Structure for holding objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structure for holding objects which have a density greater than the density of water, the objects having predetermined dimensions, wherein the structure is in the form of a net or nonwoven or the like and has openings through which water can flow, the size of the openings being smaller than the outer dimensions of the objects, wherein the structure holds at least a first quantity of objects and a second quantity of seeds or vegetative parts of marine flora plants, for example seagrass, seaweed (kelp), or the like.

Description

[0001] Structure for holding objects

[0002] The invention relates to a structure for supporting stones, boulders, or the like. The structure can be used to secure and / or protect underwater structures, such as submarine cables, lines, pipelines, or the like, or even foundations of bridges, offshore wind turbines, etc., in particular to protect them against scouring.

[0003] As general prior art, reference is made to EP 2 341 592, EP 2 348 215, EP 2 354 535, US 3 861 158, US 6 305 876, US 2 011 158 747, US 2 022 282 441, US 2024 / 0284863 A1 and also WO 2020 / 035879.

[0004] With these structures, which are the subject of the present invention, the structure forms a container, for example a net, a fleece or the like, which has openings on the outside through which water can flow, wherein the openings have an external dimension which is smaller than the external dimension of the objects which are received by the structure, i.e. the stones, boulders or the like.

[0005] Such a structure can then be transported to a predetermined location on a seashore, a riverbank, or even into the sea or a lake using transport equipment, such as excavators, cranes, and ropes, and lowered into the sea or a lake to perform the desired protective function. The material of the structure can be either a water-degradable or non-degradable material, for example, a net with a rope / yarn structure made of plastic fibers, such as HDPE, steel fibers, basalt fibers, natural fibers, or a mixture thereof.

[0006] The structure according to the invention is intended to make it possible not only to serve a primary purpose, for example the fixing of structures to the seabed, to the riverbed or for coastal protection, bank protection, coastal reinforcement, bank reinforcement, but also to fulfil a further function which is nature-friendly or nature-based and promotes the development of new natural life.

[0007] According to the invention, the object of the invention is achieved with the structure having the feature of claim 1. The advantageous development is described in the further claims.

[0008] For this purpose, a quantity (layer) with elements of marine flora and / or marine fauna, for example seaweed, seaweed (kelp) or the like and / or mussels, snails, algae (eukaryotic organisms) or the like, is formed in the structure, which serves to establish / restore a species-rich habitat.

[0009] Where marine flora, i.e. plant parts, seeds, or the like, are mentioned, these also represent marine fauna, such as mussels, snails (or their eggs, larvae, or growth precursors), which are attached to the objects and thus protected from destruction by the objects.

[0010] These elements of marine flora can be seeds or vegetative plant parts, for example rhizomes (roots), leaves or stems of such marine flora, which then, when fixed in water, develop plant growth of their own, for example leaves, stems, flowers, etc. With this plant growth, new roots then also form, which can attach themselves to or hold on to the objects that are absorbed by the structure.

[0011] When filling the structure with the objects or during their transport to the final storage location, it is important that not only the structure has an appropriate weight, i.e. that it contains a sufficient quantity of the objects required for the primary purposes, but also that the seeds and the vegetative plant parts, i.e. the elements of the marine flora that are intended to develop independent plant growth, are protected. This means that they are protected from destruction by grinding or crushing during transport, but they are also protected from direct access by marine animals that could consume the seeds or the vegetative plant parts as food and thus prevent independent plant growth.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention with a structure for receiving objects having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments, in particular also uses, are shown in the further claims.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of a structure 1 according to the invention, which is formed from a bag-like mesh fabric 2 and which is filled in a first layer 3 with stones, boulders, i.e. objects which have a density which is significantly greater than the density of water.

[0014] Above layer 3, a second layer 4 is formed as a second quantity, for example in the form of a mat (or cuboid or the like), another bag or the like, which accommodates the elements 5, such as seeds or element parts, such as rhizomes, stems, leaves or the like, of marine flora, for example of seaweed, seaweed or the like. These can also be seedlings of seaweed, seaweed or the like, or other parts capable of developing independent plant growth when fixed in a body of water, for example inland waters or the sea (with salinity), at a predetermined depth.

[0015] If the second layer is designed as a mat or cuboid or as a specific volume, pre-production of the second layer 4 is possible, which is then inserted into the structure 1 after the heavy objects have been inserted.

[0016] It is then also easily possible for the second layer 4 to be (firmly) connected to or fixed to the structure 1 by sewing, knotting, linking (with threads), gluing or weaving or the like in order to prevent detachment of this second layer 4 during transport to the storage location or when the structure 1 is in water.

