Protecting Our Coastal Communities by Restoring Coral Reefs
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Student
Student Year and Major
Junior, Aeronautical Science
Presentation Description/Abstract
Storm surge originating from hurricanes have caused significant harm in damage, affecting both civilian, military, and ecological sites across the US, as well as billions of dollars in taxpayer money to rebuild what has been destroyed. With 10mm yearly increases in the sea-level being measured across the globe according to NOAA, storm surge events could become more intense in time, causing more damage to communities. One defense mechanism our planet must protect shores against these storms surges is the presence of coral reefs, with their hard structure significantly reducing the energy of waves that come on shore. Expanding these coral reefs can prove as an effective way of protecting our assets from significant damage and restoring dying reefs that ecosystems rely on. This study analyzes DARPA’s Reefense project, which will combine manmade and natural structures to expand existing coral reefs for this reason. The project has been implemented already in limited locations, and I will be conducting a viability analysis to determine if this project is worth further investment and whether the amount of storm surge decrease of its implementation outweigh the manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance costs that come with it. Furthermore, I believe Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University could be a great player in helping expand this project, as our community sees the effects of storm surge almost yearly. Although this project will not make our hurricanes any weaker, they will protect our local community and many more from their wrath and give us more time to defend against them.
Keywords
Storm Surge, Hurricanes, Coral Reefs, Wave Energy, Ecosystems, Restoration, Hybrid, Sea Rise, Climate Change
Protecting Our Coastal Communities by Restoring Coral Reefs
Storm surge originating from hurricanes have caused significant harm in damage, affecting both civilian, military, and ecological sites across the US, as well as billions of dollars in taxpayer money to rebuild what has been destroyed. With 10mm yearly increases in the sea-level being measured across the globe according to NOAA, storm surge events could become more intense in time, causing more damage to communities. One defense mechanism our planet must protect shores against these storms surges is the presence of coral reefs, with their hard structure significantly reducing the energy of waves that come on shore. Expanding these coral reefs can prove as an effective way of protecting our assets from significant damage and restoring dying reefs that ecosystems rely on. This study analyzes DARPA’s Reefense project, which will combine manmade and natural structures to expand existing coral reefs for this reason. The project has been implemented already in limited locations, and I will be conducting a viability analysis to determine if this project is worth further investment and whether the amount of storm surge decrease of its implementation outweigh the manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance costs that come with it. Furthermore, I believe Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University could be a great player in helping expand this project, as our community sees the effects of storm surge almost yearly. Although this project will not make our hurricanes any weaker, they will protect our local community and many more from their wrath and give us more time to defend against them.