Biorock Technology

Biorock Technology is used to preserve coral reefs by constructing materials under the sea that resemble rocks. It is the technique through which seawater is passed via a very low-voltage electric current. Crystalline salts of minerals dissolved in water are formed as a result, and they deposit. The deposited crystals, which are primarily calcium carbonate, form a structure on the waterbed that is similar to coral reefs that are formed naturally.

Biorock Technology is one of the most important topics for the UPSC exam. Here in this article, we will be discussing the process of formation, features, and some major applications of biorock technology in detail.

What is Biorock Technology?

The late architect Professor Wolf Hilbertz created the unique procedure known as “biorock technology” in 1976 to create natural building materials in the ocean. The only marine building material that grows, becomes stronger with age and is self-repairing is biorock. Wolf referred to it as Seacrete, Mineral Accretion Technology, or Seament. Dr. Tom Goereau, a biogeochemist, invited Wolf to Jamaica in 1987 to collaborate with him on applications for coral reef restoration. They named their technology Biorock because it not only grew hard limestone rock for structural purposes but also greatly accelerated the growth of corals and all marine organisms. To further the investigation and advancement of Biorock Technology, they established the Global Coral Reef Alliance.

Process of Biorock Formation

In the process of biorock formation, a low-voltage electric current is passed between a positively charged anode and a negatively charged cathode placed in the seawater. This results in the electrolysis of saline water generating calcium ions and carbonate ions that adhere to the cathode forming a layer of calcium carbonate. It is applied in the region of coral reefs and sandy beaches where the calcination forms new structures and coral larvae attach to them and grow rapidly. Different marine species need habitats of different sizes and shapes so that biorock structures can be made in different forms to help the survival and growth of different species including corals, seagrass, oyster, and other marine ecosystems.

BioRock Formation

Features of Biorock Technolgy

The following are some of the features or characteristics of biorock technology:

• Biorock technology produces marine structures that are very hard and sustainable.
• It also becomes harder and stronger with time. It is more durable than any other underwater construction that suffers decay with time and needs repairing or replacement.
• Biorock has a unique feature of self-repairing which means any damaged or broken part grows back to retain the structure.
• Biorock formations grow in height over time, allowing corals and oysters to grow on them rapidly.
• It also helps in shore protection and prevents islands from getting submerged considering the rise in sea level.
• Biorock structures allow cost savings as they are much cheaper to build than other concrete or rock structures.
• They can be restructured by adding materials as per the changing needs.
• Biorock has been effectively utilized to achieve desired results much faster and at a low cost.

Important Data About Biorock Technology

Some of the important facts about biorock technology have been mentioned below:

• The idea of Biorock technology was first developed by architect Mr. Wolf Hilbertz in 1976 in an attempt to prepare alternative construction materials. 
• Biorock structures can grow vertically at a rate of about 20 mm in a year.
• A biorock reef in the Maldives helped to create a beach behind it which was earlier collapsed by sea waves. The new beach is 15 meters wide and has remained stable for more than 15 years.
• Biorock structures allow the growth of coral 2-5 times faster than in its natural condition.
• Indonesia has the world’s largest coral regeneration project where biorock has been used.

Some of the Major Applications of Biorock Technology

Some of the major applications of biorock technology are:

Coral Reef Preservation

Biorock technology facilitates the survival and growth of coral reefs by providing suitable habitats and improving resistance to environmental pollution. They help certain marine species to recover from damage and grow at a faster rate. The biorock process creates the ideal conditions for different forms of marine life that are under threat of climate change and environmental pollution. Corals growing on biorock reefs have better chances of survival as compared to other areas.

Protecting Marine Construction

The advantage of biorock is in repairing cracks and damages by filling with cement-like hard limestone or calcium carbonate. It has useful applications in reinforcing steel and concrete structures in the waterbed. Structures that need to be replaced due to deterioration can be repaired by the biorock process at a much less cost. The biorock technology internally repairs and permanently addresses rusting problems of the steel structures. Even wooden structures can be protected by biorock treatment.

