Abstract:
Materials composed of inorganic and organic compounds that inhibit, promote and stabilize nanostructured crystalline calcium carbonate for the recruitment and growth of oyster larvae and spat. By using simple chemical precursors in a bottom-up or top-down approach, a variety of layered material compositions can be obtained which result in a standalone material or one that can be applied to and supported by cementitious substrates. The chemical compounds and processes described in this invention are scalable, thus providing for manufacturing small or large quantities of tailored materials, utilizing a variety of techniques, such as but not limited to 3-D printing, spraying, molding and freeze casting to produce a broad spectrum of material compositions and forms suitable for a variety of oyster species and estuarine environments.
Abstract:
Artificial reef for recreational diving (1) comprising a base (2) of a slab of reinforced concrete and a vertically extending superstructure (3) made of concrete of inert lightweight materials that is ejected onto a structural frame comprising a plurality of stem members (32) around a trunk (31) implanted into the base and plastic grid items (12) suspended thereupon in a predetermined manner so as to form, following concrete ejection, a reef having a form and aesthetics corresponding to that of a natural reef, comprising blind crevices (9) and through holes (7) leading to chambers (8) and smaller or larger cavities (10, 11), constituting microhabitats and refuges for targeted benthic and benthopelagic organisms. The reef (1) is founded onto the seabed with one or more beams (30) introduced into holes (4) that pass perpendicularly through the base (2) and extend vertically along the superstructure (3). Artificial reefs (1) are organized in groups (20) defining an artificial oasis for recreational diving within a planned section (ABCD) of the seabed.
Abstract:
Provided is novel ephemeral substrate material for growing oysters that alleviates concerns related to adding large quantities of permanent fill to estuarine water and promotes high rates of oyster survival and growth, high meat quality and market-favorable shell-shape of cultured oysters, along with artificial oyster growing structures prepared from the ephemeral substrate material and methods of using the same.
Abstract:
A tsunami-wave structure is provided for installation in the bottom of the sea/ocean in the near-shore area which is exposed to the air at the time of a low tide that precedes the arrival of tsunami. Normally, the structure is immersed in water and when exposed to air before arrival of the tsunami wave assumes a tsunami-wave dampening position under the effect of its own gravity. This is achieved by making the structure in the form of a two-lever mechanism having two lever arms separated by a fulcrum point with a counterweight attached to the end of one the lever arms and a tsunami-wave breaker pivotally connected to the end of the other lever arm so that when the structure is exposed to the air the tsunami-wave breaker is turned down and allows the counterweight to outweigh the tsunami-wave breaker and to raise it to the operation position.
Abstract:
A transportable wave suppressor and sediment collection (WSSC) system positionable in deep water along a coastline of a body of water, having a plurality of sections, each section further including a base portion having an upper floor portion, a forward wall, rear wall and two sidewalls and an open bottom end portion for being positioned on a floor of the body of water; at least a pair of raised elongated members positioned on the upper surface of the upper floor of the base; an upper portion to be secured to the base portion, the upper section having a angulated front wall to receive the flow of water through a plurality of flow pipes as the water engages each section; at least a pair of elongated openings in the upper portion for receiving the raised elongated members positioned on the upper surface of the upper wall of the base to define a means for securing the base to the upper portion. There is further provided a one way valving element positioned on the rear end of each flow pipe, for allowing water containing sediments to exit the pipe at the rear wall, but preventing the water and sediments from returning through the flow pipe; and a spacer portion to be positioned intermediate the base portion and upper portion, the spacer portion including a plurality of flow pipes to allow water carrying sediment to the rear of the section.
Abstract:
A process for forming an artificial reef includes the steps of forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time, removing the blockout from the surface of the form and from the cured sprayable concrete, and removing the form from the cured sprayable concrete. A base is formed having an upper surface. The lower end of the form is positioned upon the base. The sprayable concrete is sprayed over the upper surface of the base.
Abstract:
The invention provides a marine infrastructure comprising a concrete matrix having a pH of less than 12 for use in promoting the growth of fauna and flora in aquatic environment, and methods for promoting the growth of fauna and flora in aquatic environment, including endolitic and epilitic flora and endolitic and epilitic anaerobic and aerobic flora and fauna.
Abstract:
Methods of reef construction are disclosed that include exposing a man-made scaffold to environmental conditions such that bivalve organisms grow on the man-made scaffold for a duration sufficient to create a scaffold having two generations of bivalve attachment. Certain methods involve moving the biologically accreted scaffold to a second location to serve as a reef or breakwater after substantial growth of bivalve organisms has occurred.
Abstract:
An energy dissipater comprising a plurality of periodic hyperbolic surfaces, forming a continuous surface-structure, and enveloping contiguous tunnels there through.
Abstract:
A transportable wave suppressor and sediment collection (WSSC) system positionable in deep water along a coastline of a body of water, having a plurality of sections, each section further including a base portion having an upper floor portion, a forward wall, rear wall and two sidewalls and an open bottom end portion for being positioned on a floor of the body of water; at least a pair of raised elongated members positioned on the upper surface of the upper floor of the base; an upper portion to be secured to the base portion, the upper section having a angulated front wall to receive the flow of water through a plurality of flow pipes as the water engages each section; at least a pair of elongated openings in the upper portion for receiving the raised elongated members positioned on the upper surface of the upper wall of the base to define a means for securing the base to the upper portion. There is further provided a one way valving element positioned on the rear end of each flow pipe, for allowing water containing sediments to exit the pipe at the rear wall, but preventing the water and sediments from returning through the flow pipe; and a spacer portion to be positioned intermediate the base portion and upper portion, the spacer portion including a plurality of flow pipes to allow water carrying sediment to the rear of the section.