After the subway car was phased out, most countries chose to disassemble it** for use, but the United States made a different decision to throw the New York subway car into the sea. There are two main reasons for this decision: cost and marine ecology.
1.Low cost: The traditional way to dispose of waste wagons is to send them to a special disposal site for cutting and decomposition, and to sort the materials that can be used. However, old carriages contain materials that are difficult to dispose of and expensive to dispose of, making them costly. In contrast, it is cheaper and easier to treat in water. Since asbestos does not release toxic substances in water, this method is also safer.
2.Artificial reef construction: Sinking the waste carriage to the bottom of the sea can create a convenient artificial reef, which provides a good environment for the growth of marine animals. The space inside the carriage allows sea creatures to hide from fishing nets and predators, acting as their refuge and home. By throwing waste wagons into the sea, we not only achieve responsible disposal, but also inject new strength into the development of the marine ecosystem.
After the waste cars are dumped into the ocean, they undergo a series of cleaning treatments to ensure that no hazardous substances and liquids remain before sinking to the bottom of the sea. Items such as seats, wheels, doors, trim and equipment were removed. The old carriage is dumped into the sea as a special coral reef material, and together with the natural coral reef, it forms an ecosystem. Over the past decade, more than 2,500 metro cars have been dumped into the Atlantic.
1.Artificial reefs: The special structure of the abandoned carriages proved to be very convenient for the construction of coral reefs. In areas where there is no hard rock, abandoned wagons become the preferred attachment for shellfish and other small animals. These discarded carriages attract more large fauna such as fish and starfish, forming new ecosystems. Coral reefs, known as marine jungles or marine gardens, play an important role in the survival and thrive of many unique marine species.
2.Marine Life Habitat: Many abandoned boats have also sunk into the sea, providing new habitats for marine life. This waste is not only a new home for marine life, but also stimulates the growth of fish populations for fishing activities. Similarly, since the 17th century, Japan has used gravel to build artificial reefs, which has contributed to the growth of seaweed and an increase in the abundance of a variety of seafood and fish.
The decision to throw discarded subway cars into the sea was made to reduce disposal costs and promote the prosperity of marine ecology. By sinking the waste wagons into the sea, it is possible not only to create artificial reefs that provide habitats and breeding grounds for marine life, but also to contribute to the development of fishing activities.
Looking at this initiative, we can see that in the field of environmental protection, it is very important to find innovative and responsible solutions. Because for those materials that are difficult and expensive to handle, we need to find more economical and safe ways to dispose of them. In addition, the construction of artificial reefs also provides a new way for the development of marine ecosystems, making us aware of the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.
In addition to waste subway cars, we can also explore other ways to use waste to make a greater contribution to the protection of the environment and biodiversity. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the clean disposal of waste to ensure that it has no negative impact on the ecosystem. Only by adhering to the principles of sustainable development can we protect the beauty of our planet and leave a better future for future generations.