Written by Samiksha Emmaneni
Edited by Emil Koch & Basim Munir
Picture yourself on a sandy beach, listening to the waves crashing against the shoreline. You open your eyes, gazing at the vast expanse of blue water glimmering before you. Have you ever stopped to think about how the ocean has managed to retain its beauty and health, in spite of our world’s accustomed polluting activities?
For context, within the past years, industries have accumulated substantial amounts of CO2 emissions stemming from fossil fuel use. As a result, directly causing ocean acidification and increased surface temperatures. This is due to the massive concentrations of CO2 trapping heat in the atmosphere and being absorbed by the oceans. However, on a local scale, pesticide runoff and plastic waste are detrimental agents that heavily impact our seas. This is where Blue Technology comes in, addressing the global need for ocean sustainability, and it does so in a few key ways:
1. Renewable Energy: With increased pollutants arising from fossil fuel use, Blue Technology has fabricated a solution, developing renewable energy sources from the ocean by making use of tidal, wave, and offshore wind energy. By harnessing the power of these natural resources, clean and sustainable electricity is being generated in the process. Applications of this would include:
The MeyGen tidal energy project in Scotland, that uses underwater turbines to harness the power of tidal currents. Consequently, generating incredible electrical energy to power up to 175,000 homes!
The Hywind Scotland offshore wind farm which uses floating turbines to generate electricity from wind energy in deep waters, where regular wind turbines wouldn’t be able to. Hence, generating sufficient electricity to light up to 20,000 homes.
2. Sustainable Aquaculture: Mass consumerism of seafood has caused more industries to take action to meet growing demands. Blue technology offers a more feasible solution through two main ways:
Closed-loop systems: Closed-loop systems are utilized to reduce wastewater pollution through a process that continuously recycles and reuses water, rather than discharging it after each use to get rid of waste and excess nutrients.
Genetically improved fish: Blue Technology is revolutionizing the way we grow fish, improving their disease resistance and growth rate. By optimizing feeding and limiting resource consumption, this innovative approach is helping to foster sustainable aquaculture practices that benefit both farmers and the environment.
3. Marine Biotechnology: To reduce the environmental impact of industries, Blue Technology is being used to develop new products and materials from marine organisms to offer alternatives to conventionally used practices. Specific examples would include:
Using marine algae to produce biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Incorporating marine enzymes into paper production and wastewater treatment.
4. Marine Robotics: Underwater autonomous and remote operated vehicles are being developed through Blue Technology for ocean expansion and research. These robots are able to collect valuable information on oceans pertaining to their conditions, ecosystems, and marine life. Looking at them more specifically:
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are able to map the seafloor and collect water samples, typically used for scientific research, studying, and monitoring.
Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are used for more complex tasks that require underwater repairs or recovery operations. They’re common in oil and gas industries to maintain oil rigs and pipelines.
Blue Technology has ultimately revolutionized ocean sustainability by practicing ocean conservation, utilization, and sustainable aquaculture practices. Without Blue Technology the detrimental consequences of human practices would only escalate leading to issues of greater overfishing and climate change. The ocean supports our planet's life, and it is only justifiable that we give it the same value back. According to Ocean Energy Europe, the ocean is the world’s largest untapped source of renewable energy. While Blue Technology may not yet be at its full potential, with greater advocacy and support, it might just.
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References:
“Blue Technology.” Seaside, https://www.seasidesustainability.org/blue-technology#:~:text=What%20is%20Blue%20Technology%3F,oceans%20without%20harming%20marine%20ecosystems.
Holzman, David C. “Blue Power: Turning Tides into Electricity.” Environmental Health Perspectives, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2137118/.
Hone, Ben. “What Is Blue Tech? How These New, Innovative Technologies Are Improving Our Oceans.” The Cool Down, 23 Nov. 2022, https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/what-is-blue-tech-oceans-water/.
“Hywind Scotland.” Equinor, https://www.equinor.com/energy/hywind-scotland.
“Meygen Tidal Energy Project - Phase I.” Tethys, https://tethys.pnnl.gov/project-sites/meygen-tidal-energy-project-phase-i.
“What Is 'Blue Tech' and Why Is It Making Waves?” RIFT, https://www.riftresearch.com/about/news/what-is-blue-tech-and-why-is-it-making-waves/.