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Marine Debris Control

Floating Pollution Problem in Saltwater or Freshwater

Marine DebrisMarine debris is "a global problem that requires global solutions," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Trash items end up in marine environments as a result of being discarded, falling off vessels, and entering with stormwater discharges, to name a few. Marine debris continues to be a pollution problem in both saltwater and fresh, whether in calm inland lakes or among the ocean currents.

Floating marine debris is one of the most visible debris types. It includes manmade items such as plastics, as well as naturally occurring debris: floating branches, seaweed, and various organic materials. The question is how to deal with trash and the other floating materials that pollute so many of our marine environments.

Fortunately, a number of successful means exist to help clean up these pollutants. Among these solutions is the use of anchored floating Debris Boom to divert, contain, or exclude the debris.

Questions about marine debris? Give us a call at 1-772-646-0597 or fill out our contact form.

Diversion, Containment, and Exclusion of Marine Debrismarine debris boom

Diversion of floating marine debris is a common remediation tactic in applications where the water is moving, such as rivers or oceans. With a properly deployed boom in place, debris from upstream runs along the edge and continues downstream. Where ocean currents and waves keep surface debris in constant motion, a boom that takes advantage of prevailing conditions can deflect the material effectively.

Some applications, particularly where the water is calm, call for a containment strategy – encircling the debris for the purpose of cleaning it up. Others require exclusion: creation of a perimeter to keep certain areas free of the unwanted material. Booms can deflect debris and direct the materials to an area designated for staging of cleanup activities.

The Orion Marine Debris Boom from GEI Works is a powerful solution that functions well in all these areas. Made of strong, marine-grade PVC, it offers high-level control of floating debris – including Aquatic Plants and trash in both saltwater and freshwater applications. The Marine Debris Boom forms a barrier to deflect and exclude floating trash from protected areas, or to contain it for subsequent cleanup.

Freshwater Applications for Debris Boom

The Orion Marine Debris Boom is an excellent solution in freshwater applications for dealing with aggressive varieties of pond vegetation. For example, these American-made floating booms are used extensively for Duckweed control in lakes and ponds. Tiny duckweed plants cover the surface, blocking out the sunlight and oxygen necessary for sustaining marine life. A strategically placed boomarine seaweed boomm can prevent the weed from advancing into designated clear zones. Water Hyacinth control is another common use for the GEI Works Marine Debris Boom. Keeping check on this invasive pond vegetation that chokes waterways and invites mosquitos is an important part of maintaining healthy marine environments.

The Marine Debris Boom also deals with floating trash on lakes and other freshwater applications. The boom can either surround it for removal or keep
the debris moving along until it reaches shore at a pre-determined, designated location for easy pickup.

Saltwater Applications for Debris Boom

For saltwater applications, use this floating barrier as a sea barrier to deflect, contain, or exclude such aquatic plants as Sargassum. The floating plants break free from the Sargasso Sea in huge sheets that come ashore in waves. A properly deployed sea boom can relocate seaweed to a designated beach for cleanup, or set a perimeter to contain the weed for harvesting.

Floating booms are effective in clearing the waters of manmade marine debris. You can corral plastic and polystyrene foam items such as cups, plastic water bottles, and the various floating trash that creates such a common nuisance on the ocean surface.

The Orion Marine Debris Boom can also delineate areas for excluding jellyfish, particularly areas around power plant intakes where they can appear in large numbers.

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Questions about marine debris boom? Give us a call at 1-772-646-0597 or fill out our contact form.