Environmental treatment distribution system and method

Abstract

An environmental treatment distribution system is provided that includes one or more nutrient containers and one or more bioreactors. The environmental treatment distribution system initiates the distribution of nutrients from the one or more nutrient containers and / or the distribution of organisms from the one or more bioreactors. The environmental treatment distribution system may be used in combination with a marine vessel or aircraft to provide environmental treatment to a body of water.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 301,488, entitled "System to efficiently distribute materials into volumes of water," filed on January 20, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 425,302, entitled "System to efficiently distribute materials into volumes of water," filed on November 14, 2022, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein for all purposes.

[0002] Field of Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to environmental treatment technology. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for dispensing compositions into large bodies of water, such as aquatic and / or marine environments. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] The oceans are vast bodies of water that cover 70 percent of the Earth's surface. A wide variety of marine life, including plants and animals, inhabits the entire ocean. Many parts of the oceans could potentially harbor more or different types of organisms than currently exist. These regions have low concentrations or a complete absence of certain nutrients and / or materials, limiting the amount of organisms, total biomass, and / or biodiversity. Many approaches have been proposed and / or attempted to alleviate these conditions, either temporarily or permanently, but these approaches are either not completely effective or are prohibitively expensive. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004]

[0004] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter. Indeed, the subject matter may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] In certain embodiments, an environmental treatment and dispensing system is provided that includes a plurality of nutrient containers, one or more environmental sensors configured to generate location-related environmental condition data, and a controller operative to receive the environmental condition data and generate instructions for dispensing one or more nutrients of the plurality of nutrient containers at or near the location based on the environmental condition data.

[0006]

[0006] Further, in certain embodiments, an environmental treatment dispensing method is provided that includes the steps of receiving operational data for an aquatic vessel; receiving sensor data indicative of environmental conditions associated with the vessel; initiating the dispensing of nutrients, organisms or both from the vessel based on the sensor data, the operational data or both; initiating the dispensing of nutrients, organisms or both from the vessel based on the sensor data, the operational data or both; and terminating the dispensing of nutrients, organisms or both from the vessel based on the operational sensor data, the operational data or both.

[0007] Additionally, in certain embodiments, an environmental distribution system is provided that includes a bioreactor including an air inlet, an environmental water inlet through which environmental water having a background nutrient source can enter, a white light source including wavelengths in the visible spectrum suitable for aquatic organism growth, for example, or an environmental light source, and an outlet. The environmental distribution system includes one or more environmental sensors configured to generate location-related environmental condition data, and a controller operative to receive the environmental condition data and generate instructions for dispensing the contents of the bioreactor from the outlet based on the environmental condition data.

[0008]

[0008] Various refinements of the features described above may be made in relation to the various aspects of the present disclosure. Additional features may be incorporated into these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009]

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout. [Figure 1]

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an environmental treatment distribution system on board a marine vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2]

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of components of an environmental treatment distribution system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a ballasted bioreactor that can be used with an environmental treatment distribution system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]

[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an environmental treatment distribution system implemented with a ballast bioreactor on a vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]

[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an environmental treatment distribution system implemented with a ballast bioreactor on a ship near shore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0015] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the distribution pattern of material dispensed from an environmental treatment distribution system on board a marine vessel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an environmental treatment dispensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0017] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an environmental treatment dispensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0018] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an environmental treatment dispensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]

[0019] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an environmental treatment dispensing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]

[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an environmental treatment dispensing system for use with an unmanned aerial vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12]

[0021] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the controller and related components of the environmental treatment distribution system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Detailed Description

[0022] Hereinafter, one or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In order to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described herein. It is noted that in the development of any such actual implementation, such as any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals (such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints), which may vary from implementation to implementation. It is further noted that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but are nevertheless a day-to-day undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Furthermore, to the extent that specific terms such as parallel and perpendicular are used in the present invention, it is understood that these terms allow for deviations from strict mathematical definitions, such as deviations related to manufacturing imperfections and related tolerances.

[0011]

[0023] When introducing various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that one or more elements are present. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that elements other than the listed elements may be present. In addition, references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0012]

[0024] Provided herein are environmental treatment distribution techniques that promote intentional changes in the condition of an aquatic environment (e.g., coastal shorelines, nearshore waters, open ocean, deep seas, and / or lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, bays, wetlands, and estuaries) through the controlled distribution of materials such as nutrients and / or beneficial organisms such as phytoplankton or microalgae (such as, but not limited to, diatoms and / or coccolithophorids) to the aquatic environment. Additionally, the nutrient and / or organism distribution techniques and / or fertilization techniques promote increases and / or decreases in the relative and / or absolute populations of various aquatic organisms, achieve desired changes in the relative and / or absolute populations of various aquatic organisms, and / or achieve other desired results. The introduction of these organisms and / or materials and / or media may be intended to induce, in whole or in part, an impact, condition, change, lack of change, or stagnation in the aquatic environment or an environment, ecosystem, place, or system affected by the aquatic environment. The change may be local, regional, or systemic.

[0013]

[0025] In certain embodiments, the disclosed environmental treatment distribution system operates to reduce hypoxia in the water, increase oxygenation in the water, increase export of materials to depth, and improve fishing grounds. In certain embodiments, the disclosed environmental treatment distribution system operates to treat harmful algal blooms, red tides, nutrient runoff, climate change, eutrophication, fishing grounds associated with fisheries and / or environmental changes associated with commercial presence. In certain embodiments, the disclosed environmental treatment distribution system operates to create favorable conditions for biological growth and / or capture of carbon dioxide or other carbon-based materials, elements, and / or molecules with or without the intent of sequestering carbon over a period of time. In certain embodiments, the disclosed environmental treatment distribution system operates to create favorable conditions for algal blooms and / or other aquatic or non-aquatic organisms.

[0014]

[0026] The disclosed environmental distribution system operates to distribute nutrients and / or materials such as plankton and / or other types of organisms. By way of example, the distributed nutrients may include, but are not limited to, silica, iron, cobalt, copper, aluminum, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, calcium, sodium, potassium, and carbon, all in various forms and solutions. In an embodiment, the distributed nutrients include volcanic ash or synthetic volcanic ash (e.g., volcanic ash combined with one or more other nutrients, or volcanic ash alone without other nutrients). In an embodiment, the distributed nutrients and / or materials may include iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica, which may or may not be in elemental form, such as part of a different molecule, a larger molecule, or a more complex molecule.

