Research Log Example - Solutionary Project 2023

Date: 21 January 2023

Name: Mr. Lay
Central Question: Why aren’t more people commuting by bicycle in Honolulu?

Thesis: Although Honolulu has made strides towards becoming a cycling friendly city with the implementation of a 2-
mile protected bike lane on King Street, still few of the city's residents commute by bicycle due to poor bike
infrastructure and a lack of bicycle education, along with access to affordable bicycles.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits? Fundamentally, there
aren’t enough people on bikes in Oahu and this creates too much vehicular traffic in downtown Honolulu.

#2: What has been and is being done? protected bike lane, 3-foot passing law, public transportation systems
(bike accommodation), The Hawaii Cycling League BikeEd Program, Biki bike-share program

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do? People for Bikes, Kalihi Valley
Instructional Bike Exchange (KVIBE), Bill SB2517

In which section will you use this source? #1

Excerpts: Green = Quote introduction, try introducing quotes in various ways (, : ; etc.)
Purple = Evidence, try using varied lengths, but make sure it is important regardless!
Red = Parenthetical Citation, (author’s last name, publication year) – if no author, use source title
1. Fleming gives the example of the KGP Design Studio's Bikestation in Washington D.C.: "The project
was funded completely by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) and carried a
$3M price tag. This elaborate glass and steel structure, located adjacent to the D.C. Union Train Station,
supplies 100 storage spaces for local cyclists" (Bike Plan Update, 2019).

2. Honolulu needs to confront the visibility, safety, and accessibility issues that plague the current cycling
infrastructure to realize bicycle commuting to its fullest potential. The Portland Bureau of
Transportation categorized four general groups and their differing needs; For example, “The strong and
fearless" (<1% of the total population), "The enthused and the confident" (7%), "The interested but
concerned" (60%), and "The no way, no how" (33%). After many surveys and polls, the primary
concern for cyclists who did not fall under the "strong and fearless" group, is the fear of being on the
road on a bicycle. The "interested but concerned" group represents the majority of Portland's residents”
(Bike Plan Update, 2019).

3. For example, in recent years, Hawaii has passed legislation in the form of a "3-foot passing law that
requires motorists to provide at least three feet of clear space when passing a cyclist. This new law
represents an important opportunity for DTS and the bicycling community to collaborate with HPD on
public education and enforcement campaign" (Bike Plan Update, 2019).

Commentary and Analysis:

Explanation: What does the quote mean
Analysis: Why is the quote important, why does it matter in the grand scheme of things?

1. Although costs were high in constructing the D.C. Bikestation, the DDOT speculates that the
structure will convert more than 100 D.C. drivers into cyclists. Converting drivers into cyclists is no
 small task; the above Bikestation idea has potential, but the cost is high. A more cost-effective way
the state can tackle this issue is through education. Suppose the state requires all public schools to
include bicycle safety into their curricula. In that case, one can hope that more people will grow up
with the knowledge, appreciation, and awareness surrounding bikes. This can potentially shift the
negative connotation that often surrounds cycling, not to mention creating more "safety-first"
minded individuals, decreasing the likelihood of bike-related accidents on the road. 

2. Unfortunately, Honolulu has not conducted extensive studies related to Portland's four cyclist
groups, but by generalizing these group distributions and applying them to Honolulu, approximately
half of the population falls into the "interested but concerned" category. In Honolulu this would
consist of about 200,000 residents. This group and existing cyclists should be the target audience
moving forward as the city aims to get more cyclists on the road. 

3. The city is looking at many factors when promoting cycling in Honolulu. Nevertheless, it is most
beneficial to focus on what has been accomplished to promote the city's cycling goals. This further
dispels the myth that it is dangerous to cycle on Island. Most local cyclists find motorists
accommodating on the road, especially in similar cities on the mainland. 

