INTEC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency explore the impact of sargassum in the DR
Within the framework of this meeting, INTEC representatives presented to the visiting institution the projects related to sargassum that are being developed at the Academy
SANTO DOMINGO. The Interdisciplinary Sargassum Research Group (GIIS) of Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), the Environmental Management Center (CEGA INTEC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), held a meeting to explore different possibilities of collaboration with the aim of mitigating the effects of sargassum in the Dominican Republic.
During the meeting, advanced technologies such as biorefineries for resource recovery, biomining for metal extraction, and the creation of insulating boards from sargassum were explored. In addition, the potential of controlled algae cultivation and compost production from sargassum was highlighted.
Likewise, INTEC presented the projects related to sargassum that are being developed in the academy from four perspectives: monitoring and prevention of massive influxes of sargassum in the country; containment and collection; applications and management of the impacts of this phenomenon in the country.
From INTEC, Diana Corrales, coordinator of CEGA INTEC, was present; Ulises Jáuregui Haza, coordinator of the GIIS; Yaset Rodríguez, coordinator of the Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit; Pamela Tejeda, specialist in Biotechnology, Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit, and Solé Knipping Reyes, administrative assistant at CEGA INTEC.
While JICA attended Inoue Fumihiro, educator and deputy school director, creator of the NGO ASANTE; Araki Joji, assistant to the resident representative of JICA in the Dominican Republic and deputy in charge of the project area; Enku Takami, translator from Japanese to Spanish and Pamela Palacio, JICA Programs assistant in the Dominican Republic.
INTEC initiatives
To monitor sargassum influxes, a team of INTEC researchers develops the country's first nanosatellite, which will be used to help detect sargassum in the Caribbean.
To predict the behavior of sargassum in maritime waters, the university develops mathematical systems research; while carrying out another project to evaluate practical applications of sargassum, including the use of sargassum fiber as part of agglomerates in brick making, extractions of sargassum alginate and its use to make substitutes for agglomerate materials, such as playwood .
Likewise, INTEC has the Sargassum Fertilizer Application Manual in Family Farming, which explains about the use of liquid sargassum bio fertilizer in the country's banana production. It is based on a case study carried out in collaboration with the association BANELIN, and funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
JICA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development (MEPYD), and supported by the SATREPS program, is positioned as a future ally in the implementation of these projects, with the perspective of achieving significant results in the next five years .
Sargassum in the DR
El sargasso It is a type of brown seaweed that floats in large quantities in the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the region known as the Sargasso Sea.
In recent years, a significant increase in the proliferation of sargassum has been observed on the Caribbean coasts, which affects the country's maritime border by accumulating on its beaches. Sargassum causes the degradation of the natural environment, affects marine biodiversity, and harms tourist activity due to the bad smell and unpleasant appearance it leaves on the shore. Additionally, the decomposition of sargassum can release chemical compounds that alter water quality and affect the health of coastal communities.