Abu Dhabi: Innovative marine biodiversity restoration solutions deployed off the coast

Artificial 3D-printed terracotta-based reef tiles have been deployed with the aim of aiding coral restoration in the Arabian Gulf off the shore of Abu Dhabi, authorities announced.

The ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), the region’s largest environmental regulator, and Archireef, a climate technology company headquartered in Hong Kong made the successful deployment.

The partnership between ADQ and Archireef announced in November 2022 funds research and development of eco-engineering solutions for marine biodiversity restoration, combining scientific research with the use of latest technologies in 3D printing, IoT, and AI. Through the partnership with Archireef, ADQ aims to capture opportunities in innovative areas that simultaneously benefit the environment and mitigate climate change-related risks, while contributing to the preservation of habitats and species under the umbrella of its wider ESG aspirations.

The project is an innovative addition to the efforts of EAD, whose marine ecosystem preservation and rehabilitation initiatives rank among the top ten global initiatives, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. The agency provided the project with logistical support and expertise, and the team of coral experts from EAD worked closely with ADQ and Archireef on assessing and selecting the site, providing corals to the project from EAD’s in situ coral nursery.

Custom 3D clay printing

The tiles were designed by a team of marine biologists and architects and produced through custom 3D clay printing in Archireef’s new production facility in an economic zone under KEZAD Group. In contrast to other types of artificial reefs, the clay-based reef structures are environmentally friendly and engineered to closely mimic the natural pattern of corals and prevent sedimentation build up, which is a major threat for corals.

The outplantation site, selected in partnership with EAD, is a marine protected area near Umm Khorah Island in Al Dhafra Region in Abu Dhabi featuring 40 square meters of reef tiles housing around 1,200 coral fragments grown in specialised nurseries owned by EAD. The deployment of the tiles was completed by a team of seven scuba divers over the course of five days. Continuous monitoring of the deployment site will provide data on the performance of the corals, including photographic updates to capture the recruitment of fish populations.