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Date Published: 21/01/2022
ARCHIVED - Alicante scientists develop artificial reef prototype to regenerate the Mediterranean
Researchers from the University of Alicante (UA) have successfully tested the system at the city's port
A group of scientists from the University of Alicante (UA) has developed a prototype of electrolytic artificial reefs to regenerate the Mediterranean seabed, which they have already successfully tested in Alicante Port.
The patented system purifies seawater in the vicinity of aquaculture farms and in degraded habitats with CO2 fixation.
The prototype is basically a light metallic structure with a porous chalky coating that adheres to organisms such as marine invertebrate larvae and algae spores, according to the UA.
An electrolysis process is carried out on these metal supports, i.e. the decomposition of water (H2O) into oxygen and hydrogen by means of an electric current.
"During this process, chemical substances that are harmless to the marine habitat are released into the environment, which favours the deposition of calcium carbonate and the development of phytoplankton," explained one of the UA researchers.
"Amongst other advantages, this technology allows the restoration of degraded marine habitats and the purification of water in the vicinity of aquaculture farms, as well as the sustainable exploitation of marine leisure due to seabed improvements for recreational scuba diving."
The biological diversity attached to carbonate chalky structures by electrolysis has been found to be significantly higher than that of uncoated metal structures, and "a greater diversity of marine species is therefore established".
Another innovative aspect of the prototype is that these underwater structures can be assembled in situ, thus reducing transport, assembly and anchoring costs.
The team, made up of researchers from the Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, the Department of Civil Engineering, and the Electrochemistry Research Institute, carried out the first laboratory-scale tests in 2013.
In 2020 and 2021, they collaborated with the Port Authority of Alicante to carry out tests with prototypes on a pre-industrial scale, including comparative fixation studies (carbonate-control) and seasonal studies of marine fauna and flora on the structures.
The studies confirmed that the system does not release any polluting or toxic substances into the marine environment but it does contribute to CO2 fixation.
"It is important to note that the electrolysis process is carried out using electrical current supplied by an external source compatible with the use of photovoltaic solar panels," explained the UA team.
The technology has already been registered as intellectual property with the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office and an international extension has been requested.
Image: Universidad de Alicante
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