Lecture Notes: Great Pacific Garbage Patch Cleanup

Overview

• Project Location: Great Pacific Garbage Patch
• System Name: System 3, also known as Josh
  • Structure: 2.2 kilometer floating barrier
  • Purpose: Collecting floating plastics

System Components

• Wings:
  • Description: Two wings, each 4 meters deep
  • Function: Skim the ocean surface for floating plastics
• Retention Zone:
  • Description: Central area where plastics are collected
  • Function: Acts as a large garbage bag

Operation Process

• Towing:
  • Vessels: Two vessels tow the system
  • Speed: 1.5 knots (less than 3 km/h), slower than walking speed
  • Effects: Allows fish to swim in and out of the system
• Hot Spots:
  • Identification: Areas with highest plastic density
  • Prediction: Computational models predict plastic density based on waves and currents

Plastic Collection and Extraction

• Duration: Collection lasts 3-4 days
• Extraction Process:
  • One vessel takes on both wings
  • Other vessel moves to the rear, ties off, and pulls the garbage bag on deck
  • Plastics are dumped on the deck for sorting

Sorting and Recycling

• Process:
  • Plastics are sorted by type
  • Sorted according to different recycling streams
• Continuation:
  • System is put back in the water
  • Continues towing for more plastics

Tools and Technology

• Cameras: Used in the retention zone to monitor activity
• Computational Models: Used to predict plastic density hot spots