MLA Work Cited:

“O'ahu Bike Plan Update.” Honolulu.gov, 2019, pp. 1–90.

https://www.honolulu.gov/bicycle/bikeplanupdate.html.

This is a reputable and reliable article because Honolulu.gov is directly involved with the implementation of bike
infrastructure on Oahu. It is a government source, and the “Bike Plan Update” is a report that compiles cycling data
from the past serval years.
 Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2023
Date:
Name: Tyler Urasaki
Central Question: Should Hawaii put more emphasis on water quality?

Thesis: Although Hawaii is ranked #1 in the nation in general water quality, attempts to clean areas such as the Ala
Wai Canal are in the early stages, and more could be done to prevent water contamination at its source in rivers and
streams.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits?

#2: What has been and is being done?

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?

In which section will you use this source? Section #1

Excerpts:
1. Haseen explains the concept of water pollution, and how it contributes to disease. He states, “Water
pollution occurs when unwanted materials enter into water, changes the quality of water and harmful to
environment and human health. Water is an important natural resource used for drinking and other
developmental purposes in our lives. Safe drinking water is necessary for human health all over the
world. Being a universal solvent, water is a major source of infection. According to world health
organization (WHO) 80% diseases are water borne. Drinking water in various countries does not meet
WHO standards. 3.1% deaths occur due to the unhygienic and poor quality of water.” (Haseena, et al,
2017)

2. Water pollution is mainly caused by waste ending up in bodies of water. “It is reported that 75 to 80%
water pollution is caused by the domestic sewage. Waste from the industries like, sugar, textile,
electroplating, pesticides, pulp and paper are polluting the water. Polluted rivers have intolerable smell
and contains less flora and fauna. 80% of the world’s population is facing threats to water security.”
(Haseena, et al, 2017)

3. Polluted water can harbor many different types of microorganisms. These microorganisms can cause
several different diseases. As states by Haseena, “Disease causing microorganisms are known as
pathogens and these pathogens are spreading disease directly among humans. Some pathogens are
worldwide some are found in well-defined area. Many waterborne diseases are spreading man to man.
Heavy rainfall and floods are related to extreme weather and creating different diseases for developed
and developing countries. 10% of the population depends on food and vegetables that are grown in
contaminated water. Many waterborne infectious diseases are linked with fecal pollution of water
sources and results in fecal-oral route of infection. Health risk associated with polluted water includes
different diseases such as respiratory disease, cancer, diarrheal disease, neurological disorder and
cardiovascular disease. Nitrogenous chemicals are responsible for cancer and blue baby syndrome.
Mortality rate due to cancer is higher in rural areas than urban areas because urban inhabitants use
treated water for drinking while rural people don’t have facility of treated water and use unprocessed
water. Poor people are at greater risk of disease due to improper sanitation, hygiene and water supply.
Contaminated water has large negative effects in those women who are exposed to chemicals during
pregnancy; it leads to the increased rate of low birth weight as a result fetal health is affected.”
(Haseena, et al, 2017)
Commentary and Analysis:
1. Water pollution is when various substances enter the water altering its quality making it harmful to both humans
and the environment. Because water is crucial for our everyday functions, maintaining proper quality is important
when keeping ourselves and the environment healthy. Because water is a universal solvent, it is capable of
dissolving many different types of material. This makes water a major source of infection. The WHO states that
80% of disease are waterborne and that 3.1% of deaths are actually caused because of poor water quality.
Understanding how water can harbor disease is important when maintaining the health of communities. Greater
efforts can be taken by the community along with government officials to ensure water quality does not decline.

2. Water pollutions major cause is domestic sewage entering bodies of water. 75% to 80% of polluted water is
caused by sewage. Industrial waste ending up in water sources also contribute to water pollution. Because of this,
80% of the world’s population faces a threat to their water quality. Proper measures need to be taken to ensure
that sewage and industrial waste don’t end up in the water. Reducing the number of contaminants that enter the
water can prevent future disease outbreaks.

3. Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause a disease. Many types of waterborne disease are spread quickly
between humans. Polluted water can create a lot of health risks. The risks include different diseases such as
respiratory disease, cancer, diarrheal disease, neurological disorder and cardiovascular disease. Pregnant women
who consume contaminated water run the risk of negatively impacting the unborn fetus’s health. Polluted water
can lead to many different health complications. Understanding that majority of the known diseases are
waterborne can help improve the health of the community if proper steps are taken. Not only are people who
consume contaminated water affected, but unborn babies can also be negatively affected. Even those who don’t
consume polluted water can be affected. Many waterborne diseases are highly transmissible. Those who come
into contact with an infected person can catch and spread the disease.

MLA Work Cited:

Haseena, Mehtab. Water Pollution and Human Health. - Eastafricaschoolserver.org.

https://eastafricaschoolserver.org/content/_public/Environment/Teaching%20Resources/Environment
%20and%20Sustainability/Water-pollution-and-human-health.pdf. Accessed 21 Feb. 2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because it was written by the Department of Zoology at the University of Gujrat
in Pakistan. All information in this article was also taken from the World Health Organization (WHO).
 Research Log #2 - Solutionary Project 2023
Date: 2/27/2023
Name: Tyler Urasaki
Central Question: Should Hawaii put more emphasis on water quality?

Thesis: Although Hawaii is ranked #1 in the nation in general water quality, attempts to clean areas such as the Ala
Wai Canal are in the early stages, and more could be done to prevent water contamination at its source.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits?

#2: What has been and is being done?

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?

In which section will you use this source? Section #1

Excerpts:
1. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “about 20% of the world’s population lacks access
to safe drinking water, and more than 5 million people die annually from illnesses associated with
unsafe drinking water or inadequate sanitation. If everyone had safe drinking water and adequate
sanitation services, there would be 200 million fewer cases of diarrhea and 2.1 million fewer deaths
caused by diarrheal illness each year.” (Hunter, et al, 2023)

2. Many things contribute to water pollution. According to Hunter, “The factors that contribute to the
emergence and spread of disease agents are ecologic changes (including those caused by human
activity), international travel and commerce, technology, human demographics and behavior, microbial
evolution, and the breakdown of public health systems. Dr. Hunter warned that global freshwater
consumption rose sixfold between 1900 and 1995, and that this places increasing stress on available
drinking water reserves. This increasing stress will result in ecologic damage from over-extraction from
rivers, saltwater intrusion into groundwater from over-extraction of groundwater, more highly
contaminated water sources, and the potential struggle for access to water. Dr. Hunter concluded his
presentation by discussing the threat of biological terrorism via microbes that could be used for
deliberate contamination of the water supply.” (Hunter, et al, 2023)

3. To understand the rate of infectious diseases related to the consumption of tap water, Epidemiologists
developed an experiment. “In a previously published study, investigators in Canada compared the
incidence of gastroenteritis in homes with and without a reverse-osmosis filter. The study showed that
35% of gastrointestinal illness in the community studied was attributable to drinking water. The study
was randomized, but participants knew in which group they were enrolled.” (Hunter, et al, 2023)
Commentary and Analysis:
1. 20% of people around the world lack access to safe drinking water. As a result of this, more than 5
million people die each year due to illnesses related to unsanitary drinking water. If everyone had access
to safe drinking water, we could prevent 200 million cases of diarrhea and 2.1 million deaths due to
diarrheal illnesses. Knowing how important water quality is to the human body can help prevent
outbreaks of infectious diseases. If the government provides access to sanitary drinking water, less
people would end up with illness and less deaths would occur due to infectious diseases.

