ENHANCING CORAL GROWTH ON ARTIFICIAL REEFSBY ELECTRO...
Transcript of ENHANCING CORAL GROWTH ON ARTIFICIAL REEFSBY ELECTRO...
ENHANCING CORAL GROWTH ON ARTIFICIAL REEFSBY
ELECTRO DEPOSITION REEF
ADIL MOHD
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Engineering (Coastal & Maritime)
Faculty of Civil Engineering
UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia
OCTOBER2012
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. I am praised to
Allah, Lord of the universe for making me able to undertake this research work.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my supervisor Prof. Dr.
Ahmad KhairiAbd. Wahab for his encouragement, invaluable suggestions, earnest
guidance and motivation
Special thanks to all of the staff at the Coastal and Offshore Engineering Institute (COEI), UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia and Dorken Reefs Resources for their help in dealing with the experimental work.
Finally my family for providing to pursue knowledge and at the same time comfort and support to achieve and succeed.
v
ABSTRACT
The global decline in reef health has prompted the need for effective reef management
methodologies, including the development of active reef restoration measures. Major causes of
coral reefs damage includeuncontrolled tourismand fishing activities. Electro Deposition Reef
(EDR) is a technique to enhance coral growth on artificialreefs by using direct current. It
hasdemonstrated to be a potential tool for the restoration of marine habitat. The development and
installation of EDR test bed was done in2004 atPerhentian Island. The test bed consisting of
Cluster A and Cluster B was located in front of the Marine Park Department Jetty. Cluster A
includes the EDR setup, while Cluster B acts as control. Cluster A consists of a 10m x 5m x
1.5m PVC frame to support the EDR structure and 10 units of concrete reefs. While, Cluster B
as a control test bed consist of 10 units of concrete reefs only. Concrete reefs deployed functions
as medium for coral to grow. These dome shaped concrete reefs were developed by a marine
contractor Dorken Reefs Resources. Coral and fish species at Cluster A and B were counted,
recorded and compared. The fish and coral assemblage on the test bed were found to be
abundant and diverse. The most abundant coral species was Acropora, and the most numerous
fish was Razor Fish.The growth rate of Acroporarecorded showed the growth of88% faster than
Control Cluster (B). The coral grew up to 75mm within 18 months compared to control cluster
rateof 40 mm for 18 months.The abundance and diversity index of fish were calculated using
Shannon Wiener Index and the results show that thefish distribution is more dominant in Cluster
Aat 2.77, compared to Cluster B, at2.46.Installation of the solar panel requires the correct
position to be achieved to obtain optimum output of voltage and current.Cloudy areas may not
get enough sun exposure. Wet climates will corrode exposed parts more quickly and the cost of
maintenance must be considered. From the results given,EDRtechnique contributes in enhancing
coral growth and created more source of food for the marine habitats.
vi
ABSTRAK
Kemusnahan batukarang di peringkat global meningkatkan keperluan pengurusan karang yang
efektif termasuk membangunkan kaedah pemuliharaan batukarang yang aktif. Antara sebab-
sebab utama batukarang musnah ialah aktiviti pelancongan dan perikanan yang tidak terkawal.
