元一覧表へ戻る2003NSIII 「自然の化学的基礎」 課題 I
「川と人間生活」 野川（東京都）
Q1. I conducted observations on the No river (野川) near where I currently home-stay at in Higashikoganei.
Q2. The environment was calm, peaceful with a fresh scent. Nearby I saw a factory with white clouds of smoke rising through the long chimneys. Long Electric cables and stations were also visible from the river site. Two bridges over looked the long and moderately narrow river. There were quite a few people near the river; people walking their dogs, cycling and a child playing in the mud beside the river. There were a lot of plantations around and in the river however, the trees and grass surrounding the river were mostly dead. A group of ducks swam in the calm river grouping together. The river flowed in a slow pace with little rippling. The water was clear and clean; rocks and dirt immersed in the river were visible and no rubbish was to be found.
Q3. Working on this chemistry essay gave me my first opportunity to encounter a river nearby as I have only lived here for less than a year, but I must say it was an extremely comforting experience. It was a beautifully fine afternoon; the air was cool and brisk. I had just finished my last class before the winter holidays. The greenery and calmly rippling river was very relaxing and peaceful. I did not feel as if I was in Tokyo, in fact, it reminded me of New Zealand, my home. I went camping on school trips nearly every year to places where rivers were abundant in New Zealand. As one of our camping activities we had to hike through rivers and streams in the mountains. I vividly recall the cold, cool sensation as I stepped into the river and watched with bewilderment as the fish and eels swam past me. We collected and observed Cray Fish and samples of organisms present in the rivers. We also used cleaned filtered water from the river to drink and prepare dinner.
Q4. I live in Higashikoganei and I interviewed my host parents on the environment of the river 20 to 30 years ago. Neither of them could remember what it was like then, however they commented on their childhood experiences and memories of the No river. Approximately 50 years ago, they often played around the river but never actually swimming in it. Unlike the beautiful park surrounding the river today, there was no park back then. They vividly remember grass and pink Renge flowers covering the many hills around the river where they walked and enjoyed the scenery. The river itself was shallow and small with fish and toads fluttering along. I questioned them on the water itself, but they could not recollect the quality of the water because they never swam in the river.
Q5. The Nogawa park in which the No river runs through provides atmosphere unlike any other in Tokyo. The No river runs from Kokubunji with large carp, spot-billed duck and ducks visibly swimming in the water. There are two springs in the north end of the park and from it flows mineral rich clean soft water. Safe and refreshing, the spring water tastes good; however there was a period of time when the water was unsafe to consume.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/leisure/water/tokyo-water/22-nogawa.htm
Q6. The clean and peaceful atmosphere of the park and river should be maintained so that everyone can enjoy the natural environment which is seldom experienced in Tokyo today. Supervisors of the park should continue with the efforts in keeping the river litter free and preventing pollution form nearby factories. However, the numerous dead trees along the river is concerning and may need attention in order to sustain and improve the well-being of the river. A safe and clean river should be preserved so that our next generations can enjoy and interact with nature.