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A team of marine biologists and architects have designed custom terracotta tiles through 3D clay printing to help restore coral reefs in Abu Dhabi. These tiles were produced by climate technology company Archireef in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD economic zone and were commissioned by ADQ and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. Unlike other artificial reefs, these clay-based structures are eco-friendly and closely resemble the natural pattern of corals. Additionally, they prevent the accumulation of sediment, which poses a significant danger to coral.
In November 2022, ADQ announced a collaboration with Archireef to finance the development of eco-friendly engineering solutions for restoring marine biodiversity. This partnership combines cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) with scientific research. By working with Archireef, ADQ seeks to explore innovative avenues that simultaneously benefit the environment, address climate change risks, and contribute to its broader ESG goals of preserving habitats and species. The designated-out plantation site near Um Khorah Island in Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi, is a marine protected area chosen in collaboration.
A group of architects and marine biologists collaborated to create tiles for ADQ, an Abu Dhabi investment company and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the city’s environment regulator. These tiles were made using custom 3D clay printing technology by Archireef, a climate tech company headquartered in Hong Kong. The production of these tiles took place in the KEZAD economic zone of Abu Dhabi. The clay-based reef structures were designed to be eco-friendly and emulate the natural patterns of coral, which contrasts with other artificial reefs. Additionally, they can prevent sedimentation build-up, a major risk for corals.
This project is a new and creative contribution to the preservation and restoration efforts of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). EAD’s work to protect marine ecosystems is recognized globally, with its initiatives ranked in the top 10 by the United Nations Environment Programme. EAD provided logistical support and knowledge for the project, and its coral experts collaborated with ADQ and Archireef to choose the location and supply coral from EAD’s in situ coral nursery.
In collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), a protected marine area close to Um Khorah Island in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi was chosen as the out-plantation site. The area contains 40 square meters of reef tiles, which are home to approximately 1,200 coral fragments grown in EAD’s specialized nurseries. Over a period of five days, a team of seven scuba divers deployed the tiles. To track the performance of the corals and the recruitment of fish populations, continuous monitoring of the site will be carried out, including photographic updates.
Coral reefs, which are the most diverse ecosystems on the planet and support the highest number of aquatic species per unit area, are receiving more attention and protection from governments and private sector actors. Abu Dhabi’s waters are home to 34 species of hard coral. However, the presence of coral has declined globally in the past decade, including in Abu Dhabi, where the emirate lost 73% of its reefs in 2017 due to mass coral bleaching caused by rising water temperatures.
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