THE REPRODUCTION OF NATURAL SEA SLUDGE (HEDORO) USING PRESERVED NATURAL INORGANIC MATTERS

Comprehensive studies on sea sludge utilization have been hampered by the impossibility of re-obtaining samples with similar characteristics from nature. Previously, we reported the creation of an artificial sludge mimicking the general properties of the natural seafloor sludge of the Funabashi in Chiba. Although this method is useful for recreating sludge with high organic content (Funabashi = 23.61%), it could not be used for recreating sludge with low organic content (e.g. Hidaka in Wakayama = 5.58%), with the high organic content of one of the ingredient, zeolite (7.79%), as a limiting factor. In this study, we focused on the creation of a semi-artificial sludge using inorganic matters obtained from natural sea sludge. Sludge samples from Hidaka Port were collected and burnt at 600oC to remove their organic content. Artificial organic materials were then added to the obtained inorganic matters, following the method described in our previous study. The resulting semi-artificial sludge mimics the properties of the original sludge. Thus, we revised our previously proposed method of artificial sludge production, by recreating a sludge with low organic content, by utilizing inorganic matters collected from natural samples.