Increasing Coral Biomass Using Biorock Method in Chabahar Bay

The effects of using the biorock method on the growth and survival of coral (Pocillopora damicornis( in the Chabahar Bay were evaluated. Coral pieces were placed on steel structures under a 6V electric field in the biorock process. The coral growth, growth performance and survival rates of corals during the twenty-eight weeks were studied. The mean coral growth in the biorock structure was 10.66 ± 0.3cm and the mean coral growth was 5.27 ± 0.2 cm in the non biorock structure. The results show a significant difference between coral growth in the biorock with non biorock structures (p <0.05). The results of this survey on the growth rate of Coral (P.damicornis( in the biorock structure compared to the control structures showed a two-fold increase in growth and a higher survival rate. The results of this study indicated that stimulation of coral growth by biorock method as well as the rapid responses of this species to the electrical field during the biorock process which could be used to stimulate coral growth survival for the protection and rehabitation program.