2. There are many factors that cause disease incubation and spread. These factors include ecologic changes
(including those caused by human activity), international travel and commerce, technology, human
demographics and behavior, microbial evolution, and the breakdown of public health systems. As water
consumption increases, major stress is placed on water supplies. Over stress on water supplies can lead
to ecological changes which can end up tampering the water supply. Over extraction of groundwater can
lead to the extraction of salt water, contaminated water, and lack of access to fresh water. Overuse of our
water supply can lead to negative effects. Because overuse can lead to water contamination, a stronger
emphasis needs to be placed on water conservation. The extraction of tampered water can lead to disease
outbreaks.

3. Epidemiologists conducted an experiment to see how many people were affected by water quality.
Epidemiologists compared homes with and without a reverse osmosis filter. 35% of illnesses in the
community relating to gastrointestinal illnesses were because of drinking water. Having filters on our
sinks or to filter tap water should be encouraged in communities. Taking that extra step to ensure our
drinking water is safe can prevent disease outbreaks.

MLA Work Cited:

Hunter, Paul R, et al. “PMC Article Previewer.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National
Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/tools/article-previewer-intro/. Accessed 28 Feb.
2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because all statistics were gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO).
All speakers in the article are credible professors in Epidemiology.
 Research Log #3 - Solutionary Project 2023
Date: 3/23/22023
Name: Tyler Urasaki
Central Question: Should Hawaii put more emphasis on water quality?

Thesis: Although Hawaii is ranked #1 in the nation in general water quality, attempts to clean areas such as the Ala
Wai Canal are in the early stages, and more could be done to prevent water contamination at its source.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits?

#2: What has been and is being done?

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?

In which section will you use this source? Section #2

Excerpts:
1. There are many polluted bodies of water in Hawaii. One of the more well-known ones is the Ala Wai
Canal. “Over the years, the Ala Wai canal has been a depository for mud, organic debris, trash and
various pollutants. Sludge (rotten, organic material) forms and accumulates due to oxygen deficiency.
In the sludge, putrefactive bacteria decompose organic matter, but also produce harmful gases such as
methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. These compounds produce a toxic environment in the canal.”
(The Genki Ala Wai Project, 2023)

2. One current method in tackling water pollution involves the use of bioremediation. “Bioremediation is
the use of living organisms to remove pollutants from soil and water. Nearly all organic compounds can
be digested by bacteria. In Japan and Hawaii, there are multiple examples of the use of Effective
Microorganisms (EM) in eliminating sludge. The Genki balls made for this project are mud balls that
contain EM, and they will sink to the bottom of the canal to digest the sludge.” (The Genki Ala Wai
Project, 2023)

3. Genki balls are a way of using bioremediation to remove toxins and pollutants from the water. “Genki
balls are tennis ball-sized mud balls. They contain a mixture of clay soil, rice bran, molasses, water, and
EM•1 solution. For the project, Genki balls are tossed into the Ala Wai canal to digest sludge. EM
stands for Effective Microorganisms - a mixed culture of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms found
in the natural environment. They are primarily lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and phototrophic bacteria. To
digest sludge, EM must reach the bottom of the canal. According to the USDA, one teaspoon of healthy
soil contains one hundred million to one billion bacteria. The soil used in Genki balls provide a "home"
for EM as they digest sludge in the canal. After Genki balls embed into the surface of sludge, the
fermentative bacteria begin to digest and oxygenate the sludge. At the same time, the phototrophic
bacteria consume harmful gases, and contain foul odors.” (The Genki Ala Wai Project, 2023)
Commentary and Analysis:
1. The Ala Wai Canal consists of many different types of pollutants. These pollutants make the water
hazardous as it contains harmful bacteria. The surrounding environment can also be dangerous as these
bacteria can release gases that are harmful for humans. Because the condition of the Ala Wai poses a
threat to human health, it is important to focus our efforts in removing the pollutants and toxins from the
water. Coming into contact with this contaminated water can lead to various types of diseases. Cleaning
the canal will help prevent infections causes by the water.

