Several projects have been explored to help rebuild the coral reefs in the world. In fact, even the technology of 3D printing is being explored to create models of artificial coral structures. This is according to the three reports published by three different universities.
Coral reefs are continuously degraded all over the world. The technology of 3D printing is now applied in the coast of Eilat to help biodiversity flourish in the area again. These manufactured structures are incorporated into the natural system of the coral habitat where they could provide assistance to the marine life and hopefully help corals regenerate themselves.
The disappearance and destruction of many coral reefs around the world are due to many reasons. May it be natural causes or man-made, the result is still the same. The world is losing its coral reefs and something needs to be done about it. The heating of the ocean waters due to global warming, chemicals from sunscreen as well as dynamite fishing practices -- all these reach the reefs and cause irreparable damages.
Invasive fishing methods of other fish species like the lion fish that hunt in coral reefs for food also cause much damage. More than 30% of the total coral reef formations all over the world can be found off the Coral Sea coast of Australia. Sadly, reports reveal that the heatwaves that hit it in 2016 and 2017 have caused major damages. In fact, it has been found that the effects were irreversible that these natural systems have become inhabitable.
These reefs serve as the sih nurseries essential to the survival of the living population of different fish species.
"Many factors are known to come into play when it comes to the recruitment of possible organisms that will start their home in reefs, especially among the species of fish," the researchers said. "One of the important concerns is the structural complexity of the coral colony. Further studies have shown that the complexity of these coral structures affect the biodiversity created in the given space."
The 3D printer developed by a team of research and developers from the Ben-Gurion University, Car-Ilan University, and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, uses a biodegradable and bio-active plastic called polyactic acid. These are made from corn, sugarcane or casava. They are formed into column-like structures and are then installed in the water alongside the farmed corals. This is to help mimic the complex nature of these coral reefs to attract fish to build in it its natural habitat.
The efforts in theory will bring about exciting results in the desire to save the coral reefs of the world. It is an attempt to completely reconstruct and bring back what was lost.
