advances in technology?

The challenge remains the high cost of advanced water purification technologies and the continued need for societal changes to reduce pollution, as full restoration of natural ecosystems is difficult.