The plastic pollution crisis has spiraled out of control, inflicting severe damage on our oceans and the countless marine species that call them home. Plastic production has exploded since the 1950s, with over 7,800 million metric tons of plastic resins and fibers manufactured worldwide. This meteoric rise led to an astonishing point where the annual plastic production matched the total weight of the global human population by 2015. Experts warn that if current trends persist, there could be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans by the year 2050, with estimates suggesting up to 10% of all plastic waste eventually makes its way into marine environments.

The consequences of this deluge of plastic pollution are catastrophic. Plastics degrade habitats, entangle marine life, and enable the transit of invasive species across ecosystems. When consumed by ocean creatures, plastics inflict physical damage by obstructing digestive tracts and inducing false feelings of fullness. The chemical additives and pollutants in plastics also introduce toxins that bioaccumulate through the food chain. A shocking 690 different species have suffered harmful impacts from marine plastic debris.

Despite policies like bans, fees, and public awareness campaigns enacted by governments globally, plastic pollution continues its relentless rise. Existing regulatory efforts are inadequate, hampered by disconnected jurisdictions, industrial opposition, and gaps in scientific knowledge about the scope and sources of ocean-bound plastic waste.

This article examines a promising avenue to stem the tide of plastic inundating our waterways - permanent debris booms and pollution booms. These pioneering products physically intercept and capture plastic debris in rivers, streams and other inland waterways before being transported into the oceans. With an estimated 80% of ocean plastic originating from land-based sources, these booms could be pivotal weapons to win the war on plastic pollution in marine environments.

The Pervasive Plastic Pollution Crisis in Oceans

The proliferation of plastic has reached catastrophic levels, inflicting severe harm on marine ecosystems worldwide. Plastic production has grown exponentially since the mid-20th century, driven by its versatility and low cost. The staggering scale is almost unfathomable - by 2015, humanity's annual plastic output matched the global population's combined weight.

This deluge of plastic waste has inundated the oceans, transforming once-pristine waters into swirling soups of plastic debris. Estimates indicate a harrowing 150 million metric tons of plastic contaminating marine environments as of 2016. Projections paint an even bleaker picture - if current trends persist, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.

The environmental toll is both visceral and far-reaching. Plastics demolish fragile marine habitats, ensnare and choke countless wildlife species, and facilitate the spread of invasive organisms across ecosystems. When consumed by marine life, plastic leads to intestinal blockages, malnutrition, and potential toxicity from the harmful chemicals they introduce into the food chain.

Plastic is a virtually indestructible pollutant, so the crisis spans generations and borders. Overcoming this scourge requires coordinated global efforts to stem the tide of plastic inundating the oceans before more irreparable damage is inflicted on marine environments.

Pathways of Plastic Pollution into Waterways 

Plastic waste finds countless insidious routes into rivers, streams, and oceans. While some paths are obvious, others are less apparent but no less problematic. The main pathways of plastic pollution into waterways include: 

1- Littering and Improper Waste Management:

• Litter from public spaces, tourist areas, and illegal dumping
• Open or uncontrolled landfills near waterways
• Plastic waste dispersed by wind or precipitation into waterways

2- Wastewater Systems:

• Discharge from residential sources containing micro plastics (e.g. fibers from laundry)
• Effluent from industrial facilities processing or manufacturing plastics
• Storm water runoff carrying plastic waste from urban areas

3- Shipping and Maritime Industries:

• Accidental loss of plastic cargo from shipping containers
• Intentional dumping of plastic waste from vessels at sea
• Loss of plastic fishing gear, buoys, ropes and nets into the ocean

4- Natural Disaster Events:

• Plastic debris washed into waterways during floods, tsunamis, hurricanes
• Catastrophic events sweeping up plastic waste into rivers and seas

5- Other Pathways:

• Plastic nurdles (pre-production plastic pellets) spilled during transportation
• Balloons, Styrofoam, and other lightweight plastics blown into waterways
• Plastic fragments from construction/demolition activities near coasts

Once in aquatic environments, plastic pollution becomes extremely difficult to contain and remove. Buoyant plastics are transported by ocean currents, dispersing everywhere. Micro plastics become bioavailable, accumulating in marine organisms and biomagnifying the food chain.

Larger plastic debris causes visible blight, congregating in gyres and entangling or being consumed by larger ocean animals like whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Plastic pollution follows an insidious trail, lending urgency to preventative measures that cut off pathways into waterways at their sources.

ADOR Solution to Stop Spreading Plastics in Waterways

ADOR offers a solution to stop the spread of plastics in waterways using Permanent Pollution Booms (PPB) and Permanent Debris Booms (PDB). These booms are designed to control the flow of debris and pollution in inland waterways, reservoirs, marinas, private water bodies, and nature reserves, effectively preventing plastics and other pollutants from spreading further.

ADOR's solution involves strategically installing these permanent booms across waterways to intercept and contain plastic pollution. The unique flush-faced design of these booms allows for efficient debris collection and self-clearing capabilities when installed at an appropriate angle to the current flow. The booms deflect debris from critical infrastructure like sluices or intakes, preventing blockages and safeguarding these vital systems.

By implementing these permanent booms, ADOR provides a robust and long-lasting solution to combat plastic pollution in waterways. The booms' durable construction ensures longevity, with some installations still functioning effectively after over 20 years of service.

