The Bubble Barrier to clean rivers
The Dutch have developed a unique process to clean their water bodies
In the Netherlands bubbles are being used to trap trash from rivers. There is a 120 meter long barrier that is in service 24 hours a day. As a result, the Katwijk channel is not disturbed by boats and is an excellent habitat for fish and other wildlife.
Using a perforated tube laid on the riverbed, air is pumped into the water to create a bubble wall. As the bubbles rise to the surface, they transport plastic waste to the bank, where it is collected for recycling.
Developed in 2018, the concept was tested on the canals of Amsterdam. During tests, the barrier captured 86% of river trash, including plastic pieces as small as 1mm.
Not only that, but the bubbles oxygenate the water preventing toxic algae growth, and absorb sound from boats, reducing fish disturbance. Every minute a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters the ocean.
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