Design Summary & Analysis Draft #1

In the article "Introducing the Seabin Project" (2018), Jateff highlights the benefits of Seabin as a front-line approach to countering plastic pollution by capturing surface debris near land before it escapes into the ocean. The author mentions that many sea-creatures are harmed due to the eight million tons of pollutant, mostly plastic, added to the ocean yearly. The author explains that the shore-powered Seabin uses a motor to create a whirlpool, filtering the debris from water into a catch-bag and ejecting clean water back out. The Seabin is also equipped with oil absorbent pads that clean surface water of oil containments. However, the author mentions that the Seabin needs to be placed strategically for maximised collection due to being unable to capture debris from a distance. The author claims that the Seabin is still developing a "zero-carbon power option" using solar panels and a "recycled material catch-bag." 

While the author describes Seabin as one of the solutions to plastic pollution, the two limitations, the size of the catch-bag and the water pump’s weak flow rate rendered it ineffective in controlling the plastic flow to the ocean.

One of the limitations that rendered Seabin ineffective was because the Seabin’s catch-bag could not collect plastics larger than a 20-litre jerry can. This is a major flaw as large plastic such as styrofoam boxes and the buoy is commonly used for maritime purposes and therefore is a direct potential source of plastic pollution to the ocean. When these large plastics are left uncollected, it would break down into smaller pieces of plastics and eventually be reduced to microplastics particles that would escape into the ocean harming the marine-creatures.

Another limitation of the Seabin is the water pump's weak flow rate. The water pump displaces the water inside the Seabin, creating a suction at the edge that pulls garbage inside it. However, due to the water pump's weak flow rate, it could not create a stronger suction to attract garbage from a distance and instead relies on the water current and the wind to push the debris. But, if there isn't a calm wind and water current, it would affect Seabin's performance. Additionally, large plastics that are up against the Seabin could potentially be swept away due to the weak suction.

In conclusion, plastic, regardless of its size, should not be taken lightly. If plastic were to escape into the open sea and be reduced to microplastics, it would be detrimental to the marine ecosystem. Therefore, maximising the collection of both large plastics as well as microplastic by improving the water pump and the catch-bag is essential to curb the plastic flow to the ocean.

Reference list:

Jateff, E. (2018). Introducing the Seabin Project. Retrieved from www.sea.museum/2018/06/08/introducing-the-seabin-project

References: (need to make in-text citation and proper reference)

https://phys.org/news/2019-12-big-problem-ocean-polystyrene-pollution.html#:~:text=Laboratory%20research%20suggests%20that%20foamed,such%20as%20fish%20or%20squid. 

https://plasticactioncentre.ca/directory/how-plastics-breakdown-into-microplastics/#:~:text=Plastic%20waste%20in%20water%20systems,eventually%20reduced%20to%20microplastic%20particles.

http://www.ideassonline.org/public/pdf/SeabinProject-ENG.pdf 

https://hydroheart.org/2019/01/19/seabin-project/