What is it about?
This proof-of-concept project demonstrated that sustainable and novel construction materials, namely 1:1 nanoclay minerals (metakaolin and halloysite clay nanotube) and calcium alginate hydrogel microcapsules containing biomineral forming bacteria can reduce cement use for artificial coral reef assembly by over 20 wt%, while having no negative impacts on coral health and attachment. Furthermore, the presence of nanoclays might infer a self-healing ability to the calcium alginate hydrogel during seawater exposure.
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Why is it important?
Current projections for the coming decades spell doom for marine organisms not adapted to survive in warmer and more acidic seas. Among the most vulnerable are coral reefs, which form the backbone of numerous marine ecosystems. Coral reefs are under tremendous pressure from global warming, disease outbreaks, and pollution, losing substantial coverage every year. This short communication describes an interdisciplinary effort to assess the potential of novel, environmentally sustainable construction additives for coral reef restoration. The findings can lead to the construction of better-performing and more sustainable artificial reefs, coastal and offshore structures, and coral nursery materials, firmly aligning the progress of the field with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), to address and mitigate the threats posed by global warming.
Perspectives
the approach outlined in this manuscript can be used to restore habitats under stress due to various anthropogenic reasons, assemble nurseries, and even create new habitats. Furthermore, this research direction highlights the potential of various construction additives for use in artificial coral reef restoration, as well as techniques such as geopolymerization and biologically self-healing concrete technology.
Dr. Mohammad Fahimizadeh
Guangdong University of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Sustainable artificial coral reef restoration using nanoclays and composite hydrogel microcapsules, RSC Sustainability, January 2024, Royal Society of Chemistry,
DOI: 10.1039/d3su00330b.
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