Biological filtration device to purify water quality in coral habitats

Abstract

This invention provides an artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration, comprising a biofiltration device, at least four support members, a primary reef, and a secondary reef. The support members are spaced apart from each other, and each support member forms a support base, at least one first support portion, and at least one second support portion. The first support portion extends upward from the support base, and the second support portion extends upward from the first support portion. The primary reef is supported on the first support portion, and the secondary reef is supported on the second support portion. The primary and secondary reefs are spaced apart and arranged around the biofiltration device, with the size of the secondary reef being smaller than that of the primary reef.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine ecological restoration, and in particular to a biological filtration device for purifying water quality in coral habitats. Background Technology

[0002] Coral reefs, hailed as the "rainforests of the ocean," are marine ecosystems with the highest primary productivity and biodiversity. Occupying less than two-thousandths of the global ocean area, they support nearly a quarter of the world's marine life, providing them with spawning grounds, habitats, feeding grounds, and refuge from predators. Furthermore, coral reefs provide crucial strategic resources for marine fisheries, tourism, coastline protection, biodiversity conservation, and new drug development. However, rapid economic development and frequent human activities have exacerbated global climate change and marine pollution, leading to widespread bleaching and death of coral reefs worldwide, placing them in a crisis of rapid degradation and potentially adversely affecting the structure and function of marine ecosystems. Developing functional artificial reefs for coral reef ecological restoration has become an indispensable part of marine ecological restoration. Coastal development and utilization, sewage discharge into the sea, and marine aquaculture inevitably reduce nearshore water quality, thus impacting the survival and growth of nearshore corals. Most existing artificial reefs used for coral reef ecological restoration only consider hydrology, geology, trawl netting, and pollution prevention, and rarely consider improving the water quality of the coral growth environment, especially using biological filtration to purify the water quality of coral habitats and promote coral growth to enhance the effectiveness of ecological restoration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main advantage of this invention is that it provides an artificial reef that promotes coral ecological restoration, which can effectively purify the water quality of coral habitats and promote coral growth.

[0004] Another advantage of this invention is that it provides an artificial reef that promotes coral ecological restoration, with a specially designed biofiltration device integrated into it. The three-dimensional mesh structure of the inner and outer layers of this biofiltration device allows filter organisms to grow within it. For example, filter-feeding mollusks that live in symbiosis with corals are evenly distributed in the outer space, purifying suspended pollutants in the habitat through their filter-feeding characteristics. Microbial active filter stones are evenly distributed in the inner space, purifying soluble pollutants in the habitat through the metabolism of colonized functional microorganisms. The biofiltration of the inner and outer spaces complements each other, forming a comprehensive biofiltration system that jointly purifies the water quality of the coral habitat.

[0005] Another advantage of this invention is that it provides an artificial reef that promotes coral ecological restoration. The specially designed three-dimensional structure increases the complexity and concealment of the reef, providing refuge for marine life and promoting the symbiosis between corals and marine organisms. The specially designed three-dimensional structure also makes the corals distributed in a three-dimensional tower shape, which helps the corals to fully absorb sunlight and promote their growth. The specially designed three-dimensional structure also allows water to flow freely in front, behind, left, right, up, and down of the reef, which not only promotes biological filtration and water purification, but also reduces the impact of water flow in any direction, enhances wind and wave resistance, and promotes the free flow of seawater.

[0006] Another advantage of this invention is that it provides an artificial reef that promotes coral ecological restoration, which has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture and use.

[0007] Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following detailed description.

[0008] According to the invention, artificial reefs that promote coral reef restoration and possess the aforementioned advantages include:

[0009] Biological filtration device;

[0010] At least four support components;

[0011] Primary reef; and

[0012] A secondary reef, wherein the support members are spaced apart from each other, wherein each support member forms a support base, at least one first support portion and at least one second support portion, wherein the first support portion extends upward from the support base and the second support portion extends upward from the first support portion, wherein the primary reef is supported on the first support portion and the secondary reef is supported on the second support portion, wherein the primary reef and the secondary reef are spaced apart, wherein the primary reef and the secondary reef are arranged around the biological filtration device, and the size of the secondary reef is smaller than the size of the primary reef.

[0013] Preferably, the artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to the present invention further includes at least one tertiary reef, wherein each support member further forms a third support portion, wherein the third support portion extends upward from the second support portion, wherein the tertiary reef is supported by the third support portion, and wherein the secondary reef and the tertiary reef are spaced apart. More preferably, the support bottom, the first support portion, the second support portion and the third support portion of the support member are integrally formed.

[0014] Furthermore, the size of the tertiary reef is smaller than that of the secondary reef, and the size of the secondary reef is smaller than that of the primary reef, thus giving the entire artificial reef a tower-like structure to prevent the upper reef from blocking the corals below from receiving sunlight.

