artifical reefs and other corals

Good evening!
Today I would be posting about all about "Biorock", also known as Electric Reefs.

What is Biorock? Biorock is a process where electrically-conductive frame is constructed by using reinforcement steel is anchored to the sea bed. Then, a low voltage current os then applied by a generator through an anode mesh composed of titanum. In time, corrosion would occur. A white film of limestone is being created due to mineral accretion. This material is a composite of limestone and brucite, similar to the composition of natural coral reefs. The layer of film becomes thicker and thicker, then being encrusted with the precipitated minerals as the electricity is turned on. (adapted from Asian geographic)

So after some time, you would see corals growing on this metal cages!! Amazing!!


The following are pictures of Biorocks that i found on the internet. Enjoy ;)
[thank you google]


Credits
Credits

For more information, I had found some good websites and videos where you might want to check it out ;D
Global Coral
Biorock
Click the above link ;)
Unfortunately, my computer/blogger doesn't allow me to post the video on this blog post, something wrong with the html :(
please click on the following link, Diving Structure
-sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Reflections: Did you know that the corals in our ocean are dying at a quick rate? Thus, I feel that it is a fantastic idea to plant biorocks to provide homes to marine life like, nemo and his friends [clown fish, etc]. In addition, it promotes the growth of corals ;DD Though it may take a few years to increase the population of the coral reef, it is better than nothing.


Other information from wikipedia
The Biorock Process or mineral accretion is a technology used to grow structures and marine ecosystems in seawater. It provides a cost-effective and sustainable method to accelerate coral growth and increase coral survival particularly in areas where environmental stress has affected existing reefs. Biorock methods can help restore damaged coral reefs and provide building materials from sustainable energy resources for mariculture of corals, oysters, clams, lobsters and fish. When mixed with aggregates, accreted minerals can be used as building components on the sea bottom or on land. Biorock structures can be built in any size or shape depending only on the physical makeup of the sea bottom, wave and current energies and construction materials. They are well suited for remote, third world sites where exotic building materials, construction equipment and highly skilled labor are non-existent.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biorock]

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Staghorn Coral
(Acropora cervicornis)
Staghorn Coral lives in quiet water. Staghorn coral is a branching coral with cylindrical branches ranging from a few centimeters to over 6.5 feet (2 m) in length. It grows five to six inches every year. It provides shelter for the rest of the coral reefs. Staghorn Coral looks a lot like antlers.

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Finger Coral
(Porites compressa)
Another coral is Finger Coral. It has large pores, grows in thick colonies, and has branches which are swollen at the tips. It is distinctly gray. It is light-brown to yellowish in color. Finger coral's structure has calices that flush with the surface. The upper septa surface looks like elevated rods. This species can be found in wave protected areas, 0-50 meters from shore. It is known as pohaku puna to Hawaiians.


This post is brought to you
by your one and only
Jolene ;DD



26 august 2008
10:17pm

I WAS HERE @ 9:48 PM l 0Comment