Using Citizen Science to Evaluate the Effect of Treated Sewage on the Water Environment

DOI Web Site Web Site 1 Citations 4 References
  • KATO Hiroyuki
    Sewerage and Wastewater Management Department, Water and Disaster Management Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  • HASHIMOTO Tsubasa
    Sewerage and Wastewater Management Department, Water and Disaster Management Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Present affiliation: Saga City Waterworks and Sewerage Bureau
  • SASAJIMA Mutsumi
    Department of Environmental and Information Studies, Tokyo City University
  • HAM Young-Sik
    Department of Environmental Studies, Tokyo City University
  • KOBORI Hiromi
    Tokyo City University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 下水処理水が河川環境に与える影響評価への市民科学の導入
  • ゲスイ ショリスイ ガ カセン カンキョウ ニ アタエル エイキョウ ヒョウカ エ ノ シミン カガク ノ ドウニュウ

Search this article

Abstract

The volume of treated sewage effluent (TSE) in public water bodies in Japan has increased over time. Therefore, it is critical that we understand the effect of TSE on water cycling, freshwater ecosystems, and conservation. However, it is difficult and expensive to implement studies and conservation activities on the large scales required using only researchers and government agency staff. Citizen science (i.e., engaging the public in scientific research) is increasingly being used to solve the challenge of large-scale environmental monitoring, especially in the United States and Europe. Citizen science is used less frequently in Japan. In 2014, we started a citizen science project to investigate the influence of different sewage treatment methods on the water quality of three rivers in the Sakai River basin in Yokohama City. The project involved the collaboration of citizens, universities, federal and local governments, and local communities. The project revealed that ammonium (NH4-N) and nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations and nitrogenous biochemical oxygen demand (N-BOD) differ among the effluents of the sewage treatment plants, suggesting different impacts on the water quality and BOD of each river.

Journal

Citations (1)*help

See more

References(4)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top