76M-Ton Artificial Reef Made of Sunken Vessels Restores Fish Habitat, Stores Carbon - Texas

Fish and other marine life's habitat is restored by the artificial reef off the coast of Texas, which is constructed of sunken shipwrecks. Furthermore, a study that is just halfway done claims that 76 million tons of scrap can store carbon.

76-Million-Ton Artificial Reef Off Coast Texas

12 miles off the Texan coast lies the colossal Rio Grande Valley Reef (RGV Reef), an extensive artificial structure weighing 76 million tons.

Encompassing 1,650 acres, it stands as Texas' largest artificial reef, comprising sunken vessels like tugboats and shrimp haulers, cinder blocks, and approximately seven miles of repurposed concrete railroad ties donated by BNSF railway, a significant North American freight network.

This past year marked a groundbreaking study focused on the RGV Reef, exploring the potential of artificial reefs. These structures are renowned for restoring lost natural habitat, enhancing fish populations, supporting conservation efforts, and serving as coastal breakwaters.

In the US, they also draw recreational fishing enthusiasts, contributing to billions in tax revenue.

Halfway through the two-year study led by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, preliminary results suggested carbon sequestration. The study's conclusion next year will reveal the extent of its impact, potentially paving the way for more artificial reef initiatives.

Artificial Reefs to Attract Marine Life

Artificial reefs are intricate marine metropolises designed with the right materials and strategic placements to attract diverse marine life. They must withstand water currents and corrosion, making old ships, concrete, and steel ideal choices.

Curtis Hayungs of Friends of RGV Reef recalls an initial lack of fish in 2015 when they sank their first vessel.

However, within days, the reef teemed with thousands of fish and numerous species. In eight years, it transformed into a thriving ecosystem with 100+ fish species and 300,000 red snappers in a single micro-habitat.

Fish counting efforts have proven complex, defying simple tallying methods.

Reefs Storing Carbon

Reefs play a crucial role in understanding carbon capture in the ocean. Similar to plants and trees, fish and marine species store carbon in their tissues. This process begins with phytoplankton on the ocean's surface, as carbon is transferred through the food chain, from small fish to larger ones.

When a fish dies, its organic matter sinks to the ocean floor, a process known as "marine snow," where the carbon is sequestered in ocean sediments for an extended period.

While the carbon cycle operates naturally, reefs, both artificial and natural, serve as essential fish habitats for growth and protection.

Artificial reefs themselves may not directly capture carbon, but they attract fish that might otherwise struggle in open waters or become prey. In essence, building more reefs leads to increased fish populations and, consequently, greater carbon capture in the marine ecosystem.

Also Read: Crown-of-Thorns Starfish: Predators Survive Heat Waves That Kill Corals by Eating Survivors 

Promising Results From Halfway of the Research

The research team initially measured carbon within the reef's fish, using a combination of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) with high-definition cameras and acoustic sonars, which they calibrated by catching and weighing fish.

Surprisingly, they found approximately 15% of organic carbon in fish tissues, a percentage comparable to carbon-rich bryozoa. More promising results are anticipated in the sediment collected around the reef's surface.

The researchers developed novel techniques to prevent the materials from drifting away, collecting them with a repurposed underwater vacuum.

Results won't be known for another year, but if they prove compelling, they could secure funding for reef expansion. Efficient reef design and enhanced carbon containment may help advocate for more reef projects and their importance.

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