Proof-of-concept study demonstrates off-grid maritime crop growth using a solar agro-desalination dome, highlighting a viable pathway for ocean-based freshwater and food production.
Today, agricultural irrigation consumes the largest amount of freshwater globally, while humans are threatened by water scarcity. To eliminate the trade-off between hunger and thirst, here, we show off-grid maritime agriculture based on a floating solar-driven agro-desalination wooden dome. In this dome, part of the visible light is transmitted for photosynthesis, and the remaining solar energy drives solar desalination, providing enough water (>4 mm day –1 ) for irrigation. Based on this water-food synergy, the stages of germination and growth are demonstrated. This technology can, to a large extent, support food security and sustainable agriculture and, in principle, be used to create self-circulation systems at sea to help humans survive weather extremes such as floods and droughts.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Bian et al. (2023) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: