Researchers are 3D-printing lifelike innoreefs to save the deterioration of coral reefs. Coral reefs have been slowly eroding as a result of environmental neglect, human activities, and global warming, which causes coral bleaching.
Beautiful coral reefs in Thai seas have been gradually deteriorating due to global warming that causes coral bleaching, in addition to certain human activities without proper control and environmental consciousness.
BANGKOK, Oct. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ Chula Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Center of Excellence (VMARCE)'s Innovareef to accelerate recovery of the coral reefs, promote eco-tourism, and monitor marine environment health has won the National Innovation Awards (NIAWARDS) 2020 for Product and Service Design. The previous generations of artificial reefs createdvisual pollution and were largely ineffective. Therefore, a Chula research team, led byAssociate Professor Dr. Nantarika Chansue, Director of VMARCE and Head of Ornamental Aquatic Animal and Aquatic Animals for Conservation Research Unit (OAAC), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, have endeavored to create lifelike artificial reefs with good tidal forces resistance to promote settlement of planula, generate habitats for marine species, and help accelerate the recovery of coral reefs. Innovareefs have the following advantages over other artificial reefs: 1. Coral nutrient coatingwith calcium and pho