Kaedah“electro deposition reef” (EDR) ialah satu teknik untuk meningkatkan kadar
pertumbuhan batukarang dengan menggunakan tenaga elektrik arus terus. Ia telah menunjukkan
potensi untuk membantu pemuliharaan habitat marin. Pembangunan dan pemasangan lapangan
pengujian EDR telah dilakukan pada tahun 2004 di Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu. Lapangan
pengujian KlusterA dan Kluster B terletak di hadapan jeti Jabatan Taman Laut, Pulau
Perhentian. Kluster A dilengkapi dengan EDR manakala Kluster B pula bertindak sebagai
kawalan. Kluster A mengandungi satu rangka PVC bersaiz 10m x 5m x 1.5m bagimenyokon
gstruktur EDR dan 10 unit tukun konkrit. Manakala, Kluster B bertindak sebagai kawalan
dengan mempunyai 10 unit tukun konkrit sahaja. Tukun konkrit yang dilabuhkan menjadi
medium untuk karang tumbuh. Tukun konkrit berbentuk kubah ini dibangunkan oleh sebuah
syarikat marin Dorken Reefs Resources. Karang dan spesisikan di Kluster A dan B dikira,
direkod dan dibandingkan. Pelbagai sepsis batukarang dan ikan di dapati telah terhimpun di
lapangan pengujian. Acropora adalah sepsis karang yang paling dominan, manakala ikan yang
paling banyak mengunjungi lapangan pengujian ialah Razor Fish. Kadar pertumbuhan Acropora
direkodkan dan keputusannya menunjukkan ianya tumbuh 88% lebih pantas berbanding kadar
pertumbuhan di Kluster Kawalan (B). Karang tersebut tumbuh 75mm dalam masa18 bulan
manakala kadar pertumbuhan di Kulster Kawalan ialah 40mm selama 18 bulan. Bilangan dan
kepelbagaian ikan dikira menggunakan Shannon Wiener Index dan didapati ikan lebih
mendominasi Kluster A iaitu 2.77 berbanding Kluster B dengan 2.46. Pemasangan panel solar
perlu dilakukan pada posisi yang sesuai bagi mendapatkan nilai voltan dan arus yang paling
optima. Kawasan yang dilindungi oleh awan akan kurang memperolehi cahaya matahari.
Manakala cuaca yang lembab akan menyebabkan peralatan mudah karat dan kos bagi membaik
pulih perlu diambil kira. Daripada keputusan yang diperolehi, kaedah EDR terbukti
meningkatkan kadar pertumbuhan karang dan juga sumber makanan kepada hidupan marin.
ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
DECLARATION ii DEDICATION iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv ABSTRACT v ABSTRAK vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ix LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xvi LIST OF SYMBOLS xvii 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Problem Statement 1 1.2 Research objectives 3 1.3 Scope and Task 3 1.4 Significance of the study 4 1.5 Thesis Outline 5
2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction 6 2.2 Coral Reef Restoration Techniques 10
2.2.1 Biorock 15 2.2.2 Fixed and Suspended Coral Reef Nurseries 19
2.2.3 Rope Nurseries
22
2.2.4 Coral Reef Restoration in Malaysia 27 2.3 Electrochemical Reaction 31
2.3.1 The Anodic Reaction 33 2.3.2 The Cathodic Reaction 35 3 EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND
x
PROCEDURE 3.1 Introduction 40 3.2 Laboratory Setup 42 3.3 On Site Setup 44 3.4 Cluster Location 48 3.5 Solar Panel 49
3.5.1 Solar Panel Setup 50 3.5.2 Solar Controller 51 3.5.3 Solar Battery Charger 54
3.6 Environmental Parameters Meters 57 3.7 Measurement of Environmental Parameters 62
4 RESULTS 4.1 Laboratory Results 64 4.2 On Site Results 67 4.3 Fish Distribution in EDR Test Bed. 90
5 CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusions 91 5.2 Recommendation for Future Research Works 94
REFERENCES 96
xi
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO
TITLE PAGE
2.1 Minimum parameters for healthy coral reefs
14
3.1 Technical specifications for solar controller
53
3.2 Specifications for the solar battery charger
56
4.1 Laboratory test results 65
4.2 Summary of activities done during monitoring 71 4.3 Average Physico-chemical parameters of study
site during the study period (April 2008 - October
2009)
72
4.4 Coral species observed at Cluster A and B. 73
4.5 The abundance and diversity of coral samples at
Cluster A
77
4.6 The abundance and diversity of coral samples at
Cluster B
78
4.7 Comparison of Acropora sp. growth in Cluster A
and B
79
4.8 The picture of fish that have been observed in the
artificial reefs.
82
4.9 The abundance and diversity of fishes 86
xii
4.10 Average diversity index of fish for Cluster A
87
4.11 Average diversity index of fish for Cluster B
88
4.12 Average diversity index of total fish species
89
5.1 Electrochemical force series 95
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NO
TITLE PAGE
2.1 Coral reefs at risk from human activities. 10
2.2 Threats to the world coral reefs. 11
2.3 Biorock
17
2.4 Schematic illustration of the fixed and suspended coral reefs nurseries. (A) Suspended nursery (B) Leg-fixed nursery, (C–D) Nurseries' modular units.
