MARINE HABITAT SUPPORT MODULE

Abstract

A marine habitat support module including a body having a concrete exterior. The concrete exterior of body defined a plurality of habitat support features. The concrete also has a pH selected to promote biocompatibility. The marine habitat support module also includes an interior chamber defined within the body. A selectively sealable passage is provided between the interior chamber and the exterior of the body. The selectively sealable passage may controllably vary the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/734,417, filed on Jan. 4, 2013, and entitled “Coastal Recovery Utilizing Repositionable Shoal Module,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates the creation, restoration and/or stabilization of coastal zone habitats.

BACKGROUND

Waves, storms, and coastal currents may all result in beach erosion, manifesting in long term losses of sediment and rock, as well as short term redistribution of sediment and rock to other regions of a coastline. Further, such effects may also result in impact to, or loss of, the associated aquatic system. Such beach erosion can damage coastal property, for example, by reducing the size of the beach and undermining coastal structures. Such destruction and losses can have a severe negative impact on beach properties, property values, local and/or regional tourism industry, and the local tax base. Additionally, the loss of beach terrain and aquatic systems may result in the loss of natural eco-habitats for coastal biota. The loss of natural eco-habitats and associated impacts to the biota can have a deleterious impact on coastal eco-environments.

SUMMARY

According to an implementation, a marine habitat support module may include a body including a concrete exterior defining a plurality of habitat support features. The concrete may have a pH selected to promote biocompatibility. The marine habitat support module may also include an interior chamber defined within the body. The marine habitat support module may further include a selectively sealable passage between the interior chamber and the exterior of the body for controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module.

One or more of the following features may be included. The plurality of habitat support features may include one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, vegetation, and irregular surface features of the concrete exterior. The plurality of habitat support features may include one or more habitat materials at least partially embedded in the concrete exterior. The plurality of habitat materials may include coral, vegetation, specific sand types, specific aggregate types, specific shell types and at least partially exposed rock.

The pH selected to promote biocompatibility may include a pH selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with a defined deployment site. The pH selected to promote biocompatibility may include a pH of about 7.8. The selectively sealable passage may allow selective flooding and dewatering of the interior chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module.

According to another implementation, a marine habitat support module may include a concrete body having a pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for a selected deployment site. The marine habitat support module may also include a buoyancy control chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the concrete body. The marine habitat support module may further include a plurality of habitat support features defined in an exterior of the concrete body. The habitat support features may include one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, defined in an exterior of the concrete body.

One or more of the following features may be included. The pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for the selected deployment site may include a pH selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with the defined deployment site. The pH selected to promote biocompatibility may include a pH of about 7.8.

The buoyancy control chamber may include one or more chambers configured to be selectively flooded and dewatered to controllably vary the buoyancy of the concrete body. The buoyancy control chamber may include one or more opening for selectively flooding and dewatering the one or more chambers. The buoyancy control chamber may include a plurality of chambers. Each of the plurality of chambers may include a respective opening for individually selectively flooding and dewatering the plurality of chambers.

The concrete body may include one or more of coral, vegetation materials, specific sand types, specific aggregate types, specific shell types and exposed rock at least partially embedded in the exterior of the concrete body. The vegetation materials may include one or more of natural vegetation materials and artificial vegetation materials.

According to yet another implementation, a marine habitat support module may include a concrete body. The marine habitat support module may also include a buoyancy control chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the concrete body. The marine habitat support module may also include a first fluid passage extending between an exterior of the concrete body and a first interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. The marine habitat support module may also include a second fluid passage extending between the exterior of the concrete body and a second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. The second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber may be at a height within the buoyancy control chamber lower than a height of the first interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. The marine habitat support module may further include a bio-habitat feature associated with at least a portion of a top surface of the body.

One or more of the following features may be included. The concrete body may include a pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for a selected deployment site. The pH may be selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with the defined deployment site. The pH selected to promote biocompatibility may include a pH of about 7.8.

The bio-habitat feature may include one or more of a plurality of rocks affixed to the top surface of the body portion, an oyster reef and a coral reef affixed to the top surface of the body portion, and a biomat. The bio-habitat feature may include a plurality of habitat support features defined in an exterior of the concrete body. The habitat support features may include one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, defined in an exterior of the concrete body. The bio-habitat feature may include one or more of coral, natural vegetation materials, artificial vegetation materials, coquina sands and exposed rock at least partially embedded in the exterior of the concrete body.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 diagrammatically depicts a general configuration of a habitat support module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically depicts an embodiment of a habitat support module including a bio-habitat features.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically depicts an embodiment of a habitat support module including bio-habitat features.

FIGS. 4a through 4c diagrammatically depict embodiments of a fluid conduit arrangement of a habitat support module.

FIGS. 5 through 7 diagrammatically depict example methods for deploying habitat support modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Marine biota can often be very sensitive to environmental conditions. For example, even relatively subtle changes in conditions, such as currents, temperature, above-and below water surfaces, etc., can have a significant impact on the plants, fish, animals, insects, etc., living, feeding, and reproducing in a given area. Similarly, a very specific combination of conditions may often be necessary for a given species of plant or animal to develop and prosper. For these reasons, great care and energy is often dedicated to preserving and maintaining marine habitats, to ensure the continued growth and well being of the many species inhabiting marine environments.

According to an embodiment, the present disclosure may provide a habitat support module that may be utilized in connection with creating, maintaining, and/or protecting marine environments and/or otherwise provides a habitat that may support, foster, protect, and/or encourage the development, growth and lifecycles of different marine species. For example, in some embodiments, a habitat support module consistent with the present disclosure may be implemented as mitigation measure for damage that has occurred, and/or is anticipated to occur, as a result of a disruption to a natural habitat or environment. For example, the placement of jetties, or pier, dredging, beach nourishment, inlet maintenance, maintenance of navigational waterways, the creation of boating lanes, or other coastal, shore-side, or offshore projects may damage or disrupt natural habitats in the surrounding areas. The projects may be considered to be of sufficient importance or merit that they may be allowed to be carried out despite the disruption or damage to the effected marine environments. However, it may be desirable to mitigate the damage to the marine habitats, for example by creating generally equivalent habitats to replace, or make up for the damage. In this regard, it may often be stipulated, e.g., as part of a construction or project plan, that a project impacting a certain area of habitat will include a specific degree, type, or quantity of mitigation, e.g., in the form of newly created equivalent or replacement habitats. Habitat support modules consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized to create such equivalent or replacement habitats for the purposes of mitigating damage caused by projects impacting the marine environments.

In addition, or as an alternative, to creating habitats to mitigate damaged caused by projects impacting marine environments, habitat support modules according to the present disclosure may be used to enhance marine environments or habitats, or to create new habitats or restore habitats that have suffered damage of some type. For example, new habitats may be created that may be tailored to attracting, developing, or fostering specific species or types of marine biota in a given region or location. Such new habitats may be, for example, directed at restoring waning populations, or encouraging the development and growth of new populations of specific species or types of marine biota. Similar, habitats may become damaged or lost due to storm, changing currents, normal seaborne activity or the like. In some implementations, habitat modules according to the present disclosure may be used to create specific marine habitats or environments, e.g., to foster and/or support the growth and development of specific marine species and/or types of species.

Further, and in a generally related manner to the creation of marine habitats or environments, either for the purpose of mitigating damage/impacts resulting from various projects, or attempts to encourage the development and/or growth of specific species or types of species in a given region or location, habitat modules according to the present disclosure may be used to create habitats to foster the growth and/or development of marine species, for example, for the later transplant or relocation of the organisms. For example, it may be desirable to develop or encourage the growth and support of various organisms in an ultimate target location. However, the current state of the ultimate target location, or the nature of the organism, may be such that the ultimate target location is not suitable for the initial development and growth of the organisms. In such a situation, habitat modules according to the present disclosure may be utilized to create a suitable habitat and/or suitable conditions for one or more initial stage or growth or development of the organisms. Once the organisms reach a suitable stage in development or growth, they may have the necessary robustness to survive and/or continue to develop and/or grow in the ultimate target location. In this regard, habitat modules according to the present disclosure may generally provide a nursery habitat for the growth and development of the organisms to achieve a state at which the organisms may be amenable to transplantation and/or relocation.

