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The formation of the coral skeleton depends on the temperature of the sea and its alkalinity. Acidification and the increase in ocean temperatures due to climate change has caused up to 50% of the corals of the Mediterranean to be lost in the last 30 years. In addition, it is expected that by 2050 there will be practically no functional coral ecosystems left.

On the other hand, the stone industry in the Region of Murcia is the leader in the accumulation of waste heaps in Spain. The reuse and recovery of waste from extraction is essential for the sustainability of the sector and its transition towards a productive economy that moves away from the existing linearity.

The purpose of this project is to research into the manufacture of artificial corals using 3D printing or additive manufacturing with mixed waste from the marble mining industry, to help preserve coral reefs and even cultivate new ones, while protecting the species that intrinsically depend on them and contributing to the regeneration of the seabed in the Mediterranean.

The general objective of the project has been to develop a strategy for adaptation to climate change of coral species present in the Region of Murcia, through 3D printing technologies with additive manufacturing using waste from the marble industry, testing, verifying and developing an effective methodology for ecological restoration.

The specific objectives were as follows:

• Assess the effectiveness of the different actions carried out in a selected habitat.
• To publicise the results of the investigation and to send the products generated to the competent authorities in the matter, both regional and state; among them, the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia (CARM).

• Selection of 5 species of coral with the capacity to adapt and reproduce on the coasts of the Region of Murcia for the study of the project: orange coral (Astroides calycularis), cup coral (Balanophyllia europaea), yellow coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti), white gorgonian (Eunicella singularis) and false coral (Myriapora truncata). A selection of 5 geographical areas with potential for action has also been made: Cabo de Palos Marine Reserve, Hormigas Islands; Cabo Tiñoso Marine Reserve; Marine area around Isla Grosa and the Farallón; Area located from Cala Mojarra to Algameca Chica; and Cabo Cope Funds.
• Development of the composition and dosage of artificial reef structures based on waste from the marble sector for their location in marine environments by means of 3D printing.
• Design by 3D printing of 10 prototypes of an artificial reef structure.
• Selection of 2 techniques for securing corals under study in the designed artificial reef structures.
• Collection and cultivation in the laboratory of the chosen species and the initial assessment of the state of the quality of the habitat of the selected area.
• Dissemination of the project through different communication channels: creation of a specific website and publications on social networks, production of 3 informative videos, participation in a webinar and in the ICYMARE 2021 international congress (International Conference for Young Marine Researcher’s) and shipment of products generated to different competent authorities (Fisheries and Aquaculture Service of the CARM, General Directorate of the Natural Environment of the CARM, Delegation of the Demarcation of Coasts of the Ministry in the Region of Murcia) and associations.

The CORAL3D project has worked on the design of a strategy for adaptation to climate change of coral species present in the Region of Murcia through 3D printing technologies using waste from the marble industry. This strategy will be tested in real conditions hoping to become an effective ecological restoration methodology.

To this end, a preliminary study has been carried out on the optimal methods for the construction and placement of an artificial reef using waste from quarries. Limestone blocks extracted from quarry and the use of 3D printing were chosen. On the other hand, the yellow coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) has been selected as the main species subject to restoration (although other species from the area have also been collected and cultivated for installation on the reef), and the area where the artificial reef is located is in the Cabo Tiñoso Marine Reserve.

Following criteria based on the ecology of corals and the natural habitat of this group of anthozoans, 10 artificial reef prototypes were designed. Among them, the most suitable was chosen, which had different slopes, roughness and cavities, favoring the settlement of corals. After diving to collect corals, in order to settle the species on the artificial reef and prevent their detachment, the polyps have been cultured in pre-settlement plates that will later be fixed to the surface of the reef.

The final objective of the project will be to assess the survival of these species on the artificial reef, as well as to assess the variation in habitat quality after anchoring.