A series of physical experiments was conducted at Deltares Atlantic Basin to understand the behavior of a seaweed net cultivation system subjected to waves and currents.
The tests aimed to quantify the hydrodynamic forces exerted by the presence of seaweeds on a net.
Two sets of identical full-scale nets were tested:
1) an empty seaweed net;
2) a net with fully grown seaweed surrogates.
The test program included various wave and current conditions. Load cells were installed to measure the forces on the net, while waves and currents were measured at multiple locations in the proximity of the seaweed net.
The outcomes of this experiment will help to accurately predict the forces experienced by mooring and anchoring systems in seaweed net aquaculture exposed to waves and currents.
While the results of the experiment will be made publicly available as an open dataset that can be used to validate numerical tools utilized for simulating seaweed net systems.
This experimental campaign is a joint cooperation between Deltares and UGent (Maritime Technology Division and Phycology Research Group) under the framework of ULTFARMS.
Researchers involved in this campaign are: Antonios Emmanouil, Danko Boonstra, Arne van der Hout, Ajie Pribadi, Evert Lataire and Jessica Knoop.
Pictures rights: Deltares.
