An Opportunity for Environmental Conservation: Evaluation of Test Material for Construction of Artificial Reefs Modules Trainers Made of Ecological Concrete

Abstract

As a result of the degradation of coral reefs around the world and given that conservation efforts alone are not enough, artificial reefs have been proposed as a tool for the conservation of these ecosystems and recovery. As part of an initiative to develop modules forming artificial reefs made of concrete to promote the ecological conservation of the biodiversity of the Colombian Caribbean, this work constitutes a starting point. During eight months two trapezoidal plates were submerged in the waters surrounding the Bajo Grande (Isla Palma) archipelago de San Bernardo in the Colombian Caribbean; the plates were fabricated in concrete with Portland cement and waste ceramic. Seeking a more ecological product, aggregates were replaced entirely by ceramic waste. After making biological and physicochemical evaluations of the material exposed to the marine environment it was concluded that this is a favorable substrate for the development of coral reefs; and the plates were colonized on more than 30% of its surface by marine organisms, their structure was found internally stable and there were no adverse effects on marine biota near the test site.