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Electric Reefs

ELECTRIFIED ARTIFICIAL REEFS JUST MIGHT PLAY A ROLE IN SAVING CORAL REEFS AND PROTECTING OUR WARMING OCEANS.  IT’S AQUATIC SHOCK THERAPY ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

CORAL REEFS SUPPORT THRIVING MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND PROTECT COASTLINES FROM DESTRUCTIVE WAVES.  BUT AS OCEANS WARM, THESE REEFS ARE DYING OFF.

TO STIMULATE THEIR RE-GROWTH, TOM GOREAU OF THE GLOBAL CORAL REEF ALLIANCE USES A JUNGLE-GYM-LIKE STRUCTURE THAT IS WIRED TO A WEAK ELECTRIC CURRENT.  THE CURRENT CAUSES LIMESTONE, A NATURAL BUILDING COMPONENT OF CORAL REEFS, TO CRYSTALLIZE ON THE STRUCTURES.

THE METHOD IS BEING USED IN SMALL AREAS WHERE TRADITIONAL METHODS FAIL, BUT GOREAU SAYS IT COULD BE USED WIDELY IF FUNDING WERE AVAILABLE.  SO HE HOPES COUNTRIES WILL SOON SEE THE URGENT NEED TO RESTORE REEFS.

GOREAU: WE’RE JUST GOING TO LOSE OUR REEFS, OUR BIODIVERSITY, OUR FISHERIES, OUR TOURISM, AND OUR SHORELINE PROTECTION IF WE DON’T DO THIS.

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Learn more from the Global Coral Reef Alliance.

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