| Project Detail |
Wood-waste-based botanical concrete for eco-friendly artificial reefs
Tourism, fishing, and other activities depend on marine ecosystems. Natural reefs are degrading due to factors like global warming and ocean acidification. Artificial reefs (AR) are used for restoration and protection, but traditional concrete has drawbacks. Botanical concrete, a carbon-negative and non-toxic material, offers the potential for building green ocean infrastructure. Supported by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the BCARE project aims to enhance wood-waste-based botanical concrete to create eco-friendly artificial reefs for coastal protection and coral restoration. It involves selecting raw materials, advanced simulation, and experiments to design an optimal prototype. The aim is to promote the efficient use of recycled resources to mitigate climate change.
Tourism, recreation, fishing, marine aquaculture, and many other economic activities depend on the diverse marine ecosystems globally. However, a combination of factors such as global warming, ocean acidification, and increment of cyclones in recent years have led to the aggravating degradation of natural reefs, one of the most varied marine ecosystems on Earth. Artificial reefs (AR) are widely used for habitat restoration, ecological development, and coastline protection. Concrete is the most successful AR material, but it generates substantial CO2 emissions, has high contamination, and has low bio-receptivity. Botanical concrete developed by author during PhD study is based on the concept of a circular economy with 100% responsible use of waste materials and its carbon negative and non-toxic characteristics provide exciting potential in building the green infrastructure in ocean. This research aims to enhance the durability, bioreceptivity and versatility of wood-waste-based botanical concrete to create a green route for the design of the new generation of multifunctional eco-friendly AR for coastal protection and coral restoration. Based on nutrition, water quality and settlement substrate test in marine environment (lab-level) the raw materials are selected. Followed by formation design through advanced simulation, Computed Tomography scanning and experiments on durability and mechanical performance, and life cycle assessment, the prototype of AR will be tailored to achieve optimal density for easy installation, high resilience in storms, superior capability for coral larval settlement and biodiversity. The results will revolutionize the way in which ARs are made and boost the efficient use of recycled resources and alleviate climate change by moving into a clean circular blue economy. The project will contribute to the EU’s sustainable blue economy strategies, including decarbonization, circular economy, biodiversity, climate adaptation, and sustainable food. |
