BIOROCK® ELECTRIC REEFS
Regenerating marine ecosystems and eroded beaches
What is Biorock®?
BIOROCK® is an innovative technology that uses safe, very low-voltage, electrical “trickle” charges to grow marine structures at any scale and to rapidly grow or restore vibrant marine ecosystems.
Biorock® is a technology invented by the architect Wolf Hilbertz in 1976 to produce building materials in the sea, and developed by him and Dr. Thomas Goreau for new applications such as regenerating marine ecosystems and eroded beaches.
The technology
Low voltage direct current is applied. This initiates an electrolytic reaction causing dissolved chemicals naturally found in seawater, mainly calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, to grow on the structure and form a mineral rock similar to that of natural coral reefs. The steel is protected against corrosion and over time the structure gains in strength.
Biorock® Applications
Beach restoration
Biorock® reefs cause sand growth by dissipating wave energy through refraction and diffraction without the reflection that causes scour and erosion.
Today’s beach restoration and protection methods are costly and often ineffective. Artificial beach nourishment is a temporary solution, requiring new sand to be added regularly, thus generating very high recurring costs.
Marine ecosystem regeneration
The Biorock® method keeps entire reefs alive, providing high coral survival when surrounding reef corals bleach and die from heat shock.
Biorock® coral reefs turn barren dead and dying areas into pristine reefs swarming with fishes in a few years, even where natural recovery is impossible. The Biorock® process creates the ideal biophysical conditions that all forms of life use to make biochemical energy. Electrically stimulated organisms typically grow 2 to 10 times faster.
Sustainable Mariculture
Biorock® allows the rapid growth of diverse marine ecosystems that grow their own food, eliminating pollution and the need for costly imported feeds.
Biorock® structures create a new paradigm for sustainable aquaculture. Current practices grow single species, usually single clones, promoting parasites, disease, genetic pollution of wild stocks, and harmful algae blooms that damage surrounding ecosystems and fisheries. Biorock® methods avoid these problems, at lower cost.
2022 UN Ocean Conference | Virtual Side Event
Biorock® Technology for Climate Proofing Beaches, Regenerating Marine Ecosystems, and Sustainable Mariculture
Biorock® in the world
The effectiveness of this solution has been demonstrated with the implementation of Biorock® electric reefs in the coasts of 44 countries all over the world.
Contact us
If you are interested in knowing more about Blue Regeneration® , Biorock® and how to implement it in your area, contact us.