[0015]

[0027] Nutrients may be selected for their characteristics, including, but not limited to, how they dissolve in different bodies of water and / or water compositions. Nutrients may be selected based on visual characteristics, including but not limited to particle size, particle density, particle sorting, particle morphology, water solubility, and / or particle composition, and / or chemical properties, including but not limited to isotopic characteristics, adhesion and surface energy components. These types of nutrients may be derived from a variety of sources, such as targeted mining activities and / or by-products of necessary industrial products, and are all healthy, affordable, and suitable for introduction into aquatic environments (e.g., coastal shorelines, nearshore waters, open ocean, deep seas, and / or lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, and estuaries).

[0016]

[0028] Distributed materials disclosed herein may include atoms, molecules, media, metals, fibers, compounds, and biological debris, including, but not limited to, biological materials, silica, carbon, carbonates, hydroxides, specific elements (e.g., silicon, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium), specific molecules, specific materials of biological origin, specific organisms, and / or materials with specific chemical or physical properties, including, but not limited to, surface adhesion, density, solubility in water, pH, molar mass, and / or odor. Distributed materials may be end products of reactions, intermediate products of reactions, or by-products of other industrial processes.

[0017]

[0029] The partitioning organisms may include one or more aquatic organisms. In embodiments, the organisms may include one or more plankton species. These plankton may be of different or similar types, including but not limited to phytoplankton, zooplankton, autotrophs, diatoms, coccolithophorids, dinoflagellates, foraminifera, herbivores, autotrophs, and the like. In embodiments, the organisms include microalgae (phytoplankton), such as diatoms and coccolithophorids. These types of plankton and / or mixtures of plankton may be selected based on visual characteristics, or genetic characteristics, or other characteristics, any combination of characteristics, selected by an algorithm, selected randomly, or selected by some other process, or not selected at all. These plankton may be selected by their characteristics in a population of a single species, or by their characteristics when interacting with other organisms and / or the water column.

[0018]

[0030] Partitioning organisms may include planktonic and / or other organisms created by biotechnology, genetic engineering, gene editing, or other techniques that can change, create, limit, and / or increase one or more traits, characteristics, behavior, activity, growth rate, composition, nutrient uptake, nutrient release, and / or interactions with other living or non-living organisms in the water column. Partitioning organisms may include organisms bred for specific characteristics and / or species created and / or modified using processes (e.g., but not limited to, biotechnology, genetic engineering, or gene editing) that can modify their characteristics, genomes, or other factors.

[0019]

[0031] Properties of partitioning organisms may include, but are not limited to, the following: Organism size in relation to rate of increase in biomass amount, biological calcification processes in the ocean by calcifying organisms, competitive advantage within phytoplankton communities, contribution to the large primary productivity of the ocean, light scattering versus absorption rates, defense mechanisms against feeding activity, presence or absence of toxic species, nitrate to ammonium absorption ratios, light requirements, cell density and cell wall structure, cell morphology including but not limited to size, cell size, settling rate of aggregates in relation to the presence of ballast material and / or calcite, bloom formation ability, growth rate of species, efficiency of light conversion to biomass, settling rate including but not limited to the presence of calcite and / or calcium carbonate plates and / or scales and / or silica or opal cell walls, whether settling rate is increased or decreased by remineralization processes, efficiency of nutrient absorption and / or transport, carbon fixation capacity, carbon transport capacity, adaptability to fluctuating carbon dioxide concentrations, ability to compete with other organisms, and / or importance to primary productivity. The distributed organism may be living or non-living, preserved or non-preserved, and / or cryogenically frozen.

[0020]

[0032] The environmental distribution system may be operated to selectively distribute nutrients and organisms separately and / or together (e.g., simultaneously). Depending on the location of the aquatic system and the composition of the water in the aquatic system, a single or a number of specific phytoplankton species or mixtures thereof may be introduced to the aquatic environment (e.g., coastal shorelines, nearshore waters, open ocean, deep seas, and / or lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, and estuaries) by themselves or as part of a mixture with other materials and / or media. The organisms and nutrients may be introduced to the same aquatic environment where their effects are to be induced, or may be introduced to a different aquatic environment.

[0021]

[0033] The environmental treatment distribution system of the present disclosure may be installed on ships dedicated to environmental treatment or on ships with other commercial purposes (e.g., fishing). For example, passenger ships, cruise ships, ferries, commercial ships chartered to move people, cargo, or goods, and / or other ships may similarly perform the environmental treatment disclosed herein. The environmental treatment distribution system of the present disclosure may be used in combination with offshore vessels, aircraft such as airplanes and / or helicopters, airborne and / or spaceborne and / or terrestrial vessels, equipment, containers, trains, ships, drones, quadrotors, helicopters, jets, rockets, balloons, buoys, or other devices capable of distributing materials using the environmental treatment distribution system provided herein.

[0022]

[0034] In one embodiment, a bioreactor for growing and replenishing desired organisms for distribution may be implemented as part of a ballast tank or other container (e.g., a marine storage tank capable of holding marine catches such as shrimp, crabs, or certain marine organisms) in which photosynthetic organisms are grown, including such that the container or tank functions as a photobioreactor or fermentation system. The bioreactor or other components of the environmental treatment distribution system may be implemented in conjunction with existing vessel or ship systems, such as bilge systems or other water or fluid transfer systems. The bioreactor or other components of the environmental treatment distribution system may be towed by another ship or ship. The environmental treatment distribution system may include mixing systems for mixing organisms and nutrients grown on board the vessel before and / or while the organisms and / or nutrients are transported from the vessel or ship. These mixing systems may be configured on board the vessel to quantify, meter, mix, move, aggregate, and / or distribute materials for dispersion into the water. One embodiment promotes mixing of organisms and nutrients not grown on board the ship before and / or while the organisms and / or nutrients are transported from the ship or vessel.

[0023]

[0035] With the foregoing in mind, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an environmental treatment distribution system 50 (also referred to as distribution system 50) implemented in conjunction with a vessel 52. The distribution system 50 may be at least partially installed, coupled, attached, located on or within the vessel, or tethered. In certain embodiments, the distribution system 50 may be located as part of an auxiliary vessel of the main vessel.

