What are the functions and effects of establishing an ecological floating island-Fornitore globale

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What are the functions and effects of establishing an ecological floating island

Eutrophication of water bodies is a global water environment problem, with over 2700 lakes in China covering a total area of 91000 km2. According to survey data and evaluation of eutrophication indicators of lakes both domestically and internationally, among the 37 typical major lakes in China, 55.8% are classified as moderate to moderate eutrophic, 14.7% as eutrophic, and 8.8% as severely eutrophic. Over 90% of water pollution in China is caused by eutrophication due to high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients for plant growth.

Ecological floating island technology is a biological control method that uses floatable materials as substrates or carriers to plant higher aquatic or terrestrial plants into eutrophic water bodies. Through the absorption or adsorption of plant roots, it reduces nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants in the water body, thereby purifying water quality. At the same time, by harvesting plants, it removes eutrophic substances from the water body, improves water quality, and creates a good water environment. The concepts of "ecological floating island", "artificial floating island", "artificial biological floating bed", "biological floating bed", "soilless cultivation of floating bed" that appear in some literature are the same or similar.

After decades of research and development, ecological floating island technology has been greatly improved both domestically and internationally. However, it is still in the experimental and demonstration stage, with some problems and shortcomings.

1. The existing ecological floating island cultivation is not easy to standardize and promote. Different lakes and rivers have varying levels of eutrophication, including water flow, temperature, wind speed, and water body fluctuations. Therefore, corresponding combinations of floating island designs and combinations of floating island plant species are required, making it difficult to establish a unified standard for promotion and application.

2. The existing ecological floating islands are difficult to implement mechanized operations. Ecological floating islands float on the water surface, and daily management is completed on the water surface. Currently, most of their management operations are done manually, which is still acceptable in small-scale experimental demonstrations. If they are promoted on a large scale, they need to be harvested frequently and in a timely manner, and manual operations cannot meet the needs, limiting their development.

3. The current ecological floating island has a long construction period. From the current perspective, most ecological floating islands are produced and planted on-site, with a longer construction period for large-scale production.

4. The existing ecological floating islands are difficult to survive the winter. Most plants on ecological floating islands cannot survive the winter, especially in northern regions where the weather is colder in winter and plants need to be replanted in the following spring.

5. Most of the existing ecological floating islands use large aquatic plants and aquatic vegetables, which are difficult to resist extreme winds, heavy rains, and large waves.

6. At present, the single area of ecological floating islands used domestically and internationally is relatively small, and most of them are used in small areas of rivers and lakes, making it difficult to carry out ecological restoration of larger rivers and lakes. Therefore, there is a need for super large areas of ecological floating islands.