[0015] The above and other advantages of the present invention will become fully apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

[0016] The above and other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an artificial reef that promotes coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of an artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an artificial reef that promotes coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional water flow channel formed by artificial reefs to promote coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a biofiltration device for artificial reefs that promotes coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door of the biofiltration device is in the open state.

[0022] Figure 6 This is another perspective view of a biofiltration device for artificial reefs that promotes coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door of the biofiltration device is closed.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a biofiltration device for promoting coral ecological restoration in an artificial reef according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door of the biofiltration device is closed. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement the invention. Other obvious substitutions, modifications, and variations will arise for those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0025] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically indicated herein, the term "a" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more," meaning that in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element may be multiple.

[0026] Those skilled in the art should understand that, unless specifically indicated herein, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., refer to the orientation or position based on the accompanying drawings, and are merely for the convenience of describing the invention, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements involved must have a specific orientation or position. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0027] Referring to the accompanying drawings of this invention Figures 1 to 3 An artificial reef for promoting coral reef ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. The artificial reef comprises at least one primary reef 10, at least one secondary reef 20, at least four support members 40, and a bio-filtration device 50. The support members 40 are spaced apart from each other. Each support member 40 forms at least one first support portion 41, at least one second support portion 42, and a support base 44. The first support portion 41 extends upward from the support base 44, and the second support portion 42 extends upward from the first support portion 41. The primary reef 10 is supported on the first support portion 41, and the secondary reef 20 is supported on the second support portion 42. The primary reef 10 and the secondary reef 20 are spaced apart and arranged around the bio-filtration device 50. The size of the secondary reef 20 is smaller than the size of the primary reef 10. Accordingly, the primary reef 10 and the secondary reef 20 can be square or annular. It is understood that the primary reef 10 and the secondary reef 20 of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention are configured for the transplantation of corals 11 and 21. The biofiltration device 50 contains filter organisms capable of symbiotic coexisting with corals and purifying water, such as filter-feeding bivalves, which can filter and absorb plankton and suspended pollutants, thereby purifying the habitat water quality. Preferably, the size of the secondary reef 20 is smaller than the size of the primary reef 10, so that the entire artificial reef has a tower-like structure to prevent the upper reef from blocking the lower corals from receiving sunlight.

[0028] As shown in the attached image. Figure 3As shown, the biofiltration device 50 of the artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention forms a set of horizontal guiding channels 501 and a set of vertical guiding channels 502. The horizontal guiding channels 501 extend from one side of the biofiltration device 50 to the other side, and the vertical guiding channels 502 extend from the top to the bottom of the biofiltration device 50. The horizontal guiding channels 501 and the vertical guiding channels 502 are selectively interconnected, thereby forming a three-dimensional mesh-like filter-culture space 503, allowing filter-feeding shellfish to be evenly distributed within the filter-culture space 503. Therefore, the biofiltration device 50 of the artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention has a three-dimensional mesh-like open space structure. Preferably, each horizontal channel 501 of the biofiltration device 50 for promoting coral ecological restoration according to the present invention has a first horizontal opening 5011 and a second horizontal opening 5012, and each vertical channel 502 has a bottom opening 5021 and a top opening 5022. The first horizontal opening 5011, the second horizontal opening 5012, the bottom opening 5021, and the top opening 5022 are all located on the outer surface of the biofiltration device 50, allowing water to flow freely through the filter organism culture space 503 of the biofiltration device 50. More preferably, the inner diameters of the first horizontal opening 5011, the second horizontal opening 5012, the bottom opening 5021, and the top opening 5022 are all smaller than the outer diameter of the filter organisms cultured in the filter organism culture space 503, to maintain the filter organisms within the filter organism culture space 503. Accordingly, the inner diameter of the first horizontal opening 5011, the second horizontal opening 5012, the bottom opening 5021 and the top opening 5022 is no greater than 5 cm, to ensure that the filter organisms placed in the filter organism breeding space 503 cannot escape.

[0029] It is worth noting that the shellfish cultured inside the biological filter device 50 are generally adult shellfish to improve their survival rate. The outer diameter of the shellfish should ideally be 4-7 cm. If the shellfish are too small, the inner diameters of the first horizontal opening 5011, the second horizontal opening 5012, the bottom opening 5021, and the top opening 5022 of the biological filter device 50 will also need to be reduced accordingly, affecting the free flow of water. If the outer diameter of the shellfish is too large, the number of shellfish cultured within the biological filter device 50 will be reduced, affecting the biological filtration effect. It is understandable that cultivating filter organisms with symbiotic relationships with corals, especially filter-feeding shellfish, together with corals not only purifies the water but also increases the stability of the ecosystem.

