Nanotechnology to Revitalize Balili River

A proposal paper presented to

the faculty of the Senior High School
University of the Cordilleras

In partial fulfillment
of the requirement for the course
HEALTH EDUCATION II

By
Chan, Paul Micolo N.
Panlilio, Marc Christian B.
Tumitit, John B.
Viloria, Aeron Ruvic P.
Mandi, Iana Gwen D.
Torres, Sofia Angela V.
Ubfan, Dashielle S.
Waje, Marisha Mae C.

April 22, 2019

Introduction

Balili river has been eyed for scientific revitalization for being one of the most
polluted rivers in the world. According to Lauren Alimondo (2017), this twenty-three
kilometer river with twenty-four tributary creeks is believed to be biologically dead.

“In 2014, the water test result from Balili River is still within the classification of
Class C freshwater, but then, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
cannot re-classify a river downgrading its classification from Class A to Class C”
(Fabian, 2014).

There were different projects done and to be done to revitalize the said river. One
of which is the clean up drive.

“Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Arthur Pedro said the
clean up drive is a regular activity held every quarter under the Adopt-an-Estero
program, and for this first quarter, they are coinciding it with the World Water Day
which focuses on the importance of freshwater, and the town’s Strawberry Festival”
(Aro, 2019).

Another proposed project from Balili River System Revitalization Coalition

(BRSRC) was to identify some plants to absorb pollutants which could be planted along
the river.

While these projects help, it would take them a very long time to clean the river.

The researchers found two solutions from the internet. One was the micro
nanobubbling system and biological filters with clay by Marino Morikawa. The micro
nanobubbling system has a price of $450-$2000 if it would be bought through Alibaba,
an online international store. The biological filters with clay cannot be found on the
internet. Through his two inventions, according to Helena Martin (2019), Morikawa was
able to revive the lake in El Cascajo wetlands and wildlife came back to the area.

Another solution found by the researchers was the Nippon polyglutsmic acid
powder. In an article in BDNews24 (2012), it was said that this powder is organic and
can clean ten tons o water in an hour. The official page of the company is www.polyglu-
glusb.jp. From this page, it was said that one hundred grams of the said powder costs
one hundred to one hundred fifty yen or forty six pesos and nineteen centavos to sixty-
nine pesos and twenty-nine centavos, as of April 19, 2019, and can possibly purify more
than one thousand liter of water.

The first proposal seemed expensive for a local project, and the biological filter's
price was not yet announced to the public, but it is still possible to fund for this. If it will
be approved, it can be turned from a biologically dead river to an uncontaminated one.
The second proposal can be funded even by poor people. The problem that has been
seen by the researchers, however, was that the suspended particles of dirty water
settles down in the bottom an there is need for sand filtration.

The researchers came up with the idea of mixing these two projects. The micro
nanobubbling system will still be pursued along with Nippon polyglutsimic acid powder.
He MNBS can range from ₱ 23260.50 to ₱ 103380.00. If the government will buy a
hundred pack of NPGA powder, it can range from ₱ 4619.00-₱ 6929.00. Together, it
woud cost ₱ 27879.50 to ₱ 110309.00. The price wud not be so bad since it did not
even reach five-hundred thousand pesos.

Statement of the Purpose

 The researchers aim to propose a project that can turn Balili river into a
uncontaminated one. In addition, the researchers also aim to solve water shortage in
the area. It is said that the products mentioned above can turn the water into drinkable
one.

Plan of Action

The government of La Trinidad is currently doing a clea-up drive. The problem

that the researchers have seen from this project was that the river is not only
contaminated with plastics but also with sewage products from different factories. Also,
the government is currently doing a phytoremediation project or direct use of green
plants and their associated microorganisms to extract, concentrate, stabilize, metabolize
or reduce contamination in soils, sludge, sediments, surface water, or groundwater is
being eyed in the polluted body of water. In order to help the government boost the
project, the researchers are proposing the above projects.

Benefits of the Proposal

1. to decontaminate the river without using chemicals but by using micro

nanobubbling system, which, according to Cusirramos (2016), consists of
bubbles 10,000 times smaller than those in a soda beverage and remain in the
water between four and eight hours
2. to retain inorganic pollutants, such as heavy metals and minerals, that adhere to
surfaces and are decomposed by bacteria
3. to raise Balili river's classification of freshwater to A again

Viability of the Project

By using the micro nanobubbling technology, The bubbles will trap and paralyze
viruses and bacteria which will destroy them and cause them to evaporate. By using this
nanotechnology, Morikawa was able to clean the polluted lake of El Cascajo which is
roughly one hundred twenty three acres in size.

By using a teaspoon of Nippon polyglutsimic acid powder, a bottle of

contaminated water can be cleaned in seconds.

By using both of these products, it is viable that Balili river can be cleaned in less
than fifteen days.

Desired Outcome

The main goal of this proposal is to have a clean and waste-free Balili river again.
The researchers aim to raise the classification of Balili river to A again by
decontaminating the river without the use of chemicals. If Balii river is in classification A
of freshwater once again, the water from the river will be safe to drink and will be able to
solve water shortage.

Necessary Resources

If the fund or budget has already been allocated for this project, the resources
that will be needed will of course be the micro nanobubbling system nd the Nippon
polyglutsimic acid powder. Next to those will be a boat or boats for the people to be able
to scatter the powder and to use the micro nanobubbling system.

In addition, a strict implementation of not throwing any kind of waste in the river
will be needed. This shall run for a long time. A sense of responsibility from the business
establishments and people will also be highly needed and appreciated.
Conclusion

From an artice by Marc Dansie in Revolution Green (2019) Morikawa said that
the nature is already doing its job and all he does is to give it a boost to speed up the
process. This project will allow the biologically dead river to become a Class A
freshwater again. This project will also speed up the current projects, of the local
government, which aims to revitalize Balili river.
References

Alimondo, L. (2017, October 14). Balii river eyes scientific revitaliztion. Sunstar
Philippines. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/16
9342

Aro, S. (2019, February 18). More volunteers sought for Balili River clean up drive.
Philippine International Agency. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018537

Fabian, Larry P. (2014, September 24 ). An urgent call to save Benguet's Balili River
system. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from https://mb.com.ph/an-
urgent-call-to-save-benguets-balili-river-system/
Cusirramos, C. (2016, July 6). Peruvian scientist who "revived" wetlands aims to clean
up Lake Titicaca. Agencia EFE. Retrieved April 17,
2019,https://www.efe.com/efe/english/technology /peruvian -scientist-who-
revived-wetlands-aims-to-clean-up-lake-titicaca/50000267-2978308

Dansie, M. (2019, January 2). New Hope for a New Year: Marino Morikawa. Revolution
Green. Retrieved April 17, 2019, from https://revolution-green.com/new-
hope-new-year-marino-morikawa/