Coral reefs are facing increasing threats, and restoration projects are becoming more important than ever. A recent study shows that special coatings can help young corals survive. These coatings, called fouling release coatings (FRCs), prevent algae and other organisms from growing on the corals.
Scientists discovered that ceramic devices with FRCs stayed much cleaner than those without the coatings. In a 46-week experiment, the coated devices had over ten times more clear surface area. This is a big deal for young corals because it helps them avoid early death and gives them a better chance to grow in restoration projects and coral farms.
These findings suggest that FRCs could be a valuable tool for restoring coral reefs on a large scale. More research is planned to see how well these coatings work in different environments, especially where there's a lot of algae. This will help scientists figure out the best way to use them in restoration efforts.