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Bio-ink infused with algae-derived chemicals boosts coral larvae settlement and reef restoration efforts.

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," are vibrant ecosystems, support countless marine species and protect coastal communities from storms and erosion.

Climate change warm oceans, triggering coral bleaching. Overfishing, pollution, and coastal development degrade reefs by promoting seaweed overgrowth, which competes with corals. Since the mid-20th century, global coral cover has halved, endangering biodiversity and coastal protection.

Scientists estimate that 70-90% of coral reefs could vanish if global warming reaches 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and 99% may disappear at 2°C.

This crisis demands urgent action, and researchers have developed a solution: a bio-ink called SNAP-X that boosts coral larvae settlement by 20 times, offering hope for reviving these vital ecosystems.

About SNAP-X

It is a bio-ink developed by a team led by Dr. Daniel Wangpraseurt at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Jacobs School of Engineering.

This material mimics the natural signals of healthy reefs to attract coral larvae. Coral larvae, small animals that drift in ocean currents, are selective about where they settle. They depend on chemical signals in the water to find suitable homes.

Crustose coralline algae (CCA), a pink, rocky algae found on healthy reefs, release metabolites that signal to larvae, “This is a safe place to grow.” However, these chemicals disperse quickly in the ocean, making it hard for larvae to locate them.

• To solve this, the researchers created SNAP-X, a gel infused with silica nanoparticles that encapsulate CCA-derived metabolites. They extract these chemicals from algae samples, and suspend them in a liquid gel.
• When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, the gel solidifies like Jell-O, allowing it to be painted or sprayed onto surfaces like rocks or artificial structures.
• SNAP-X then releases these chemical signals slowly for up to a month, creating an inviting microhabitat for coral larvae.
• In lab tests with Montipora capitata, a Hawaiian reef-building coral, surfaces coated with SNAP-X saw larvae settlement increase by up to 20 times compared to untreated surfaces. 

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Source: 

EURASIAREVIEW