Tsunami and Environmental Pollution Hazards: A Note for the Restoration Process - Post-Tsunami Hazard: Reconstruction and Restoration - page 272

Fig. 17.11 Torrential rains along the coastline in Miyagi Prefecture

although toxic interaction would be very diffi cult to assess accurately (Andreadakis
et al. 2012 ). Tsunami water and backwash contain a large number of compounds
and materials from multiple origins, complicating the resulting mixture and interac-
tions; harmful effects are likely to have multiple impacts on local ecosystems,
fl ora and fauna to various degrees. Likewise, the effects in the short, medium and
long-term would be very diffi cult to accurately identify and measure; nevertheless,
studies are required to evaluate their impacts, particularly in coastal wetlands and
lagoons which act as natural sinks for pollutants.
It is very diffi cult to assess the impact of pollutants on the environment, species
and communities as the contaminants have been diluted by the rain, snow melt and
water currents since the event took place (Fig. 17.11 ). It should be highlighted,
however, that even fairly low levels of chemical and hazardous compounds could
cause severe toxic effects, particularly in the early stages of development and growth
in organisms, resulting variations in behavioral patterns, biodiversity of composition
and alterations in plankton and benthos communities.

17.6 Conclusions

As a result of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, a total of 15,833 people lost their
lives, in addition to 2,656 missing and 6,145 injured, totaling 18,489 casualties
(NPAJ 2013 ). The economic impact on the country amounted to 17 trillion Yen or
about US$ 221 billion, 10.4 trillion Yen (US$ 11 billion) of which consisted of damage
to housing, offi ces and machinery, among others (RAJ 2012 ). The tsunami alone
caused nearly 39 % of the total direct economic loss in Japan for 2011 (Daniell and
Vervaeck 2011 ).
Industrial development has brought an enormous amount of wealth to Japan while
also an enormous amount of hazardous and toxic compounds, posing dangerous
ecosystem and health risk hazards. Moreover, as a country where wood is largely
used for construction materials, its treatment may also add to environmental