Pieter van der Linden1,2, Bianca Reis1,2, João Franco1,2,3, Oscar Babé Gómez1,2, Hugo Sainz Meyer1,2, Emanuel Almeida1,2.4, Maria Teresa Borges1, Isabel Sousa Pinto1,2
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal1, CIIMAR, Matosinhos, Portugal2, MARE, Peniche, Portugal3, MARE, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal4
Currently there is a global drive to create “grey-green” infrastructure, where multifunctional structures are designed to perform their primary safety function as well as provide ecologically suitable habitat for marine life. Artificial reefs (AR) have been deployed around the world for many purposes including habitat restoration, coastal protection, fisheries enhancement and recreation. 3D printing creates an additional opportunity to design complex reef units, incorporating features similar to those found on natural temperate reefs.
The Interreg Atlantic 3DPARE project has designed and 3D printed concrete artificial reef units to maximise marine biodiversity. These units include various habitat features including holes, tunnels and overhangs of varying size. The AR units were deployed during Spring/Summer 2020 near the temperate coast of the UK, France, Spain and Portugal. Biological monitoring has focused on the influence that the material type, reef design and specific AR unit features have on biodiversity and has also compared the AR units to nearby artificial and natural habitats.
Results have found that reef material, design and feature type all contributed to variation in marine-life communities over different seasons, but feature type was the most influential. Diversity was highest in large holes and tunnels of the AR modules. The AR sites also support unique communities compared to artificial and natural reference sites. This research shows that 3D printing is a viable option to create reef units for use in future hybrid multifunctional structures, which include features such as holes and tunnels that can support a variety of marine life.
Presentation Slides – Pieter van der Linden