[0024]

[0036] The distribution system 50 includes one or more bioreactors 60 that promote the growth of one or more organisms. The one or more bioreactors 60 may include multiple bioreactors 60, with each individual bioreactor 60 supporting and promoting growth conditions for a particular organism type. In one embodiment, the distribution system 50 includes multiple bioreactors 60 that support the same type of organism. In one embodiment, each different bioreactor 60 supports a different type of organism. Additionally, the distribution system 50 includes one or more nutrient containers 62. When multiple nutrient containers 62 are present, each container may support the same or different nutrient types or mixtures relative to the other containers 62. The distribution system 50 has at least one output 70 shaped and sized to transport material from the one or more bioreactors 60 and / or the one or more nutrient containers 62. In some cases, each bioreactor 60 and container 62 is coupled to its own dedicated output 70. Additionally, the one or more bioreactors 60 and / or the one or more nutrient containers 62 may be provided with vents to facilitate air flow. In another example, multiple bioreactors 60 and / or multiple nutrient containers 62 may share one output 70. In one example, each output 70 may include a fluidly connected conduit to at least one of the one or more bioreactors 60 and / or one or more nutrient containers 62. An exit point of at least one output 70 is located on or near the exterior of the vessel 52 such that when the vessel 52 is operating or otherwise submerged, material dispensed and discharged from the output 70 is dispensed over or underwater.

[0025]

[0037] The distribution system 50 also includes at least one environmental water input 72 arranged to transfer water or fluid from the environment (e.g., marine water, sea water, river water) into the distribution system 50. For example, nutrient-rich water transferred from the environment and / or process water (e.g., deionized or filtered water) with added nutrients on-board may be provided to the bioreactor 60 as part of the growth medium and / or to supplement the biological strains. In another embodiment, environmental water is transferred as part of a nutrient mixing process or dilution of the product by the bioreactor, generally as described in detail in FIG. 2. The environmental water may be pre-treated and / or supplemented with nutrients.

[0026]

[0038] The individual bioreactors 60 provided herein may include an air supply, an intake of nutrient-rich water (e.g., ambient water input 72), an outlet (e.g., outlet 70), and a white light source. The housing of the bioreactor is formed of a durable material and may be opaque to light or at least partially translucent or transparent. Additionally, the housing may be a single-layer or multi-layer housing. The light source may be internal or external, depending on the characteristics of the bioreactor. In one embodiment, the bioreactor housing is formed of an at least partially transparent material to allow light from an external light source to penetrate. In an embodiment, the housing may include a reflective material on the inside or outside (at least partially covering the inner or outer walls) to increase light transmission within the bioreactor 60. The reflective material may be applied to the PVC pipe that forms the housing of the bioreactor 60. In one example, the housing may include an exterior shell that includes the light source and the reflective material, and an interior shell is a transparent structure that allows light to penetrate and contains the growing organisms.

[0027]

[0039] The size, shape and fill level of the bioreactor 60 can be adjusted to allow penetration of light from an external or internal light source within the contained water body to promote organism growth. That is, the emitted light may reach or penetrate at least a majority of the contained water body or may have sufficient intensity in the center of the water body to allow healthy organism growth. In one example, the dimensions of the bioreactor may be monitored for proper growth via sensors 82 (e.g., fluorometers (measuring phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, chlorophyll)) placed at desired locations within the bioreactor 60.

[0028]

[0040] The distribution system 50 may include a controller 80 (e.g., an electronic controller) that controls the operation of the components of the distribution system 50. For example, the controller 80 controls the start and stop of distribution from one or more bioreactors 60 and / or one or more nutrient containers 62. The controller 80 also controls the selection of individual bioreactors 60 and / or individual nutrient containers 62. In embodiments, the controller 80 may also control the growth status of the bioreactors. However, in other embodiments, the bioreactors 60 may include a separate controller in communication with the controller 80 to provide bioreactor data that may be used to select individual bioreactors 60 and to determine whether the desired organisms have grown to a sufficient level in the individual bioreactors to be distributed. Further features of the exemplary bioreactor 60 are described in more detail in FIG. 3.

[0029]

[0041] The controller 80 may receive input from one or more sensors 82 and operate in response to sensor data, as generally described herein. The sensor(s) 82 may include environmental sensors that generate environmental condition data, such as air or water temperature and pressure, wind direction and speed, water current direction and speed, salinity, humidity, turbidity, pH, pCO2, light, oxygen density, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, carbon dioxide, eDNA, anemometer, depth / altitude, nutrients, radiance and irradiance, fisheries echo sounder, cameras (IR, VIS), sedimentation, hydrophone array, fluorometer (measuring phycocyanin, phycoerythrin and chlorophyll), and chlorophyll concentration1. The sensors 82 may be located on or in the vessel 52 or on or in the distribution system 50 (e.g., coupled to the nutrient container 62 and / or bioreactor 60). In certain embodiments, water quality measurement checks may be performed to assess environmental water quality using the sensors 82 as provided herein.

[0030]

[0042] Additionally, controller 80 may receive vessel operation data 84 (e.g., vessel speed, vessel position, vessel heading, estimated course) that is used as input to control the operation of distribution system 50. As provided herein, distribution system 50 may receive vessel operation data 84 and may control the operation of vessel 52 and / or provide input to another controller of vessel 52.

[0031]

[0043] The materials of the various components of system 50 may be selected for durability, may be selected to promote nutrient storage and / or biological growth, and may be selected to avoid damage by undesirable organisms.

[0032]

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the arrangement of the components of the distribution system 50. In some cases, the bioreactor 60 may be part of a bioreactor mixing system 90 that operates to dilute or treat the contents of the bioreactor 60 before distribution. Similarly, the distribution system 50 may include a nutrient mixing system 92 that dissolves, mixes, or treats the contents of the nutrient container 62 before distribution. In an embodiment, the bioreactor mixing system 90 and the nutrient mixing system are fluidly coupled to at least one environmental water input 72, which may be a shared input 72 or a separate input 72. The environmental water can be transferred directly to the bioreactor 60 or to a separate mixer 100 that receives the contents of the bioreactor 60. Similarly, the environmental water can be transferred directly to the nutrient container 62 or to a separate mixer 102 that receives the contents of the nutrient container 62. Processor-controlled pumps 104 and valves 106 can be actuated to fluidly couple or decouple the components of the distribution system 50, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2. However, other arrangements are contemplated and may incorporate additional or fewer pumps 104 and valves 106. In the illustrated arrangement, one or more pumps 104 and valves 106 control the inflow of environmental water from the environmental water input 72 to the bioreactor mixing system 90 and the nutrient mixing system 92. After mixing, the mixed composition including the microalgae or other organisms and / or mixed nutrients may be distributed over or under the water via at least one output 70, which may include a dedicated bioreactor output 110 and a dedicated nutrient output 112. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, each bioreactor 60 and each nutrient container 62 may be coupled with a shared output 70 or separate dedicated outputs depending on the placement of the distribution system 50, the vessel, the destination, and / or active weather patterns including, but not limited to, rainfall, tides, and wave action.