[0030] As shown in the attached image. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the biofiltration device 50 for the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a door 504, wherein the door 504 has a door opening 505, which is formed on the outer surface of the biofiltration device 50. The door opening 505 communicates with the filter organism cultivation space 503 of the biofiltration device 50, and the inner diameter of the door opening 505 is not less than 5 cm. Further, the door 504 of the biofiltration device 50 is made of a water-absorbing and swelling material, so that when the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention is deployed to the seabed, the door 504 automatically absorbs water, swells, and closes the door opening 505. The water-absorbing and swelling material mentioned herein can be water-absorbing and swelling rubber or water-absorbing resin.

[0031] As shown in the attached image. Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the biofiltration device 50 of the artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention further comprises a central placement hole 506 and a set of microbial active filter stones 507. The set of microbial active filter stones 507 is made of porous nanomaterials and is placed within the central placement hole 506. Functional microorganisms colonize the set of microbial active filter stones 507 to purify soluble pollutants in the habitat, such as nitrifying bacteria, to remove ammonium ions from nearshore eutrophic seawater. The set of microbial active filter stones 507 of the biofiltration device 50 of the artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention can interact with the aforementioned filter organisms such as shellfish to form a comprehensive biofiltration system, jointly purifying the water quality of the coral habitat, promoting coral growth, and enhancing the effectiveness of coral reef ecological restoration.

[0032] As shown in the attached image. Figure 3 and Figure 7As shown, the biofiltration device 50 for promoting coral ecological restoration of artificial reefs according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of support rods 51 and a plurality of porous meshes 52, wherein the support rods 51 are placed vertically and the porous meshes 52 are placed horizontally, and the support rods 51 are spaced apart from each other, thereby enabling the support rods 51 and the porous meshes 52 to form the horizontal conductive channel 501 and the vertical conductive channel 502. Accordingly, the holes of the porous meshes 52 located at the bottom of the biofiltration device 50 form the bottom opening 5021, and the holes of the porous meshes 52 located at the top of the biofiltration device 50 form the top opening 5022.

[0033] As shown in the attached image. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes at least one tertiary reef 30, wherein each support member 40 further forms at least one third support portion 43, wherein the third support portion 43 extends upward from the second support portion 42, wherein the tertiary reef 30 is supported by the third support portion 43, and wherein the secondary reef 20 and the tertiary reef 30 are spaced apart. More preferably, the support bottom 44, the first support portion 41, the second support portion 42 and the third support portion 43 of the support member 40 of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention are integrally formed. Preferably, the size of the tertiary reef 30 is smaller than the size of the secondary reef 20, and the size of the secondary reef 20 is smaller than the size of the primary reef 10, thereby giving the entire artificial reef a tower-like structure to prevent the upper reef from blocking the lower coral from receiving sunlight. As shown in the figures. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, preferably, in the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration according to the embodiment of the present invention, the size of the third support portion 43 of the support member 40 is smaller than the size of the second support portion 42, the size of the second support portion 42 is smaller than the size of the first support portion 41, the size of the tertiary reef 30 is smaller than the size of the secondary reef 20, and the size of the secondary reef 20 is smaller than the size of the primary reef 10. Accordingly, the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention has a tower-like structure (or a stepped structure). The tower-like structure of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention has many advantages: First, trawl nets are more easily removed from the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention. Second, the center of gravity of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention is lowered, making it more stable. Finally, the water flow impact of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention is reduced because the upper water flow velocity is usually higher.

[0034] As shown in the attached image. Figure 4As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 40 of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration forms a set of first spacers 441 and a set of second spacers 442. The first spacers 441 are located below the primary reef 10, and the second spacers 442 are located between the primary reef 10 and the secondary reef 20. The first spacers 441 respectively form a first X-axis water flow channel 4411 and a first Y-axis water flow channel 4412, and the second spacers 442 respectively form a second X-axis water flow channel 4421 and a second Y-axis water flow channel 4422. The biofiltration device 50 of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration is suspended to form a first Z-axis water flow channel 500. Accordingly, water can flow along the first X-axis water flow channel 4411, the second X-axis water flow channel 4421, the first Y-axis water flow channel 4412, the second Y-axis water flow channel 4422, and the first Z-axis water flow channel 500.

