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Innovative “Self-Healing” Reef Structure Installed at Tyndall Air Force Base
On October 30, U.S. Air Force officials set in motion a new protective initiative by installing an experimental “self-healing” reef in the waters of St. Andrew Bay, adjacent to Tyndall U.S. Air Force Base in Northwest Florida. This project, designed by researchers from Rutgers University, utilizes custom-engineered concrete modules combined with live oysters to create a resilient barrier against hurricanes and tidal surges.
Observers witnessed the placement of a section of the planned 160-foot-wide reef, expected to consist of around 800 interconnected concrete blocks. These blocks are being strategically deployed approximately 200 feet from the coastline to establish foundational support for oyster colonies.
The concrete modules provide an essential hard substrate that facilitates oyster attachment, encouraging natural colonization over the coming year. This process aims to develop hybrid “living” reefs that bolster the strength and resilience of coastal defenses.
As part of a broader international research effort, which includes over 60 scientists, this initiative seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of engineered and biological reef structures in mitigating the impacts of coastal flooding, erosion, and storm damage—a growing concern for both civilian infrastructure and U.S. military assets.
The urgency of such protective measures was highlighted by Hurricane Michael, a devastating Category 5 storm that struck the Florida Panhandle in October 2018, damaging Tyndall’s facilities and aircraft significantly.
“This experiment will document the Reefense modules’ effectiveness in strengthening the bay’s shoreline and enhancing its resilience to storms,” stated David Bushek, lead scientist and director of the Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory. His expertise underscores the merging of ecological and engineering approaches in coastal protection.
Oysters naturally grow in clusters and form organic seawalls by attaching to one another in shallow waters. However, significant storms can dismantle these structures, presenting a challenge for shoreline protection. The hybrid shoreline implemented in this project combines human-made elements with natural features, specifically engineered to withstand harsh conditions while preserving the ecological balance.
Bushek, alongside DRAPA’s Reefense Program Manager, Catherine Campbell, observed the installation process, which taps into Rutgers University’s longstanding expertise in oyster breeding—recognized globally for its contributions to the field.
Recent research innovations at Rutgers also inform this project, particularly in materials science and hydrodynamics. The term “adaptive biology” is utilized to describe how organisms can evolve in response to environmental changes, critical for the survival of the reefs amid threats like climate change.
The modules being installed are designed with a low carbon footprint and weigh 450 pounds each. Covered with disease-resistant oysters developed through genomic selection, these structures aim to offer enhanced stabilization and shoreline protection compared to traditional natural reef systems.
In a similar manner to soundproofing materials in construction, the perforated design of the modules is intended to absorb and dissipate wave energy, significantly reducing the impact of larger waves and safeguarding the shoreline.
“Our goal was to create an engineered structure that combines durability with ecological functionality, allowing organisms to thrive within a controlled environment,” Bushek explained. This ongoing research represents numerous advancements in both science and technology, revealing the potential for innovative coastal management approaches.
In collaboration with Richard Riman, a Distinguished Professor at the Rutgers School of Engineering, Bushek leads a dynamic team that includes other distinguished scholars focused on the comprehensive aspects of reef design. The project also brings together dozens of researchers from various universities in the U.S. and Australia, further emphasizing the global effort to enhance coastal resilience.
Citation: Concrete modules with a self-healing oyster reef structure in Florida Panhandle Bay installed to protect military base (2024, October 31) retrieved 31 October 2024 from Phys.org
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