 R

Do you see the brownish colored areas in the water out beyond the shoreline?

  That is where a tropical coral reef once stood.

But now has been replaced by man-made structures, designed to emulate natural reef formation and coral reef ecosystems.

 WHY?

Restoration of the Coral Reefs

Introduction  Reefs are the rainforests of the Sea. Like forests, the various types of reefs are extremely important as a habitat for an enormous number of species. Any imbalance created, whether it be natural causes or man’s influence, has a long term effect on the biodiversity in the area.

World Map of Coral Reefs   Statistics say more than half of the coral reefs will be destroyed by 2100 10% of the World’s coral reefs are degraded beyond recovery.

Hot Spots have been identified as the most threatened coral reef ecosystems in the world.

Precious Ecosystem  It is estimated that a mere 2/10ths of 1% of the total ocean area contain the world’s coral reefs, which provide habitat to 1/3 of all marine fish species, and tens of thousand of other species

Rapidly Degrading Areas    The Indian Ocean – areas could be totally devoid of living coral in 20 years The Caribbean- the amount of reef covered by live coral has shrunk by 80% in the last three decades Philippines – no regulation of over fishing

Why are the reefs important?

     Tens of millions of people depend on reefs to provide them with food and to protect tropical shorelines from erosion.

Coral reefs also have great aesthetic value and support a huge biodiversity with some estimate running into the millions of species.

As possible reservoirs of medicines, particularly biomedical, that hold the promise of cures for many diseases Coral reefs are striking, complex, and important features of the marine environment. Provide recreation and tourism (economic livelihood of local areas)

.

 Divers have seen first hand the damage that mans’ activities has done to the marine environment, these days surpassing the damage done by a reefs other natural peril, storm damage.

Causes of Coral Reef Degradation – Natural Stresses Crown of Thorns (Starfish) predator outbreaks and invasions

Coral Reef Degradation- Natural Stresses  Tropical storm damage

   Coral Reef Destruction – Natural Stresses Warmer ocean temperature fluctuations resulting in coral bleaching global warming Warmer temperatures cause algae living within the coral to be expelled, which brings about coral bleaching and death to living polyps

Coral Degradation – Natural Stresses  El Nino

Coral Degradation – Natural Stresses  Earthquakes

Coral Degradation- Natural Stresses  Wave action

Coral Degradation – Natural Stresses  Flooding and surface runoff

Coral Degradation – Natural Stresses  Natural Diseases   Black Band White Band

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Pressure from population increase (including migration and intensified uses)

 Coral Degradation Man-made stresses Depletion of fish stocks  Public and private aquariums  Delicacy foods

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Changes in fish populations may remove the species that control the abundance of other reef organisms (seaweed) thus allowing the spread of “weedy” species

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Destructive fishing methods, such as dynamite blasting and poisons like cyanide which temporarily stun/paralyze the fish, some fish are killed  Corals are also destroyed with these methods

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Excessive non-point source pollution, e.g. from agricultural runoff (fertilizers with nitrogen and phosphates) and contamination of aquifers (leaching)

 Coral Degradation Man-made stresses Ship-based pollution; including oil, plastics and bilge water

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Mangrove harvesting or displacement for aqua culture products

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses   Increased sedimentation as a result of deforestation and poor land use Increases in aquatic CO2 levels creates a lower pH, resulting in carbonic acid (chemistry change in water)

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Coral and coral sand mining  The limestone in the reef is used as raw material for cement production

Coral Degradation – Man-made stresses   Unregulated construction Coastal Development

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses  Unplanned tourism  including inadequate wasted water treatment and spear fishing

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses   Collection of corals and ornamental reef species Anchors, when released, crush coral

Coral Degradation Man-made stresses Trawling- indiscriminate and large-scale seabed devastation.

Sea bottom is completely leveled by heavy steel chains and nets.

(before and after photos)

 Save the Ecosystem “If we fail to act, the destruction of these rare and important ecosystems will continue unabated, threatening one of our world’s most precious natural resources. We need to slow the rate of global warming, clean up the watersheds that drain into coral reef waters, stop over-fishing and start an ecosystem-based management approach to coral reefs and their fisheries.”  Dr Terry Done, Australian Institute of Marine Science

The Use of Artificial Reefs is hardly a new one  For decades people have been creating reefs from tires, sunken ships, old cars, concrete culverts, downed planes and assorted rubble .

Bad News of “old stuff”  These, however, can often do more harm than good- leaching harmful chemicals into the ocean or damaging natural reefs when currents dislodge them and toss them around the sea floor.