[0017] Once this has occurred, the marine flora introduced into the second layer 4 begins to grow. If this marine flora is, for example, seaweed, kelp, or the like, a marine flora structure can develop above and within the artificial structure 1 in a relatively short time, which is attractive to a variety of microorganisms, but also larger animals (marine fauna). Thus, the structure 1 according to the invention, although an artificial structure, can also significantly contribute to the rapid repopulation of destroyed coastal areas / shore areas with natural marine flora plant growth, which also contributes to calming ocean currents and further protecting the shores, coasts, etc.

[0018] The structure 1 according to the invention therefore not only provides a mechanical protective structure for a coast, shore or the like, but also a biological-mechanical protective structure which enables the growth of marine flora such as seaweed, seaweed or the like.

[0019] If a material having a predetermined CO2 footprint is used for the formation of the net structure, CO2 neutrality can be achieved through the plant growth of the marine flora that establishes itself on or in the structure 1, in particular through the growth of the marine flora for which seeds and / or vegetative plant parts are already formed in the second layer 4, or even more CO2 can be bound by the plants than was necessary for the production of the structure 1.

[0020] Figure 1 also shows that a number of objects 5 are placed above the second layer 4, with these objects preferably also being heavier than the corresponding volume of water. If the marine flora is protected in a mat, it can begin its normal growth once the water has penetrated. An alternative or addition to arranging the marine flora in a mat is to house the marine flora, i.e. the seeds and / or the vegetative plant parts, away from the building material, for example a drainage pipe, a stone, a drainage pipe made of fired clay or concrete, a hollow brick (made of clay or concrete), a perforated brick (made of clay or concrete), a Poroton brick, hollow brick panels (made of clay or concrete), a concrete brick or the like.The advantage of being housed in such a building material is that, on the one hand, the seeds or the vegetative plant parts are particularly protected during transport to the deposition site, but also that when the structure is placed in the water, the protective function continues, in particular the seeds and / or the vegetative plant parts can hold on to their roots or other plant parts in the described building material at their deposition site when growth begins and thus cannot be washed away by wind, waves or currents.

[0021] Figure 2 shows another example of the structure 1 according to the invention, comprising a bag-like mesh 2, which holds stones, boulders, sandbags, or the like. A rope or tube filled with marine fauna or flora is then woven, attached, or housed inside the mesh structure on top or bottom, which promotes the growth of both marine fauna and flora while simultaneously ensuring secure fixation.

[0022] A float visible on the water surface could also be attached to the top of the mesh, which would then have the advantage that shipping traffic in the waters in which the structures according to the invention are located would know with certainty which areas to avoid in order not to endanger the development and growth of marine fauna and flora.

[0023] The described marine flora is preferably seaweed, kelp, or similar, i.e., marine flora that can thrive on the shore and near the coast, even when not much light penetrates the lake or seabed where the structure according to the invention is deposited. The selection of marine flora—this also applies to the marine fauna—is preferably always adapted to the water conditions, light conditions, and water movement conditions (calm waters; coastal waters with correspondingly strong water movement; ocean current conditions, etc.). The structure according to the invention can thus also ensure pioneering or new colonization of marine flora and fauna, which then gradually adapts to proper biotope development, so that the structures according to the invention also enable the regeneration or restoration of destroyed coastal and marine areas.

[0024] If the structure for the vegetative plant parts and / or seeds has a large number of indentations, this also has the advantage that other microorganisms - both flora and fauna - that occur in the water can also settle there, thus developing a balanced biotope within the structure or across several adjacent structures, which is highly attractive from an ecological perspective. When positioning seeds and / or vegetative plant parts in the cavities of bricks, etc., it is particularly advantageous if these cavities have a tubular structure or if the material is designed as a tube. This then has the advantage that the formation of ocean currents allows nutrients to reach the root system of the marine flora easily through the tube.The tube structure can also influence the speed of the ocean current, preventing marine flora from becoming detached from the base structure. It is also possible for the objects to be very special natural or artificial stones that are well-suited for the colonization of marine flora and / or fauna. Such stones containing marine fauna and / or flora can be filled into containers, and these containers are then placed on or in the structure according to the invention, allowing the marine fauna and / or flora settled there to find space in the cavities between the objects, settle, become entangled, and develop further.

[0025] It is also possible to pre-cultivate a rope—or a flexible tube—preferably with marine fauna and / or marine flora, e.g., a rope to which roots or plant parts of marine flora are then attached, e.g., by binding. Such a pre-cultivated rope or tube can then be guided through the openings and / or tabs of the structure according to the invention like a belt or stretched around the structure according to the invention.

[0026] As described, it is also advantageous if the desired marine fauna or flora is pre-cultivated and established on the objects accommodated by the structure according to the invention, e.g., under artificial conditions. This has the advantage that the marine fauna or flora to be established already adheres well to the objects and can thus be accommodated in the structure according to the invention in the desired manner, which overall promotes the development and establishment of the desired marine fauna and / or flora.

