High-Relief Artificial Reefs for Biodiversity Enhancement and Coastal Defense
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High-relief Artificial Reef
➤ More than half of Singapore’s natural reef have been lost to coastal development
➤ Purpose-built structures mimicking natural reef systems can transform an open water environment above a barren seafloor into a rich, reef-associated biodiversity zone
➤ The "Reef Garden Project", providing 1000 m² of new space for the development of reef-associated biota, was developed by Jurong Town Corporation in collaboration with National Parks Board and deployed in Sisters' Islands Marine Park, Singapore
High-relief relief Artificial Reef - artificial structures that extend entire or almost entire water column can:
• Enhance marine biodiversity and ecosystem development in Singapore
• Attract epibenthos/ coral species/ fishes development in Singapore
• Offer opportunities in marine biodiversity research
•Increase marine leisure activities
Design Considerations
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Artificial Reef –Recycled Materials
➤ Design based on favorable conditions for
• corals and epibenthos
• fish species
➤ Environment Impact Study (EIS) to determine the impact of Artificial Coral reef structures various aspects of seabed, ecology, navigation safety etc.
➤ Frame's sloping surfaces and pipes' curved surfaces to minimize sediment accumulation
➤ Openings for current flow and light penetration
➤ Alkaline materials & others like PVC/Fiberglass used to reduce overall weight and enhance biofilm formation to encourage coral attachment
➤ Surface area of upper section increased by incorporating rectilinear, fiberglass mesh panels at different levels to
• reduce shading and allow sediment fall through
•maximize space for coral growth
Artificial Reef Design and Materials
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PVC and fibreglass were chosen to reduce the overall weight of the structure. They also enhance biofilm formation, which encourages coral attachment. The main frame of each structure was cast in concrete, an abundant source of calcium. Corals need calcium, as they combine it with carbon to produce calcium carbonate, which is used to construct an internal skeleton.
Each artificial reef is a composite of the following:
✦ Fibreglass panels: The team wanted to increase the surface area for coral growth and attachment. The upper section was thus fitted with rectilinear fibreglass panels. The mesh design provides the added advantage of limiting sunlight blockage while sediments can fall through the gaps.
✦ Fibreglass pipes: Just like how coral reefs provide shelter, these fibreglass pipes are meant to be homes for fishes, crustaceans, invertebrates and other species of marine life. Openings along the pipes allow water currents to flow through and light to penetrate. The curved surfaces also minimise sediment accumulation.
✦ Steel anchor pins: Since no piling works were executed, these steel anchor pins and counterweights help to hold the entire structure down in place.