The Seabin Project (2019) uses Seabin technology to remove pollutants such as microplastics and microfibers in the water by placing the Seabin in the water to filter rubbish from the water. The article mentions that an alternative method would be the “Manta trawl”, in which a certain net is hauled behind a boat. The article mentions that both methods are equally “effective in sampling microplastics”.
According to the Seabin Project (2019), with some modifications to the filter, monitoring and sampling of the pollutant contents will be cheaper and more time efficient compared to standard methods. A catch bag is currently being engineered and tested to capture even smaller particles. Despite Seabin’s size limitation, it can remove microplastics more efficiently compared to standard methods.
The key benefit of the Seabin is its potential to capture not only rubbish but also microplastics and microfibers. The Ocean Cleanup (2020) states that 8% of the plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is microplastic. However, this number will increase if the large plastic wastes reduce into microplastic waste. Seabin aims to capture these microplastics before it splits and reaches the ocean. According to EnergyCrossRoads, microplastic pollution affects the ecosystem greatly as the marine animals might consume the microplastic debris which will endanger their existence. According to Enserink (2017), perch larvae is choosing plastic over their normal diet, which decays their growth, making them an easy target for their predators, disrupting the balance in the ecosystem
Another important benefit the Seabin provides is the efficiency it provides. According to the Seabin Project (2019), Seabin can run continuously for long hours once it is installed in the water as it does not automate and does not require anyone to control it. The only time someone has to check on the Seabin is when the catch bag is full and actions are required to empty it. Running continuously not only increases the efficiency of the product, but it also provides more accurate data as the Seabin is collecting micro waste throughout the time, thus generating more uniform data. The accuracy of the data generated plays an important role in further improvement of Seabin.
Despite Seabins edging in terms of cost, efficiency and the ability to capture microplastic, the Seabins has its own set of limitations. The Seabin Project (2019) states the maximum capacity of the catch bag is 20kg and must be connected to a power source to extract the water out of the bag. Due to these limitations, the Seabin is devised to be placed in calm water with the facilities readily available to power it. It is ideal for Marinas and Ports but not for the ocean, which is where the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is.
The Seabin may not be the best solution to remove plastic from the ocean, however, it is more efficient and effective as compared to standard methods. Starting from Marinas and Ports, the Seabins will be able to clean the waters one step at a time. Also, with the data gathered from the Seabins, the Seabins technology will advance even more in the future and expand its range of operation to the ocean.
References
Seabin using plastic to fight
plastics. (2019). Retrieved February 2, 2020, from https://seabinproject.com/seabin-using-plastic-to-fight-plastics/
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