Climate change from rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) is having two major effects in our seas – global warming and ocean acidification – and the combination of these threats is affecting marine life from single organisms to species communities.
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth are helping to build an artificial reef that could protect vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea against climate change.
The reef is made of small plastic structures that mimic natural coralline algae (algae with calcium carbonate structures), which have a similar ecological function to corals. Coralline algae form reefs that are able to host different species to create highly diverse and complex environments.
Due to their calcium carbonate structures, coralline algae are extremely vulnerable ocean acidification, since their skeleton is very soluble to low pH conditions. Their survival and the survival of their associated species is at risk.
In the long run, the aim is to see if organisms can survive in an artificial reef in case the coralline algae disappear in the future due to ocean acidification. The team also expects to be able to make artificial carbonate reefs from biodegradable plastic that would gradually disappear, leaving only natural coralline structures in place.
Researchers will deploy the ‘mimics’ close to existing coralline algae reefs in the Mediterranean Sea over a 12 month period. The aim is to see if they are able to host species, similar to their natural counterparts, and protect them against the effects of climate change, as well as acting as scaffolds for natural coralline algae reefs to grow.
Project co-ordinator Dr Federica Ragazzola, Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology at the University of Portsmouth, said: “In a small and confined seas like the Mediterranean, these potential ‘buffers’ are among the dominant organisms. Coralline algae belong to these groups of organism that may play an important role in buffering the pH decrease thus creating a micro-environment that may help some species to resist future climate changes.
Dr Chiara Lombardi, from the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) and project partner, said: “Our research will allow us to clarify the function of the coralline algae reef as a buffer for diversity, abundance, reproductive, ecological and structural characteristics of the associated fauna. As a consequence, our results will be important for the planning of future protection and management strategies involving coralline algae bioconstructions.”
The project is a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth, the National Research Council (Italy’s largest public research institution), and MedClimaLizers, an international research collaboration that will lead to improvements in our understanding of biomineralisation in the changing waters of the Mediterranean.
Funded by the Royal Society, the project aims to study the mitigation effects of the coralline algae reef in the Gulf of La Spezia, on the north-western coast of Italy.
The 90 synthetic mini reefs, 10cm in diameter, each with 20 fronds made of a highly elastic rubber material, known as silicon elastomer, will be anchored in clear resin.
The first mimics have been put in place this month. After 12 months, the natural reefs and mimics, along with their associated fauna, will be exposed to future climate change scenarios projected for 2100 (IPCC 2014) under controlled conditions.
Learn more: Could an artificial coral reef protect marine biodiversity against climate changes?
The Latest on: Artificial coral reef
[google_news title=”” keyword=”artificial coral reef” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- Coral reefs are experiencing another global bleaching event. Growing corals on artificial reefs could help save themon May 9, 2024 at 1:15 am
ECoREEF, an experiment taking place off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida, is testing the impact that hybrid reef structures have on coastal ecosystems.
- Massive barge deploys to make way for artificial reef off Jacksonville’s inleton May 8, 2024 at 9:30 pm
A 175-foot barge was deployed in Duval County Wednesday morning to make its way toward Harm’s Ledge to create the “Ripper Reef.” ...
- Hitler’s yacht sits off the coast of this Florida beach. Here’s whyon May 7, 2024 at 10:53 pm
Of course, the Ostwind isn’t the only strange object to be sunken off of Miami’s coast. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the following items have also been sunk near ...
- S Kalimantan develops conservation-based artificial coral reef programon May 6, 2024 at 11:09 pm
The South Kalimantan provincial government is developing a conservation-based artificial coral reef and fish restocking program by empowering coastal ...
- 'It's great': Bay County installs more artificial reefs in Gulf of Mexicoon May 1, 2024 at 2:15 am
Over the past couple of weeks, crews have made multiple trips to install more artificial in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Bay County.
- Have the world’s coral reefs already crossed a tipping point?on April 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A restoration project in the Caribbean that Brosnan founded, called OceanShot, is building artificial reefs where natural ones have collapsed. The tiered structures provide habitat for creatures ...
- How artificial reefs can help Southwest Floridaon April 26, 2024 at 4:43 pm
On any given day along the Southwest Florida coast, people will see boaters, beaches and much more. But what they can't see just off the shore are the dozens of artificial reefs – underwater – some ...
- 24 artificial reefs deployed to help health of Sarasota Bayon April 26, 2024 at 12:18 pm
More than 20 artificial reefs have been deployed in Sarasota Bay. The hope is for them to flourish and create new habitat for commercial and recreational fish.
- 24 artificial reefs deployed to help health of Sarasota Bayon April 26, 2024 at 12:18 pm
SARASOTA, Fla. - More than 20 artificial reefs have been deployed in Sarasota Bay. The hope is for them to flourish and create a new habitat for commercial and recreational fish. "If you want to ...
- Artificial reefs are being deployed just southwest of St. Andrews passon April 25, 2024 at 8:36 pm
Bay County officials are continuing to build up the artificial reef systems of local shores. As part of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BP paid billions to establish the RESTORE Act fund. Bay ...
via Google News and Bing News