초록 ▼

A synthetic structure is used to simultaneously provide food, shelter and reproductive support for many aquatic species. Synthetic seagrass may be produced in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of ribbons. The lower ends of the ribbons are anchored to the benthos. The other ends of the ribbo

A synthetic structure is used to simultaneously provide food, shelter and reproductive support for many aquatic species. Synthetic seagrass may be produced in the form of flexible mats with a plurality of ribbons. The lower ends of the ribbons are anchored to the benthos. The other ends of the ribbons are buoyantly supported in the photic zone. The ribbons may be economically produced in plural coextensive layers, with one layer providing buoyancy and the other layer being structured to enhance biological growth. The system may be tailored for use in desired applications by selecting the surface area structure, ribbon spacing and density, and other parameters. The system may be used to remove nutrients and/or toxic materials from water.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A synthetic seagrass structure for simultaneously providing food, predation shelter, and breeding enhancement for biological species, said synthetic seagrass structure comprising:a plurality of ribbons; andan anchor structure for anchoring said ribbons to the benthos; and

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A synthetic seagrass structure for simultaneously providing food, predation shelter, and breeding enhancement for biological species, said synthetic seagrass structure comprising:a plurality of ribbons; andan anchor structure for anchoring said ribbons to the benthos; andwherein each of said ribbons include (A) a buoyant layer for causing said ribbon to extend upward in the photic zone and (B) a second layer structured to enhance biological growth said second layers each including a high surface area structure for promoting biological growth on said ribbons, and wherein said high surface area structure of said second layers has a surface area that is greater than or equal to one square meter per gram.[ D5342.]