-
sewage (water waste);
-
organic trash;
-
inorganic trash.
SEWAGE
Solar
Aquatic System (SAS):
How
it works:
SAS is based on circulation of waste water through a system of clear tanks located in a greenhouse. Each tank contains specific aquatic ecosystem. Sunlight, oxygen, algae, bacteria snails and fish are used to purify the water. Mixing and aeration prevents the content of the tanks from settling.
Features:
SAS is a natural, non-mechanical way of water
treatment. The system is complex, dynamic, self-organizing and
adjusting. It can resist the change of effluent quality more efficient
than any mechanical system.
Sewage in SAS is treated not as waste but as food for
microorganisms and plants. It assures the recovery of nutrients.
Efficiency:
SAS can serve population from 100 to 20,000 citizens
The time of water treatment is from 2 to five days
Water from SAS can be used as groundwater recharge,
flushing toilets, irrigation.
Other
advantages:
No invasive species are introduced to the Galapagos
ecosystem-all species are isolated in a greenhouse
No pollution created
New work places created
Educational attraction
Location:
One SAS station should be located on each island. Because of its features SAS does not have of be located away form villages.
To convince
population of Galapagos to support the project, local community should
be
employed to the SAS construction and maintenance.
Sources:
http://www.newcity.ca/Pages/solar_aquatics.html
http://www.ecological-engineering.com/solaraquatics.html
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/programs/3354e29.pdf
ORGANIC TRASH
Biomass:
How it works:
The organic
trash is collected, transported to the biomass disposal station. The
waste is
exposed to bacteria, which feed on dead plants and animals. Methane is
a product
in this reaction. This natural gas can be then used as an efficient
energy
source. Methane can be used in further processes of electricity
production or in
its pure form to produce heat. The best solution for Galapagos will be
an
underground biomass treatment station. In this case all the process of
decomposition of organic matter takes place underground. The greatest
advantage
of this solution is lack of unpleasant smell.
Features:
Biomass does
not add to greenhouse effect. It absorbs existing CO2 and
emits it
during combustion. Hence only cycling of CO2 in the
atmosphere occurs.
Biomass
guarantees independence form foreign oil and cola sources
No pollution,
high air standards
Biomass is a
great solution of disposing and transforming organic waste that
otherwise would
create environmental risk.
Efficiency:
The organic trash is the main trash produced on Galapagos Islands (charts). According to the predictions, biomass will be an efficient energy source, which could satisfy about 50% of energy demand on Galapagos.
Other
advantages:
New work places
Environmental friendly
Location:
The biomass disposal station should be placed on Santa
Cruz. This would be the most efficient location as far as the tonnage
of trash produced on each island is concerned. All organic trash from
other islands should be transported to this disposal station.
Sources:
http://www.energy.state.or.us/biomass/BiomassHome.htm
http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/biomass_energy.html
INORGANIC
TRASH
Export
to mainland:
How
it works:
Inorganic trash will be collected every week from peoples houses and transported to a ship with which all the litter will be transported to the mainland to be recycled or placed in a junk yard.
Features:
This is extremely friendly for the environment of
Galapagos as it simply removes all the trash from there so that it
doesnt disturb the ecosystem.
Sources:
http://galapagos.solarquest.com/documents/SandiaGalapagosReport200307.pdf