SINGAPORE – Singapore is undertaking various initiatives to improve the health of the ocean, including a research effort that aims to study if solar energy can be used to power coral growth.
Dr Karenne Tun, a director at the National Parks Board’s (NParks) National Biodiversity Centre, told The Straits Times last week that the project aims to test the feasibility of using very low voltage electrical currents to aid the growth of coral fragments in Singapore waters.
A healthy and diverse coral reef maintains and drives other beneficial ecological processes, she said. For example, a healthy reef can support healthy food webs and is also more resilient to harmful species invasions.
“Findings from this project will help facilitate coral restoration works in other marine areas with similar water sedimentation and light conditions,” Dr Tun added.
The project is one of nine new…