Tokyo, Oct. 7 (Jiji Press)–Water treatment technologies for Japanese aquariums, which go through gallons upon gallons of water, have been evolving. The seemingly inconspicuous technologies developed by Japanese companies, such as breaking down impurities without the use of chemicals and preventing seawater corrosion of metals, help protect the lives of sea creatures and provide a better visitor experience. Taisei Corp.’s water treatment system, which manages the entire water-related process ranging from creating artificial seawater to adjusting water temperatures and flow, plays a central role in ensuring water quality at Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo. The indoor city aquarium does not have the luxury of pumping up seawater directly from the ocean. “Since we aren’t in an environment where we have plenty of seawater at our disposal, we’re strictly managing our water,” Haruhiko Miura of Sumida Aquarium said. Depending on the creature, the system developed by the construction company picks from three types of artificial seawater, which are clear and consistent in quality though they are based on tap water. “For a long time, maintaining and managing equipment was a major issue for aquariums,” said an official at Ebara Corp., a pump manufacturer. Metal parts of seawater pumps are susceptible to corrosion. Tackling this issue, the company adopted resin for pump parts that come into contact with seawater, while fortifying the pumps themselves to withstand sand and shells that become mixed into such water. Ebara has delivered about 600 pumps to aquariums so far. Utilizing its sewage treatment technologies, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. offers equipment that breaks down impurities and disinfects water using ozone. As it breaks down impurities and bad smells without using chlorine and other chemical products, the equipment has been popular among aquariums with marine mammals such as polar bears, which require sensitive health management. The equipment is used for a water tank housing an African manatee at Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture, western Japan. While a simple water filter does not get rid of yellow staining from aquatic plants that are food for the manatee, the ozone disinfection equipment helps ensure clear water, making it easier for visitors to see the manatee glide through the water. “We’ve conducted many test runs to find the best equipment operating settings at each water tank,” an official at Mitsubishi Electric said. “The clear water is supported by painstaking work to figure out the optimal ozone amount,” the official added. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