Permanent Pollution Booms (PPB)

The Permanent Pollution Booms (PPB) are explicitly designed to control the flow of pollution in waterways. These booms feature the following key characteristics:

1. Primary Material: Rotationally moulded UV-stabilized polyethylene for long-lasting durability and resistance to sunlight degradation.
2. Floatation: Marine-grade closed-cell solid polyurethane (PU) foam provides buoyancy and stability.
3. Wall Thickness: A sturdy 6mm wall thickness ensures structural integrity.
4. Boom Curtain: A black polyester and rubber laminate curtain effectively contains pollutants and debris.
5. Float Colors: Available in black or yellow for visibility and safety.
6. Models: Two models are available - PPB400 (450mm float size, 400mm curtain height) and PPB600 (700mm float size, 600mm curtain height).
7. Customization: Stronger curtains (up to 55T break load) can be provided for areas with high debris or strong currents. Shear bolt protection and multiple end and mid-point connections are also offered.

Permanent Debris Booms (PDB)

The Permanent Debris Booms (PDB) are designed to control the flow of solid debris, including plastics, in waterways. These booms share similar specifications with the PPB but are tailored for debris interception:

1. Primary Material: Rotationally moulded UV-stabilized polyethylene for long-lasting durability and resistance to sunlight degradation.
2. Floatation: Marine-grade closed-cell solid polyurethane (PU) foam provides buoyancy and stability.
3. Wall Thickness: A sturdy 6mm wall thickness ensures structural integrity.
4. Boom Curtain: A black polyester and rubber laminate curtain contains solid debris.
5. Float Colors: Available in black or yellow for visibility and safety.
6. Models: Two models are available - PDB400 (450mm float size, 400mm curtain height) and PDB600 (700mm float size, 600mm curtain height).
7. Customization: Stronger curtains (up to 55T break load) can be provided for areas with high debris or strong currents. Shear bolt protection and multiple end and mid-point connections are also offered.

Both the Permanent Pollution Booms (PPB) and Permanent Debris Booms (PDB) offer unique benefits, including a flush-faced design that prevents debris from getting hung up, self-clearing capabilities when installed correctly, and maximum protection for the buoyancy floats from potential damage. Additionally, ADOR provides optional extras like signage, lighting, and wire fencing (for the PDB600 floats) to enhance visibility and safety.

With their durable construction and customizable options, these booms offer a reliable and effective solution for preventing the spread of plastics and other pollutants in waterways, making them an ideal choice for various applications, including inland waterways, reservoirs, marinas, private water bodies, and nature reserves.

Success Story and Case Study that Help to Stop the Spread of Plastics in Waterways 

Case Study: Longest River Barrier in Europe on the Scheldt River

In a pioneering project, Ecocoast collaborated with the Belgian marine contractor DEME to engineer and install the most extended river barrier in Europe on the Scheldt River. This innovative solution successfully intercepted and collected significant amounts of plastic waste and debris, preventing further spreading into larger water bodies.

The Challenge:

• The Scheldt River faces severe plastic pollution, with an alarming 218 kg of waste entering its waters daily.
• The location near the Temse Bridge posed unique challenges - tidal effects up to 6 meters, alternating currents up to 2 m/s, and heavy shipping traffic.
• An effective barrier system was needed to capture debris while withstanding these extreme conditions.

The Solution:

Ecocoast's floating debris boom technology expertise was tapped to create an innovative trapping system. Key elements included:

A giant funnel-shaped barrier made from Bolina's durable floating debris booms spanning 103m on the northern side and 175m on the southern side.

The booms' unique flush-faced design allowed efficient debris collection and self-clearing capabilities.

Special D-500 pile drivers enabled the booms to rise and fall with the 6m tidal fluctuations.

A roller system connected the booms to the plastic collector, allowing free movement during waves/tides without losing captured debris.

The Results:

The Ecocoast boom system proved to be a remarkable success:

• Operating 24/7, it captured and collected all drifting debris inside the boom barrier.
• Around 7 tones of pollutants and plastic waste were removed from the river monthly.
• Collected debris was transferred to CO2-neutral vessels using VR technology and disposed of properly.
• This project set a new benchmark as Europe's most extended river barrier system.

By strategically deploying its robust and innovative boom technology, Bolina enabled an effective solution to mitigate plastic pollution in the Scheldt River. This case study showcases how such barrier systems can play a pivotal role in preventing the uncontrolled spread of plastic waste into precious waterways across Europe and beyond.

Conclusion

The proliferation of plastic pollution in our waterways and oceans has reached catastrophic levels, with dire consequences for marine ecosystems worldwide. As highlighted in the article, plastic production has skyrocketed since the mid-20th century, now matching the total weight of the global human population. This deluge of plastic waste has inundated the oceans, transforming once-pristine waters into swirling soups of debris that demolish habitats, entangle wildlife, and introduce toxic chemicals into the food chain.

Existing regulatory efforts to address this crisis, such as bans, fees, and awareness campaigns, have proven insufficient in stemming the relentless rise of plastic pollution. The article examines a more promising avenue - permanent debris and pollution booms that physically intercept and capture plastic waste in rivers, streams, and other inland waterways before it reaches the oceans.

The detailed case study of the record-breaking Scheldt River barrier in Europe displays the effectiveness of this innovative solution. By strategically deploying Ecocoast's durable, flush-faced booms, this system was able to capture and remove tons of plastic and other pollutants monthly, preventing their further spread.

As the world grapples with the plastic pollution emergency, widespread adoption of permanent debris and pollution boom technology could be a pivotal weapon in the war to protect our precious aquatic environments. This robust, long-lasting solution represents a critical tool in the arsenal to curb the tsunami of plastic waste inundating our waterways and oceans.