Utilizing Bubbles to Combat Water Polution
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November 27, 2024
Seren Georgina A. Wilwayco
11th Grade
John F. Kennedy High School
In 2021, a company called Stichting Noordzee released a report regarding waste found in the Netherlands. Every 100 meters of a riverbank consists of virtually 500 pieces of waste. To combat this threatening issue, a team of engineers from Amsterdam have invented the Great Bubble Barrier. Co-founders Anne Marieke Eveleens and Philip Ehrhorn were disheartened by the normalization of waste in their waters. According to Ehrhorn, “I spend a lot of time in and around the water. And inevitably, at some point, you'll see plastic. And once you start seeing it, you'll see it everywhere.
(Image Credit: thegreatbubblebarrier.com)
The three main units of the Great Bubble Barrier are the bubble curtain, air supply, and catchment system. The bubble curtain allows for plastic to flow to the surface. This is due to the upward current it creates. In order to create this current, the air supply provides the bubble curtain with compressed air. Working in harmony with the aforementioned devices, the catchment system retrieves the plastic from the surface.
The Great Bubble Barrier is accompanied by many benefits. Sea life is not affected by this new contraption placed in their home. Fish are free to swim through the system’s fish passage. Similarly, ship traffic will not be hindered.
(Image Credit: euronews.com)
As of recent years, Eveleens and Ehrhorn have discovered the various types of waste that pollutes their rivers. The Plastic Soup Foundation estimated that 500 billion kilos of plastic inhabits the ocean. The University of Hull recently conducted a study that proves the impact of microplastics on human beings. Because of this heavy pollution, microplastics can be found inside a human’s bloodstream and organs.
Eveleens and Ehrhorn have concluded that, in order to make a more significant impact on the world, it is necessary to expand this barrier internationally. Philip explains, “Our ambition is to roll this out internationally, to start making more impact.” With that in mind, the upcoming years may be focused on applying the barrier to Portugal, Germany and parts of Asia.
Reference Sources
Gregory Ward & Maarten Van Rouveroy, “Meet the team using bubbles to keep Amsterdam's rivers clean” Euro News,
The Great Bubble Barrier, “How does the Bubble Barrier work?” The Great Bubble Barrier
https://thegreatbubblebarrier.com/technology/.
The Ocean Movement, "Plastic pollution in the Netherlands" The Ocean Movement
https://theoceanmovement.org/plastic-pollution-in-the-netherlands/.
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