2. One way of cleaning polluted water is bioremediation. Bioremediation involves using bacteria to remove
pollutants from the water and soil. Bacteria can digest most organic compounds so this can be useful
when removing organic waste and pollutants from the water. Bioremediation has proven to be effective
in Japan and Hawaii. Currently there are projects involving the use of bioremediation to clean bodies of
water such as the Ala Wai canal. Bioremediation could be used in more areas if it proves to be effective
in cleaning the Ala Wai.
3. Genki balls are mud balls that use bioremediation to clean water and soil. Genki balls are used to digest
sludge. Genki balls consist of Effective Microorganisms which can digest sludge. These Genki balls also
provide a suitable environment for these microorganisms which aren’t dangerous to humans. Genki balls
use different types of microorganisms that we actually encounter in foods we eat every day. This shows
that bacteria we encounter every day can remove sludge from polluted waters. However, these
microorganisms can only digest organic material. Inorganic material such as different chemicals may not
be removed the same way.

MLA Work Cited:

“The Project - Genki Ala Wai.” Genki Ala Wai Project, The Genki Ala Wai Project, https://genkialawai.org/the-
project/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because it is the website of the organization that is currently working to clean the
Ala Wai and allow it to be used for recreational use.
 Research Log #4 - Solutionary Project 2023
Date: April 3, 2023
Name: Tyler Urasaki
Central Question: Should Hawaii put more emphasis on water quality?

Thesis: Although Hawaii is ranked #1 in the nation in general water quality, attempts to clean areas such as the Ala
Wai Canal are in the early stages, and more could be done to prevent water contamination at its source.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits?

#2: What has been and is being done?

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?

In which section will you use this source? Section #2

Excerpts:
1. Bioremediation is a method that has been used for a while to remove waste from water. “Bioremediation
technology uses microorganisms to reduce, eliminate, contain, or transform to benign contaminants
present in soils, sediments, water, and air. Bioremediation is described as the use of microorganisms to
destroy or immobilize waste materials (Shanahan, 2004). This process of detoxification targets the
harmful chemicals by mineralization, transformation, or alteration (Shannon and Unterman, 1993). For
centuries, civilizations have used natural bioremediation in wastewater treatment, but intentional use for
the reduction of hazardous wastes is a more recent development.” (Adams, et al, 2023)

2. A type of bioremediation is biostimulation. “Hydrocarbon biodegradation in soil can be limited by many

factors, including nutrients, pH, temperature, moisture, oxygen, soil properties and contaminant
presence (Atagana 2008, Al Sulaimani 2010; Bundy et al., 2002). Biostimulation involves the
modification of the environment to stimulate existing bacteria capable of bioremediation. This can be
done by addition of various forms of limiting nutrients and electron acceptors, such as phosphorus,
nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon (e.g. in the form of molasses), which are otherwise available in quantities
low enough to constrain microbial activity” (Adams, et al, 2023)

3. Bioaugmentation is another type of bioremediation, but it deals with removing oil from water. “Since
the 1970s, bioaugmentation, or the addition of oil-degrading microorganisms to supplement the
indigenous populations, has been proposed as an alternate strategy for the bioremediation of oil
contaminated environments. The rationale for this approach is that indigenous microbial populations
may not be capable of degrading the wide range of potential substrates present in complex mixtures such
as petroleum (Leahy and Colwell, 1990) or that theymay be in a stressed state as a result of the recent
exposure to the spill. Other conditions under which bioaugmentation may be considered are when the
indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading population is low, the speed of decontamination is the primary
factor, and when seeding may reduce the lag period to start the bioremediation process (Forsyth et al.,
1995). For this approach to be successful in the field, the seed microorganisms must be able to degrade
most petroleum components, maintain genetic stability and viability during storage, survive in foreign
and hostile environments, effectively compete with indigenous microorganisms, and move through the
pores of the sediment to the contaminants (Atlas, 1977; Goldstein et al., 1985).” (Adams, et al, 2023)
Commentary and Analysis:
1. Bioremediation is a method that is used to remove substances from polluted water. Bioremediation uses
microorganisms to destroy waste material. This method has been used for centuries, but its use to reduce
hazardous waste is a more recent development. Bioremediation has been used for centuries and has
proven to be effective. The local and state governments could consider using bioremediation more
throughout the island to remove organic waste from waters.

