Roberts, K. B. (2019, November 14). Coral reef starter kit. Retrieved from https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2019/october/3D-printed-coral-study-damselfish-Danielle-Dixson/. 

 

Emily Ruhl, an alumni from the University of Delaware, and her research team, have recently studied the effects of 3D printing coral structures on damselfish and coral larvae. Using biodegradable materials, the team aims to use these 3D printed imitations to help regrow sections of reefs after they have been destroyed by bleaching or by storms. They found that damselfish are not affected by the change in materials of 3D printed corals compared to regular skeletons; they just want the cover these structures provide. Coral larvae have also easily adapted to the 3D printed models and established themselves on their surfaces. This means that biodegradable replacement corals can be gradually re-colonized by corals and restore damaged areas of reefs.

This article relates to environmental science because it shows how scientists are planning to restore damaged areas of coral reefs. With new 3D printed coral structures, they can easily maintain the habitat that many reef dwelling fish depend on while corals re-establish themselves. This is good news because it allows for many reef-dwelling fish species, like the damselfish, to survive even after their coral homes get damaged or destroyed. These fish can then grow up to eat algae that threatens corals and maintain the reef, as the article states.