108th Issue - Environmental Technology Summary - July 2003

108th Issue - Environmental Technology Summary - July 2003

Detailed Explanation of Coastal Purification Using EM Bacteria

### Background and Issues
In Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the foul odor caused by the decay of seaweed became a significant problem for local residents. The cause of this problem was harmful gases and malodorous substances released during the decomposition process. Traditional methods typically involved physically removing the decayed seaweed, but this was labor-intensive, costly, and raised environmental concerns.

### What are EM Bacteria?
EM stands for Effective Microorganisms, a term that refers to a group of beneficial microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and photosynthetic bacteria. These microorganisms naturally exist in the environment and are utilized to improve it. EM bacteria inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause bad odors and promote the decomposition of harmful substances.

### Coastal Purification Process
In Zushi City, EM bacteria were sprayed in specific coastal areas to promote the breakdown of decaying seaweed and reduce odor emissions. Specifically, EM bacteria were directly applied to the accumulated decaying seaweed on the beach, preventing further decomposition and ultimately promoting natural degradation. This process was more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional physical removal methods.

### Effects and Results
The coastal purification project using EM bacteria resulted in a significant reduction in foul odors on Zushi City's beaches, leading to fewer complaints from local residents. Furthermore, the success of this project demonstrated that the use of EM bacteria could be applied to other coastal areas and water quality improvement projects, indicating its potential as a future environmental improvement technique.

### Future Outlook
EM bacteria are widely used not only in soil improvement and water purification but also in agriculture, where they play a significant role in reducing environmental impact and promoting the regeneration of natural environments. The success in Zushi City has led to considerations for implementing similar approaches in other areas.

In summary, the use of EM bacteria for coastal purification is gaining attention as a more sustainable method of environmental conservation, replacing traditional physical removal techniques.