[0027] As far as marine fauna and flora are concerned in the present application, it is also important according to the invention that the respective marine fauna and flora are adapted to the location, i.e., the water structure, as well as the country-specific culture, and also the biologically original structure, where the structure according to the invention is housed, in order to avoid undesirable mixing of animal species, plant species, etc., and instead promote the native, autochthonous species of marine fauna and flora. The mixing of various animal and plant species has already led to a high degree of contamination of original biotopes, with the result that originally established species are pushed back or eradicated, and undesirable animal or plant species spread massively.The structure according to the invention is a valid measure to successfully counteract this undesirable spread of foreign species of animals and plants and to improve the stability of the settlement of native animal and plant species.

[0028] The structure according to the invention also serves as an artificially planted reef with a breakwater function for coastal protection. It is then also possible for the structure according to the invention to be used to protect underwater structures or facilities, e.g., laid cables, towers and foundations of offshore wind turbines, signal buoys, etc. In addition to the fixing function, this also has the advantage that habitat for marine ecosystems can be more easily recreated. If ropes are equipped with marine fauna and / or marine flora, e.g., by adhering kelp strands to the ropes, these ropes can also connect the structures according to the invention to the objects. This has the advantage that the ropes, with the attached marine fauna and / or marine flora, are securely fixed within the water to promote its development, and in particular are protected against water currents.

[0029] The marine fauna and / or marine flora accommodated by the structure according to the invention is preferably adapted to its deposition site, that is to say, preferably autochthonous, in order to avoid contamination of the deposition site with autochthonous, i.e. foreign, species, and at the same time, the adaptation also consists in the marine fauna and / or marine flora being adapted to the local conditions (water composition, salinity, water movement, ocean currents, etc.) in order to be able to develop the best possible growth.

Claims

Claims 1 . Structure for receiving objects which have a density which is greater than the density of water, wherein the objects have predetermined dimensions, wherein the structure is designed as a net or fleece or the like and has openings through which water can flow, wherein the size of the openings is smaller than the external dimensions of the objects, wherein the structure receives at least a first quantity of objects and a second quantity consisting of seeds or vegetative plant parts of marine flora, for example seaweed, seaweed (kelp), and / or marine fauna, in particular mussels, for example European oysters or algae or snails and / or eukaryotic organisms, for example algae or the like.

2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the seeds and / or the vegetative parts of plants and / or marine fauna are protected by a covering.

3. Structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the covering of a mat is preferably made of natural fiber material, or of building materials, e.g. drainage pipe, bricks, drainage pipes (made of fired clay or concrete), hollow bricks (clay, concrete), perforated bricks (clay, concrete), Poroton, hollow brick panels (clay or concrete), concrete bricks or the like.

4. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seeds and / or the vegetative plant parts, preferably rhizomes or leaves, are adapted to their deposition site and, when introduced into water with a predetermined nutrient content, salt content or the like, develop independent plant growth.

5. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first layer with the first quantity of objects is formed along the underside of the structure and above this a second layer with the second quantity consists of seeds and / or vegetative plant parts from the marine flora, e.g. seaweed, seaweed (kelp) or the like and the seeds and / or the vegetative plant parts are positioned and / or fixed within the mat and / or the aforementioned components in order to protect them from destruction of the objects.

6. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third set of objects is provided, wherein the seeds and / or the vegetative plant parts are located above the first set of objects and below the third set of objects, and the third set of objects consists of a material equal to and / or similar to the first set of objects and wherein the third set of objects fixes the amount of seeds and / or vegetative plant parts in the structure.

7. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second quantity consists of seeds and / or vegetative plant parts from the marine flora, e.g. seaweed, seaweed (kelp), or the like, arranged in a layer, e.g. in a layer which is designed as a mat, e.g. a mat made of natural fiber material, and this layer is connected to the structure, for example by connecting, gluing, weaving or the like.

8. Use of the structure according to any one of the preceding claims for forming an artificial reef and / or for securing structures to the seabed, for example lines, pipelines, foundations (of bridges, offshore wind turbines, etc.) or other underwater structures.

9. Use of the structure according to any one of the preceding claims for coastal protection, bank protection, coastal reinforcement, bank reinforcement or the like.

10. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first set of objects are natural and / or artificial stones or boulders or the like.

11. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of objects is ordered in a first layer and the second set is ordered in the second layer, the second layer being above the first layer.

12. A plurality of structures according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structures are arranged side by side or one below the other and are preferably fastened and / or connected to one another.

13. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marine flora and / or marine fauna accommodated in the structure is adapted to the deposition site of the structure, that is to say to the body of water on which the structure is deposited, preferably the species of marine flora and / or marine fauna used are autochthonous at the deposition site.

Images