Maya Ellison
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has devastating consequences for marine life and the world's oceans. While the ultimate goal is to prevent plastic from entering the water, various cleanup projects and technologies are being developed and implemented to address the existing plastic pollution in our oceans and rivers. These projects aim to increase awareness of the plastic problem and make a positive impact on the environment and marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technologies | Trash Wheels, Seabins, Baltimore Water Wheel, Interceptors, rubbish-herding devices |
| Methods | Boiling and filtering tap water, blocking river trash with stainless steel mesh fences |
| Impact | 2,000 tons of trash collected in Baltimore, 2.2 million pounds of trash removed from rivers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica |
| Goal | Stop plastic from entering the water, increase awareness of the plastic problem |
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What You'll Learn
River interception technologies
The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation, has been researching, extracting, and monitoring plastic pollution in oceans and rivers for over ten years. Their dual strategy involves intercepting plastic in rivers to reduce the inflow of pollution, and cleaning up the plastic that has already accumulated in the ocean. The Interceptor, their river cleanup technology, is a high-tech, solar-powered solution with smart processing and easy performance tracking. The Interceptor uses a barrier stretching across a river to collect plastic. The rubbish is funnelled towards a floating processing plant, where it is deposited into bins ready for recycling.
The Interceptor Original is the first river cleanup technology, designed for series production. It is currently deployed in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, the USA, and Thailand. The Interceptor Barrier, a standalone floating barrier anchored in a U-shape, is installed around the mouth of a small river to intercept trash. The Interceptor Barricade, consisting of two booms (one upstream and one downstream), was installed in the Rio Las Vacas, Guatemala, to withstand the high-pressure flow of waste during the rainy season. The Interceptor Guard, which is suited for shallow waters, was first deployed in D'Aguilar Gully, Kingston Harbour, Jamaica.
Other technologies designed to intercept river plastic include bubble curtains, and googly-eyed trash wheels. Mr Trash Wheel, an anthropomorphic trash interceptor, has been scooping rubbish out of the Jones Fall River in Baltimore since 2014. The fleet of trash-collecting vessels, powered by waterwheels, the river's current, and solar panels, has collected a total of 907 tonnes of rubbish. In Athens, Greece, a floating boom called the Tactical Recovery System Hellas (TRASH) was manufactured by New Naval to collect river plastic using technology developed for responding to oil spills.
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Trash Wheels
The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, a local non-profit organisation, noticed a significant reduction in the amount of trash during the pilot program and offered to fund a bigger trash wheel. The Trash Wheel was then given googly eyes and a social media presence, which helped to spread awareness about the project. The Trash Wheel has since become a social media celebrity, with over 100,000 followers and appearances in hundreds of news stories worldwide.
To date, there are four Trash Wheels in Baltimore Harbour: Mr. Trash Wheel, Professor Trash Wheel, Gwynnda (the Good Wheel of the West), and the Interceptor. The Trash Wheels are solar- and hydro-powered and use renewable energy to clean the Harbour, educate the public, and provide data to inform anti-litter legislation. The data collected by the Trash Wheels has helped pass anti-litter legislation and quantify its impacts. For example, when Maryland passed a statewide ban on foam containers in 2020, Mr. Trash Wheel data showed an 85% reduction in this type of litter.
The Trash Wheels have been successful in removing plastic and debris from Baltimore Harbour, with over a million pounds of trash pulled out of the water so far. The rubbish collected by the Trash Wheels is currently incinerated in a power plant, but there are hopes that it can eventually be sorted and recycled. The success of the Trash Wheels in Baltimore has sparked interest in expanding the project to other cities.
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Mesh fences
Now, to effectively use mesh fences for plastic interception, here are some key considerations and steps:
Material and Design
The mesh material should be durable and strong enough to withstand the force of flowing water and the weight of the intercepted plastic waste. The fence should also be designed with an appropriate mesh size to effectively capture different sizes of plastic debris without blocking the flow of water too much.
Placement and Maintenance
It is crucial to strategically place these fences across rivers to maximize the interception of plastic waste. Regular maintenance is also necessary to ensure the fences remain effective. This includes periodic cleaning to remove accumulated debris and repairing any damage to the fence.