[0033]

[0045] The nutrient container 62, bioreactor 60 and / or mixer 100, 102 may include one or more agitators, spinners, paddles, blades, pumps and / or other mechanisms located on or within the system 50 (e.g., at the bottom, top or center of the nutrient container 62, bioreactor 60 and / or mixer 100, 102) to promote mixing of the nutrients or organisms to achieve the desired properties of the distributed material. For example, the nutrients in the nutrient container may be provided as a dry composition, such as a dry powder. If distributed directly into water in powder form, the nutrients may not be effectively dispersed. Thus, mixing with environmental water (or other fluid) prior to distribution can improve dispersion. In an embodiment, the nutrients are mixed to achieve a mixed density close to or approximately equal to the density of the environmental water. Seawater is denser (1.02-1.03 grams per cubic centimeter [g / cm3]) than freshwater (1 gc / m3). Thus, nutrients to be dispensed into seawater or freshwater may be mixed to achieve a mixed solution density that approximates (e.g., within 1 to 10%) a set or programmed density in typical salt, sea or marine, brackish waters, or a measured density in the environmental water or at the dispense location. It is noted that the mixers 100, 102 may be designed to mix any of a variety of components (e.g., environmental water, freshwater, other fluids, nutrients, organisms, materials, media) together to facilitate dispensing, as described herein.

[0034]

[0046] The controller 80 may control the activation of the mixing function, for example, by turning on the mixing function (e.g., by activating a paddle), by activating a pump that creates turbulence to enhance mixing, or by stirring or rotating the mixer 100, 102. The controller 80 may also select the mixing settings depending on the contents of the mixer 100, 102. For example, nutrients may tolerate a higher mixing intensity than organisms.

[0035]

[0047] In some cases, one or more components of the distribution system may be incorporated into existing ship structures or systems, such as bilge systems or other water or fluid transfer systems. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a ballast tank bioreactor 120. Ballast tanks are used in certain ships to hold water and provide stability. The ballast tank's ballasting function can be accomplished while providing a bioreactor 60 for the growth of organisms. The ballast tank bioreactor 120 includes a light source 122, such as a white light source or a white or visible light source, a power source 124, and a growth or status sensor 126. Air is provided to the interior space 127 of the ballast tank bioreactor 120 via an air inlet 128. Nutrient-rich seawater or other environmental water is provided as a growth medium via an input 72, which may be a dedicated ballast tank bioreactor inlet 130. Organisms, such as microalgae or phytoplankton, grown in the ballast tank bioreactor 120 may be transported via an output 70, which may be a dedicated ballast output 132. The ballast output 132 may be delivered directly to the environment or may be fed to a mixer 100 as shown in Figure 2. Additionally, the transfer of fluids to and from the ballast tank bioreactor 120 may be under the control of a controller 80 via starting and stopping one or more pumps 104 and opening and closing one or more valves 106 (see Figure 2).

[0036]

[0048] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vessel 52 including a distribution system 50 incorporating a bioreactor 60, such as a ballast tank bioreactor 120, along with a nutrient container 62. It is understood that the distribution system 50 provided herein may be a nutrient-only, a bioreactor-only, or a combined system as in the illustrated embodiment. Additionally, the distribution system 50 may include a mixing component as shown in FIG. 2. The controller 80 may be programmed to identify or receive input regarding the placement of components. As shown, the ballasted bioreactor 120 may be positioned such that the air inlet 128 is located above the water line and at least one environmental water input 72 or a dedicated ballast input 130 and / or a nutrient container input (not shown) is below the water line. At least one output 70, such as a ballast output 132 and / or a nutrient output 112 (not shown), may be located at or near (e.g., above and / or below) the estimated water line on the vessel 52. For larger vessels, one or more components of the distribution system 50 may be located in an interior space 150. The small vessel or coastal vessel may be configured to position a bioreactor 60, such as ballasted bioreactor 120, and a nutrient container 62 on the vessel deck 160, as shown in Figure 5. At least one output 70, such as ballast output 132 or nutrient output 112, is similarly positioned at or near (e.g., above and / or below) the water line of the vessel 52, while the environmental water input 72 or dedicated ballast input 130 and / or any nutrient container inputs are positioned below the water line.

[0037]

[0049] In embodiments, the bioreactor 60 may be implemented as a multi-functional marine container that can be used by the vessel operator to store marine catches. However, when not used to store marine catches, these marine containers may alternatively be used for the growth of organisms. Thus, the marine container may be implemented to include the functions of a bioreactor, such as an inlet for environmental water, an air source, a nutrient source, a light source (e.g., a housing or another light source through which white light is transmitted), etc.

[0038]

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, the disclosed technology may be used to distribute organisms grown off-vessel (e.g., organisms grown using a bioreactor 60 housed on land or on a dedicated organism growth vessel) by a vessel 52 of the present disclosure. For example, in certain coastal marine environments, small vessels (such as shrimp fishing vessels) may not have or be configured with sufficient hold or deck space to incorporate a bioreactor 60. These vessels 52 may include one or more nutrient containers 62 (which may be part of a mixing system 92 as shown in FIG. 2). If these vessels 52 are also used to distribute organisms (e.g., microalgae / phytoplankton, etc.), the cultivation of the organisms may occur off-vessel, such as at another facility. In one example, organisms may be grown at a nearby on-shore facility and then the vessel 52 may transport the organisms to a desired location. In other vessels, the bioreactor 60 may be on-board, but instead of or in addition to being configured as a ballast tank, the bioreactor 60 may be a marine holding tank for shrimp, crab, or certain marine organisms.

