Stop at source technology
RIVER DEBRIS CATCHER (RDC) + RAMPED BUBBLE WALL (RBW) Think Ocean Hybrid System
Think Ocean attempt to stop, capture and retrieve up to 92% of the plastic on its way to the ocean, in the longest river in Europe. Novi Sad in Serbia will be the part of the Danube River that will host Think Ocean's test site as part of the European Commission "Horizon Mission".
Restoring the health of world’s waterways and addressing the accumulation of waste in its oceans is a massive challenge that we, Think Ocean, want to tackle from inside out or “from inland to oceans”.
Our Mission
Demo 5 - Novi Sad sampling sites on the Danube and connecting channels
Location: Novi Sad, Serbia | Connected rivers: the Danube
The Danube is a major EU river at 2850 km, running through 4 capital cities and emptying into the Black Sea.
Technologies to be demonstrated: Detection of L and P with drones, removal of L/P/MP with floating systems.
Partners involved: UNSFS (site manager), UoA, EDEN, LEQ, TOC (Think Ocean)
Opportunities for impact: Novi Sad lies on the River Danube, between two protected wetland nature reserves, "Begačka jama” and “Koviljsko-petrovaradinski rit”, which are approximately 15 km upstream and downstream of Novi Sad, respectively. In addition to the Danube, Begačkajama receives water from a drainage canal to the north, which runs close to a small unregulated landfill.
In the area of Novi Sad, wastewater is directly discharged into the Danube, thus expected to show higher amounts of pollution than at the other demo sites. The removal solutions to be demonstrated at this site are in-river, where they can address the river pollution directly and
realise impacts in the absence of WWTPs.
Channels leave and join the Danube at many points along the river, providing areas of low flow and of increased turbulence.
Monitoring and removal activities will be split between the upstream and downstream locations, in order to observe the impact of the city of Novi Sad, which is home to approximately 340,000 people within its wider urban area.
At the same time, the effects of the landfills and other unregulated industrial plants will be investigated.
The samples sites are shown in the figure, where the area depicted is approximately 42 x 16 km.
UNSFS will manage the organisation of the demonstrations, including permitting and sampling. UNSFS has established sampling points along the Danube from currently running monitoring activities performed for regional authorities and will use standardised sampling and monitoring protocols.
The visit began with an introduction to the university's operations and an overview of the department’s activities. A comprehensive laboratory tour followed, showcasing the university's research on microplastics and other environmental pollutants. It was a great opportunity to discuss the university's efforts and technological advancements in mitigating plastic pollution, both independently and in partnership.
Site visits along the Danube River were a crucial part of the trip, with the team exploring four strategic sites to assess the feasibility of deploying Think Ocean technology. Key considerations included variations in river water levels, design adjustments required, navigable and high traffic areas, proximity to water treatment plants and canals, optimal timings for deployment, and locations best suited for outreach.
In order to align with the circular economy, post-collection processing of litter and plastic waste is deemed top priority. The teams explored strategies for effective waste sorting and potential partnerships for waste management, aiming to maximise reuse and recycling of collected materials.
With the future in mind, we outlined the potential for citizen science projects and youth engagement initiatives. These efforts aim to foster community involvement and awareness through technology-driven environmental projects, enhancing the impact of the collaboration with the University of Novi Sad, and partners.
This visit marked a significant step towards a productive partnership with the University of Novi Sad’s Faculty of Sciences. The collaborative efforts are set to advance research and implement practical solutions to tackle plastic pollution in the Danube River. This partnership promises to deliver substantial results in technology deployment, effective waste management, and increased community engagement in environmental science.
