Acropora on Bioreef™ by Ari Spenhoff and Dr. Goreau In a terrific move for coral reef conservation, Lauderdale By The Sea (LBTS) has received initial approval to implement a unique artificial reef called Biorock™. LBTS will be working with the Global Coral Reef Alliance to create the artificial Biorock™ reef that is based on a [...]
Acropora on Bioreef™ by Ari Spenhoff and Dr. Goreau
In a terrific move for coral reef conservation, Lauderdale By The Sea (LBTS) has received initial approval to implement a unique artificial reef called Biorock™. LBTS will be working with the Global Coral Reef Alliance to create the artificial Biorock™ reef that is based on a metal rebar frame with low current electricity running through it. The electric current spurs mineral deposits (aragonite) on the metal frame creating a strong structure and substrate for corals. This offers a lightweight and easy to install solution, that allows large structures to be built. As for powering the structure, it is now done using Solar energy!
A large Biorock™ structure floating in Indonesia, Photo by Ari Spenhoff
Once installed, corals are attached to the structure by trained divers. It has been noted that Biorock™ increases coral growth–some report growth rates 3 to 5 times greater that corals under normal conditions. Even more promising is the link observed between the electric reefs and coral mortality From GCRA:
“Restoration of coral growth under “impossible” conditions. In the Maldives in 1998 only 1-5% of corals survived heatstroke caused by global warming, but in the same habitats, 50-80% of the corals on Biorock™ structures survived. “
Little scientific research has been done on electric stimulated reefs, but those in the field have acknowledge its “abilities”. The technology was developed oceanographer Dr. Thomas Goreau and architect Wolf Hilbertz , who are joint owners of the patent on the electric reef process. The patent is owned by Biorock Inc. and then leased to the Global Coral Reef Alliance (which Dr. Goreau is president of), and then re-leased to groups like Lauderdale By The Sea.
Aragonite encompassing the metal Biorock ™ frame
The method is said to be more difficult than it sounds, as my generalization above attests. Partly because of the accumulation of unwanted magnesium hydroxide, which also forms on the metal frame with argonite. Magnesium hydroxide, the white cloud you see after adding Sodium carbonate or bicarbonate from two part, is a soft substance that is not desirable as a reef substrate. This issue is relieved through selective changes to the current passing through the metal.
As for Fort Lauderdale, there is the potential for additional difficulties ahead; they must receive permission from the county’s department of Environmental Protection and Growth Management before building and installing the metal reefs. If that goes through, we should see a solar powered electric reef in Floridian waters soon.
For more information see:
- Patent: Method of enhancing growth of aquatic organisms in an aqueous mineral-containing electrolyte
- Gulf Times: Biorock Offers Hope [PDF]
- Global Coral Reef Alliance
- Tree Hugger : Stimulating Coral with Electricity
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