Wind-driven pump can save the Baltic Sea

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The Baltic sea is seriously affected by algal bloomings, deaths of life on the sea floor and depletion of oxygen. Perhaps modern technology can help in restoring it:

Wind-driven pump can save the Baltic Sea

Dead sea floors can be brought back to life by adding oxygen. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are now testing a large wind-powered pump in the fight against algal blooming in the nutrient rich waters of the Baltic Sea.

The idea is to pump oxygen rich surface water down to the dead sea floors of the Baltic Sea, thus bringing them back to life. A pilot study in Byfjorden outside Lysekil has shown that this can reduce phosphorous levels, which reduces the growth of algae.

- Today all the focus is on reducing the supply of fertilizer to the sea to reduce eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. But by helping nature take care of the phosphorus that has been discharged, we can create a turbo effect in the fight against eutrophication, says Professor Anders Stigebrandt from the Department of Geosciences, University of Gothenburg in a statement.

The pump being tested is 15 times larger than the one used in the pilot study. It can pump 30 cubic meters of water per second. Should the testing go according to plan, pumps five times its size are needed to effectively oxygenate the deep water of the Baltic Sea, according to Anders Stigebrandt.

Wind-driven pump can save the Baltic Sea - Göteborg Daily