2014 Volume 70 Issue 2 Pages I_1098-I_1103
Excessive nutrients were recovered from the waters of Amagasaki Port, Osaka Bay, and utilized as a compost material in order to improve the sea environment and resolve regional issues. In this project, the land-sea nutrient cycle in an area along the Amagasaki coast was evaluated, and the necessary amount of sessile organisms to be obtained from the area's vertical sea wall to get curative clarifying properties was determined. It was found that the experiences with nature that the project afforded heightened the environmental consciousness of the project participants. The participant's' awareness of Amagasaki Port changed: though they had previously believed that Amagasaki Port was dirty, dangerous and an area that was off-limits, by the end of the project, the participants felt that although it was dirty, it was enjoyable and was a part of the coast near their own homes. People with divergent interests in topics such as environment conservation, greening, renewable energy, natural experiences, and school education, participated in this project because of its wide-ranging contents and ability to accommodate the participants diverse interests.