Cleaning and Maintenance Protocols
When cleaning the mesh fences, it is important to follow manufacturer recommendations. Some detergents and soaps may harm the mesh material, so it is best to start with mild cleaning agents. High-pressure water can be used for preliminary cleaning, and a garden hose or pressure washer can be utilized depending on the level of cleaning required.
For stubborn dirt or soil, a little soap can be used. For extremely stained fencing, a stronger detergent or the addition of acidic white vinegar may be necessary. A soft-bristled brush can be dipped in the detergent mixture and used to gently scrub the fence in a horizontal pattern, working in sections to prevent soap from drying on the mesh.
Rinsing each section thoroughly from top to bottom is essential to remove all traces of soap. If there are particularly stubborn spots, they may need to soak in the detergent solution and be scrubbed again. Drying the fence completely before storage is also crucial.
By following these steps and maintaining the mesh fences properly, they can effectively intercept plastic waste, contributing to cleaner water and a healthier ecosystem.
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Boiling water
While boiling water is a simple and accessible solution, it is important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may not have access to hard water, which is necessary for optimal results. Additionally, the process requires additional steps, such as filtering the water after boiling to remove the solidified calcium and trapped microplastics. This means that boiling water may not be a practical solution for everyone, especially in regions with limited resources.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the health risks associated with microplastic exposure are still being understood. While evidence suggests that microplastics can accumulate in the body and potentially cause health issues, the full extent of their impact is not yet clear. More research is needed to determine the most effective methods for removing microplastics from drinking water and to establish guidelines for water boiling practices.
Overall, boiling water is a potential solution for reducing microplastic contamination in drinking water, especially in regions without access to advanced water filtration systems. However, it should be noted that this method may not be feasible or effective for everyone, and further research is necessary to fully understand the health implications of microplastic exposure.
To ensure the safe consumption of water, it is recommended to combine boiling with other filtration methods. This can include using reverse osmosis filters, which have been shown to remove up to 99% of microplastics. Additionally, maintaining proper water filtration systems and regularly cleaning water sources can help reduce the presence of microplastics and other contaminants.
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Ocean cleanup systems
The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization that aims to remove 90% of plastic from the ocean by 2040. It was started in 2013 and has since been researching, extracting, and monitoring plastic pollution in oceans and rivers globally.
The Ocean Cleanup launched its first cleanup system, System 001, in September 2018. System 001 was the world's first cleanup system to be trialed in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a plastic accumulation zone with over 100,000,000 kilograms of plastic. The system was deployed for approximately four months, during which time the team conducted extensive testing and learned valuable lessons about the environment and how the system behaves in it.
System 001/B, the next iteration of the technology, incorporated solutions to the challenges encountered during the System 001 trial. The Ocean Cleanup's current ocean-cleaning technology, System 03, has deterrents, cameras, escape aids, and other features to minimize risk to marine wildlife.
The Ocean Cleanup's floating systems are designed to capture plastics ranging from small pieces just millimeters in size to large debris, including massive discarded fishing nets (ghost nets) that can be tens of meters wide. The systems use a U-shaped barrier to guide the plastic into a retention zone, which is then taken aboard, sealed off, detached, and emptied when full. The retention zone is then put back in place, and the cleanup continues.
In addition to its ocean cleanup efforts, The Ocean Cleanup also focuses on intercepting plastic in rivers to prevent it from reaching the oceans. By tackling 1000 rivers around the world, the organization estimates that it can halt 80% of riverine pollution from reaching the oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ocean Cleanup is a project that aims to remove 90% of plastic from the ocean by 2040. They use ocean cleanup systems and river interception technologies to tackle the plastic in 1000 rivers that are responsible for 80% of riverine pollution. Other projects include the Seabin Project, which uses plastic-cleaning devices in harbours and marinas, and the Baltimore Water Wheel, which collects litter from the harbour and stores it in a barge.
One of the challenges of cleaning plastic from the ocean is the potential negative environmental impact of the cleanup methods. Marine biologist Dr Jennifer Lavers warns that such projects can give people a false sense of hope, leading them to believe that the problem is being addressed adequately when it is not. Additionally, the current technology is unable to filter out microplastics from sewage treatment plants, allowing them to wash out to sea and end up in the ocean or sediment.
Preventing plastic from entering the ocean in the first place is crucial. This can be achieved through education and awareness, as well as individual and community cleanup actions. By not relying solely on cleanup projects, we can reduce the amount of plastic that enters the ocean and mitigate its devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems.
