The role of artificial material for benthic communities – Establishing different concrete materials as hard bottom environments

Abstract

Concrete is used in marine coastal constructions worldwide. These structures are colonized by specialized hard-bottom biota consisting of macroalgae and benthic macrofauna. As concrete manufacturers face challenges such as limited natural resources and high CO2-emissions, the need for supplementary materials increases. Still, there has been little research on the reaction of species to the differences in concrete composition and what ecological impact these reactions could have. This study addresses the questions (1) if there are differences in settlement communities, depending on differences in concrete constitutes and (2) if so, what are the consequences for the usability of alternative concretes in marine constructions. For the experiment 15 cubes (15 × 15 × 15 cm) made of five different concretes, containing different cements (Portland cement and blast furnace cements) and aggregates (sand, gravel, iron ore and metallurgical slags) were deployed in a natural hard bottom experimental field near Helgoland Island (German Bight) in April 2016. After 12 months, all cubes were examined regarding species composition and coverage, followed by statistical analysis (PERMANOVA, SIMPER, DIVERSE). Results indicate differences in settlement communities for different surface orientation (Top, Front/Back) of the cubes. Significant differences in settlement communities of the Front/Back side were present depending on the used material type. However, the found differences in settlement between the concrete types tested are not sufficiently clear to provide recommendations for their usability in coastal constructions.