User:Tlfranklin/sandbox

Artificial reef

Artificial Reefs Act as Fish Attracting Areas
Since reefs have been damaged by human caused environmental and ecological changes such as overfishing, people have started creating artificial reefs. Artificial reefs can show quick increases in local fish population rehabilitation, coral reef, and algae growth. Though the quick positive response that artificial reefs tend to show is often interpreted wrongly and the overall impact on the ecosystem is overlooked. Increased fish populations have not been thoroughly examined and it is so far proven that artificial reefs attract far more fish to be caught by fishermen than the amount of biomass that is actually produced by the artificial reef. James Bohnsack, a biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) concluded artificial reefs don't actually increase fish populations, they simply concentrate fish and make them easier for fishermen to locate and catch. Artificial reefs generally serve merely as FAD’s (Fish Aggregating Devices) bringing in fish from natural reefs, to be caught on the man made landmark. It is proven that artificial reefs attract fish, though it is still uncertain whether or not they make up for the losses, and further research must be done.

The fish attracted and brought in to the artificial reef zones vary from reef to reef, and many times artificial reefs do in fact attract more fish than natural surrounding reefs. The fish that the reef will attract depends largely on the age, size and structure of the artificial reef. Different reefs attract different types of fish and large reef structures like the artificial reefs created by sinking large ships attract larger fish. In addition to attracting certain fish based on the structure of the artificial reef, the structure of the natural existing reef effects the impact of the artificial reef as well.

In a study it was found that the use of shipwrecks to create artificial reefs in rocky zones created a new trophic structure and changed the local reefs ecosystem. The large steel shipwrecks served as the home for certain species of marine life and all the species nearby migrated to the shipwreck. This created an unbalance in the natural ecosystem and altered many different marine lives habitats because of the altered state of the old natural reef. This occurrence where an introduced artificial reef is an example of the negative impacts artificial reefs worldwide might cause in the future. All over the world there are many reefs that are negatively impacting the natural reef in the same way. This study is an example of the many concerns with implementing artificial reefs prematurely.

Potentially A Source Of Pollution
Many ships and other unnaturally composed structures such as old tires are often used for constructing artificial reefs. The materials used in most artificial reefs are also likely to cause pollution by the releasing of excessive amounts of chemicals and nutrients that are not naturally found in reef environments. Dumping tires into the ocean is a practice used to create many artificial reefs and a great example of the possibility that there are unseen dangers in creating artificial reefs. With millions of tires produced every year creating artificial reefs with them seemed like a great idea and was practiced around the world. Using trash to try and better the environment seemed like a great idea, but unfortunately, some of the reefs did much more harm than good. In Florida alone, 571 permitted artificial reefs exist and the number of illegal reefs is thought to be much greater. Using old products, such as tires, is taking possible risks and many marine biologists are skeptical about the amount of positive impacts that these reefs will have. Artificial reefs are continuing to be constructed around the world despite inconclusive studies and the high risks associated with them.

Tires are widely used and need to be disposed of, thus they would make a great artificial reef construction material if they don’t release pollutants. Tires are made from many chemicals and compounds, all varying. Tires are made differently by each manufacturer, the tires aren't all made the same and can contain many elements such as black carbon, sulphur, zinc ­oxide, and peroxides. Tire rubber formulas still undergo change and there is a huge variety in their material composition. The US National Artificial Reef Plan states that tires are a good reef construction material because there have been no toxic effects released from the decomposition of tires; Though there is little information published to back up the claims and the future decomposing of the many different types of rubber tires could create unseen pollution. (Collins, 2002)

Erosion Prevention (New)
Some artificial reefs are used to prevent coastal erosion. Artificial reefs that are used to prevent coastal erosion can be designed to act in several ways. Some are designed to force waves to break off shore and deposit their energy in a different area than directly on the coastline and ripping apart beaches and establishments. Other reefs are designed to hold in sediment on beaches. These reefs trap the sediment and prevent the sediment from being dispersed. The reefs are specifically designed for each unique zone to preserve the existing coast from erosion. (Morang et, al 2014)