ABOUT 200 YARDS OFFSHORE OF NORTH Miami Beach, an underwater experiment is underway. An artificial reef called the Sea Hive will test how a blend of synthetic and natural defenses can help protect some of the nation's most valuable waterfront property against the battering waves of tropical storms.
The Sea Hive is a stacked pyramid of 12-foot-long hexagonal concrete tubes submerged in about 30 feet of water. In cross-section they resemble the pattern of a beehive thus the name and openings along the sides allow water and wave energy to enter.
"Because of their perforated nature they do a really good job of mitigating wave height and wave energy," University of Miami Associate Professor of Marine Biology Diego Lirman told Newsweek.
Lirman is part of a team of engineers, biologists and social scientists developing the coastal defense project that mixes the "gray" of concrete and the "green" of nature-based solutions-in this case, corals.
Corals are Lirman's focus. His lab works to grow and restore corals in South Florida waters and the
Sea Hive is intended to act as both a wave barrier and a base for coral growth. In lab simulations, Lirman said, the concrete structure alone reduced wave energy by 60 to 70 percent, a potentially valuable addition when storms erode the beach and threaten beachfront property.
"But the really cool outcome is that by adding corals, especially using branching corals that cause a lot of friction, you can increase the benefit by anywhere between 10 and 20 percent," he said. "It gives support to this idea that hybrid approaches are much better than just deploying a whole bunch of 'gray' infrastructure, which is what we've done in the past."
This story is from the July 05, 2024 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 05, 2024 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Exhausted No More
Political polarization has led to burned-out Americans, weary of civic discourse. The answer lies not in disengagement but, rather, positive engagement
Reef Rehab
Innovative concrete structures mix with corals to defend the coastline during hurricane season
Biden's European Headache
The right-wing surge in the EU elections could hamper the president's ambitions in Ukraine and play into the hands of his election rival, Donald Trump
Lupita Nyong'o
THE TRAILER FOR A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (JUNE 28) SHOWS STAR LUPITA Nyong'o carrying a cat around moments before New York City is overtaken by aliens.
Do Films Have a Future?
With the movie industry under threat from streaming and Al, experts predict how Tinseltown will look in 10 years' time
MOST TRUSTED by PHARMACISTS OTC BRANDS in AMERICA 2024
HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACHS AND FEVERS-THESE ARE some of the minor conditions that many people treat with over-the-counter medication.
DISSENTING OPINIONS
BUCKING THEIR TRADITIONAL RESERVE, JUDGES FROM ACROSS THE SPECTRUM ARE PUBLICLY DISAGREEING WITH THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND DECISIONS
'I'm Happy To Disrupt'
Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver talks to Newsweek about Trump, Biden, NATO, Gaza and maximum freedom
Budget Battle
Protesters demonstrate in Kenya's capital city as the country's members of parliament debate a finance bill on June 18.
AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.