INITIAL SURVIVAL OF CORAL NUBBINS TRANSPLANTED BY A NEW CORAL TRANSPLANTATION TECHNOLOGY - OPTIONS FOR REEF REHABILITATION

A new method of coral transplantation is presented. Electrolysis in se awater induces cathodic accretion of calcium and magnesium minerals on an appropriately formed cathode (made of steel mesh, e.g. chicken wir e). In this way new substrate with limestone character can be generate d in situ. Coral nubbins inserted into the mesh (cathode) during elect rolysis are cemented alive to the new substrate within 3 wk. The metho d combines the formation of a semi-natural substrate with the option o f shortening the initial colonisation phase by implanting large number s of coral nubbins within a short time. Options for reef rehabilitatio n are outlined.