A hydroponic system for cultivation and harvesting of floating aquatic plants is provided. The hydroponic system includes an arrangement of a plurality of vertically-stacked cultivation trays, each tray containing an amount of fluent media on which floating aquatic plants are able to grow. The hydroponic system also includes a media reservoir in which fluent media is contained and subject to treatment before being circulated to the cultivation trays and a harvesting reservoir for receiving aquatic plants grown in the cultivation trays and harvested from the same. The hydroponic system further includes an automated control system that manages media flow into and from the trays and aquatic plant harvesting from the trays. A method of cultivating and harvesting floating aquatic plants is also provided.

The invention relates to a device (10) for dredging a watercourse or body of water, comprising: a watercraft (105) which supports a grinder, the grinder (110) for grinding plants found in the watercourse or body of water comprising an inlet (115) for plants and an outlet (120) for ground plants, and a floating receptacle (125) which is connected to the outlet of the grinder in order to collect the scraps of ground plants.

The invention relates to a device (10) for dredging a watercourse or body of water, comprising: a watercraft (105) which supports a grinder, the grinder (110) for grinding plants found in the watercourse or body of water comprising an inlet (115) for plants and an outlet (120) for ground plants, and a floating receptacle (125) which is connected to the outlet of the grinder in order to collect the scraps of ground plants.

A system for aquatic plant processing includes a harvester, which includes a nozzle assembly and optionally a pump assembly; and a transport subsystem. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a conduit, a collection assembly, a control subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a pond, and/or any other suitable components. A method for harvesting includes operating the harvesting system in a set of one or more operation modes.

A system for aquatic plant processing includes a harvester, which includes a nozzle assembly and optionally a pump assembly; and a transport subsystem. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a conduit, a collection assembly, a control subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a pond, and/or any other suitable components. A method for harvesting includes operating the harvesting system in a set of one or more operation modes.

Harvester systems and methods for use in liquid environments are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a harvester includes a cutter assembly and a frame. The cutter assembly is configured to remove solid material from a liquid environment and includes a cutter housing, one or more cutting blades for cutting the solid material, and a hose connector configured for connection to a hose for pumping the solid material out of the cutter housing. The frame is configured to attach the cutter assembly to a plurality of different vehicles configured to operate in the liquid environment and includes a first adjustment assembly adjustable for removable attachment to the plurality of different vehicles and a second adjustment assembly adjustable to raise the cutter assembly above a surface of the liquid environment and to lower the cutter assembly at least partially into the liquid environment.

Harvester systems and methods for use in liquid environments are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a harvester includes a cutter assembly and a frame. The cutter assembly is configured to remove solid material from a liquid environment and includes a cutter housing, one or more cutting blades for cutting the solid material, and a hose connector configured for connection to a hose for pumping the solid material out of the cutter housing. The frame is configured to attach the cutter assembly to a plurality of different vehicles configured to operate in the liquid environment and includes a first adjustment assembly adjustable for removable attachment to the plurality of different vehicles and a second adjustment assembly adjustable to raise the cutter assembly above a surface of the liquid environment and to lower the cutter assembly at least partially into the liquid environment.

A system for aquatic plant processing includes a harvester, which includes a nozzle assembly and optionally a pump assembly; and a transport subsystem. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a conduit, a collection assembly, a control subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a pond, and/or any other suitable components. A method for harvesting includes operating the harvesting system in a set of one or more operation modes.

A system for aquatic plant processing includes a harvester, which includes a nozzle assembly and optionally a pump assembly; and a transport subsystem. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a conduit, a collection assembly, a control subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a pond, and/or any other suitable components. A method for harvesting includes operating the harvesting system in a set of one or more operation modes.

A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.