Material matters: artificial substrate composition and biofilm presence influence larval settlement of Diadema antillarum

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: May 15, 2025

Caribbean coral reefs are in rapid decline and artificial increasingly often deployed to restore lost three-dimensional structure. The majority of other marine infrastructure is built from concrete, with Ordinary Portland Cement (CEM I) as the most important ingredient. However, production CEM I results substantial CO 2 emissions. In addition, there indications that material colonized by different benthic assemblages compared natural reefs. To make more sustainable ecologically optimal, research into alternative materials required. For this study, was five substrates: a mixture III cement recycled fines III), Calcium Sulfoaluminate (CSA), geopolymer-sediment tiles (GS), lime-sediment (LS), Xiriton (E0). Settlement long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum on tested under laboratory conditions. Competent D. larvae were added beakers tile made one substrates monitored for settlement after two days. Half each covered four-week old biofilm, half had no biofilm. Results show substrate type presence biofilm affected rates significantly. After 48h, highest found (30% settlement), CSA (26% settlement) E0 (20% settlement). Without same yielded only 4 10% settlement. I, GS, LS overall low (<5%) irrespective Post-settlement morphology not or juveniles having mean test diameter 593 ± 12 µm spine length 487 27 µm. This study provides choices regular concrete enhance larval key herbivore . We recommend studying these field obtain better understanding effects ecological community development over larger time- spatial scales.

Language: Английский

Short-term interactions of concrete, biofilm, and seawater in the submerged zone of marine environments for sustainable floating offshore wind turbines

Construction and Building Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 451, P. 138840 - 138840

Published: Oct. 28, 2024

Language: Английский