[Coral-List] Mineral Accretion/ Biorock

Dennis Hubbard dennis.hubbard at oberlin.edu
Thu Jun 20 15:53:01 UTC 2019


Hi Daisy:

This method goes back to Wulf Hilburtz and has been championed more
recently by Ton Goreau jr. Hilburtz's work was done on St. Croix while I
was at West Indies Lab there. DC current from a small wind mill (initially)
and a small photovoltaic cell drove precipitation of a calcium carbonate
derivative named brucite. The main problem with this polymorph is that it
is thermodynamically unstable in sea water and dissolves once the current
is removed. As I remember, Tom Goreau posted awhile back that electrical
current facilitated coral growth and recruitment on "reef balls" and
similar substrates. My recollection of the photos is that coral cover did
not seem statistically higher than on substrates without
current-stimulation and I remain unconvinced. However, you should follow up
on that and make your own conclusions.

Best,

Dennis

On Tue, Jun 18, 2019 at 9:15 AM Daisy Durden via Coral-List <
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

> Dear coral listers,
>
> I am curious as to whether anyone here has worked with the mineral
> accretion method for coral restoration?
>
> I am working for a Dutch company who are developing offshore floating solar
> platforms and we are interested in the potential synergy with mineral
> accretion. We are striving to promote the huge potential of generating
> clean energy through this offshore solar, often to regions where there is
> considerable need, but also channeling some of this energy as a means of
> coral restoration- a win-win in my eyes! However, I would like to gather
> some more information about the method. From the literature reviewed there
> seems to be some real potential, but then I am left wondering why this has
> not become a widespread restoration technique, since it has been around
> since the 70s.
>
> I am in contact with some passionate individuals regarding Biorock, but
> they seem few and far between. Any insights into why are appreciated. And
> if any scientists here are interested in the synergy proposed please do get
> in touch!
>
> Thanks,
> Daisy
>
> ---
>
> Met vriendelijke groet / Kind regards,
>
>
>
> Daisy Durden
>
>
>
> *Oceans of Energy*
> Environmental Research Team
>
> daisy.durden at oceansofenergy.blue
>
> +447766343377 / +31611489516
>
> www.oceansofenergy.blue
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> Coral-List mailing list
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>


-- 
Dennis Hubbard
Chair, Dept of Geology-Oberlin College Oberlin OH 44074
(440) 775-8346

* "When you get on the wrong train.... every stop is the wrong stop"*
 Benjamin Stein: "*Ludes, A Ballad of the Drug and the Dream*"


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