Consistent with an example embodiment, a marine habitat support module may generally include a body. The body may, for example, define a general structure and/or configuration of the habitat module. In an example embodiment, the body may generally include a concrete exterior that may define a plurality of habitat support features. The plurality of habitat support features may, for example, be defined at least partially in and/or by an exterior of the concrete body. Consistent with some implementations, at least a portion of the concrete utilized in connection with the habitat support module body may have a pH that may be selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for a selected deployment site. The marine habitat support module may also include an interior chamber defined within the body. The interior chamber may include a buoyancy control chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the concrete body. That is, the buoyancy control chamber may allow the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module to be controllably varied. In some embodiments, the marine habitat support module may further include a selectively sealable passage between the interior chamber and the exterior of the body. The selectively sealable passage may, for example, facilitate controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module. Various embodiments implementing the described features, and/or various combinations of the described features may be utilized.

For example, and referring also to the FIG. 1, an example marine habitat support module 10 (herein also referred to as a “habitat support module”) may generally include body portion 12 defining interior compartment, or chamber, 14. In some embodiments, habitat support module 10 may include only a single interior compartment or chamber. Further, habitat support module 10 may include one or more passages and/or conduits (e.g., passages 16, 18) providing a fluid communication between interior chamber 14 and an exterior of body portion 12. The passages (e.g., passages 16, 18) may be configured for selectively flooding and dewatering the interior chamber. In this regard, one or more of passages 16, 18 may be selectively sealable, e.g., to selectively prevent and allow the flow of fluid via the passage. Habitat support module 10 may also include one or more habitat support features, which are discussed in greater detail below. For the purposes of clarity of illustration, habitat support features are not depicted associated with habitat support module 10 depicted in FIG. 1. However, and as will be described in greater detail below, the one or more habitat support features may be associated with at least a portion of top surface 20 of body portion 12, and/or may be associated with one or more sides of body portion 12. In some embodiments, the habitat support features may be integrated through a plurality of the surfaces and/or wall of body portion 12.

In some embodiments, habitat support module 10 may include a generally rectangular prismic, or box-like, body portion 12. According to one embodiment, habitat support module 10 may have dimensional ratios of one unit height, one and a quarter units width, and four units length. For example, in an illustrative embodiment habitat support module 10 may have a length of between about 20 feet to about 40 feet. According to another embodiment, habitat support module 10 may have dimensional ratios of one unit height, three units width, and six units length. Similarly, in some illustrative embodiments habitat support module 10 may have a length of between about 40 feet to about 60 feet. However, these dimensions are intended only for the purpose of illustration, and not of limitation. Various additional/alternative dimensions may suitably be utilized depending upon various factors, such as environmental conditions of the site at which the habitat support module is to be deployed, the desired habitat to be created (e..g, high relief environments, rocky out cropping environments, low relief environments, hard bottom environments, and the like), design preference, habitat support module availability, and the like, which may provide for a variety of alternative implementations.

For example, a habitat support module intended for providing a high relief habitat environment may include a relatively higher height ratio (e.g., as compared to the width and/or length). In a corresponding manner, a habitat support module intended for providing a hard bottom habitat environment or a low relief habitat environment may include a relatively smaller height ratio, e.g. which may generally result in a long, wide, and flat habitat support module. The illustrated habitat support modules herein are intended for the purpose of example and should not be construed as a limitation. Various additional/alternative geometries (e.g., cylindrical, trapezoidal, etc.), dimensions, and dimension ratios may suitable be utilized depending upon environmental conditions for deployment, environmental conditions to be created, design criteria, etc. Additionally, for the purposes of illustration habitat support modules may be depicted as generally rectangular prismic structures. However, it will be appreciated that the habitat support modules may include rounded and/or irregular corners and edges, as well as sides (including sides, top, bottom end portions, etc.) that may be irregularly shaped (e.g., curved, concave, convex, compound curved, and/or otherwise non-planar). Such configurations may provide an at least somewhat organic shape, especially when implemented in an irregular and/or non-rectangular prismic habitat support module body shape.