[0035] As shown in the attached image. Figure 4As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the support member 40 of the artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration further forms a set of third space 443, wherein the third space 443 is located between the secondary reef 20 and the tertiary reef 30, wherein the third space 443 forms a third X-axis water flow channel 4431 and a third Y-axis water flow channel 4432 respectively to allow water to flow along them. Therefore, the first X-axis water flow channel 4411, the second X-axis water flow channel 4421, the first Y-axis water flow channel 4412, the second Y-axis water flow channel 4422, the first Z-axis water flow channel 500, the third X-axis water flow channel 4431, and the third Y-axis water flow channel 4432 at different heights of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention form a three-dimensional water flow channel. This ensures that no matter which direction the water flows, it will pass through the three-dimensional water flow channel of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention. This not only reduces the water flow impact on the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention, but also ensures that seawater can flow through different parts of the various reefs of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration of the present invention in the primary reef 10, the secondary reef 20, and the tertiary reef 30, and replaces the seawater in the coral growth environment. Correspondingly, the specially designed three-dimensional structure of the artificial reefs in this invention, which promotes coral ecological restoration, increases the complexity and concealment of the reef, providing refuge for marine life and promoting the symbiosis between corals and marine organisms. The specially designed three-dimensional structure also allows the corals to be distributed in a three-dimensional tower shape, which helps the corals to fully absorb sunlight and promote their growth. The specially designed three-dimensional structure also allows water to flow freely in front, behind, left, right, up, and down of the reef, which not only promotes biological filtration and water purification, but also reduces the impact of water flow in any direction, enhances wind and wave resistance, and promotes the free flow of seawater.

[0036] As shown in the attached image. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the primary reef 10 of the artificial reef promoting coral ecological restoration includes multiple first coral grafts 11 and one first artificial reef 12. The secondary reef 20 includes multiple second coral grafts 21 and one second artificial reef 22, wherein the first coral grafts 11 are fixed to the first artificial reef 12, and the second coral grafts 21 are fixed to the second artificial reef 22. Further, the tertiary reef 30 includes multiple third coral grafts 31 and one third artificial reef 32, wherein the third coral grafts 31 are fixed to the third artificial reef 32.

[0037] It is worth noting that the terms "first," "second," and / or "third" in this document are used only to name different parts (or elements) of the present invention and to distinguish between different parts (or elements) of the present invention, and do not in themselves have any meaning of order or number.

[0038] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0039] All equivalent implementations, modifications, and improvements within the spirit of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An artificial reef that promotes coral reef ecological restoration, characterized in that, include: Biological filtration device; At least four support components; Primary reef body; and A secondary reef, wherein the supporting members are spaced apart, each supporting member forming a supporting bottom, at least one first supporting portion, and at least one second supporting portion, wherein the first supporting portion extends upward from the supporting bottom, and the second supporting portion extends upward from the first supporting portion, wherein the primary reef is supported by the first supporting portion, and the secondary reef is supported by the second supporting portion, wherein the primary and secondary reefs are spaced apart, wherein the primary and secondary reefs are arranged around the biological filter device, and the size of the secondary reef is smaller than that of the primary reef, the biological filter device forming a set of horizontal guiding channels and a set of vertical guiding channels, wherein the horizontal guiding channels extend from one side of the biological filter device to the other side, and the vertical guiding channels extend from the top to the bottom of the biological filter device, wherein the horizontal and vertical guiding channels selectively communicate with each other, thereby forming a three-dimensional mesh-like filtering biological aquaculture space for filter-feeding organisms. Shellfish can be evenly distributed within the biological aquaculture space of the biofiltration device. Each horizontal channel has a first horizontal opening and a second horizontal opening, and each vertical channel has a bottom opening and a top opening. The first horizontal opening, the second horizontal opening, the bottom opening, and the top opening are all located on the outer surface of the biofiltration device, and the inner diameter of each opening is no greater than 5 cm. The biofiltration device further includes a central placement hole and a set of microbial active filter stones. The set of microbial active filter stones is made of porous nanomaterials and is placed in the central placement hole. Functional microorganisms are colonized in the microbial active filter stones. The biofiltration device includes multiple support rods and multiple porous meshes. The support rods are placed vertically, and the porous meshes are placed horizontally. The support rods and porous meshes are spaced apart from each other, thereby enabling the support rods and porous meshes to form the horizontal and vertical channels.

2. The artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support forms a first space and a second space, wherein the first space is located below the primary reef and the second space is located between the primary and secondary reefs. The first space forms a first X-axis water flow channel and a first Y-axis water flow channel, and the second space forms a second X-axis water flow channel and a second Y-axis water flow channel. The biological filter is suspended to form a first Z-axis water flow channel.

3. The artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The biofiltration device further has a door with an opening formed on the outer surface of the biofiltration device. The opening is connected to the biofiltration space of the biofiltration device, and the inner diameter of the opening is not less than 5 cm.

4. The artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to claim 3, characterized in that, The door of the biofiltration device is made of a water-absorbing and swelling material, which allows it to absorb water, swell, and close the door opening.

5. The artificial reef for promoting coral ecological restoration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The primary reef includes multiple first coral grafts and a first artificial reef, and the secondary reef includes multiple second coral grafts and a second artificial reef, wherein the first coral grafts are fixed to the first artificial reef and the second coral grafts are fixed to the second artificial reef.

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