{"id":11532,"date":"2025-07-29T09:35:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T09:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sominnport.cat\/?p=11532"},"modified":"2025-07-29T09:37:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T09:37:25","slug":"biocap-3d-structures-for-coastal-resilience-and-marine-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"cas","link":"https:\/\/sominnport.cat\/en\/observatori\/biocap-3d-structures-for-coastal-resilience-and-marine-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"BIOCAP: 3D Structures for Coastal Resilience and Marine Biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Project Leaders<\/strong>
The BIOCAP project is led by a team of architects and marine biologists from Florida International University (FIU), under the direction of Sara Pezeshk and Shahin Vassigh, and supported by the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n

Project Description<\/strong>
BIOCAP (Biodiversity Improvement by Optimizing Coastal Adaptation and Performance) is an innovative solution addressing the challenges of coastal resilience and the loss of marine biodiversity in urban environments such as Miami (USA). The project involves the installation of modular, 3D-printed tiles on the retaining wall of Morningside Park in Biscayne Bay. These tiles, installed in spring 2025, feature textured surfaces with grooves and cavities that mimic the natural morphology of rocky shores and marine habitats.<\/p>\n

This morphology not only dissipates wave energy and reduces erosion, but also creates microhabitats for marine organisms such as oysters, sponges, and crabs. These organisms, by colonizing the tiles, help improve water quality by filtering nutrients and particles, thus enhancing ecosystem health and water clarity. The modular design and 3D printing allow the tiles to be adapted to different tidal conditions and the specific needs of each coastal section.<\/p>\n

The innovative aspect of BIOCAP lies in its ability to transform traditional coastal infrastructure\u2014which often harms biodiversity\u2014into multifunctional solutions that combine physical protection with ecological restoration. Additionally, the project includes monitoring devices that measure, in real time, water quality, salinity, pH, temperature, and wave energy reduction, comparing the performance of the traditional wall with the BIOCAP-equipped section.<\/p>\n

This technology closely resembles the marine regeneration structures installed on the quay walls of Rioja and Andalusia in the Port of Tarragona by the Port Authority of Tarragona (APT).<\/p>\n

Simultaneously, in the marine restoration project of Miracle Beach, the closest beach to the Port of Tarragona and led by the Port Authority, 3D structures made of biodegradable natural materials have also been sunk. These structures recreate Roman remains and are designed to foster the settlement of marine species.<\/p>\n

In relation to this technique, the APT also plans in the short term to install two new biotopes with various natural and carbonated cavities in the underwater park managed by the Tarragona Submarine Exploration Society (SES), a member of SOM-INN PORT. These biotopes will expand the existing 3D structures in this underwater park located outside the Tarragona breakwater.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the Port Authority of Tarragona will soon submit the BioMiracle project to the Pleamar funding call. This project aims to expand the existing facilities by adding submerged tree branches and sepiarias (plant twigs) to support the reproduction of cephalopods, continuing the restoration and conservation of the marine ecosystem in the area influenced by Miracle Beach in Tarragona.<\/p>\n

Project Objectives<\/strong>
The main goal of BIOCAP is to demonstrate that coastal infrastructure can serve both as an effective barrier against erosion and as a driver for marine biodiversity restoration.<\/p>\n

The project aims to test the technical and ecological viability of a multifunctional solution for coastal protection, promoting biodiversity and water quality through the creation of microhabitats for filtering organisms. It also seeks to provide a scalable and replicable model for other coastal cities facing similar climate adaptation challenges and to gather scientific data on the interaction between infrastructure and ecosystem to optimize future designs and materials.<\/p>\n

Publication Date<\/strong>
July 29th, 2025<\/p>\n

Useful Links<\/strong><\/p>\n