[0039]

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, the distribution system 50 may be used in conjunction with a fixed structure, such as a floating dock, marine platform, water source, pipeline, fixed cable, etc. In certain embodiments, the system 50 may be implemented as a fixed or floating system that is not associated with or associated with any vessel 52. The fixed or floating system 50 may be serviced from a vessel that refills nutrient containers 62 (e.g., based on nutrient level sensor readings). The system 50 may communicate with a central system, for example, to send location information, identification information, status updates, and / or to authorize service or maintenance. Such a system 50 may use solar, wind, or battery power as a source of power to power the distribution operations. If a bioreactor 60 is present, the bioreactor 60 may be implemented as a translucent tank that allows ambient light to enter and / or the bioreactor 60 may include a separate light source.

[0040]

[0052] As provided herein, the bioreactor 60 may be inoculated with a culture of a desired organism. The inoculated organism should be at a sufficient concentration for desired exponential growth, for example, during transport or during an operating cycle of the system 50. The inoculated organism may grow and form a bloom, which may be sensed using a sensor 82 associated with (e.g., disposed within) the bioreactor 60. Once a bloom is formed or sufficient exponential growth is achieved, the organism may be distributed. However, in embodiments, even after distribution, a sufficient amount of the organism may be maintained within the bioreactor 60 to initiate the next growth cycle toward a bloom, and in some embodiments, to have a competitive advantage over organisms present in the supplied environmental water. In embodiments, environmental water is taken in to feed the next growth cycle. Thus, in embodiments, the controller 80 may stop distribution before the bioreactor 60 is empty to save the seed for the next growth cycle. In some embodiments, each bioreactor 60 may facilitate multiple growth and distribution cycles during operation of the bioreactor 60 and / or during vessel operation on a particular route. By starting with a sufficient seed concentration in the initial and / or subsequent cycles, the desired organisms are allowed to outgrow any organisms present in the input environmental water and grow exponentially.

[0041]

[0053] System 50 may, in certain embodiments, include a supply set of bioreactors 60 specialized for growing a particular organism or organisms. The supply set may be located on land or may be housed aboard a supply vessel that services vessel 52.

[0042]

[0054] 6 illustrates an exemplary distribution pattern of a distributed material 200, which may include nutrients and / or organisms (e.g., microalgae). Using a distribution system 50 integrated as part of the vessel, the material is distributed via at least one output 70 of the distribution system 50 such that the distributed material is generally distributed at or near the water surface. In certain embodiments, the desired distribution may be at a depth greater than the water surface.

[0043]

[0055] In an embodiment, at least one output section 70 may include an output conduit section 202 and a dispersion enhancing conduit section 210. For example, airflow (e.g., generated by a fan) may be generated simultaneously with the output of material to enhance dispersion. The dispersion enhancing conduit 210 may be placed at or below the water level to create localized turbulent regions to enhance dispersion.

[0044]

[0056] Dispersal techniques refer to the movement, diffusion and / or transport of plankton, nutrients, media and other materials introduced into aquatic environments (e.g., coastal shorelines, nearshore waters, open ocean, deep seas, and / or lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, bays, wetlands and estuaries) following vectors of dispersal, such as non-biological vectors (e.g., ocean currents, wind, waves). Dispersal patterns of plankton, nutrients, media and / or materials and / or media are determined by dispersal mechanisms (gravity, wind, ballistic, water and animal) and thus affect the genetic and / or population structure of plankton communities, including but not limited to species interactions and migration patterns.

[0045]

[0057] In an embodiment, the dispersion pattern may utilize the dynamics and / or movement of ocean currents as defined by changes in water density. This embodiment may also utilize selection of locations based on the detected presence of underwater masses and location within major and / or minor ocean basins for a desired effect(s) including, but not limited to, reduced hypoxia in the water, increased oxygenation in the water, increased export of materials to depth, and improved fishing grounds. The desired end goal may be used to control the selection of materials dispensed from the distribution system 50. In an embodiment, the wind-mediated dispersion pattern incorporates local and / or global wind patterns. Locations for distribution may be selected based on favorable wind patterns, ocean currents, and / or upwelling and / or downwelling conditions, which allows the introduced nutrients and / or plankton to move to a zone and / or zones or regions that will provide a desired effect(s) including, but not limited to, reduced hypoxia in the water, increased oxygenation in the water, increased export of materials to depth, and improved fishing grounds. In an embodiment, the distribution pattern of nutrients and / or plankton by a ballistic approach includes the release of plankton and / or nutrients to areas and / or zones where the water column is stratified and / or water movement is negligible, indicating that external forces are determined to enhance the distribution of desired effect particles and / or plankton that provide the desired effect(s). In an embodiment, the distribution pattern of nutrients and / or plankton by water movement or animal activity transports nutrients and / or plankton to a desired location to provide the desired effect(s). For example, animal activity may be associated with migration and / or consumption and release of waste products. The presence of desired plankton and / or nutrients at a location may change as a result of animal activity.

[0046]

[0058] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an environmental treatment distribution method 300 with reference to features of FIGS. 1-6. The method 300 may be performed at least in part by the distribution system 50. The distribution system 50 receives vessel operational data (block 302) and sensor data indicative of environmental conditions associated with the vessel (block 304). For example, the sensor data may be received from on-board sensors 82 and / or from weather services, e.g., satellites, buoys, or airborne sensors. The environmental conditions associated with the vessel 52 may refer to local data (e.g., within the same location or within a range of locations, such as within 500 meters of the location, within 1 to 5 kilometers of the location, or within 50 kilometers of the location) of the vessel's geographic location (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) location or marine coordinates for each operational data).

[0047]

[0059] Based on the sensor data and / or operational data, the distribution system 50 is initiated to distribute materials such as nutrients and / or organisms (block 306). In an embodiment, distribution is based on local physical, chemical, and / or biological ocean conditions. These conditions are defined by a wide range of oceanographic data, including but not limited to water composition (presence of cations and anions), surface and deep water currents, turbidity conditions, what mix of nutrients and / or plankton is selected for the local area, the presence and / or strength of upwelling and / or sinking, the types of organisms present, isotope systematics of any elements present in the water of the aquatic environment (e.g., coastal ocean, offshore ocean, open ocean, deep sea, and / or lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, bays, marshes, and estuaries), surface primary productivity levels (e.g., chlorophyll), the presence or absence of known feeding activity, gas exchange rates with the atmosphere, the presence or absence of zooplankton, aggregates, and / or the likelihood of fecal pellet formation. The presence or absence of elemental decomposition of local seawater may determine the composition of the elemental decomposition of materials and / or nutrients used to induce one or more effects, including but not limited to, growth and / or proliferation and / or removal of plankton. The presence or absence of elemental decomposition of local seawater includes the compositional and / or isotopic decomposition of cations, anions present in the range, and each compound, cation and / or anion present in the water.

