Coral reefs to be restored using 3D printed tiles designed by Hong Kong marine scientists

Coral reefs will w be restored using 3D printed artificial 'reef tiles' created and designed by a research team from University of Hong Kong which consists of marine scientists and architects. se terracotta 'reef tiles' will be used as an attachment by corals reefs to increase ir chances of survival in coastal waters in  Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park of Hong Kong.  Hong Kong Marine Park is home to over 120 fish species and over 60 species of coral reefs. 

3D Printed 'reef tiles' for coral reefs conservation

According to press release from University of Hong Kong, marine scientists will use 128 pieces of hexagonal 3D printed reef tiles and place m in three different sites in Hong Kong Marine Park where coral reefs have been destroyed. se 3D printed tiles will cover about 40 square meters area and will aid coral reefs in rebuilding by preventing sedimentation and by giving it a structurally complex foundation for attachment. This means that little fragments of coral reefs that have been dislodged will have a foundation that will help m survive and thrive which y wouldn't be able to do on ir own. 

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3D printed reef tiles created by Hong Kong marine scientist and architects have seeds of coral fragments and will be used for restoring 3 species of coral reefs namely Acropora, Platygyra, and Pavona. se reef tiles, me from generic terracotta clay, have a 600mm diameter and were printed with help of a robotic 3D clay printing method. 3D printed reef tiles have been created especially for Hong Kong waters.

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marine scientists me this move because in 2018 coral reefs suffered mass destruction as per reports. During a super-typhoon, nearly 80 per cent of coral reefs in Hoi Ha Wan bay of Hong Kong were disintegrated. According to reports, experts say that pieces of disintegrated coral reefs will take deces to regenerate naturally because y cant survive on ir own. As per marine scientists from University of Hong Kong, fragments of coral reefs can be damd by sand and y find it difficult to attach to seafloor on ir own. This is why y need extra support which 3D printed reef tiles will provide. 

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