2. Biostimulation is a type of bioremediation. Biostimulation involves modifying the environment to

stimulate existing bacteria that are capable of bioremediation. Bioremediation is a process that would
not require adding much to existing water. Altering the environment around existing polluted waters
may be cheaper and more convenient. Being able to stimulate bioremediation in existing bacteria
already in the water can also prevent the introduction of new substances into the water.

3. Bioaugmentation is another type of bioremediation. Bioaugmentation is specific to water contamination

involving oil. Bioaugmentation involves adding oil-degrading microorganisms to assist the bacteria
already in the water. Existing bacteria in the water may not be capable of degrading the different
chemicals in petroleum. Adding bacteria that can degrade oil speeds up the process of bioremediation.
Recently, the Red Hill petroleum spill has been major news in Hawaii. The possibility of island wide
water contamination is something that the state is monitoring. Having methods to remove oil from water
can be useful if water sources were to be contaminated in the future with oil.

MLA Work Cited:

Adams, Godleads, et al. “Bioremediation, Biostimulation and Bioaugmention: A Review .” International

Journal of Environmental Bioremediation & Biodegradation, Science and Education Publishing,
https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/75285797/Bioremediation_Biostimulation_and_Bioaugmention_A_
Review-libre.pdf?1638044150=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename
%3DBioremediation_Biostimulation_and_Bioaug.pdf&Expires=1680580842&Signature=HzXotE99xEqp
veAVqO-
kQMBqqXPnFrBCK9lFubonZI3ohINLHYwcLshpQAL0xcnf9Yo36P2nkvSmDmCfoEXQgzL64sjrMPT
LYnbhbg3~A9fJa1JoO0eeRdt4HxnVRgSGOcBAgyjilozl3ukBfg5xgV6gZZopJMxE979GGT1hXbFh-
J4QUm2sY~SlmsVRqr3X5dNNBBQlo85VbWDRUCte-
FpsA03DTyTUXCAi02FelMYzscQ5tQFhrZqnol3S2JG1oKNwr3IJ8AaNSULaujEHoKR-
IAXPXDNL20Nafe-OG-IkhUhmWeV6vJ5HP9JnkSDA5exXhujgF0784NbbAp2~ow__&Key-Pair-
Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA. Accessed 3 Apr. 2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because the research done was conducted by departments of Environmental
Biology and Biochemistry in several universities in Africa.
 Research Log #5 - Solutionary Project 2023
Date: April 11, 2023
Name: Tyler Urasaki
Central Question: Should Hawaii put more emphasis on water quality?

Thesis: Although Hawaii is ranked #1 in the nation in general water quality, attempts to clean areas such as the Ala
Wai Canal are in the early stages, and more could be done to prevent water contamination at its source.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits?

#2: What has been and is being done?

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?

In which section will you use this source? Section #3

Excerpts:
1. Vetiver is a type of plant that is used throughout the world in efforts to remove contaminants from
water. “Vetiver has played an important role in the retention and decontamination of agrochemicals
especially pesticides, preventing them from contaminating and accumulating in the soils and crops.
Research conducted in cabbage crops grown on steep slope (60%) in Thailand indicated that vetiver
hedges had an important role in the process of captivity and decontamination of agrochemicals
especially pesticides such as carbofuran, monocrotophos and anachlor, preventing them from
contaminating and accumulating in the soils and crops.” (Truong, 2023)