20
2.5 Results from fixed and suspended coral reef nurseries 21
2.6 The three rope nursery prototypes. (A and B) The
floating and tied to bottom nurseries housed only two
species, and (C) fixed to bottom
23
2.7 Rope nurseries results
26
2.8 Hex Reefs deployed in PulauTioman
27
2.9 (a) Dome Reef (b) Enviro Reefs
28
2.10 Atom structure 32
2.11 Anodic reaction 33
2.12 Anodic sites on surface of iron exposed to seawater 34
xiv
2.13 Cathodic reaction 35
2.14 Cathode reaction into the electrolyte. 36
2.15 Ionization circuit 37
3.1 Bio rock; Coral reef not naturally growth but tied with
cable
41
3.2 EDR: Coral reefs naturally growth at cathode and
artificial reefs.
41
3.3 Laboratory setup for EDR testing 43
3.4 Aerial view of the test bed location. 44
3.5 Concrete reefs construction 45
3.6 Cluster A (a) side, (b) top view and (c) on site test bed 46
3.7 Cluster B (a) side, (b) top view and (c) on site test bed 47
3.8 Cluster locations 48
3.9 Solar panel setup 50
3.10 Solar panel installed at the roof top of marine park jetty 51
3.11 Solar controller 53
3.12 Solar battery 55
3.13 Site marking by diver 57
3.14 Frame assembly 58
3.15 Solar panel installation 58
3.16 Concrete reef deployment 59
3.17 Concrete reefs attached with copper and the underwater
cable direct to solar panel.
60
3.18 Test bed deployment 60
3.19 Schematic diagram of EDR test bed 61
3.20 Multi probe for water quality measurement 63
4.1 Closed up on calcium carbonate deposited at cathode on
lab test
67
xv
4.2 Comparison of Cluster A and B growth rate of Acropora 81
5.1 Initial substrate. 92
5.2 Broken corals caused by snorkelers, swimmers and
divers.
92
5.3 Acroporagrowth rate is75mm in 2 years 93
xvi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
EDR - Electro Deposition Reefs
LED - Light Emitting Diode
Amp - Ampere
Volt. - Voltage
PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride
PWM - Pulse Width Modulation
MPPT - Maximum power point tracking
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
ORP - Oxidation Reduction Potential
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
EC Conductivity
DO Dissolved Oxygen
xvii
LIST OF SYMBOLS
m - Meter
mm - Millimetre
pH - Hydrogen ion activity in solution
W - Watts
I - Current
V - Volt
mg - milligram
ℓ - litre
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Problem Statement
Coral reefs, the rain forests of the sea, are undergoing a worldwide decline.
Global changes and continuous intense abuse of reefs by human are the main factors for
this decline. Adverse anthropogenic activities such as over-fishing, recreational
activities, waste discharge, deforestation, reef mining and dredging have all been listed
as primary causes for this degradation. The decline of coral reefs raised the need for
adequate restoration methodologies as efforts to conserve degrading reefs have failed to
produce significant results and rehabilitation measures have not compensated for the
rapid reef degradation.
A World Bank report in 2006 [1] on coral reefs identified this ecosystem as the
highest priority area for conservation, especially in countries with an economic
2
dependence on coral reefs. This concern is further supported by reports discussing the
ecological and socio-economic issues of worldwide reef degradation [1].
The fast degradation of coral reefs has prompted greater attention to remediation
and restoration activities. In Southeast Asia some of the status of the reef has reached a
critical point of reduced resilience forcing active restoration measures. However,
established theories and approved management and restoration techniques for marine
ecosystems, including coral reefs are still lagging behind and rely largely on those
developed for terrestrial habitats [1].
As a result, the principles underlining reef restoration measures have become
part of the many ill-defined issues of this discipline. The fast worldwide reef degradation
has invoked discussions on suitable restoration measures to be applied as management
tools supplementary to the traditional conservation measures [1].