[0048]

[0060] One embodiment includes an automatic shutoff or control system to stop dispensing (block 308). In an embodiment, the termination of dispensing is based on operator control and / or sensor data and / or operational data. For example, the sensor data may be acquired at a subsequent time and updated sensor data, or updated operational data indicating the vessel's movement from the geographic location of interest. Other examples include automatic processing of data signals, such as wave data, ocean data, water sample data, environmental data, or other data indicating dispensing should be stopped. In an embodiment, the environmental processing dispensing system may include control algorithms to increase, decrease, stop, and / or start dispensing operations based on environmental feedback and / or operational data of the vessel 52.

[0049]

[0061] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an environmental treatment distribution method 320, with reference to features of FIGS. 1-6. The method 320 may be performed, at least in part, by the distribution system 50. The distribution system 50 receives vessel operational data (block 322) and sensor data (block 324) indicative of environmental conditions associated with the vessel. For example, the sensor data may be from on-board sensors 82 and / or may be received from weather services, e.g., satellites, buoys, or airborne sensors. The environmental conditions associated with the vessel 52 may refer to local data (e.g., the same location or within a range of locations, such as within 500 meters of the location, within 1 to 5 kilometers of the location, or within 50 kilometers of the location) of the vessel's geographic location (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) location or maritime coordinates per operational data). Based on the sensor data and / or operational data, the distribution system 50 is triggered to distribute one or more nutrients (block 326).

[0050]

[0062] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an environmental treatment distribution method 350, with reference to features of FIGS. 1-6. The method 350 may be performed, at least in part, by the distribution system 50. The distribution system 50 receives operational data of the vessel (block 352) and sensor data indicative of environmental conditions associated with the vessel (block 354). For example, the sensor data may be from on-board sensors 82 and / or may be received from weather services, e.g., satellites, buoys, or airborne sensors. The environmental conditions associated with the vessel 52 may refer to local data (e.g., the same location or within a range of locations, such as within 500 meters of the location, within 1 to 5 kilometers of the location, or within 50 kilometers of the location) of the vessel's geographic location (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) location or maritime coordinates per operational data). Based on the sensor data and / or operational data, the distribution system 50 is triggered to distribute organisms, such as microalgae (block 356).

[0051]

[0063] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an environmental treatment distribution method 380, with reference to features of FIGS. 1-6. The method 380 may be performed, at least in part, by the distribution system 50. The distribution system 50 receives sensor data (block 382) indicative of environmental conditions associated with the vessel. For example, the sensor data may be from on-board sensors 82 and / or may be received from weather services, e.g., satellites, buoys, or airborne sensors. The environmental conditions associated with the vessel 52 may refer to local data (e.g., within the same location or within a range of locations, such as within 500 meters of the location, within 1 to 5 kilometers of the location, or within 50 kilometers of the location) of the vessel's geographic location (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) location or maritime coordinates per operational data).

[0052]

[0064] Based on the sensor data, the distribution system 50 determines that the environmental parameter is within a threshold or range (block 384). In response to the determination, the distribution system 50 is initiated to distribute one or more nutrients and / or organisms, such as microalgae. Based on updated sensor data, such as sensor data that falls outside a threshold or range, the distribution system 50 may be shut down.

[0053]

[0065] In one example, the environmental parameter is wind speed, and the threshold wind speed is set at 20 knots, and any wind speed above 20 knots is determined to be a shut-down condition for the distribution system 50, while a wind speed below 20 knots is deemed favorable for distribution. Thus, the distribution system 50 may be dynamic, automatically starting while conditions are favorable and automatically shutting down when conditions become favorable. Additionally, the distribution system 50 may adjust operation based on and / or to compensate for the environmental parameter(s), such as by altering the fan speed of the fan to increase airflow through the dispersibility enhancing conduit section 210 (e.g., increasing the wind speed in response to the wind speed dropping below the threshold wind speed, the fan speed varying based on the wind speed), adjusting the density of the mixed solution for dispersion, adjusting the position of the at least one outlet 70 relative to the vessel 52 and / or the water line, injecting material below the water line using ballistics, etc.

[0054]

[0066] In certain embodiments, the system 50 may determine that environmental conditions are acceptable before initiating dispensing. For example, the system 50 may require that at least two of the following conditions be true to initiate dispensing: wind speed less than 20 knots, wave height less than 1.5 meters, and surface current less than 2 knots. Additionally or alternatively, the system 50 may initiate dispensing based on time of day, dispersing during the day or at or just before sunrise to maximize growth and available light. In embodiments, the system 50 may distribute based on sensor readings of sufficient ambient light and lack of cloud cover.

[0055]

[0067] The steps of method 300 (FIG. 7), method 320 (FIG. 8), method 350 (FIG. 9), and method 380 (FIG. 10) may be performed individually or in combination to distribute nutrients and / or organisms. As described herein, the steps of method 300 (FIG. 7), method 320 (FIG. 8), method 350 (FIG. 9), and method 380 (FIG. 10) may be performed by a distribution system 50, such as a controller 80, although it is noted that any suitable processor-based device may be specifically programmed to perform any of the methods described herein. Additionally, although method 300 (FIG. 7), method 320 (FIG. 8), method 350 (FIG. 9), and method 380 (FIG. 10) have been described as including certain steps performed in a particular order, it will be understood that the steps of method 300 (FIG. 7), method 320 (FIG. 8), method 350 (FIG. 9), and method 380 (FIG. 10) may be performed in any suitable order, certain steps may be omitted, and / or certain steps may be added.

