3D reefs
Activities
The project activities were structured in sequential stages, integrating experimental research, technological development, and environmental analysis. Model species were selected based on morphological and ecological criteria, followed by the creation of digital 3D models. These designs were then materialized through 3D printing to produce experimental reef prototypes with varying geometries. In the next phase, controlled colonization experiments were conducted over several months, during which biological and environmental data were systematically collected. Laboratory analyses included chlorophyll-a determination and taxonomic identification of colonizing organisms. Concurrently, environmental parameters were monitored both in situ and through satellite data sources, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing colonization. A dedicated monitoring application was developed to process visual data and estimate colonization without direct sampling. Molds were designed and produced to allow casting of reef structures in eco-friendly concrete. The final activity involved the assessment of potential deployment sites along the Romanian coast, considering substrate type, hydrodynamics, and human impact.