Various approaches have been proposed including construction of artificial reef
structures, the transplantation of entire coral colonies or fragments and the concept of
‘‘coral gardening’’ by means of underwater nurseries. Until recently, attempts to restore
degraded reef areas were based on whole colony transplantation in which dead coral
colonies are replaced with new ones in order to accelerate natural recovery. However,
harvesting corals for transplantation usually abuse and inflict trauma to the donor reefs
while survival and growth of the transplants are left to the mercy of conditions within
the damaged reef site [1]
To alleviate coral reef degradation, a two-type restoration and enhancing coral
growth protocol termed ‘‘Electro-deposition Reefs’’ (EDR) is proposed. For the test bed,
two clusters of engineered reef were constructed and deployed at the Pulau Perhentian,
3
Marine Park in Terengganu. Cluster A was installed with Electro deposition Reefs and
Cluster B acts as the control unit. All units were deployed at the same water depth of 8m
during high tide.
This thesis presents the findings on the performance of the Electro Deposition
Reefs where coral growth and fish distribution were recorded over an 18 months period.
1.2 Research Objectives
The objectives of this project are as follows;
1. To investigate the effectiveness of ‘‘Electro-deposition Reefs’’ to accelerate
coral growth.
2. To monitor the coral growth rate and fish distribution at two clusters of test
bed installed at site.
1.3 Scope and Task
This research works involve:
1. Development and deployment of “Electro-deposition Reefs technique’’ at the
research site for the coral to grow.
2. Monitoring and comparing the rate of coral growth between the EDR Cluster and
the Control Cluster.
3. Observing and recording the fish distribution at the EDR Cluster and the Control
Cluster.
4
The prototype and test bed for concrete reef with EDR method was developed
and deployed at Pulau Perhentian in April 2008. The EDR method setup uses solar
panel at 12 volt and 0.4 Ampere and connected to the concrete reefs copper cage and
titanium as conductor. Comparison for the rate of acceleration will be quantified.
Data collection on the effectiveness of the EDR method to enhance self accretion
and act as substrate for coral growth will be recorded. Diversity including type,
number of coral and fish around the test beds will be observed and recorded.
1.4 Significance of the study
Expected findings from this research are:
1. A novel way of using EDR technique to enhance coral growth. EDR setup
expected to propagate coral growth especially Acropora sp which the structure
construct by calcium carbonate. The growth rates of this species will be recorded
along the project.
2. Recommendations of suitable electrochemical reaction series of metal for
deployment of manmade coral habitat. From the series, improved method can be
suggested for future project. The test bed developed using the suitable
electrochemical series expected to be a sustainability food chain for marine life.
5
1.5 Thesis Outline
This thesis is organized into 5 chapters to completely cover the whole research
works that have been conducted covering the development, deployment and monitoring
of an “Electro-deposition Reefs system ’’ to accelerate coral growth.
Chapter 2 reports on the literature review of the EDR method. There is a need for
extensive and continuative investigation either via laboratory or experimental approach.
Chapter 3 provides a description of the experimental testing on site. The experimental
facility, setup and procedures for this study are described.
Results of this study are reported in Chapter 4, including the observations recorded,
assessment of the test results and assessment of the particular factors that influence
acceleration rate for coral growth using the “Electro-deposition Reefs system”. Finally,
in Chapter 5 the contribution of this thesis are summarized and recommendations for
future works are given.
96
REFERENCES
1. Schubert, R. The Future Oceans, Warming Up, Rising High, Turning Sour. German
Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), 2006, Vol. 2 : 111-117
2. Pandolfi, J.M. Global trajectories of the long-term decline of coral reef ecosystems.
Science 301, 2003, 955–958
3. Bellwood, D.R. Confronting the coral reef crisis. Nature, 2004, 429: 827–833.
4. International Coral Reefs Report, Diagnostic Monitoring & Assessment of Coral Reefs:
Studies from Around the World, 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, 2008, Vol.
3.5: 355-358
5. Wilson, S.K. Multiple disturbances and the global degradation of coral reefs: are reef
fishes at risk or resilient? Global Change Biology, 2006, 12 : 2220–2234
6. Munday, P.L. Climate change and the future for coral reef fishes. Fish, 2008, 9: 261–285
7. NODC (National Oceanographic Data Center) 2001, World Ocean Database 2001.
NODC, Silver Spring MD.