New Methods   Many researchers and scientists have pioneered methodologies to help reefs survive and recover from natural events and anthropogenic damage.

Most methods are sustainable, environmentally safe, and economically and biologically feasible.

 All methods have the hope of plankton and bacteria forming first. Some chemicals would be released upon their decay, which would attract more marine life. Plants and polyps would begin to form on them and several marine animals would lay eggs and also find shelter in these “reefs”. This way, the artificial coral reefs would feed and breed marine life and over time tend to become natural.

Artificial Coral Uses     Artificial reefs Breakwaters Construction material Channel marker protection     Habitat for organisms Slow erosion Reduce wave energy Pier protection

Gulf of Mannar Project’s Artificial Reef Program    Specifically designed concrete modules, each weighing over one and a half tons, and coated with anti corrosive materials.

Groups of four in each module 110 groups deployed within a 1 sq. mile

Solar Panel Artificial Reef  A steel skeletal structure is placed on the seabed with small specimens of living coral attached with wire. When an electric current is applied, hydrogen bubbles start to form. This triggers a chemical reaction in seawater, that in time removes rust, and at the same time coats the steel with a form of calcium carbonate resembling natural reefs, which attracts corals

BIOReef  Recycled vinyl sheet is being formed into a honeycomb shape, and sunk off the West coast of Florida

Biorock Related terms: “

Mineral Accretion Technology

” “

Coral Arks

”  Applying a low voltage electrical current (completely safe for swimmers and marine life) to a submerged conductive structure causes dissolved mineral crystals in seawater to precipitate and adhere to that structure.

   Biorock To build a Biorock reef, an electrically conductive frame, often made from construction grade rebar or wire mesh, is welded and submerged.

Then a low voltage direct current is applied using an anode, which initiates an electrolytic reaction, causing mineral crystals to grow on the structure. (power sources can include chargers, windmills, solar panels or tidal current generators) The result is a composite of limestone and brucite with mechanical strength similar to concrete.

“

Coral Ark

”  Next phase, divers transplant coral fragments from other reefs and attach them to the ark’s frame. Coral growth is usually about 3 to 5 times faster than normal.

“

Mineral Accretion Technology

”  Coral growth varies from 1 to more than 20 centimeters of thickness per year, depending on the local electrical field

 The rusting of the submerged pilings has been completely halted, and in fact previous rust has been converted back to metallic iron by the protective cathodic action of the electrical currents. As a result, the pilings are completely protected from corrosion, and are now permanent . Only portions above the high tide mark are not protected and will need to be replaced.

Rock Pile Reefs   Rock piles of rubble and broken coral Some piles have nets to control shifting

EcoReef   The strategy was more for the tourism industry (aesthetics).

Snowflake-like ceramic modules created in a 3D hexagonal shape.

EcoReef   Designed to be mass produced and assembled at a restoration site.

Low-cost, large-scale, ecologically significant interventions

EcoReef     pH neutral Shaded settling plates raised of the bottom Fluted surfaces to generate turbulence Microporous surface texture for improved coral adhesion

The “Reef Doctor’s” Choice of  Artificial Restoration Projects Harold Hudson of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) is an expert on coral reef restoration commented on the

new reef balls

as “amazing”. Watching the development of the reef in the coming years should give even greater satisfaction

 Reef ball Creator, Todd Barber Reef Balls are by far the most used designed artificial reefs in the world due to numerous special features which make them ideally suited to create aquatic habitats.

Reef Ball Foundation’s Mission Statement 

Our mission is to help restore and protect our world’s ocean ecosystem through the developments and use of natural looking and ecologically sound, Reef Balls. Reef Balls are state of the art designed artificial reefs modules. Reef Ball projects emphasize on-going research, public education, community involvement, and reefs that promote and support natural species diversity and population density.

Reefballs   Concrete, hollow, domed shaped structures.

Weight is concentrated in their bases, will sit on the sea floor without moving, even in turbulent waters

Reef balls  Each reef ball has its own unique hole sizing and placement, with the surface textured for enhancing settlement of marine life.

 The units are made with marine friendly concrete which has been combined with additives to create a super-strong, abrasion-resistant structure with a pH similar to ocean waters

Diagram of reef ball The balls which create holes are inflated to different pressures to vary hole sizes.

Interconnected holes are possible by inflating the balls until they touch.

Additional casting techniques are taught by trainers so users can customize to fit any need

Reef balls  Reef balls are engineered for underwater stability and longevity, and cause minimal impact to the surrounding areas.

Getting modules ready for corals Different Styles of Modular Units all with Adapter Receptor Plugs built in highlighted by red arrows

  Inflated bladders make deployment of the reefballs relatively easy.

