Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
18.1
Background to the Establishment of the Project
Many lives were lost and horrendous damage was caused by the Great East Japan
Earthquake and tsunami disaster of March 11, 2011. Severe losses were incurred at
the Graduate School of Agricultural Science's Amamiya Campus in Sendai City.
The Kawatabi Field Centre in Osaki City was also contaminated with radioactive
material. Efforts to fully restore these facilities are ongoing (Saito
2011
). The
Onagawa Field Centre in Onagawa Town was also completely destroyed as the
tsunami waves overwhelmed the two-storied building. The lack of fuel plus harsh
weather conditions made it very diffi cult for researchers to work, but support for the
local population and research activities soon began to take shape (Nakai
2013
).
The Graduate School of Agricultural Science launched the Agri-Reconstruction
Project in March
2011
, soon after the disaster (Nakai
2011
). Due to existing diffi -
culties a relatively small number of experts participated during the fi rst stages,
expanding to a larger number as the project developed.
Following a request from the Sendai City authorities, an initial soil survey was
undertaken at Arahama in Wakabayashi Ward, where the tsunami had completely
destroyed the coastal village and its pine forest. Thereafter, Project members visited
Higashi Matsushima City as well as the Graduate School of Agricultural Science
Onagawa Field Center in Onagawa Town, where massive destruction occurred and
a large number of people lost their lives.
Analysis of soil samples taken at Arahama were rapidly completed. After discus-
sions, it was decided that the salt damage fi elds could be restored by washing the plow
layer with water after removal of several centimeters of surface soil. This approach
was welcomed by the local community and farmers. This in turn encouraged the
local people to keep looking forward despite the diffi culties.
18.2
The Agri-Reconstruction Project
The project is based at the Graduate School of Agricultural Science in a consortium-
like group of independent researchers. The project leader and the management
group provide guidance and coordination support related to the restoration activities
by (1) providing support and experts upon request, (2) providing support for new
ideas and activities of individual researchers, (3) summarizing research achievements,
and (4) providing information to the disaster-affected areas.
By March 2012, 37 individual research topics were being carried out at the
Graduate School of Agricultural Science (Table
18.1
). Thirteen reports have been
published so far (
http://www.agri.tohoku.ac.jp/agri-revival/
).
A large number of project activities have been carried out in close cooperation
with local residents. Among these is the Project to Support the Restoration of
Japanese Oyster Farming, where Tohoku University acted in a coordinating role
between industry and the government. The institution took charge of the analysis
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