科学家开发旨在恢复珊瑚礁的3D打印人工礁盘

中等

高中二年级

说明文

世界与环境

世界上的珊瑚礁正在以惊人的速度消亡，这已经不是什么秘密了。为了帮助加快珊瑚复育的进程，香港大学的科学家们运用新科技开发出了所谓的“珊瑚礁盘”。

Long-suffering coral reefs may begin to regrow with a promising new technology. The coral population has declined heavily due to red tides, pollution, and increased water traffic in the Double Island area of Sai Kung. For a restoration project commissioned by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), marine scientists and architects from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have co-developed large terra cotta (an ancient form of porous fired-clay pottery) tiles to provide habitats for new coral growth and for the many species which depend on the coral for a home.

长期遭受苦难的珊瑚礁可能会随着一项有前途的新技术开始再生。由于红潮、污染和西贡双岛地区供水增加，珊瑚数量大幅下降。对于渔农自然护理署委托的修复项目，香港大学的海洋科学家和建筑师共同开发了大型赤陶瓷砖，为新珊瑚的生长以及许多依赖珊瑚为家的物种提供栖息地。

About two feet in diameter, the 128 tiles form a grid covering 430 square feet of ocean floor across three distinct sites. Each tile has a structure that looks like a human brain and provides many places for coral to take root. Scientists believe the clay material will help fragile coral grasp the surface.

这128块瓷砖直径约2英尺，在三个不同的地点形成了一个网格，覆盖了430平方英尺的海底。每块瓷砖都有一个看起来像人脑的结构，为珊瑚扎根提供了许多地方。科学家相信粘土材料将有助于脆弱的珊瑚抓住表面。

The tiles are made by 3D printing with terra cotta clay and firing the tiles at extremely high heat. This fusion of ancient material and modern method allows for the unique design and porous, textured surface of the tile. Scientists believe both factors will make the tiles an ideal habitat for coral regrowth.

瓷砖是用陶土3D打印而成，并在极高的温度下烧制瓷砖。这种古老材料和现代方法的融合允许瓷砖的独特设计和多孔纹理表面。科学家相信这两个因素都将使瓷砖成为珊瑚再生的理想栖息地。