Ships at anchor can generate electricity. Now, a London-based designer wants to equip narrowboats with a special bumper to help clean up British canal waters.
The plastic bumper, which hangs from outside the boat, has holes in its lower half, and is filled with coconut fibres and microbes. As the canal water flows into these openings any oil it contains is absorbed by the fibres.
The microbes then break it down into water and carbon dioxide. The bumpers not only prevent damage sustained during collisions but also the use of harmful chemicals to deal with potential oil spills.
Hair waste could be an alternative to coconut fibres. Perhaps one day oil slicks on oceans will be treated with magnetic sponges.Â
