What you need to know
Addressing ocean pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Fortunately, new technologies and innovations are making significant strides in tackling this issue. In this blog, and the next, we’ll explore some of the most promising technologies designed to clean and protect our oceans, backed by the latest data and statistics. This week, we focus on innovations that prevent plastic from entering the oceans.
One of the most advanced projects tackling ocean plastic is The Ocean Clean-up, founded by Boyan Slat. The project aims to reduce global ocean plastic by 90%, focusing on the most heavily impacted areas. The Ocean Clean-up uses innovative systems, including floating barriers, that guide plastic to a central collection point.
The latest system, System 002, has proven effective at intercepting plastic in the ocean, particularly in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In 2023, this system removed 282,787 kilograms of plastic waste from the ocean.
The Seabin Project offers a simple yet effective solution to tackle pollution at the local level. Seabins function as floating trash cans, capturing waste, oil, and microplastics from the water, preventing them from spreading further into the ocean. This approach helps reduce pollution right at the source, where it often accumulates.
In addition to cleaning up plastic, reducing the amount of plastic entering the ocean is crucial. One important step in this direction is the development of biodegradable plastics and bioplastics. These materials break down safely in seawater, reducing the ecological impact of plastic products that unintentionally make their way into the ocean.
PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) is an example of a biodegradable plastic made by bacteria that fully breaks down within months in the ocean, compared to traditional plastic, which can take centuries. Newer plastic types with embedded enzymes accelerate the breakdown process, helping reduce ocean pollution faster than ever before.
Biofouling—the accumulation of organisms like algae, shells, and barnacles on underwater surfaces—is another major challenge for the oceans. It increases friction, leading to higher fuel consumption for ships, and can damage structures. In the past, toxic paints were used to prevent biofouling, but these contributed to ocean pollution themselves.
Today, eco-friendly technologies offer solutions to prevent biofouling without harming marine life. Newly developed anti-fouling coatings use biodegradable, non-toxic materials. Additionally, ultrasonic devices emit frequencies that prevent biofouling growth, without impacting marine ecosystems.
These innovative technologies are just a few examples of the progress being made in the fight against ocean pollution. By implementing these solutions, we hope to make our oceans cleaner and protect their ecosystems for future generations.
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