Sunken Steel Cages Analysis
In the article, “Sunken Steel Cages Could Save Coral Reefs”, Gaia Vince discusses that sunken steel cages may help restore endangered coral reefs. First, Vince explains how the steel cages are showing results for the endangered reefs. Carbon dioxide is above the level that it needs to be, and that is part of why coral reefs are going extinct. The metal cages do not fix that problem, but they appear to show results. The steel cages are connected to a long electrical cable that triggers a chemical reaction, which leads to calcium carbonate coming out of a solution in the water, and deposited on the steel cage. The coral love the cages because it is the same material that they use to grow their protective skeletons. Next, he explores how
global temperatures are affecting coral reefs, and how the steel cages are better compared to where they are normally attached. The El Nino of 1998 killed 98% of reefs, so the researchers compared the growth rate for coral reefs growing on the ocean floor to the growth rates of coral on the steel cages. Abdul Azeez said, “Coral growth on the structure is up to five times faster as that of elsewhere.” The electric reef makes the coral fitter and better to withstand warming events because the coral reefs waste less energy making their skeletons. A small prototype was tested in a warming phenomenon and more than 80% of coral survived compared to the other 2% elsewhere. In addition, Vince argues that these structures are far too costly to produce for the value of them. Experts believe that the cost and effort to make these steel cages are not worth it and are impossible to do. The steel cages are good for tourist attraction, but it won’t save the reefs. There are far too many coral reefs to be saved than steel cages can be made. Finally, Vince concludes that sunken steel cages may help restore coral reefs. “Sprucing up small bits of reef” says the Marine Research Center, “can add value to a tourist resort, but it certainly won’t help protect the Maldives from sea level rise,”.
global temperatures are affecting coral reefs, and how the steel cages are better compared to where they are normally attached. The El Nino of 1998 killed 98% of reefs, so the researchers compared the growth rate for coral reefs growing on the ocean floor to the growth rates of coral on the steel cages. Abdul Azeez said, “Coral growth on the structure is up to five times faster as that of elsewhere.” The electric reef makes the coral fitter and better to withstand warming events because the coral reefs waste less energy making their skeletons. A small prototype was tested in a warming phenomenon and more than 80% of coral survived compared to the other 2% elsewhere. In addition, Vince argues that these structures are far too costly to produce for the value of them. Experts believe that the cost and effort to make these steel cages are not worth it and are impossible to do. The steel cages are good for tourist attraction, but it won’t save the reefs. There are far too many coral reefs to be saved than steel cages can be made. Finally, Vince concludes that sunken steel cages may help restore coral reefs. “Sprucing up small bits of reef” says the Marine Research Center, “can add value to a tourist resort, but it certainly won’t help protect the Maldives from sea level rise,”.