Sustainable Reef Construction: Evaluating Algae-Clay vs Concrete for Marine Biodiversity
Faculty Mentor
Kathryn Craven
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
Biology
Abstract
Artificial reefs are effective methods for increasing biodiversity in deteriorating marine ecosystems under a rapidly changing climate. Concrete has traditionally been used as the substrate in reef construction, but natural materials could prove a potential eco-friendly alternative. This project tested ceramic tiles made from organic algae-clay mixtures made from marine byproducts and compared them to concrete ones. Replicate tiles of both substrates were constructed with the same dimensions. The tiles were deployed in cages suspended from a dock in a tidal creek in Savannah, Georgia during summer. After 8 weeks, tiles were returned to the lab where they were maintained in brackish-water aquaria for observation. Biodiversity of microorganisms and percent cover occupying each substrate were evaluated and compared. It is hypothesized that if reef substrate material influences larval settlement and development, then tiles made with the algae-clay mixture will support greater biodiversity than concrete tiles. The results of this research aim to expand sustainable substrates and contribute to future artificial reef construction in marine conservation efforts.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Brown, Kiara, "Sustainable Reef Construction: Evaluating Algae-Clay vs Concrete for Marine Biodiversity" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 10.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/10
Sustainable Reef Construction: Evaluating Algae-Clay vs Concrete for Marine Biodiversity
Savannah Ballroom
Artificial reefs are effective methods for increasing biodiversity in deteriorating marine ecosystems under a rapidly changing climate. Concrete has traditionally been used as the substrate in reef construction, but natural materials could prove a potential eco-friendly alternative. This project tested ceramic tiles made from organic algae-clay mixtures made from marine byproducts and compared them to concrete ones. Replicate tiles of both substrates were constructed with the same dimensions. The tiles were deployed in cages suspended from a dock in a tidal creek in Savannah, Georgia during summer. After 8 weeks, tiles were returned to the lab where they were maintained in brackish-water aquaria for observation. Biodiversity of microorganisms and percent cover occupying each substrate were evaluated and compared. It is hypothesized that if reef substrate material influences larval settlement and development, then tiles made with the algae-clay mixture will support greater biodiversity than concrete tiles. The results of this research aim to expand sustainable substrates and contribute to future artificial reef construction in marine conservation efforts.
