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Jun 21, 2009 11:29 am US/Eastern
Feds Give Approval For High Tech Artificial Reefs
The Project Uses Electricity To Stimulate Growth
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
The Army Corp of Engineers has signed off on a request by Lauderale-by-the-Sea for a high tech conservation project which uses electricity to stimulate the growth of coral reefs.
Working with the Massachusetts bases Global Reef Alliance, metal structures that used low voltages of electricity would be installed on the sea floor. Living coral, broken off from reefs by ships or storms, would then be attached. The electricity, which would be powered by two solar panels attached to the metal structures by insulated cables. By using electricity, minerals in the water would be dissolved and build up on the metal structures. According to the Global Reef Alliance this allows the coral to grow up to five times faster and stand a better chance of surviving stress. The group says they have used this patented Biorock process to successfully build artificial reefs in Jamaica, Mexico and Indonesia.
According to
The Sun-Sentinel, Richard Dodge, executive director of the National Coral Reef Institute at Nova Southeastern University, says while the use of Biorock has not been subjected to rigorous study, experimental evidence shows the technology can enhance the growth and survival of the corals for the first months after they are transplanted.
Before the structures can be built, the city will first need permission from the county's Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department.
Source: The Sun-Sentinel
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