[0056]

[0068] FIG. 11 is an embodiment of the distribution system 50 implemented with an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle 400 (e.g., a drone). A fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles, each in communication with the controller 80, may be used to distribute materials. Other contemplated aircraft include passenger aircraft, cargo aircraft, and helicopters. It is noted that a fleet of ships, unmanned aerial vehicles 400, fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles, other aircraft, or any combination thereof may be utilized as part of the distribution system 50. For example, the controller 80 may coordinate the operation of multiple vehicles (e.g., ships, unmanned aerial vehicles, other aircraft) and the distribution of materials from the multiple vehicles. Additionally, the vehicles may be autonomously controlled vehicles (e.g., following a preprogrammed route), remotely controlled vehicles (e.g., via a remote controller operated by a human operator), and / or operator controlled vehicles (e.g., driven by a human operator on board the vehicle). In this manner, the distribution system 50 may be a network of vehicles controlled in a coordinated manner to distribute materials effectively and / or efficiently. In some cases, unmanned aerial vehicle 400 or other aerial vehicle may have any of the components shown and described as being present on vessel 52, such as one or more bioreactors 60, one or more nutrient containers 62, mixers 100, 102, etc. Additionally or alternatively, unmanned aerial vehicle 400 and / or other aerial vehicle may collect materials from vessel 52 (e.g., growing, storing and / or mixing on board vessel 52), store the materials on-board via storage tanks, and then travel and distribute the materials according to instructions received from controller 80, for example.

[0057]

[0069] 12 is a block diagram of the controller 80 and associated communication paths of the distribution system 50. As will be appreciated, in certain embodiments, the controller 80 may include at least one processor 500, memory 502, or any of a variety of other components, such as an input / output interface 506 and a display 508, that enable the controller 80 to perform the techniques described herein. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the controller 80 may include communications circuitry 510 to facilitate communication with other control systems of the vessel 52, a remote server 520, or other members of the vessel fleet 522. In certain embodiments, the communications circuitry 510 may be configured to facilitate wireless and / or wired communications.

[0058]

[0070] The processor 500 may be any suitable type of computer processor or microprocessor capable of executing computer executable code. In certain embodiments, the processor 500 may include multiple processors that may also perform the operations described herein, and certain operations may be distributed between the processor 500 and one or more remote servers 520. The memory 502 may be any suitable article of manufacture that may act as a medium for storing processor executable code, data, and the like. These articles of manufacture may refer to computer readable media (e.g., any suitable form of media or storage) that may store processor executable code used by the processor 500 to perform the presently disclosed techniques. The memory 502 may also be used to store data, various other software applications, and the like. The memory 502 may refer to a transitory computer readable medium (e.g., any suitable form of media or storage) that may store processor executable code used by the processor 500 to perform the various techniques described herein.

[0059]

[0071] In one example, the controller 80 may control or generate instructions to control the path of the vessel 52 and / or other distribution vehicles (e.g., airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles). For example, based on current or wind speed, the controller 80 may steer the vessel 52 to maximize the spread of distribution on or under the water. In a specific embodiment, the controller 80 may generate instructions to steer the vessel 52 to locations with lower wind speeds versus locations with higher wind speeds. Additionally, the controller 80 may be capable of altering or modifying the pre-planned travel path of the vessel 52 to facilitate more efficient distribution of materials while the distribution system 50 is actively dispensing materials and / or to control the movement of the vessel 52 to a desired distribution location.

[0060]

[0072] In one embodiment, the controller 80 may use estimated fuel consumption as an input for a route or distribution plan. For example, route changes to improve distribution may be permitted only if (e.g., only if) vessel fuel consumption associated with the change is estimated not to increase by more than a certain percentage (e.g., no more than one percent) compared to, for example, the route before the modification.

[0061]

[0073] The controller 80 may use machine learning and / or artificial intelligence and / or deep learning to model conditions in the water and / or generate control algorithms for dispensing materials.

[0062]

[0074] The disclosed environmental treatment distribution systems may be used to promote desirable environmental treatment effects such as reducing hypoxia in water, increasing oxygenation in water, increasing export of materials to depth, improving fisheries, etc. The desirable effects may be produced as part of a distribution from marine vessels and / or aircraft, such as airplanes and / or helicopters, to the surface waters of an aquatic environment in combination with other materials and / or nutrients that enhance growth and survival.

[0063]

[0075] In embodiments, activities are performed that alter the physical and / or chemical composition of an aquatic system and / or environment and / or location, such as, but not limited to, carbonate ion content, pH, temperature, salinity, oxygen content, macronutrient concentration and / or content, micronutrient concentration and / or content, cation and / or anion concentration and / or content, dissolved organic compounds, clay content and / or concentration, isotope systematics including hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, lithium, boron, strontium, calcium, magnesium, lead, or any other element and / or atom and / or molecule, or combinations thereof.

[0064]

[0076] In embodiments, activities are performed to induce changes in the physical and / or chemical composition of an aquatic system and / or environment and / or location, such as, but not limited to, carbonate ion content, pH, temperature, salinity, oxygen content, macronutrient concentration and / or content, micronutrient concentration and / or content, cation and / or anion concentration and / or content, dissolved organic compounds, clay content and / or concentration, isotope systematics including hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, lithium, boron, strontium, calcium, magnesium, lead, or any other element and / or atom and / or molecule, or combinations thereof.

[0065]

[0077] In embodiments, activities are performed that change the absolute or relative positions and / or mixing of bodies of water and / or currents near the surface and / or at depth. In embodiments, activities are performed to induce changes in the absolute or relative positions and / or mixing of bodies of water and / or currents near the surface and / or at depth.

[0066]

[0078] In embodiments, plankton and / or other organisms are introduced into an aquatic place or environment by mechanisms that allow for the diffusion and / or dispersion of biological and / or non-biological materials introduced into a single or multiple aquatic places or environments, either alone or in combination with other materials, such as, but not limited to, nutrients, such as, but not limited to, iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, silica, aluminum, manganese, calcium, sodium, potassium and / or magnesium, intended to enhance and / or induce a particular desired effect, such as the growth of a particular biologic or derivative of a biologic, the growth of a particular biologic or derivative of a biologic, or the restriction of the growth of a particular biologic or derivative of a particular biologic, or the sinking of a particular biologic or derivative of a particular biologic.

[0067]

[0079] In embodiments, plankton and / or other organisms are introduced to an aquatic location or environment by mechanisms that allow for the concentration and / or enrichment of biological and / or non-biological materials introduced to a single or multiple aquatic locations or environments, either alone or in combination with other materials, such as, but not limited to, nutrients, such as, but not limited to, iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, silica, aluminum, manganese, calcium, sodium, potassium and / or magnesium, intended to enhance and / or induce a particular desired effect, such as the growth of a particular biologic or a derivative of a biologic, the growth of a particular biologic or a derivative of a biologic, or the restriction to the growth of a particular biologic or a derivative of a particular biologic, or the sinking of a particular biologic or a derivative of a particular biologic.

