MEC1281 Summary Analysis Draft 3 "Introducing the Seabin" Lim Xian Sheng

 

 In the press release mentions "Introducing the Seabin Project"(2018), Jateff mentions that The Seabin Project started by two surfers who were tired of "swimming in garbage". Jateff mentions a device of ensnaring debris before flowing into the ocean, peculiarly to highly populated areas. Jateff mentions how "Plastic pollution" contributes to most of the eight million tonnes of waste yearly and which is causing harm to sea animals. Jateff explains that Seabin functions by filtering debris into a "catch-bag" and pushing the cleaned water back out while being powered by electricity from shore. The Seabin is also accoutred with "oil-absorbent pads" that filter petroleum-based oil and detergents. The Seabin is best to place strategically to maximize collection due to the disability to captivate debris from a distance. Jateff claims that the Seabin is still developing a "recycled material catch-bag" and solar panels as a "zero-carbon" power option. While the Seabin is one of the devices to ocean pollution, Seabin has a limited capacity in storing debris, the inability to capture aground debris, and the high cost of maintenance of the Seabin.

One major problem with this project is the small capacity the Seabin able to hold. Although the Seabin is meant for small scale rivers and waterways, capturing debris at the "most common source" before being deposited into the ocean, the Seabin is far from the solution for ocean pollution. Compare to the enormous size of the ocean, the Seabin overall range is very small to begin with when in ideal weather conditions. Good weather conditions cannot be predicted accurately and in bad weather conditions, it can greatly affect Seabin overall performance. Additionally, the article "Plastic pollution solutions: emerging technologies to prevent and collect marine plastic pollution"(2020), states that while the Seabin is laudable, "their current capacity and widespread implementation is limited in comparison to their potential and the cast extent of the plastic pollution problem".

Another issue with this project is how the device operates. Jateff mentioned in the article that the Seabin "works like a pool skimmer" which pulls debris in the catch-bag, is located under the surface of the water. Therefore, debris that sinks down under the surface has little to no chance of getting sucked in by the Seabin. With this flaw in the device, it does not provide a countermeasure to ocean pollution. In addition, Olivia mentioned that the majority of devices capture floating microplastics while a significant amount of microplastic exists within the "deep sea column".

Another major issue in Seabin is the significant cost. With the Seabin perpetually operating, replacing the catch-bag, and maintaining the device has to be done frequently to ensure the maximum efficiency of the device. Based on the report by United Nations Environmental Programme (2020), a Seabin cost USD 4000 in the United States and the operation and maintenance of the Seabin are USD 1200 per year which one catch-bag is used per day. The report by United Nations Environmental Programme also states that "A successful strategic solution will eventually combine methods and tolls that are logistically and financially feasible in a given location." With the Seabin project is still in progress, it will eventually become affordable for countries to use it to clean the ocean.

In conclusion, although the device has certain drawbacks, I feel that the Seabin will be a part of the solution to ocean pollution, with the continual improvement of the device in the years to come. With the continual improvement of the project, the Seabin might take minor steps to counter ocean pollution in the years to come.

References

Jateff, E. (2018). Introducing the Seabin Project. Retrieved from: Introducing the Seabin project - Australian National Maritime Museum.

Helinski,O.,Poor, C., Wolfand, J.(2021). Ridding our rivers of plastic: A framework for plastic pollution capture device selection. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X21001296

Gunter, J., Short, C., Stearman, J., & Guler, E. Pollution in our Oceans-The Seabin. Retrieved from: http://blogs.longwood.edu/shortctechnicalwritingportfolio/files/2017/05//WhitePaper.pdf

United Nations Environmental Programme. (2020, December). Catalogue of technologies to address the risks of contamination of Water Bodies with Plastics and Microplastics. 20-02368 Catalogue of Technologies WV.pdf (cgiar.org)