2. Vetiver has the ability to remove organic compounds from water. “In China research showed that vetiver
can reduce soluble P up to 99% after 3 weeks and 74% of soluble N after 5 weeks. With proper planning
VGT has the potential of removing up to 102t of N and 54t of P per year per hectare of vetiver planting.
As soluble N and particularly P are usually considered to be key elements for water eutrophication
which normally leads to blue green algal growth in inland waterways and lakes, the removal of these
elements by vegetation is a most cost effective and environmental friendly method of controlling algal
growth. Chinese works indicated that vetiver could remove dissolved nutrients and reduced algal growth
within two days under experimental conditions. Therefore, VGT can be used very effectively to control
algal growth in water infested with blue-green algae. This can be achieved by planting vetiver on the
edges of the streams or in the shallow parts of the lakes where usually high concentrations of soluble N
and P occurred. Alternatively vetiver can be grown hydroponically on floating platforms which could be
moved to the worst affected parts of the lake or pond. The advantages of this innovative floating 10
platform method is that vetiver tops can be harvested easily for stock feed or mulch and vetiver roots can
also be removed for essential oil production.” (Truong, 2023)

3. Vetiver can be used to break down organic molecules in wastewater. “With the potential of removing
very high quantity of N and P, vetiver planting can be used to remove P, N and other nutrients in
effluent from sewage, abattoirs, feedlots, piggeries and other intensive livestock industries. In Australia
VGT was used very successfully as an integral part of a waste water purification program in removing
nutrient from effluent from septic tanks. Works in Thailand showed that VGS could absorb substantial
amount of Cd, Hg and Pb in waste water.” (Truong, 2023)
Commentary and Analysis:
1. Vetiver has played an important role in countries around the world in their efforts to remove chemicals
and other substances such as pesticides from water. Vetiver plays an important role in trapping
agrochemicals preventing them from contaminating the soil and crops. Vetiver can be used throughout
Hawaii, mainly in the country areas to prevent the contamination of crops. Pesticides and waste from
farms up in the mountains flow down during heavy rain. This leads to water and soil contamination.
Vetiver can help minimize the effects of this contamination.

2. Vetiver is able to reduce organic compounds in water greatly within a relatively short amount of time.
Particularly nitrogen and phosphorous, vetiver protects water sources from algae blooms. Vetiver is cost
and environmentally friendly and is effective in dealing with eutrophication. Although not a major
problem in Hawaii, eutrophication can still create problems in Hawaii if it were to occur throughout our
bodies of water. Vetiver is a cost-effective method to deal with this problem and even prevent it from
becoming a problem in the first place. Vetiver is environmentally friendly and poses no threat to the
environment. The fact that it can break down organic compounds should be looked into as a way to deal
with water contamination from organic waste.

3. Vetiver has the capability of removing phosphorous, nitrogen, and other nutrients from sewage and other
organic waste. Vetiver is used in Australia to remove nutrients from effluent from septic tanks. Work in
Thailand also showed that Vetiver is capable of removing Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead from waste
water. This property of Vetiver should be looked into when it comes to water contamination in Hawaii.
Cesspools in Hawaii are a problem because waste can leak out and pollute our oceans. It can also pollute
the soil and can contaminate our wells. The recent spill at RedHill is something that Vetiver could be
used for. Vetiver can break down organic compounds, and even some inorganic compounds such as
mercury and lead. Vetiver may be able to break down the components of petroleum and can be used in
the future in case of oil spills.

MLA Work Cited:

Truong, Paul. The Global Impact of Vetiver Grass Technology on the Environment.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul-Truong-2/publication/237814271_The_global_impact_of_vetiv
er_grass_technology_on_the_environment/links/5aefe580a6fdcc8508b95a09/The-global-impact-of-
vetiver-grass-technology-on-the-environment.pdf. Accessed 11 Apr. 2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because it was written by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources in
Australia.
 Research Log #6- Solutionary Project 2023
Date: April 11, 2023
Name: Tyler Urasaki
Central Question: Should Hawaii put more emphasis on water quality?

