​

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THIS FLOATING GARDEN?


Marina Düsseldorf has over 40 years of experience in building floating facilities made of concrete and recycled plastics. Environmental protection on the water is more than vital for us as a maritime leisure facility. With the negative scenarios of climate change in recent years, new problems are emerging for the water ecosystem:


• Extreme ambient temperatures of 40 degrees and more increase water evaporation.
• River levels are falling due to extreme heat and low rainfall. (2018/2022 level only 1m in Düsseldorf)
• With the water levels low, the sun's rays can penetrate deeper into the water and warm it up more quickly.
• Toxic blue-green algae form the first streaks that later grow into large algae carpets.
• The oxygen content of the water drops, the fish suffocate, and the ecosystem collapses.
• The media harbor is a breeding ground for fish, which retreat under jetties and ships to find shade.
• Blue-green algae carpets in the harbor are not only an aesthetic problem, but can also cause the entire ecosystem to collapse, even leading to fish deaths. Many species are already endangered.
​

The construction and function of the floating, mobile garden
 
Function 1- Fight blue-green algae. The mobile raft can be used in the media harbor or at other locations to combat blue-green algae in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. To do this, the raft travels to the affected areas and is anchored there. We operate 2 compressors, each with 6 flexible air vents, using solar and wind energy. Up to 400 square meters of contaminated water can be aerated in this way. The outflowing oxygen displaces the algae and prevents them from forming surface films due to moving water. Fish are on the verge of suffocation due to blue-green algae and overturned water (> 24 degrees Celsius). The oxygen therefore helps them immediately. The wind turbine and solar energy also charge the batteries of the electric outboard motors.

Function 2: Installation of autonomous plant islands. The raft has a small electric loading crane on the bow side. We can use this to launch and install plant islands and solar plant islands. Using a magnet, we can also use the crane for underwater cleanups, because the media harbor is also contaminated with electric scooters, bicycles and other garbage.

























Function 3: Self-sufficient and climate-friendly cultivation of fruit and vegetables. The main causes of algae blooms include high levels of fertilizer and manure from agriculture. According to our research, the concentration of pollutants in the Rhine is so high that we cannot grow crops on the water, let alone irrigate them with Rhine water.

Through the hydroponic garden we want to provide proof and a positive example that we:

• Be able to produce salads and fruit completely without drinking water
• That vegetable cultivation can also be done in an absolutely sustainable manner
• no pesticides, insecticides, synthetic fertilizers (phosphate and nitrate)
• Without chemicals to preserve the fruit
• Without genetic manipulation
• Without external, virtual water cycles
• no leaching of the soil
• Without cold chains and truck transport and additional CO2
• no catastrophic working conditions abroad
​
Environmental standards

 

• Construction SIMONA - HDPE recycled plastic (ECOPLASTIQ)
   

• Other circular building materials are 100% recyclable according to Cradle to Cradle criteria.
   

• No introduction of pollutants, such as harmful underwater antifouling paints etc. into the water.
   

• Minimal underwater noise emissions for fish, thanks to predominantly lying function

​

Furnishing
 

• Length 10 meters, width 4 meters

• solar panels

• 2 electric motors for mobile use

• With 2 x 4 meter telescopic anchor

• Accessible for 10 people

• Small material container with Savonius wind turbine

• Small electric on-board crane

• Compressor ventilation system

• Hydroponic garden

 
The first prototype of the OFF GRID garden will be on display in Düsseldorf's Media Harbor in mid-2024.


​