Would it particularly affect the performance if the sphere ends up covered in barnacles or coral? It's what's inside that matters (it's just a big hollow tank).

[–] CandleTiger@programming.dev 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

If you fill and empty with raw seawater on the regular then you will have plenty of opportunity for growth on the inside and a constant supply of new water with fresh nutrients meaning everything is going to want to grow into the water inlet and clog it.

Maybe they will sink a giant bladder of sterile water together with the hollow sphere, and then figure out a way to make the bladder not fail for 20 years?

[–] JayleneSlide@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I envision issues with turbulent flow over surfaces that work best with laminar flow. It sounds like a turbine or pump system is used for these spheres.