Consistent with various embodiments, habitat support module 10 may include body portion 12 that may be manufactured from concrete. In some embodiments, the concrete may have a pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for a selected deployment site. For example, as is generally known, even in a cured state concrete may have a generally alkaline nature, and may often exhibit a pH as high as 13. Many marine species may not be adapted to such alkaline conditions. For example, the settlement of juvenile corals onto a concrete structure may be hindered by such a high pH. Other organisms may similarly be repelled by the relatively high pH, and/or may not grow and develop as well as they may in less alkaline conditions. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the concrete of habitat support module 10 may include additives to reduce the pH of the concrete to a level that may be selected to promote biocompatibility with maritime biota for a selected deployment site of the habitat support module, and/or that may be selected to promote biocompatibility with one or more selected species or types of marine biota. It will be appreciated that different species and/or types of marine biota may prosper and/or adapt to different pH conditions. As such, the exact selected pH may be based on the desired biota, and/or may represent a compromise to provide an acceptable environment for multiple different species and/or types of marine biota. In an embodiment, the pH selected to promote biocompatibility may include a pH selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with a defined deployment site. For example, the pH may be selected based upon, at least in part, a pH of rocks, reefs, seafloor sediment, or the associated with the deployment site of the habitat support module and/or associated with an environment or habitat that is intended to be created using the habitat support module. In one illustrative example, the pH selected to promote biocompatibility may include a pH of about 7.8.

In some embodiments, body portion 12 may include material in addition to concrete. For example, body portion 12 may also include one or more of metal (e.g., reinforced or non-reinforced sheet metal), plastic (including fiber reinforced plastics as well as non-reinforced plastics), composite materials, concrete (reinforced as well as non-reinforced) or other suitable materials. In some embodiments, habitat support module 10 may include generally sealed and/or watertight structures defining interior chamber 14. As generally discussed above, while the illustrated example habitat support module is shown including only a single interior chamber, in some embodiments, the habitat support module may include a plurality of interior chambers. One, or more than one, of the plurality of interior chambers may be generally sealed and/or watertight. Further, an as discussed above, the generally sealed and/or watertight interior chamber 14 may include passages 16, 18, such as openings, hoses, vents, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of passages 16, 18 may be selectively opened such that the generally sealed and/or watertight interior chamber may be at least partially filled with fluid (such as water or air), for example, to allow flooding of the generally sealed and/or watertight interior chamber 14. Additionally, in some embodiments, when a generally sealed and/or watertight interior chamber 14 is filled with air, habitat support module 10 may be at least partially buoyant and/or floatable. An at least partially buoyant and/or floatable habitat support module 10 may facilitate, for example, sea transport, for example by pushing or towing.

In some embodiments, habitat support module 10 may include one or more rib members (e.g., rib 22 and/or stringer 24) within interior chamber 14. While the illustrated embodiment depicts two ribs and a single stringer, such depiction is intended only for the purpose of illustration, and not of limitation. The number of ribs and/or stringers within chamber 14 and/or body portion 12, as well as the relative dimensions of any ribs and/or stringers may vary depending upon design criteria and need. Rib 22 and/or stringer 24 may, in some embodiments, increase the structural integrity of body portion 12, e.g., which may improve the ability of habitat support module 10 to withstand wave impact and the like, without becoming structurally compromised. Additionally / alternatively, in a condition in which interior chamber 14 may be at least partially flooded, rib 22 and/or stringer 24 may reduce relatively rapid movement of water (e.g., “sloshing,” or the “free surface effect”) within interior compartment. As such, rib 22 and/or stringer 24 may reduce rapid changes in the center of buoyancy of habitat support module 10. Various additional/alternative structural features may be included, such as, but not limited to, bulkheads, baffles, double bottoms, doubler plates, gussets, and the like.

