Scientists placed 23 3D-printed reefs 1,100m underwater to test coral habitat recovery

Researchers are installing 3D-printed artificial reefs on the deep seabed to see whether damaged cold-water coral habitats can be restored. Twenty-three of these structures have been placed off the south-west Porcupine Bank, off Ireland's west coast, and in the Bay of Biscay, France. The work forms part of the Horizon Europe project REDRESS, which stands for Restoration of deep-sea habitats to rebuild European Seas. According to the University of Galway, researchers are part of the international team behind the effort. The team wants to learn whether the structures can give corals a place to settle and grow in areas harmed by bottom trawling.How are scientists testing 3D-printed reefs underwaterThe twenty-three artificial reefs were installed as a contribution to REDRESS. The current campaign is part of a three-year mission known as REDECOR, short for REstauration DEs CORaux d'eau froide. It involves collaboration between researchers from the University of Galway, Ifremer and the Sorbonne University in France.The university states that the expedition took place on board L'Atalante, a vessel of the French Oceanographic Fleet, during August. Reefs were placed at depths between 900 an...