Culturally Remediative sculpture:

 

Through the River Liver we have programmed many community events, from clean-ups to picnics to walks, which get people “down by the river.”

 

Ecologically Remediative sculpture:

We are currently working on a series of River Livers that can contribute to restoring impaired bodies of water by acting as natural water treatment systems. These wetlands are modeled on some of natures most productive environments and have been designed through a collaboration with experts in the fields of environmental engineering, habitat restoration and landscape design.

By choosing riparian wetland plants and other pollution-combating mediums, the sculpture can actively filter pollutants and transform excess nutrients that flow past it. The River Liver project investigates the potential of micro-remediation and other organic mediums as active filters that remove excess nutrients and bind pollutants. The layering of inert meshes, woven blankets and compost build up microbial filters that remove bacteria. Native plantings can provide habitats for wildlife, however certain artificial wetland projects have attracted so many birds that the vegetation has been severely impacted.

 

Each project is very specific to the site, body of water and flow. We stress the importance and value in working with experts to construct and implement new habitats into the environment. Wetlands, though highly beneficial, are not always appropriate for all bodies of water.

 

Floating Treatment Wetland potential benefits

Provide a forum for public engagement

Provide habitat

Interpretive opportunities

Biofiltration

Remove excess nutrients

Sequester carbon

Increase dissolved oxygen

Can bind some heavy metals

Help buffer pH

 

River Liver Typology

Sculptural

Free floating in water

Connected to shore

Short-lived restoration

Habitat for people

 

Functional

Free floating in water

Connected to shore

Diverting water to wetland

Short-lived restoration

Long-term restoration

Habitat for people

Habitat for wildlife

Trash collector

 

Materials and Methods

Things that float...

Barge

Dock

Baffle

Boat

Canoe

Pontoon

Water Bottles

Polyethylene Foam

Things that clean...

Vegetation

(Plant roots enhance filtering and uptake of suspended sediments. Biofilm on root hairs provide additional surface area for microbial water cleansing.)

Aerators

Growing Matrix

(Compost, coconut coir, erosion-control netting)

 

Anchor

Seaflex mooring

Helix Anchor

 

Sources:

 

Mycoremediation

Paul Stamets

http://www.fungi.com/

 

Phytoremediation actually has several branches. (All are summarized on pages vii and viii of the EPA's 1999 Phytoremediation Resource Guide - PDF format.)

 

Compost

http://www.composterconnection.com/site/remediation.html

 

Living Machines

http://www.livingmachines.com

 

John Todd Ecological Design

http://toddecological.com