Beautiful coral reefs (珊瑚礁) in Thai seas have been gradually worsening due to global warming that causes coral bleaching, in addition to certain human activities without proper control and environmental consciousness. Recently, researchers from Thai university Chulalongkorn have created 3D-printed coral reefs modeled on the nature of real corals called Innovareef to accelerate the recovery of the coral reef ecosystem.
Innovareef corals are coated with calcium and phosphate nutrients that corals need to thrive and consist of flat surfaces. The reefs’ holes serve as habitats and hiding places for many sea animals. Artificial reefs also make use of hydrodynamics technology to enhance their resistance to tidal forces and ensure that they stay in place. Finally, the pH (level of acidity) of the selected type of cement used for the reefs is close to that of seawater, and the design concept is that of Lego, easily assembled (组装) and disassembled blocks that are easy to transport and fix.
“The Innovareef is not too large. It’s light-weighted and can be carried by anyone thus saving transportation costs. You can simply put it at any desired location in the sea and then dive down to put all the units together to complete the Innovareef. Not even five minutes afterward, fish and several ocean creatures start to come in to survey and make it their new habitat, leading to biodiversity around the Innovareef. More importantly, the research data indicates that the settlement and growth rates of planula on the Innovareef are better than those on other artificial reefs,” said Associate Professor Dr. Nantarika Chansue at Chulalongkorn University.
Innovareef is the hope for the effective recovery of natural coral reefs. Now the team is focused on adding more details to the reefs to adapt to more species so that the new structures look more like natural reefs.
【小题1】What function is expected of the Innovareef?| A．To extend the life of corals. |
| B．To monitor the growth of corals. |
| C．To help restore natural coral reefs. |
| D．To protect coral reefs from human destruction. |
| A．It is highly resistant to heat. |
| B．It has low manufacturing costs. |
| C．It provides rich nutrients for fish. |
| D．It is portable and easy to assemble. |
| A．The advantages of the Innovareef. |
| B．The inspiration for the Innovareef. |
| C．The methods of improving ocean habitats. |
| D．The importance of protecting biodiversity. |
| A．Apply the Innovareef on a large scale. |
| B．Carry out more tests on more species. |
| C．Make a specific design of the Innovareef. |
| D．Conduct further research on natural coral reefs. |
