A fleet of aquatic phytoremediation interactive mobile pods has just been launched onto the East river. Each pod was built of a remote-controlled speed boat, wooden rods, empty plastic bottles, a fishing net, hydroponic plants and some duct tape (ok, a glue gun was somewhat involved as well).
This is all done with the amazing help of the Awesome Foundation in Boston.

The pods are intended to provide an example for a DIY water remediation device that can be easily assembled and released into the polluted waters that surround us. They employ Phytoremediation – a process that uses plants to clean up pollution in land and water. Plant roots absorb toxins and pollutants and metabolize them into nutrients.
The pods are an informative tool rather than a working ecosystem, suggesting a greater flexibility in the way that we think of environmental intervention and advocacy.

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The pod prototype was recently taken to the Brooklyn Bridge Park for a first test-launch. The sun was shining, innocent bystanders seemed intrigued, and the pod finally met the water. And so did we.
The water was a bit wavy, and the rocks posed some challenges for our little boat.
Back to the drawing board…
Wish us luck with the next (and public) launch, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, December 6th (pending Parks Department approval).
Save the date and cross your fingers for a sunny Sunday!

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