Hilbertz et al. [54 Method of enhancing the growth of aquatic organisms, and structures created thereby us005543034A buy Patent Number: 5,543,034
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Mẫu-giấy-thi, US5543034
| Acropora yalmata (the most rapidly growing Caribbean corals) reported from clear-water o8shore reefs north of St. Croix (E. Gladfclter, R. Monahan, & W. Gladfelter, 1978, Growth rates of five reef-building corals in the northeastern Carib- bean, Bulletin of Marine Science, 28: 728-734). Those published growth rates are no longer representative as both species have virtually vanished from the U.S. Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico since their net growth in those areas now is 10 less than the rate at which they are being damaged by hurricanes, diseases, and algae overgrowth caused by eutrophication. Comparison between Porites furcata colo- nies on the artificial reef at Discovery Bay and the parent colonies from which these were derived, growing on rocks 15 nearby, shows that colonies on the artificial reef grew from around 5 to 10 cm diameter to over 30 cm in a year and a half, while the parent colonies remained the same size or were killed by algae overgrowth. In this case the increase in growth rate on the artificial reef was vast, stimulating 20 colonies which were genetically identical to those that had negative growth without electrical stimulation to probably the most rapid growth every seen in this species. Similarly the massive round coral Porites astreoides grew from around 10 cm to 20 cm in a year and a half on the artificial 25 reef, greatly exceeding the growth rate of 3.0 to 3.5 cm/year reported by Gladfelter ct a1. Enhanced growth rates are also being observed in other species on the artificial reefs. These colonies also feed more actively, show greater polyp tentacle extension, and are more pigmented than corals of the same 30 species nearby not receiving electricity. Corals transplanted onto the structure largely consisted of colonies which were naturally broken by storms, anthropo- gcnically damaged corals whose bases were so bio-eroded 35 that they would soon be broken by storms, and small pieces of branching corals broken off nearby “control” colonies, where available. In most cases damaged corals healed quickly, were cemented solidly onto the mineral accretion within weeks, showed bright healthy tissue pigmentation, 40 showed prolific polyp feeding tentacle extension, and grew skeletons at rates comparable to the highest values measured in the field, even though all sites had sub-optimal water quality. Some corals have been killed by bristle worm attack, and some broken in severe storms. Young corals spontane- 45 ously settle and grow on the mineral accretion. Except for specimens of most species of Caribbean corals and a few sea fans, all other organisms deliberately transplanted onto the structures wcrc small organisms encrusting coral bases. A highly diverse coral reef community has settled onto or t 0 migrated to the mineral accretion structures, including fora- minifcra, cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, rhodophytes, phaeo- phytes, porifera, hydrozoans, ccrianthids coralliomorpharia, gorgonaceans, sabellid, serpulid, and nereid polychaetes, oysters, gastropods, octopods, echinoids, holothurians, ophi- 5t uroids, crinoids, cleaning shrimp, crabs, hermit crabs, and spiny lobsters. A large variety of adult and juvenile fish have been permanent or temporary residents, including morays, trumpetfish, squirrelfish, seabass, fairy basslcts, cardinalfish, grunts, drums, butterfish, angelfish, damsclfish, wrasses, 60 parrotfish, blennics, gobies, surgeonfish, filefish, and porcu- pinefish. The geometry of the structure appears to strongly affect the type of species recruited. Dolphins have been observed swimming near the structures. The main difference between the artificial reefs of the 6â invention, and nearby natural reef are the preponderance of fleshy algae overgrowing corals on natural reefs, yet the artificial reefs have balanced coral and algae growth, and algae are predominantly sand-producing calcareous reds and greens. The method is able to partly counteract eutrophica- tion due to coastal zone nutrient fertilization, and so con- tribute to restoring damaged reefs and creating new ones in even moderately degraded areas. As the structures become stronger with age, they are also able to contribute more and more to shore protection from waves and keeping pace with rising sea level. EXAMPLE 2 Artificial reefs in Negril, Jamaica have been undergoing mineral accretion since late 1993, and most corals were transplanted in mid to late 1994. The project by the present inventors in accordance with the invention is part of a joint Global Coral Reef Alliance and Negril Coral Reef Preser- vation Society reef restoration programme. The reefs are powered from shore by direct electrical current via cables. Electricity use of both reefs together has largely been low, only 40 watts, but was turned up in mid January 1995 to about 150 watts, giving each as much power as a 75 watt light bulb. Corals transplanted onto the artificial resf were for the most part small branches, corals which were broken loose by storms, or small head corals whose bases had been heavily bored and would eventually break off. A few algae, sponges, etc. were attached to the dead bases of some corals but almost all organisms seen have voluntarily migrated to the artificial reef or settled on it. Organisms we have seen in and around the artificial reefs include a large variety of juvenile and adult fish, moray eels, crabs, lobsters, octopus, squid, sponges, sand-producing algae, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, dolphins, etc. The only organisms which appear less abundant than on the nearby reefs are the “weeds”, fleshy algae that are overgrowing and killing corals because of excessive nutrient levels from inadequately treated sew- age entering