Oyster Reef Restoration Tile
a technology for oyster reefs and substrates, applied in sustainable waste treatment, manufacturing tools, instruments, etc., can solve problems such as affecting shoreline and sandy bottom, affecting oyster habitat, and affecting oyster habita
Inactive Publication Date: 2016-10-20
GROW OYSTER REEFS
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- Abstract
- Description
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- Application Information
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Benefits of technology
The present invention is a special type of concrete that is designed to provide a better environment for the development of oysters in the ocean. The concrete has a reduced amount of cement and aggregate (the materials used in traditional concrete) and an increased amount of calcium carbonate (which is found in oyster shells. The concrete has also been shaped to mimic the natural environment in which oysters grow. The concrete can be made into a small, portable size and can be stacked or interlocked like a mat. Despite its strength, the concrete can still be molded to fit different needs.
Problems solved by technology
These large concrete structures require a contractor and a crane to install and do harm to the shoreline and sandy bottom during installation.
There are additional concrete forms of varying shape and weights, but they are susceptible to displacement in high-energy wave areas.
Additionally, other large structures could impede water traffic.
These large scaled solutions, due to large scale equipment needed to install, do not allow individuals, homeowners, or community groups to install a small or long length artificial reef in a natural water body or in a tank.
Although there are shell-recycling programs for many areas, there is a scarcity of oyster shells for reef replacement.
Placing these shells in bags is a common solution and a way to overcome losing the shell, but the bags must be permanently attached in some way and do not allow for a diverse bioculture.
These solutions still do not address the problem of not having enough oyster shell available for conservation needs.
The products using native shell, such as READYREEF® require many hours of hand labor to produce one product involving drilling the individual shells and attaching them together in a strong enough manner to withstand tides and storms; they are also not heavy enough to hold themselves down without a rigging system.
However, there are some difficulties encountered with existing artificial reefs.
Plastics commonly used in these artificial reefs can break down in the corrosive marine environment, releasing toxins and adding to the trash level in the waters.
Discarded tires that are used to initiate reefs can become dislodged and add to ocean pollution, as well as add toxins to the water.
Thus, as is apparent from the foregoing background, there exist numerous limitations in the art of oyster reef restoration which provide a need for improvements.
Method used
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[0019]Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the following discussion of exemplary embodiments is not intended as a limitation on the invention. Rather, the following discussion is provided to give the reader a more detailed understanding of certain aspects and features of the invention.
[0020]In embodiments, the present invention is a concrete reef substrate tile designed to facilitate the adherence and growth of oysters in a body of water or tank. The concrete tile comprises up to 85% calcium carbonate to provide calcium to maturing oyster shells. In addition, one face of the concrete tile comprises three-dimensional extrusions or projections which provide interstitial spaces for the protection and growth of juvenile oysters and the protection of other marine organisms. The three-dimensional extrusions or projections may also facilitate stacking of the tiles upon one another in a vertical orientation, or h...
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Abstract
A concrete marine habitat substrate tile that is portable for a human and which provides an increased calcium carbonate content and interstitial spaces for feeding and providing a habitat for developing oysters is described. Specifically provided is a reef restoration and oyster growing tile comprising: a concrete tile comprising at least 25% by weight calcium carbonate; wherein the concrete tile comprises a base and a surface disposed on the base and comprising a plurality of spaced projections and interstitial spaces; and wherein the plurality of spaced projections and interstitial spaces provide a 3-dimensional surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application relies on the disclosure of and claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 149,544 filed Apr. 18, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the field of oyster reef restoration, marine habitat and oyster related fisheries. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable concrete reef substrate tile comprising calcium carbonate and interstitial spaces for feeding and providing a habitat for developing oysters. Additionally, the present invention relates to a concrete formulation that is pourable, sprayable, able to coat surfaces, or otherwise moldable, which may be structural or non-structural, and can be used to aid oyster and other marine habitat and growth.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Attempts have been...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): A01K61/00C04B18/04G01S19/13B28B7/00
CPCA01K61/006A01K61/002G01S19/13C04B18/0427B28B7/0064A01K61/54A01K61/70C04B28/02C04B2111/00758Y02W30/91Y02A40/81C04B14/28
InventorTICKLE, EVELYN
OwnerGROW OYSTER REEFS