Underwater Adhesive for Coral Restoration

Coral transplantation is a primary management option for rehabilitation of degraded reefs. Stabilization (via adhesion, etc.) of transplants on existing reef or artificial substrates notably improves their survival rate. Improved underwater adhesives are needed for expedient and convenient stabilization of coral transplants with improved survival rate. A new hybrid organic-inorganic adhesive is proposed to address this need. Prompt setting and rapid curing of the hybrid adhesive will be triggered by seawater. This adhesive offers an inherent affinity for binding to reef and other surfaces, and stimulates self-attachment and survival of the transplanted coral. It can be deployed easily and expediently from a caulk gun or a small nozzle/syringe for bulk or precise applications. The new adhesive would also be non-toxic, compatible with seawater and economical. The hybrid adhesive embodies some underlying principles of biomineralization, bone and dental adhesives. Plans are proposed for development and market transition of the hybrid adhesive, and a team of technical experts and commercial partners has been assembled to implement these plans. The proposed Phase I effort will identify the inorganic and organic constituents of the hybrid adhesive, and will develop and characterize a first-generation coral reef adhesive.