the sea from land. The inventors have recorded on videotape the extremely healthy and rapidly growing corals on the artificial reef and the complex mini-reef ecosystem that springs up around them. Growth of the underlying limestone structure makes these artificial reefs continuously heavier and stronger as they get older, unlike any other material. When storm breakage occurs, renewed electrical input makes them self-repairing. The artificial reefs can be built in any shape and powered from purely renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic panels or windmills. EXAMPLE 3 During an underwater construction project in the Missis- sipi Delta using electrolysis in accordance with the inven- tion, oysters have been observed to grow at enhanced rates on cathodically-produced mineral substrate as measured against control groups growing under normal local condi- tions. The foregoing description of the invention has been directed to a particular substrate and electrochemical con- ditions in the electrolyte involving growth of marine organ- isms for purposes of explanation and illustration. It will be appparent, however, to those skilled in this art, that modi- fications and changes may be made in the method outlined without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is the applicants’ intention in the following claims to cover such equivalent modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. We claim: A method of enhancing growth of aquatic organisms in an aqueous mineral-containing electrolyte which comprises: installing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte, applying a steady, pulsed or intermittent direct electric 5 current across the cathode and the anode to e8ect electrolysis, providing accreted mineral material on the cathode, providing accreted mineral material on the cathode, recruiting aquatic organisms on or in the vicinity of the cathode, and creating by electrolysis conditions of higher alkalinity in the electrolyte in the vicinity of the cathode than in the electrolyte remote from the cathode to cause growth of the aquatic organisms in the conditions in the vicin- ity of the cathode, the placement of the anode being recruiting aquatic organisms on or in the vicinity of the cathode, and creating by electrolysis conditions of higher alkalinity in the electrolyte in thc vicinity of the cathode than in the electrolyte remote from the cathode to cause growth of the aquatic organisms in the conditions in the vicin- ity of the cathode, the placement of the anode being done in such a way as to minimize the effects of hydrocNoric acid produced at the anodc. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mineral- containing electrolyte is selected from sea water, brackish water or brine. A method according to claim 1 wherein the accreted mineral material is deposited on the cathode by the elec- trolysis. A method according to claim 1 wherein the accreted mineral material is pre-fabricated material which has been electrodeposited previously and which is fixed to the cath- ode. A method according to claim 1 wherein the cathode is seeded with the aquatic organisms. A method according to claim 1 wherein the cathode is settled naturally by the aquatic organisms. A method according to claim 1 wherein the aquatic organisms are organisms which deposit calcareous sub- to done in such a way as to minimize the effects of hydrochloric acid produced at the anode. A method for the construction, repair and maintenance of structures in an aqueous mineral-containing electrolyte which comprises: *5 (a) installing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte, (b) applying a steady, pulsed or intermittent direct electric current across the cathode and the anode to effect electrolysis, zo (c) providing accreted mineral material on the cathode, recruiting aquatic organisms which deposit calcareous substances on or in the vicinity of the cathode, creating by electrolysis conditions of higher alkalinity in the electrolyte in the vicinity of the cathode than in 25 the electrolyte remote from the cathode to cause growth of the aquatic organisms in the conditions in the vicin- ity of the cathode, the placement of the anode being done in such a way as to minimize the effects of hydrochloric acid produced at the anode, and ' 0 (f) accumulating deposited calcareous substances on or in the vicinity of the cathode to form, repair or maintain a structure on or in the vicinity of the cathode. A method of enhancing growth of aquatic organisms in an aqueous mineral-containing electrolyte which com- stances. 35 A method according to claim 7 wherein the organisms are selected from corals and calcareous algae. A method according to claim 7 wherein the organisms are selected from bivalves, worms, protozoans, sponges and prises: installing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte, applying a steady, pulsed or intermittent direct electric current across the cathode and the anode to effect crawling organisms including snails and echinoderms. A method according to claim 1 wherein artificial lighting is used adjacent to the cathode to attract food. A method of creating conditions of increased electron availability for the biochemical electron transport chain of 40 electrolysis, providing accreted mineral material on the cathode, recruiting aquatic organisms on or in the vicinity of the cathode, and creating by electrolysis conditions of relatively high aquatic organisms in an aqueous mineral-containing elec- 45 trolyte which comprises: installing a cathode and an anode in the electrolyte, applying a steady, pulsed or intermittent direct electric current across the cathode and the anode to effect electrolysis, alkalinity and relatively high electron availability at the cathode (compared to the electrolyte remote from the cathode) so that the aquatic organisms grow in these conditions. tải về 268.96 Kb. Chia sẻ với bạn bè của bạn:
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