# Innovative Approaches Using 3D Printing to Aid Coral Reefs
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Chapter 1: Understanding Coral Bleaching
A diver surveys the coral reefs suffering from significant bleaching in the Society Islands, Moorea, French Polynesia, on May 9, 2019. Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images.
In March of this year, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia recorded its most severe bleaching incident to date, with approximately 25% of the coral expelling the essential algae living symbiotically within it. This expulsion leads to a dramatic whitening of the coral, turning the vibrant formations ghostly pale.
Disruption of this symbiotic relationship can severely inhibit coral growth, reproduction, and increase susceptibility to diseases. Coral reefs serve as critical habitats for marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and reptiles, providing them shelter, hunting grounds, and protection.
The bleaching phenomenon is not confined to the Great Barrier Reef, which spans 134,630 square miles and is among the largest living structures on the planet. Other affected regions include the Seychelles, New Caledonia, Florida, and Hawaii, with rising ocean temperatures due to climate change being the primary cause.
While the overarching climate crisis must be addressed to halt coral bleaching, various stakeholders—politicians, scientists, and activists—are actively seeking immediate solutions to prevent further destruction of coral ecosystems.
Section 1.1: The Role of 3D Printing in Coral Restoration
An unexpected ally in this fight comes from the realm of technology: 3D printing. To combat coral bleaching effectively, researchers need a deeper understanding of coral ecosystems, and 3D printing allows for the lab-based replication of coral structures. In the past, studying coral meant extracting it from its natural habitat.
Multiple research institutions are now creating 3D-printed models of the at-risk corals, potentially offering new habitats for algae. A collaborative effort between Cambridge University and the University of California, San Diego, was published in Nature Communications in April. Daniel Wangpraseurt, PhD, the lead author and a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at Cambridge, described this development as a significant milestone in understanding the stress responses of corals during events like bleaching.
“At the same time, the field of 3D bioprinting is rapidly developing, primarily driven by human tissue engineering,” Wangpraseurt remarked. “With such rapid progress, I do not consider it unrealistic that our approach can be further developed to help in actively restoring coral reefs in the future.”
The research teams are utilizing a combination of gels infused with cellulose—an organic compound present in the cell walls of plants and algae—to create coral-like structures. This cellulose effectively scatters light, facilitating optimal conditions for the algae growing on these artificial corals, as explained by Silvia Vignolini, PhD, a chemistry lecturer at Cambridge.
"However, it is essential to recognize that we need to tackle climate change, as it is the most significant threat to coral reefs."
Section 1.2: Field Studies and Biodegradable Solutions
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Delaware are exploring whether 3D-printed coral can be deployed in natural settings without disrupting marine ecosystems. They focus on the interactions between the damselfish, a common reef inhabitant, and the 3D-printed structures. Their findings, published in PLOS One in 2019, indicate that the artificial corals did not alter damselfish behavior, suggesting their potential use to enhance existing reefs.
“We are still in the early stages of testing and running experiments, but it appears that 3D-printed corals can offer the same structural complexity as living coral and augment that necessary complexity in an area that is flattened until the reef can recover,” stated co-author Danielle L. Dixson, PhD.
Dixson and her colleague Emily J. Ruhl, PhD, experimented with various biodegradable materials, such as cornstarch and a stainless steel blend, for 3D printing coral. These biodegradable structures could support coral recovery in their natural habitats and eventually break down in the water, minimizing pollution and the need for removal. Notably, damselfish showed no preference for any specific material, indicating a favorable outlook for biodegradable corals.
Chapter 2: Caution Against Overreliance on Technology
In the first video, titled "Saving coral reefs by 3D printing more?" experts discuss the potential of 3D printing technology to assist in coral restoration efforts and the importance of addressing climate change.
The second video, "Bay Area man uses his 3D-Printer for good hoping to restore coral reefs impacted by climate change," showcases an individual’s initiative to leverage technology for environmental restoration.
Shayle Matsuda, a reef researcher at the University of Hawaii, M?noa, and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, acknowledges the promise of this research but expresses his reservations.
“3D-printed coral is not a replacement for coral,” he cautions. While he is intrigued by the role of 3D-printed coral in laboratory settings, he believes it is not a comprehensive solution to coral reef degradation.
Matsuda envisions a future where snorkelers encounter only artificially created coral, rather than vibrant, living ecosystems.
“This could be beneficial,” Matsuda concludes. “However, we must prioritize stopping climate change, as that is the primary threat to coral reefs.”