Imagine open stretches of ocean dotted with huge bubble-shaped structures complete with small boat docks, areas for recreation, and portholes that allow for views out into the surrounding water. This isn’t just a concept – it’s something that could soon become reality if the Paris-based Sitbon Architect firm manages to start up new plankton farms designed to help offset ocean dead zones and improve marine ecology for all concerned. Strap on your thinking cap and come along for a look at what the future might hold.
Geoengineering at its Best
Geoengineering is a term many have yet to be introduced to: Basically, it is a method that encompasses the discovery, production, development, and use of subsurface resources. When we think of geoengineering, we often think about the potentially catastrophic – things like fracking and mining. But this area of science also covers contaminant remediation, groundwater isolation, and other techniques used to help prevent contamination and allow natural spaces to recover. The new “Bloom” phytoplankton farm concept is definitely one that would allow geoengineers to do some of their very best work.
How Bloom Works
The Bloom spheres would be semi-submersible, and planners will keep them in place by anchoring them to the ocean floor via a system of interconnected cables. The structures will be built to last, and will serve as permanent outposts for scientists who study climate change and rising sea levels. Besides serving as platforms for scientific research, the Bloom spheres would be used as catalyst structures that allow plankton to grow in order to refurbish dead zones caused by runoff tainted with nitrogen-heavy agricultural chemicals.
Chambers inside the Bloom spheres would contain seawater, which could be oxygenated to induce plankton growth. Once plankton matures, the plan is to release it out into the ocean where it can multiply and regenerate the ecosystem. A portion of the water would be desalinated and purified for use by scientists on board, and some spheres would contain biodiesel meant to provide power for the entire operation.
The proposed design is an intriguing one to say the least, and the potential for remediating damaged ecosystems is appealing – and could be better than alternate approaches to stimulating plankton blooms. At the same time, it’s important to note that Bloom won’t be able to do much good unless pollution is vastly reduced, and unless policies are put into place to stop polluters from going back to their old misguided ways. In addition, Bloom won’t make much of a dent in the problem unless fossil fuel consumption is reduced even more; this being said, even small changes make a difference.
In a balanced ecosystem, tiny phytoplankton such as those that would grow inside the Bloom spheres provide food for sea creatures ranging from the tiniest of shrimp to jellyfish to snails, to whales and manta rays. Reintroducing even a small amount of phytoplankton into the world’s ocean dead zones could coax some animals back to their old habitats and promote a resurgence of marine life that once given the opportunity, could flourish again on its own.