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Why is the brine in Chiba Prefecture rich in iodine?
Seaweed is rich in iodine. (Iodine used to be extracted from seaweed ash.) In the past, the land comprising Chiba Prefecture lay beneath the ocean. In the course of time, iodine contained in seaweed and other organic material deposited on the seabed became condensed. This is why the brine is rich in iodine.
Which familiar objects is Iodine used in?
The bactericidal action of iodine is very commonly used in mouth washes. It is also used in the polarized films of liquid crystal display of televisions and computers.
What is done with the brine left after iodine is extracted?
Other than having a large quantity of iodine, the contents of brine are almost the same as sea water. Accordingly, it is discharged into the sea through the drain pipes, as well as returned back to the earth by building wells called reducing wells, thereby minimizing the effect on the environment.
Besides using as a raw material for iodine, what are the other usages of brine?
The brine is used as a hot springs in Shirako, Yoro and Kanaya in Chiba Prefecture. The hot springs using brine contain salt components which stick to the skin after taking a bath and these salts prevent the evaporation of sweat thereby having an excellent heat retention effect. Besides iodine, brine contains components that help in the growth of plants and new research is being carried out every day to examine the possible new usages of brine.
