Development of New Environmental Protection Technologies
A variety of responses are needed to solve environmental problems. A broad range of research is essential for the development of the technologies for these responses. NIES is conducting research to develop vehicles that have low environmental impact, about pollution cleaning technologies that utilize biotechnology, and about environmental technologies that can be readily adapted for use in developing countries.
Luciole electric vehicle developed by NIES
The environmental impact assessment system that has been legislated
in Japan requires proponents to foresee possible environmental impacts
when a development project is being planned, and to conduct an environmental
assessment. However, debate continues on exactly what kinds of environmental
protection measures are needed and how they should be integrated into
a given project to achieve desirable environmental results. Actions to
deal with global warming and to prevent ozone layer depletion are gaining
momentum, but currently available technologies may not be enough to meet
the required targets. Technological advances are needed in order to make
progress in solving these issues, as well as with the problem of dioxins.
New developments are also needed in technologies for pollution removal
and environmental restoration, in cases where environmental pollution
has already been generated or is already accumulating in the environment.
In this context, NIES is working in the following ways for new pollution
removal technologies: development of microorganisms and genetically modified
organisms that can be used to remove pollution; development of easy-to-apply
pollution treatment technologies that can easily be adapted for use in
developing countries; research relating to ecological assessments in coastal
areas that have been polluted by oil spills; development of indexes that
can replace chemical oxygen demand (COD) as a pollution index and be used
directly to assess ecological and health risks of pollution in lakes and
ponds; and development of a "microcosm system" for ecosystem impact assessments.
Development of microcosm system
In addition, NIES is starting developmental research on methods to promote waste recycling, under the overall vision of shifting society toward sound material cycles. To combat emissions of greenhouse gases NIES is also conducting research to develop electric vehicles, better transportation systems, and technologies to limit greenhouse gas generation from wastewater and sludge treatment, as well as research relating to social structures and systems.
N2O generation suppression mechanism
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