Earthquake and tsunami in Japan - Research Paper Example

Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan This paper focuses on the water uses especially after a natural disaster like earthquakes and tsunamis have occurred, as in the case of Japan which happened on the eleventh of March this year. Apart from personal hygiene, drinking, cooking, irrigating crops and landscapes, water is used for cooling, recreation and dust control. Again in the case of the recent Japan disaster, the most important water use was for the cooling on the nuclear power plant at Fukushima, northeast of Japan which was damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.

This has caused the leak of radioactive substances into the surrounding environment and the sea. Radioactive substance is a great threat to both live and property. The rest of the paper will also take a look at other uses water could be put to. Earthquakes and Tsunamis are two of the worst devastating natural occurrences that could befall a nation or a region. The Japanese archipelago (which is a large group of Islands) is located in an area where several continental and oceanic plates meet. This is the cause of many earthquakes in Japan, (1).

Earthquakes that occur below or close to the ocean may trigger tsunamis (which are tidal waves). Because of the radioactive leak from the damaged nuclear reactors, an estimated 200,000 residents in the area have been evacuated, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iodine was also being distributed to those affected by the radiation. The extent of this leak and the devastating effect of it are still not very clear as compared to the two nuclear accidents of the past which occurred in Three Mile Island in the United States of America in 1979 and Chernobyl in Ukraine in 1986.

In both cases, however, excess heat caused the fuel rods to melt, (2) but in the case of Japan water came into a very good use in order to avoid much or most of this meltdown. These natural disasters also trigger the need and the inevitable rationing of pure uncontaminated water due to its scarcity even though the earth is made up of a vast expanse of water. There was a high water shortage after the earthquake and tsunami. In the Ibaraki region, some people have water while others don`t. It was hard to tell when people`s water will be shut off or restored again and this was particularly hard on foreigners who does not understand Japanese and wouldn`t know when an announcement will be made to this effect, (3).

Water to drink, cook and use for personal hygiene is the most important (apart from the cooling of the reactors) as its properties are essential for the sustenance of all human lives. They may be found as bottled, boiled or treated water. Most of this water contains supplements that are good for the nutritional need and vitality of the body. Tsunami which was responsible for the ocean water to come ashore caused drinking water wells to become contaminated with microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, parasites) and chemicals that can cause a real health problem, (4).

The sea water can contaminate the coastal drinking water and render it undrinkable by humans due to a large salt content which will result to more dehydration. Even brackish water (which is a mixture of salt water and fresh water) can also cause some health issues after a prolonged usage. Chemical contaminants also play a role in the contamination of portable drinking water by affecting wells. Chemical contaminants like pesticides and fuel products from overturned tanks are implicated here. Boiling water, if possible, for about one minute could be helpful in killing most harmful bacteria and parasites but boiling brackish water for five minutes or longer will increase the level of salts and contaminants.

The use of hot water and detergents attacks oil and grime, but detergent alone without hot water will not be as effective as should be. The oil and grime contains bacteria. It is also important to note that hot water makes dishes to air dry very rapidly. The dishcloth we use to dry dishes is a haven for bacteria, (5). The earthquake in Japan this year was the worst natural disaster to befall that country in nearly 100 years. It caused tsunami which went into cities like Sendai and carried back into the sea buildings, vehicles, boats and structures, (6).

I see this Topic of mine as very insightful and helpful to understand that natural disasters can occur and they are never planned and that people react in the quest to survive even in the harshest situations. I have learnt that nuclear plants are very dangerous for the Japanese people and all people in general. In the situation of a disaster they pose even a greater danger to people, the environment and places. It will take a very long time for people to come back there where they have been evacuated.

Japan is an island surrounded by water and is prone to earthquakes which could spark off tsunamis. Water was used to cool down the reactors at Fukushima and portable ones (when found or treated) are used for drinking, cooking and for personal hygiene. Water supplements will play a major role in alleviating suffering in Japan. REFERENCES (1) http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2116.html, 26 April 2011. Web. (2) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720219, 26 April 2011. Web. (3) http://www.

thejapanguy.com/3075/2011-earthquake-effects-here-in-tsukuba-japan/, 26 April 2011. Web. (4) http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tsunamis/waterquality.asp, 26 April 2011. Web. (5) http://housekeeping.about.com/od/cleaning101/f/hotwaterbacteri.htm, 26. April. Web. (6) http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Quake-Japans-Worst-Natural-Disaster-in-Nearly-100-Years-117795943.html, 26. April. Web.