Hilbertz et al. [54 Method of enhancing the growth of aquatic organisms, and structures created thereby us005543034A buy Patent Number: 5,543,034

OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS ₂₀
The method of the invention is carried out using various arrangements of cathode and anode as illustrated in FIGS. 2-8, to which direct electric current is applied to effect
which were produced on other cathodes, removed, plasti- cized, chemically altered, and applied to the cathode 61. Living marine organisms like hard or soft coral 64 are grafted onto the cathode by plastic or metal fastener 65. Subsequent exposure in the open ocean or in tanks leads to settlement of the specimen by organisms like hard and soft corals 63, algae 65, tubeworms 66, barnacles 67, and anemo- nes 68. The cxamples of grafted or transplanted and recruited organisms given is not exclusive; many other species may settle and grow on the described specimen.
The utilization of these specimens is primarily in the aquarium trade and in the task to repopulate marine areas with marine organisms, or to establish new reefs, as well as to restore damaged reefs.

electrolysis. Each of the structures is immersed in sea water
unless otherwise mentioned, and mineral material accretes on the cathode during electrolysis.
Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown in a cross-sectional view, an artificial reef, consisting mainly of three triangular prismatic structures 3, 9, 10 which are cathodes with attached substrate 17. Several alternative embodiments are shown in FIG. 2 for purposes of illustration.
The reef is mounted on the sea floor 1. Structure 3 is held to the sea floor by ballast stones, rocks, or sandbags 4 inside
₂₅ FIG. 7 shows gastropods 71 grazing and resting on a cathodic grid 72, which is positioned on the ocean floor. The
anode 73 is mounted above the cathode. By use of the present invention, gastropods will develop and mature more rapidly under these conditions.
30
EXAMPLE 1
An artificial reef was created at Discovery Bay, Jamaica, in sea water having an avsrage water temperature of 26° C.

the structure, and partially by similar ballast placed at its ₃₅
outside 5. Structure 9 has no internal ballast. It is mechani-
cally and electrically connected at 18,19 to structures 3 and
10. Structure 10 is bolted to the sea floor 11. Anode 6 is bottom-mounted, anode 7 is suspended by a cable and/or rope or metal or plastic rod 22 hanging from a submerged ₄₀
flotation device 8, which is tethered by ropes 21, which are
connected to structures 3 and 9. Anode 12 is fastened to a plastic holder 24 which is attached to structure 10. The horizontal connection 20 between structures 9 and 10 con-
A cathode of expanded metal was installed below the surface in the water as illustrated in FIG. 8. The cathode 75 comprised a prismatic structure having three rectangular walls 76 each 4 ft. wide and 8 ft. high defining a triangular space between them, and three semi-circular pockets 77, one in front of each wall 76, and each having a base. The walls 76, pockets 77 and bases were all formed of expanded metal, the various components being secured together by wire. The total metal mesh area was approximately 160 sq. ft., of which the metal occupied 50-609c. The pockets were loaded

sists of electrically conductive or non-conductive material.
On it, coral 15 and other organisms are settling and growing, as are colonies or corals 13 on the substrate 17 and in the vicinity 14. A light 16, attached by a rod 23 to structure 9, attracts food at night for use by the reef community.
₄₅ with ballast (not shown) e.g. limestone and/or coral frag- ments. The cathode stood on a limestone surface 78. Several anodes 74 were suspended at a distance of 1-3 meters from
the cathode 75. A direct current was applied across the cathode and anodes at 0.2—0.8 amperes per sq. meter of

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown part in section of ₅₀ a cathode 31 with accreted substrate 32 attached to it. The living coral piece 34 is fastened to the cathode 31 before or
during the accretion process by a plastic or rubber holder or metal wire 35. In and on the substrate 32 settle and grow
cathode metal area. The current was applied continuously for a period of fourteen months and intermittently for periods totalling about twenty months, during an overall time of sixty months. Crystalline CaCO, (limestone) and Mg(OH ) (Brucite) accreted on the single layer cathode,

various organisms like hard and soft corals 33, 34, bivalves 36, algae 37, snails 38, and tubeworms 39 as well as
barnacles 40.
FIG. 4 shows in cross-sectional view a coastal defence structurc or foundation for an artificial island, in which
₅₅ reaching a thickness of 15 cm in various locations. The cathode 75 had become attached by accretion to the lime- stone surface 78 and the ballast had been fixed by accretion
in the pockets. Various species of hard and soft corals, as well as various species of algae settled the accreted substrate

layers of cathodic mats 41 are interspersed with layers of 60 rock, rubble, sandbags, or coral 42. While cementation of materials 41 and 42 occurs, making the structure sti8 and firm, coral 43 and other organisms grow on the mats 41 and filler material 42. Fish 44 and other free-swimming species
spontaneously.
Samples of various live coral species were attached to the cathode as shown in FIG. 3. Growth of the corals was recorded on videotape and photographic slides. By compar- ing the size of colonies in images taken at di8erent times, it

find shelter and food in and around the structure. Bottom- mounted light sources 45 attract food for the community at night.
65 is clear that the growth rate of the branching corals Acropora cervicomis and Porites furcata is around 1 centimeter per month or more. This value, 12 or more centimeters per year,