ABSTRACT:
Japan frequently experiences earthquakes and tsunami events because of its tectonic position along the Pacific seismic belt. These disasters produce not only humanitarian and economic losses but also severe environmental damage that may persist for years. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami caused extensive contamination of agricultural lands, freshwater systems, coastal sediments, and marine ecosystems through the spread of seawater, petroleum products, sewage sludge, industrial chemicals, and radioactive materials. Environmental rehabilitation following such events is particularly difficult because tsunami-generated pollutants are chemically diverse and widely distributed. Conventional cleanup techniques such as landfilling, excavation, and chemical disinfection often fail to completely restore affected ecosystems and may create secondary environmental burdens. Consequently, researchers have increasingly focused on sustainable remediation strategies that are both effective and environmentally compatible. Among the available technologies, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and bioremediation approaches have shown remarkable potential for post-tsunami environmental management. Advanced oxidation technologies depend on the production of highly reactive oxygen species capable of decomposing persistent contaminants into simpler and less toxic compounds. Processes including photocatalysis, ozonation, Fenton oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, and UV/H₂O₂ treatment have demonstrated considerable success in degradation of hydrocarbons, pathogens, pesticides, dyes, and pharmaceutical residues. Biological remediation methods involving bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants also provide eco-friendly alternatives for restoring contaminated ecosystems. Recent investigations suggest that integrating oxidation technologies with biological treatment systems significantly improves remediation efficiency. Oxidative pretreatment can transform toxic pollutants into biodegradable intermediates, allowing microorganisms to complete the mineralization process more effectively.