Preventing Shore Erosion

Biorock structures are used as breakwaters that slow down heavy water waves using the force of friction. This helps in shore protection as the waves pass through these structures with less force and avoid erosion of shores. These constructions prevent waves from continuously washing away sand and damaging sea shores. Biorock breakwaters don’t decay over time and become harder and stronger.

Sustaining Marine Lives

Biorock technology is used to prepare specially designed structures that favour the survival, growth, and healthy living conditions for various marine species. Biorock systems provide new ways of sustainable aquaculture by providing suitable habitats and food for fishes, lobsters, and other marine creatures.

Sea Grass Restoration

Seagrass is more likely to survive and thrive when using the biorock approach. It is even encouraged to develop and spread its roots on hard rock where they would ordinarily be difficult to do so. Seagrasses are an essential component of the habitat for young fish and shellfish. By stabilizing sand, they also offer essential shore protection services. Globally, seagrasses are being rapidly destroyed, and Biorock technology offers the quickest means of restoring them.

Salt Marsh Restoration

With the help of biorock technology, salt marsh grass grows and blooms much more quickly and can survive in water depths that are deeper than they would normally be able to. As a result, oil spills and pollution-related damage to salt marshes can be quickly repaired. Salt marsh can be expanded seaward and deeper than it would ordinarily be able to, adding land where the shoreline is disappearing. Although salt marshes are quickly disappearing worldwide, they are essential to shore protection and serve as essential habitats for young fish, shellfish, and birds.

Fisheries Restoration

Biorock technologies create the ideal habitat to rebuild damaged fisheries, particularly on bare sand, mud, or rock where there are no reefs or seagrass to provide nursery habitat for young fish to hide in. Around Biorock projects, populations of fish, oysters, mussels, lobsters, crabs, and gigantic clams rapidly expand, resulting in enormous fish schools. Fishermen in Indonesia note a rise in the variety, size, and quantity of fish in the vicinity of Biorock initiatives.

Sustainable Aquaculture

The populations, growth, and health of marine species that are commercially valuable are greatly enhanced by biorock environments. For example, spiny lobster populations greatly rise when they swarm in vast numbers into the Biorock lobster habitat. With the rapid development of extremely diversified marine ecosystems that produce their own food, these structures establish a new paradigm for sustainable aquaculture that eliminates pollution and the need for pricey imported feeds.

Conclusion

Biorock technology is a cost-effective solution for building marine constructions that remains stable even under difficult weathering conditions and resist damage, unlike other concrete constructions. These biorock structures can be built up in suitable designs that meet specific requirements like coral conservation, preventing beach erosion, protecting marine species, and building reinforced structures for long-term sustainability. 

FAQs on Biorock Technology

1. What is Biorock Technology?

Biorock Technology is the technique through which seawater is passed via a very low-voltage electric current to preserve coral reefs by constructing materials under the sea that resemble rocks. By passing safe, low-voltage electrical currents through seawater, it creates white limestone that resembles the material found in coral reefs and on white-sand beaches in tropical climates.

2. What is Biorock Used For?

Biorock technology is utilized to safeguard coral reefs by creating materials that resemble rocks beneath the ocean. It is the technique through which seawater is passed via a very low-voltage electric current. Crystalline salts of minerals dissolved in water are formed as a result, and they deposit.

3. Who Invented Biorock?

Tom Goreau, a marine biologist, and Wolf Hilbertz, an architect, created the biorock technique.

4. What are the Disadvantages of Biorock Technology?

The fact that Biorock technology for repairing coral reefs uses DC electricity from the island and the main power grid is now its biggest drawback. In addition to being run on limited resources like oil and petroleum, the island frequently experiences power outages.

5. How much does Biorock Cost?

Depending on the size of the reef created, estimates for Biorock reefs range from $20 to 1290 per meter of shoreline, while prices for other techniques range from $60 to 155,000 per meter, or three to 120 times more.