Floating Debris

Floating Debris, Trash, and Sargassum

Floating DebrisFloating debris includes any waste or plant life along the water's surface that interferes with the ecosystem, recreational use, or navigability of the area. It can be either natural or manmade debris such as: floating trash, plastics, invasive aquatic plants (sargassum, algae, etc.), sticks, logs, and any other marine litter.

Floating debris affects water quality, wildlife that lives in and around the water body, and can also hinder navigable waterways. Some cities experience polluted canals that lead to the municipal water supply. Preventing and controlling the spread of floating debris helps keep communities safe by restricting pollution in the water and encouraging local flora and fauna to thrive.

One Clarion provides several marine debris solutions, such as containment boom and permanent boom, but before containing the debris, it's important to understand how it got there.

Contact us and we can help you find the right product for your floating debris situation.


Nonpoint and Point Source Pollution

Marien Litter BoomFloating trash and debris can enter waters from either nonpoint or point sources. Point source pollution is generated from one identifiable source of discharge. Nonpoint source pollution is from multiple sources over a wider area; the source is harder to pinpoint. Point source pollution is more easily monitored and fixed than nonpoint source pollution.

Point source pollution comes from a single industrial location such as a factory, power plant, construction project, or landfill, where the origin of any floating debris is easily identifiable. As such, it can be more easily collected and disposed of before causing problems with a city's water supply. Most counties and other municipalities have regulations and fines in place to ensure that local businesses comply and monitor or clean up any floating debris from their facilities.

Seabin floating trash collector Nonpoint source pollution comes from a wide range of sources that are not simply located. For instance, during and after a storm, the stormwater runoff can sweep trash and plastics into the storm drains which lead to water bodies. Left unmaintained, the water bodies can become increasingly polluted after each new rain event. One way to minimize the pollutants entering the drains is to guard the drains with Storm Drain Filters. The filters are installed above, below, or inside the storm drains, blocking the debris, and allowing the stormwater to pass through. Other methods of collecting plastics and debris from storm drains include floating trash collectors like the Seabin. Used in calm water marinas and harbors, these trash skimmer collect microplastics and trash before it enters the open ocean. Having a Seabin maintenance plan will ensure that it efficiently collects trash and debris. Any additional pollutants, from other unidentifiable sources can be contained using temporary or permanent methods.

Temporary Floating Debris Control

Coir blankets and mats When a short term solution for floating debris control is needed, the standard Containment Boom can help. It provides temporary control for applications such as small construction projects, seasonal floating plants, and clean up after natural disasters (flooding, severe storms, or wildfire). Once deployed, boom prevents floating debris from entering the designated area or keeps it trapped in a specific space for collection. Most containment boom is easily installed by a small number of workers, offering efficiency and cost savings to cities and counties.

Containment boom comes in a variety of models to fit most water properties. Calm water boom is useful for aquatic plant control around residential lakes and smaller municipal marinas, while moving water containment boom works well in the active water around rivers and streams near city water treatment plants and harbors. Offshore boom is designed for floating debris and aquatic plant control in ocean and coastline conditions with stronger tides and frequent waves.

Permanent Marine Debris Solutions

Some forms of marine debris require a longer term solution. In many coastal cities, sargassum and other aquatic plants periodically invade harbors and public beaches. By installing a permanent floating barrier, plants and other debris can be deflected away from the shoreline. The barriers and Marine Accessories for anchoring are installed based on the direction of the natural currents of the area.


Permanent Debris Boom One Clarion's Permanent Boom is designed to withstand situations that require the boom to stay in the water longer term. Components feature more robust materials and high impact hardware. Extra strength floats add higher buoyancy, and marine growth inhibitors prevent algae from coating the belts. Permanent boom lasts up to six times longer than standard containment boom, making it a long term, cost effective solution for municipalities.

Contact Us if you have any questions about floating debris control and containment boom.


Floating debris isn't the only application our products satisfy. See our One Clarion products applications overview page for more information.