This Floating Island is Cleaning Up the Gowanus Canal Naturally

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.

Gowanus Canal
Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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