Can hybrid reefs defend the coasts? (Adopt- a- topic: coral reefs)
The researchers are developing what they call “hybrid reefs,” which combine concrete structures with living coral reefs and oyster beds to break up damaging waves. Reefs break up damaging waves Coral and oyster reefs protect coastlines against flooding and erosion by breaking up big waves. A well-placed reef can absorb as much as 97% of a wave’s energy, according to one 2014 meta-analysis published in Nature Communications that combined data from 27 previous research papers on reefs and wave energy. The base of these hybrid reefs will be made up of concrete structures designed to mimic the wave-breaking ability of natural reefs. The military is also investing in speeding up the growth of corals and oysters and making sure they stay healthy, so that the hybrid reefs can expand. Hybrid reef pilots are coming to Keys, Miami Beach The hybrid reefs showed promise during early lab tests in UM’s massive wind and wave tank on Virginia Key, which holds 38,000 gallons of water and can simulate Category 5 hurricane conditions.The hybrid reef cut wave energy between 11% and 98%, depending on the reef design. The team will have developed a technique for building hybrid reefs that can knock down 90% of wave energy at a cost of less than $300 per cubic meter of reef. If they succeed, they’ll have created a blueprint that city and state governments and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could install miles of artificial reefs to protect coastlines in areas where coral and oyster reefs naturally grow.
Although it would be Ideal that we have our natural reefs, this is a really good idea if reefs are too damaged to be revived in an appropriate amount of time. If the configurations can cut wave energy by 90% that can be incredibly helpful for natural disasters and wave breaking. Now that it’s affordable enough for countries to install reefs can get restored faster and oceans may have a better chance of surviving.
2 thoughts on “Can hybrid reefs defend the coasts? (Adopt- a- topic: coral reefs)”
I’m curious as to whether or not this practice is damaging to the surrounding environment. I feel like it is possible that constructing concrete structures where a lot of living organisms exist could be harmful. Do you know how researchers get the coral/oysters to grow on the concrete? Does it just happen over time or are there particular strategies.
Interesting article, I wonder why the U.S. military has an interest in protecting coral reefs. Is there some sort of defense incentive or purely for protecting the environment? I also wonder how the use of man-made concrete can affect life underwater.
I’m curious as to whether or not this practice is damaging to the surrounding environment. I feel like it is possible that constructing concrete structures where a lot of living organisms exist could be harmful. Do you know how researchers get the coral/oysters to grow on the concrete? Does it just happen over time or are there particular strategies.
Interesting article, I wonder why the U.S. military has an interest in protecting coral reefs. Is there some sort of defense incentive or purely for protecting the environment? I also wonder how the use of man-made concrete can affect life underwater.