The exterior of the body portion (e.g., body portion 12) of the habitat support module may include, support, and/or define a plurality of habitat support features. In general, the habitat support features may include features that may promote and/or facilitate the growth, nesting, attachment, or occupation of/by one or more species or types of marine biota, and/or otherwise attract or promote the development of one or more species of marine biota. For example, and referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of habitat support features may include one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, vegetation, and irregular surface features of/defined in the concrete exterior. In some embodiments, the habitat support features may be configured to resemble natural habitats such as coral reefs, oyster reefs, various rock formations combinations of such natural features, etc. Such habitat support features may provide habitats capable of supporting one or more types of marine biota, which may in turn attract and/or allow other types of marine biota to prosper.

In some embodiments, the plurality of habitat support features may include features that are formed into the exterior of concrete body portion 12. For example, when concrete body portion 12 is cast out of concrete, the mold used to form body portion 12 may include protrusions, indentations, and/or other configurations which may impart the desired habitat support features on the cast concrete body portion. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of habitat support features may include one or more habitat materials at least partially embedded in the concrete exterior. For example, in addition/as an alternative to habitat support features being cast or molded into the concrete body portion, at least a portion of the habitat support features may include habitat materials that are at least partially embedded into the body portion of the habitat support module. For example, habitat materials may be positioned at least partially within the mold used to cast the body portion of the habitat support module. Accordingly, when the body portion is cast using the mold including habitat materials, the habitat materials may be at least partially embedded within the exterior of the body portion. In some embodiments, the habitat materials at least partially embedded within the body portion may create crevasses, fissures, holes, projections from the body portion, and the like. The plurality of habitat materials may include, for example, coral, vegetation (e.g., natural vegetation materials, artificial vegetation materials), shells, specific types of sand (such as coquina sand) and at least partially and exposed rock. In some such embodiments, the habitat support module may include materials associated with a natural habitat that is being mimicked or created through the use of the habitat support modules. For example, specific types of coral, specific types of vegetation, specific types of sands, and/or specific types of at least partially exposed rock may be utilized to attract, foster, and/or promote specific marine biota and/or combinations of marine biota.

In an example embodiment, the plurality of habitat support features may include a habitat support features that are associated with at least a portion of a top surface of the body. For example, the habitat support features may include one or more of a plurality of rocks affixed to at least a portion of the top surface of the body portion, an oyster reef and a coral reef affixed to the top surface of the body portion, and a biomat associated with at least a portion of the top surface of the habitat support module. In some embodiments, and as generally shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and discussed herein, the plurality of habitat support features may additionally/alternatively be associated with one or more side portions of the body portion of the habitat support module. For example, in an illustrative embodiment, the plurality of habitat support features may be associated with each of the sides of the exterior of the body portion of the habitat support module.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, example embodiments of habitat support modules may include a plurality of habitat support features that may include, resemble and/or reproduce natural features, artificial features, and/or combinations of nature and artificial features. Additionally, in the case of natural features, the at least a portion of the habitat support features may include materials gathered from the environment and/or cultivated materials. Further, the habitat features may be collected from an environment in which the habitat support module may be utilized, an analogous environment, or the like.

