Abstract
L-arginine is one of the amino acids found in plant seeds. In the present study, various amounts (i.e., 3%, 5%, 10%) of L-arginine were added to cement mortar to investigate the compressive strength, workability, leaching behavior, and pH change in distilled and natural seawater, as well as dissolved nitrogen and growth of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) by immersion in natural seawater. The compressive strength of the cement mortar is decreased with increase in L-arginine content owing to the high flow/slump and air content. A concentration of 10% L-arginine significantly promoted the growth of Chl-a on the cement mortar for up to 56 days of immersion in natural seawater. This is due to the availability of high dissolved nitrogen and pH inside the pores. This study recommends the use of L-arginine in artificial reef structures where marine ecosystems can be maintained.
Highlights
Coastal ecosystems must be stabilized in underwater environments where marine algae, fish, and shellfish are found
This study revealed that L-arginine can be used as an inhibitor for the protection of embedded steel rebar in concrete
Once the immersion duration was extended up to 14 days, the change in color of seawater from colorless to green (Figure 8c) with low amounts, i.e., 0% and 3%, of L-arginine in cement mortar was observed owing to the lack of nitrogen, which cannot significantly diffuse from the pores of cement mortar
Summary
Coastal ecosystems must be stabilized in underwater environments where marine algae, fish, and shellfish are found. Construction of artificial marine structures (e.g., artificial reef, seawall, tide embankment, tetrapod) causes extensive damage to the marine ecosystem [1]. They cause the loss of marine habitats and habitat fragmentation, and restrict biodiversity more than natural rocks [2,3,4,5,6]. Freshly installed normal concrete may leach KOH, NaOH, and Ca(OH)2) into the sea, which inhibit the growth of marine life and decrease the mechanical properties of the concrete [8]. The pozzolanic materials can maintain the surface pH, mechanical properties [9,10], and chemical stability of the concretes
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