Reclaiming the Oceans

With natural coral reefs under threat, artificially-made ‘innovareefs’ are helping save marine habitat

Coral reefs provide a habitat for marine life. Unfortunately, they are being damaged by climate change and pollution, and their numbers are declining. Many organisations attempt to restore corals by using artificial reefs such as used car tyres, PVC pipes and cement blocks. However, the appearance of these artificial reefs does not blend with the marine environment and causes visual pollution.

To make artificial reefs that resemble and function like natural corals, Prof Nantarika Chansue, senior adviser and adjunct professor of the Veterinary. Medical Aquatic Animal Research Center of Excellence (VMARCE), Chulalongkorn University, came up with the idea of “innovareefs”.

Varuth Srisuwan, who earned his PhD in technopreneurship and innovation management from Chulalongkorn, presented Prof Nantarika’s design of the innovareef to Siam Cement Group to help them create a cement prototype.

“I understand that in the past people did not realise that artificial reefs would increase underwater pollution. Car tyres spread toxic chemicals when they degrade. When PVC pipes break, they become microplastics underwater. Cement blocks on sand can obstruct the pathway of aquatic life living on the ocean floor. Some artificial reefs cannot withstand strong waves or currents and may drift out of their original location to inappropriate areas. Instead of preserving marine life, these artificial reefs can cause negative effects,” Prof Nantarika, who is also the president of Earth Agenda Foundation, explained.

Innovareef was created based on the study of natural corals. Compared to other artificial reefs, innovareef looks beautiful with graceful branches. Its main material is cement because it is made of natural materials such as limestone, clay and sand. Innovareef is a collaboration between Chulalongkorn University, Siam Cement Group and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. It has many functions that other artificial reefs do not. Innovareef is coated with calcium and phosphate nutrients which help corals grow. Prof Nantarika said that with these nutrients, corals on innovareef grow faster than corals on natural reefs.

Innovareef also includes hydrodynamics technology designed to resist tidal forces. The technology can prevent innovareef from flowing away or being buried underneath the sand due to the strong current.

Another positive side of innovareef is its 3D cement printing with the Lego design concept enabling each part to be separated and easily transported.

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