We are a young company uniting science and industry to benefit waterways. With our oceans comprising over 96% of Earth's water and fresh water comprising 1%, the team is committed to taking advantage of a plentiful resource, salt water, while protecting valuable aquatic ecosystems. We will thereby preserve the fresh water resource and provide economic growth and new sources of raw materials to manufacturing.
Kegotank focuses on the coastal zone where overabundant nutrients flow into waterways. The nutrients cause plant growth—algae-- which eventually die and cause low oxygen levels in waterways. These waterways are then inhospitable to aquatic life.
Kegotank proposes to harvest native strains of macroalgae—or seaweed—turning the biomass into raw material for industry. In this way, the private sector assists waterway restoration while producing a “green” product.
This is a worldwide problem (WRI-World hypoxia - eutrophication map). The number of dead zones is growing.
The cost to the global economy, according to a new study “Valuing the Oceans” is $428 billion per year by 2050. Nutrient issues are second on the list of 6 impacts (including ocean acidification, pollution, overfishing, sea level rise, and warming.).
Kegotank’s proposal is to harvest that plant growth turning it into raw material for industry. Our hope is to engage the private sector in waterway restoration.
1. Kegotank’s goals are simple: to combine an environmental goal with a private sector goal.
2. Create an economically viable way to mitigate nutrient pollution AND create a raw material for industry