Thesis: Although Hawaii is ranked #1 in the nation in general water quality, attempts to clean areas such as the Ala
Wai Canal are in the early stages, and more could be done to prevent pollution from runoff.

Essay Sections:
#1 What is the problem? What are the systemic causes? Who is hurt and who benefits?

#2: What has been and is being done?

#3: What do you think should be done and what do you intend to do?

In which section will you use this source? Section #3

Excerpts:
1. Vetiver is used in many countries to tackle water pollution. “Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides)
belongs to the Gramineae family. The vetiver is a unique tropical plant that has been proven and used in
some 100 countries for soil and water conservation, land rehabilitation, pollution control, water quality
improvement and many other environmental applications, particularly the looming food crisis in many
parts of the developing world. The vetiver System is easy to use and low cost.” (Gupta, et al, 2023)

2. A possible solution to water contamination could be the vetiver system. “Vetiver system is based on the
use of vetiver grass, which was first recognized early in the 1990s for having “super absorbent”
characteristics suitable for the treatment of wastewater and leachate generated from landfill. Vetiver
grass is an “ecological-climax” species with a deep dense spongy root system that binds soils together.
Vetiver can withstand drought and is not affected by flood. Although vetiver is a tropical grass can also
tolerate extreme temperatures, from -15 ℃ to 60 ℃.” (Gupta, et al, 2023)

3. Vetiver can be useful in cleaning polluted water. “Vetiver grows rapidly and has a huge biomass. It can
purify eutrophic water, garbage leachates and wastewater from pig farms. It is excellent for the removal
of heavy metals from contaminated soil and rehabilitating landfills. It has proven to be exceptionally
successful in urban environments by demonstrating its ability to absorb pollutants into its foliage.
According to Xia et al., vetiver has high level of tolerance for polluted water and very effective in
removing pollutant from landfill leachates, particularly N and P. Nitrogen and Phosphorus absorption is
also expedited because roots have direct exposure to effluents. It tolerates wide range of pH, salinity,
sodicity, acidity and heavy metals such as As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn It could also absorb higher N, P and
K.” (Gupta, et al, 2023)
Commentary and Analysis:
1. Vetiver grass is a tropical plant that is used in numerous countries in attempts at soil and water
conservation, land rehabilitation, pollution control, and water quality. This grass is mainly used in
developing countries. This system is very cheap to use. Because the vetiver system is cheap to use and
many developing countries are using it, Hawaii should look into using vetiver grass to protect our
waters. The effectiveness of vetiver has been proven and it is not expensive to use. This can be useful in
keeping Hawaii’s waters clean.

2. Vetiver grass has characteristics suitable for the treatment of wastewater and leachate created by
landfills. Vetiver is a hardy plant and can survive the most adverse conditions. Vetiver is already cost-
friendly and because it is a hardy plant, minimum maintenance will be required. Vetiver can survive in
Hawaii’s tropical climate and should be considered in the future.

3. Vetiver can purify eutrophic water, garbage leachates and wastewater from pig farms. Vetiver is also
useful in removing heavy metals from contaminated soil. Vetiver grass has a high tolerance in polluted
waters and can remove organic compounds along with heavy metals. Not only is vetiver tolerant in
harsh environmental conditions, but vetiver can also survive in polluted waters and can tolerate heavy
metals. As of right now, the use of Genki balls in the Ala Wai only targets the organic molecules in
polluted water. Having a solution that can remove heavy metals can prevent further soil contamination.
Living in Hawaii, pig farm waste can be a problem when it rains. All the waste comes down from the
mountains and ends up in our oceans. Vetiver could be used in this situation to prevent contamination of
the soil and ocean.

MLA Work Cited:

Gupta, Piyush, et al. Citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?

repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=a44b2a289a2866ffa714d88e7ee8304b0a4caf5f. Accessed 11 Apr. 2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because it was written by the National Institute of Rock Mechanics and the
Vellore Institute of Technology in India.