8. Pratchett, M.S. Effects of climate induced coral bleaching on coral reef fishes; ecological
and economic consequences. Oceanography Marine Biology, 2008, 46 : 251–296
97
9. Levin, S.A. and Lubchenco, J. Resilience, robustness, and marine ecosystem-based
management. Bioscience, 2008, 58,:27–32
10. Wilkinson, C.R. Status of the coral reefs of the world: 2008. Global Coral Reef
Monitoring Network and Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, 2008,
11. Baruch, R. Management of coral reefs: We have gone wrong when neglecting active reef
restoration, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2008, Volume 56 :1821–1824
12. Zac, H. F, Baruch, R, and Cynthia L. H. Investigating fragment size for culturing reef-
building corals (Porites lobata and P. compressa) in ex situ nurseries Aquaculture, 2006,
Oceans 2006, 261: 89–97.
13. Walter, C. J. Coral Reef Restoration, Ecological Engineering, 2006, Volume 15: 345-
364.
14. Terry, P. H, Nicholas A.J ,Graham N , Jeremy B.C, Jackson, Peter J. M and Robert S. S,
Rising to the challenge of sustaining coral reef resilience, Trends in Ecology and
Evolution, 2009, Vol.25 : No.11
15. Hilbertz, W.H, Biorock Of Minerals In Seawater, Marine Science Institute The
University of Texas Report; 2000, Vol. 5: 48-49
16. Thomas J. G, Global Coral Reef Alliance, Isambridge, Shore Protection, Beach
Formation, And Production Of Building Materials And Energy Using Seawater
Electrolysis Technology, Evolution and Zoogeography of Coral Reefs Ecosystems of the
World, 2000, Vol. 25:1-8.
98
17. Hilbertz, W.H, Minerals in Sea Water: Experiments and Applications, IEEE, Journal On
Oceanic Engineering, 1979, Vol. 4.
18. Thomas, J. G, Global Coral Reef Alliance, Restoring Coral Reefs, Oyster Banks, And
Fisheries By Seawater Electrolysis, Coastal Zone Management And Tourism
Applications, 2003, OCEANS.
19. Thomas, J. G, Marine Ecosystem Restoration: Costs and Benefits for Coral Reefs, World
Resource Review, 2005, Vol. 17: 3-4.
20. Lee, S, Gideon L, Edgardo G, Baruch R, Fixed and suspended coral nurseries in the
Philippines: Establishing the first step in the “gardening concept” of reef restoration,
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2008, 358: 86–97.
21. Gideon, L, Lee S, Abraham H, Baruch R, Mid-water rope nursery; Testing design and
performance of a novel reef restoration instrument, Ecological Engineering, 2010, 36:
560–569.
22. T. Yoshida, K. Akagi, T. Toda, M.M.R. Kushairi, A.A.A. Kee & B.H.R. Othman, (2010),
Evaluation of Fish Behaviour and Aggregation by Underwater Videography in an
Artificial Reef in Tioman Island, Malaysia, Sains Malaysiana 39(3): 395–403
23. Shahbudin, S, Haififi, Z, Akhbar, J, Kamaruzzaman, B.Y, and Jalal K.C.A, Distribution
and Diversity of Corals on Artificial Reefs at Pasir akar and Teluk Kalong, Redang
Island, Malaysia, Journal of Applied Science, 2010, ISSN : 1812-5654.
24. Vanysek, P, Electrochemical Series, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 88th Edition.
99
25. Tilley, R.J, Understanding solids: the science of materials, 2004, John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 978-0-470-85276-7 : 281
26. Werner, Z, Reinhold, W, Chapter 3: “Production of Hydrogen. Part 4: Production from electricity by means of electrolysis" Knowledge , Hydrogen in the Energy Sector, 1996, Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH.
27. Stelter, M., Bombach, H, Process Optimization in Copper Electrorefining, Advanced Engineering Materials, 2004, Vol 6: 558
28. Metal Finishing: Guidebook and Directory, Issue 98, 1998
29. Elizabeth, W and Michaeal, A, Reef Fishes Corals and Invertebrates of The South China Sea, New Holland Publisher (UK) Ltd., 2002