Reefcyclables: Innovating the Existent Artificial Coral Reef Design by Harnessing the Latency of Industrial Pollutants

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The province of Cavite is widely known for its extensive coral reefs, encompassing a fifth of a square kilometer (0.20 sq. km.) in Maragondon, Cavite alone. The vicinity of the area is under the coverage of the "coral triangle." Out of nine coral reef stations are found in the region of Cavite, six are marked of good health (25-49.99% healthy) and, the remainder is described of poor health, corresponding to 0-24.99% coral quality. What if there is a way to reduce the impact of pollution and, help the marine ecosystems of the city to replenish in one fell swoop? Such is the reason why the researchers have formulated the "Reefcyclable," a structure which aims to harness the capability and potential of industrial waste and, reuses them as materials to construct an artificial coral reef design.

METHODS

This project was designed and formulated to be a general solution to these two problems, reducing the pollution that humanity causes while at the same time, provide substrate and nourishment for the recovery of coral reefs. The Reefcyclable, constructed from cement, Styrofoam chunks, and organic refuse such as Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) derived from eggshells were built innovatively, being durable and large despite the use of minimum resources.

RESULTS

The researchers for assumptions highly expected the data results were based on a few studies conducted regarding coral reef as well as logical analyzations and correlations of specific phenomenon such as the composition of eggshells and coral. It was found out that the Reefcycleable formed with industrial waste is of more significant strength and sturdiness contrasted to a robust cement model. Also, the addition of Calcium Carbonate on the Reefcycleable promotes the increase of water alkalinity to 7.7 or higher, positively revitalizing coral and countering rising water acidity. The Reefcyclable also successfully contains stable plastics until the time of its degradation essentially acting as a safe storage unit preventing water pollution.

DISCUSSIONS

The ACR was seen to effectively increase the alkalinity of acidic seawater from a pH level of 5 to 9, which is needed by corals to thrive and build their exoskeletons. The Reefcyclable can also withstand and resist complete obliteration despite being dropped from a height of 150 cm, being only reduced to large pieces. Finally, the Reefcyclable was seen to alleviate the difficulty of transportation due to its lighter weight of 51.2 Kg compared to the 68 Kg of solid cement.