HarmoNIES No.7

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We produce a lot of waste every day. Even so, our towns stay clean because we have people who collect the waste and a system for disposing of it. We are very grateful for this. Surprisingly, a similar thing is happening in the natural world. Mountains and forests are never overflowing with dead animals and plants because there are invisible but powerful workers who breaking them down. Among these, the ones that play hero-like roles are microorganisms and bacteria.

 

We Produce a lot of waste every day. Even so, our towns stay clean because we have people who collect the waste and a system for disposing of it. We are very grateful for this. Surprisingly, a similar thing is happening in the natural world. Mountains and forests are never overflowing with dead animals and plants because there are invisible but powerful workers who breaking them down. Among these, the ones that play hero-like roles are microorganisms and bacteria.  In addition, some microorganisms assist in water purification. What if we could get the help of these natural sanitation specialists to purify highly polluted water?

In this article, Dr. Yuka Ogata, who is conducting research on the use of microorganisms to purify highly contaminated water such as leachate from landfill sites, will answer that question through her research.
 

 

Microorganisms are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye, but they are extremely diverse types, and their features and abilities also vary. Some cause things to spoil and decompose; some assist the soil to produce delicious vegetables; some cause fermentation for making alcohol and cheese products; and some contribute to purifying water.
However, Dr. Ogata tells us that  we only have a very limited understanding of the full range of microorganisms and their attributes. The more we learn about microorganisms, the more mysterious they seem to become. Despite such overwhelming situations, she has succeeded in extracting just one type of bacteria, which has named after her, and as a result, is now able to investigate its features and optimal conditions!  What a tremendous task! Dr. Ogata’s enthusiasm and persistence carry her through all the difficulties.

Even before she became a researcher, Dr. Ogata was stirred whenever she saw a polluted river or heard reports of environmental problems. She wondered, “Just how much have we humans been burdening nature in the pursuit of development? How can we find a way to continue to progress while also living in harmony with nature?” And this strong feeling is fully reflected in her current research activities. Driven by her passion and zeal, Dr. Ogata invests huge amounts of time and effort in searching for the microorganisms that can be our partners in progress. After all, Microorganisms are creatures full of potential that may connect humans and nature. She even finds herself thinking about her research when she’s on holiday! Unwavering Passion is a powerful motivator.

In the world outside of the laboratory, complex reactions in the air, water, and soil interact simultaneously. This makes it very hard to find and extract microorganisms with a specific effect and to determine the precise growth conditions that are best for a specific microorganism. And as it has turned out, the effectiveness also changes depending on the type of microorganism involved.  However, if it works, it will be possible to remove harmful substances that are said to be impossible to decompose in nature. Instead of operating large-scale water treatment facilities and persistently using chemicals, Dr. Ogata says, it would be wonderful if we found a way to decompose pollutants using natural processes involving plants and microorganisms. Where might this exciting technology be introduced? Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out!

Dr. Ogata has been pursuing and developing a biology-based system for purifying highly polluted water by discovering natural processes such as plant–microbe–filter media interactions, and then getting along with their power. And what she always hopes for is to achieve methods that are kind to both humans and the environment, by enhancing the ability to purify polluted water as humans develop. Ideally these innovative strategies will return living creatures to the environment, and will be gentle on the ecosystems, without burdening it as much as possible.  Truly Dr. Ogata lives amid the infinite world of microorganisms.