Local design firm Balmori has an interesting new project called Growonus in which they are attempting to help clean up the Gowanus Canal by using a specially designed floating island designed to clean through "phytoremediation, desalination and rainwater collection to irrigate productive floating gardens."
The island is composed of a solar still that distills the canal's brackish water and collects it unsalted in a reservoir underneath. Solar-powered plants offer phytoremediation properties—that is, a way to use living green things to remove or contain contaminants. The plants used include goldenrod, black-eyed Susan, black rush, and bulrush.
Check out the project page to learn more about the Growonus project.
via Fast Company
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