To sink, simply release the air and guide the reefball to the floor

  Reef balls are carefully placed on the sea floor.

Meanwhile, volunteers are beginning coral propagation

 Corals are attached to modules

 Fish will begin breeding on the new reef  Conchs, fish and other organisms can move under and around the reef balls

 Sea grasses as well other aquatic life move in to complete the new reef ecosystem

  Some areas require efforts to restore the mangroves.

“mangrove root mimic reef balls” will be used near the planted mangroves to provide an estuary type reef system. The delicate root mimics are re-enforced with fiberglass rebar and will be a host to a variety of filter feeders, estuary hardy corals, sponges and algae.

Video Brochure 1999 Video Brochure            Why build reefs What’s involved Floating deployment Unique hole sizing and placement Surface texture Stability Marine friendly concrete Standard sizes Leasing and pricing Contractor Services and training Projects

Reef Ball Sizes, Weights, Volume and number of Holes Style Goliath Super Ball Ultra Ball Reef Ball Pallet Ball Bay Ball Lo-Pro Oyster Width

6 feet (1.83 m) 6 feet 83 m) (1.

5.5 feet (1.68 m) 6 feet (1.83 m)

Height

5 feet (1.5

2 m) 4.5 feet (1.37 m) 4.3 feet (1.31 m) 3.8 feet (1.16 m) 4 feet (1.22 m) 3 feet (0.91 m)

Mini Bay Ball

2.5 feet (0.76 m) 2 feet (0.61 m) 1.5 feet (0.46 m) 2.9 feet (0.88 m) 2 feet (0.61 m) 1.75 feet (0.53 m) 1.5 feet (0.46 m) 1 foot (0.30 m)

Weight

4,000-6,000 lbs. (1,818-2,727 kg.) 4,000-6,000 lbs (1,818-2,727 kg.) 3,500-4,500 lbs.

(1,591-2,045 kg.) 3000-4200 lbs.

(1364-1,909 kg.) 1500-2200 lbs.

(682-1,000 kg.) 375-750 lbs.

(170-341 kg.) 150-200 lbs.

(68-91 kg.) 80-130 lbs.

(36-59 kg.) 30-45 lbs.

(14-20 kg.)

Concrete Volume

1.3 yard 3 m 3 ) (1.19 1.3 yard 3 (1.19 m 3 ) 0.9 yard 3 (0.76 m 3 ) 0.75 yard 3 (0.57 m 3 ) 0.33 yard 3 (0.25 m 3 ) 0.10 yard 3 (0.08 m 3 ) less than 4 50 lb. bags less than 2 50 lb. bags less than 1 50 lb. bag

Surface Area

230 ft 2 (21.4 m 2 ) 190 ft 2 (17.6 m 2 ) 150 ft 2 (13.9 m 2 ) 130 ft 2 (12.1 m 2 ) 75 ft 2 (7.0 m 2 ) 30 ft 2 (2.8 m 2 )

# Hol es 25 40

22 34 22 34 22 34 17 24 11 16 8-12 6-10 6-8

Oyst er Lo Pro Mini Bay Bay Pall et Reef or Ultra

Supe r

G o li a t h Purchase $625 * $850 * $1600 *

$2525 $48 75 $720 0 $8,70 0 $ 9 , 9 9 0

Reef Ball Foundation Grant At Cost Price (You must apply for and be accepted by RBF to qualify for this price). [Click above link for Grant requirements] $385 * $530 * $1000 * $1585 *

$30 15 $446 0 $5,22 0 $ 5 , 9 9 4

Mold Duplication Fee, Authorized Contractors Only

$185 Oyste r $130 Model $300 $600 $850 $18 50 $2,40 0 Reef $2,80 0 Ultra $7,80 0 Pricing and Leasing

Dominican Republic at the Gran Domicus  Before reef restoration  After reef restoration

Reef balls  There are now over 500,000 reef balls in 3700 projects in 50 countries around the world, and the list grows weed by week.

Click the button to see an interactive map of the world’s locations participating in reef ball projects

Project Updates  To learn more about individual projects, click on the link below for details and photos Project updates

  Reef ball Foundation Publicly supported non-profit charity that functions as an international environmental NGO.

Reefballs now and for the future:   Most economically available pH sensitive   EPA approved Stability tested.

To learn more, log onto: www.reefball.org

www.reefball.com

 Eternal Reefs If you are just “dying” to get into reefballs, try logging onto and learning more about how you can become part of an Eternal Reef  http://www.eternalreefs

.com/ Cremated remains are mixed into the concrete to create the Memorial Reef