malformalady:

One of the photos of marine biologists’ desperate efforts to save the thousands of fragile coral reefs damaged by tourists. The biologists attach the coral to electrified metal frames - and the electrical current sparks accelerated growth, repairing damage caused over decades. The metal frame is welded together on land before being moved and positioned underwater on an area of damaged reef. The power supply and a special anode, normally made from titanium, aluminum or magnesium mesh, are then connected. Coral fragments are collected from the debris around the damaged reef and then wired in place on the frame. Once there is a power supply to the structure, the coral fragments become cemented to the frame within days as Biorock material is deposited on the metal and around the fragment. The corals then begin to grow at an accelerated rate.

Photo credit: Matthew Oldfield

(via thefrenchgal)

Posted on February 11th at 2:17 AM
Has a total of: 364 Notes