A cluster of floating, solar-powered islands could be used to support coral reef restoration efforts in coastal waters, a team of researchers has proposed.
It is possible to accelerate the recovery of damaged corals, or the growth of new coral colonies, by pumping an electrical current through seawater. This prompts minerals dissolved in the seawater to crystallise on structures, forming limestone rock that is the perfect habitat for young corals.
The approach, known as the Biorock process, . But deployment has been limited to reefs close to shore because of the difficulty of running electricity cables out into the deeper ocean.
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at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam, and his colleagues have designed a system of three interconnected floating islands they say could be used to power the Biorock process at sea, with no need for terrestrial power supplies.
Each island has a distinct function: one would feature a solar array to power the coral restoration efforts; the second would act as a research hub for teams monitoring the reef; and the third would act as a 鈥渂otanical garden鈥�, with a roof to collect rainwater as a water supply. The islands would be hexagon-shaped, with each side measuring 30 metres, and have a stainless steel frame and a composite outer surface.
The team鈥檚 analysis, which hasn鈥檛 yet been peer reviewed, suggests the islands could float and provide adequate water and electricity without relying on mainland supplies. Each system would cost around $2 million to build, L锚 estimates.
鈥淥ur study has demonstrated the feasibility of our artificial islands,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his highlights the potential for these islands to serve as viable platforms for coral reef restoration efforts.鈥�
The islands would sit in sheltered coastal bays where they are protected from storms. They would transmit electricity to structures on the seabed where the coral would grow.
鈥淭here are four anchors per island to prevent the whole system from drifting away without being under control and from being toppled over by large waves,鈥� says L锚, although he says an extreme event such as a tsunami would be likely to cause severe damage.
at Newcastle University, UK, says the design looks sound and has a novel application. 鈥淢ost artificial islands 鈥� and there are a lot in the tropics 鈥� are a real engine for destroying coral,鈥� he says. 鈥淭o see a scheme that is about growing coral is great.鈥�
But floating islands usually only have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. 鈥淚f you are having schemes that need replacing every 50 years, that becomes an environmental issue itself,鈥� says Bonnett.
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