[0068]

[0080] In embodiments, plankton and / or other organisms are released at different concentrations relative to each other or to other materials, such as water, either alone or in combination with other materials, such as, but not limited to, nutrients, such as, but not limited to, iron, phosphorus, nitrogen, silica, aluminum, manganese, calcium, sodium, potassium and / or magnesium.

[0069]

[0081] While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is therefore understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0070]

[0082] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies tangible objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that clearly improve the technical field of the invention, and is therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Moreover, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements specified as "means for [performing]... [function]" or "step for [performing]... [function]," it is intended that such elements be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim that contains elements specified in any other manner, it is intended that such elements not be construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. a plurality of nutrient containers; a nutrient mixer configured to receive one or more nutrients from one or more nutrient containers of the plurality of nutrient containers; one or more environmental sensors configured to generate environmental condition data indicative of environmental conditions at a location; receiving the environmental condition data; generating instructions to dilute and mix at least one nutrient of the one or more nutrients in the nutrient mixer to form a nutrient solution at or near the location having a respective density corresponding to a respective density of environmental water in an aquatic environment; and configured to generate instructions to dispense the nutrient solution into the aquatic environment at or near the location based on the environmental condition data. A controller; an environmental treatment distribution system,

2. a plurality of bioreactors; another mixer that receives contents from one or more bioreactors of the plurality of bioreactors, the contents comprising an organism; The controller generating instructions to dilute and mix the contents in the separate mixer to form a diluted content; and generating instructions to dispense the diluted contents into the aquatic environment at or near the location based on the environmental condition data. The environmental treatment distribution system of claim 1 .

3. The controller: receiving bioreactor data from the bioreactor sensor; The environmental treatment distribution system of claim 2 , configured to select the one or more based on the bioreactor data.

4. 3. The environmental treatment dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the nutrient solution comprises silica and the diluted contents comprising diatoms.

5. 10. The environmental treatment and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said environmental condition data indicates pH, dissolved oxygen, sedimentation, and chlorophyll within said aquatic environment at said location.

6. The controller:

10. The environmental treatment and dispensing system of claim 1, configured to generate instructions to dispense the nutrient solution into the aquatic environment at or near the surface of the aquatic environment.

7. 10. The environmental treatment distribution system of claim 1, wherein the environmental treatment distribution system is located on or within a ship or an aerial vessel.

8. 10. The environmental treatment and dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the nutrient solution comprises synthetic volcanic ash in solution, the synthetic volcanic ash comprising a plurality of nutrients that synthetically mimic volcanic ash.

9. The environmental treatment dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more environmental sensors include a density sensor configured to generate the environmental condition data indicative of the respective densities at the locations.

10. 10. The environmental treatment and distribution system of claim 1, wherein the respective densities of the nutrient solutions correspond to the respective densities of the environmental water in the aquatic environment at or near the location if the respective densities of the nutrient solutions are within 10 percent of the respective densities of the environmental water in the aquatic environment at or near the location.

11. 10. The environmental treatment dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one nutrient comprises a dry powder or a solution, or both, and the controller dispenses the dry powder, the solution, or both, from the one or more nutrient containers to the nutrient mixer.

12. Storing one or more nutrients in one or more nutrient containers on a vessel; storing organisms in one or more bioreactors on the vessel; receiving operational data of the vessel; receiving sensor data indicative of environmental conditions associated with the underwater environment; diluting and mixing at least one nutrient of the one or more nutrients in a nutrient mixer to form a nutrient solution with a respective density corresponding to a respective density of environmental water in the aquatic environment; diluting and mixing the respective organisms from at least one bioreactor of the one or more bioreactors in a separate mixer to form a diluted content containing the respective organisms; triggering the dispensing of the nutrient solution, the diluted contents, or both, from the marine vessel to the aquatic environment based on the sensor data, the operational data, or both; terminating dispensing of the nutrient solution, the diluted contents, or both, from the marine vessel to the aquatic environment based on the sensor data, the operational data, or both; An environmental treatment distribution method comprising:

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the actuating the dispensing step comprises simultaneously dispensing the nutrient solution and the diluted contents.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving sensor data indicative of the environmental conditions comprises receiving the sensor data indicative of wind speed and wave height, and initiating the dispensing comprises initiating the dispensing of the diluted contents in response to the sensor data indicating the wind speed and the wave height being below respective thresholds.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: mixing a portion of the environmental water extracted from the aquatic environment with the at least one nutrient of the one or more nutrients in the nutrient mixer to form the nutrient solution; mixing another portion of the environmental water extracted from the aquatic environment with the respective organisms from the at least one bioreactor of the one or more bioreactors in the another mixer to form the diluted contents; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

16. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of initiating the dispensing includes dispensing the nutrient solution from the vessel to the aquatic environment via a first dedicated output and dispensing the diluted contents from the vessel to the aquatic environment via a second dedicated output separate from the first dedicated output.

17. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the operational data of the vessel includes a location of the vessel, and wherein the initiating of dispensing includes dispensing the nutrient solution, the diluted contents, or both, from the vessel to the aquatic environment based on the location of the vessel.

18. An air intake configured to receive air; an environmental water intake configured to receive environmental water; a light source configured to emit light; an outlet configured to release contents including the organisms; a mixer configured to receive the contents and mix the contents with additional environmental water to form a diluted contents; one or more environmental sensors configured to generate environmental condition data indicative of environmental conditions at a location; receiving the environmental condition data; generating instructions to mix the contents with the additional environmental water to form the diluted contents with a respective density corresponding to a respective density of an aquatic environment at or near the location; a controller configured to generate instructions to dispense the diluted contents into the aquatic environment at or near the location based on the environmental condition data; an environmental treatment distribution system,

19. An environmental treatment distribution system as described in claim 18, comprising a vessel having a ballast tank configured to stabilize the vessel or a multi-function marine holding tank configured to hold marine catch, the ballast tank or the multi-function marine holding tank having the air intake, the environmental water intake, the light source, and the outlet, and configured to function as the bioreactor for promoting biological growth on the vessel.

20. 20. The environmental treatment dispensing system of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to generate instructions to dispense the diluted contents from the outlet to the aquatic environment at or near the location based on the environmental condition data and the time of day.

Images