According to various embodiments, various different habitat support features may be included. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment, habitat support module 10a may include one or more reef features (e.g., reef feature 26) affixed to top surface 16, and/or one or more side surfaces of body portion 12. Reef feature 26 may include, for example, coral fragments (e.g., living fragments, dead fragments, artificial fragments, etc.), oyster reefs, oyster shells, and the like, which may be at least partially embedded into the body portion. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the reef feature 26 may be cast into the concrete exterior of body portion 12, e.g., using appropriately shaped molds. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, according to an example embodiment, habitat support module 10b may include one or more rock features (e.g. rock feature 28). The one or more rock features may include rocks and/or boulders of various sizes affixed to top surface 20 of body portion 12, and/or affixed to one or more side portions of the body portion 12. In some embodiments, rock features may be created by at least partially embedding rocks into the body portion, and/or through the use of molds that may create rock feature configurations in the cast concrete exterior of the body portion. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, body portion 12 may include habitat support features that may include several different types of features, such as reef features and rock features, which may be combined in a single habitat support module. In some embodiments, such combined habitats may be created by using habitat support modules including reef features in combination with habitat support modules including rock features. Various additional/alternative habitat support features may also be included, such as, but not limited to, natural and/or artificial sea grasses, concrete culverts, bio-mats, specific sand types and/or any other suitable features and/or materials. As is generally known, a bio-mat may generally include textile mats made from natural and/or synthetic materials. Bio-mats may generally be used to assist stabilizing a substrate, such that biotic colonization may be facilitated and/or accelerated. Biomats may be used for additional purposes such as bio-remediation, to include the absorption of toxins, heavy metals or otherwise. Further, it will be appreciated that various combinations of habitat support materials and/or features may be utilized in combination with one another, e.g., in the context of a single habitat support module and/or across multiple habitat support modules utilized in a common installation.

As generally discussed above, the marine habitat support module may include an interior chamber defined within the body. The interior chamber may include a buoyancy control chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the concrete body. For example, the buoyancy control chamber may include one or more chambers configured to be selectively flooded and dewatered to controllably vary the buoyancy of the concrete body. In some embodiments, the buoyancy control chamber and/or plurality of buoyancy control chambers may be dewatered and, for example, filled with air, to provide the habitat support module with a positive buoyancy. When buoyancy of the habitat support module is positive, the habitat support module may be floated, e.g., to a surface location that is proximate a desired deployment site. Once the habitat support module has been floated to a surface location proximate a desired deployment site, at least a portion of the one or more buoyancy control chamber may be flooded to decrease the buoyancy of the habitat support module to a neutral and/or to a negative buoyancy. When the buoyancy of the habitat support module is decreased, the habitat support module may be maneuvered to a desired deployment site (e.g., on the seafloor and/or atop one or more other habitat support modules). In some embodiments, the buoyancy of the habitat support module may be further decreased, e.g., to maintain the habitat support module in the desired location on the seafloor and/or atop one or more other habitat support modules.

The one or more buoyancy control chambers may include one or more openings for selectively flooding and dewatering the one or more chambers. In an embodiment, the one or more openings may include a selectively sealable passage between the interior chamber/buoyancy control chamber and the exterior of the body for controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module. As generally discussed above, habitat support module 10 may include one or more selectively sealable passages (e.g., passages 16, 18) providing a fluid communication between chamber 14 and an exterior of body portion 12. The passages (e.g., passages 16, 18) may be configured for selectively flooding and dewatering the chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module.

In an embodiment, the habitat support module may include a first fluid passage (which may include a selectively sealable passage) extending between an exterior of the concrete body and a first interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. Further, the marine habitat support module may also include a second fluid passage (e.g., which may include a selectively sealable passage) extending between the exterior of the concrete body and a second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. The second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber may be at a height within the buoyancy control chamber lower than a height of the first interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. In an embodiment, the second fluid passage may include a conduit or tube may extend between an opening adjacent the top of the habitat support module and the second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber. While the first and second fluid passages have been described as being selectively sealable passages, in some embodiments, one or more of the first and second fluid passages may include a non-selectively sealable passage. For example, the second passage, in communication with a second portion of the buoyancy chamber near the bottom of the buoyancy chamber, may not be sealable in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the habitat support module may include a plurality of chambers. In one such embodiment, each of the plurality of chambers may include a respective opening for individually selectively flooding and dewatering the plurality of chambers. In another embodiment, two or more of the plurality of chambers may be interconnected. In one such embodiment, the two or more interconnected chambers may be flooded and/or dewatered together.

Referring also to FIGS. 4a through 4c, an embodiment of habitat support module 10 including buoyancy chamber 14 is depicted. Consistent with the illustrated embodiment, habitat support module 10 may include one or more openings or passages (e.g., passages 16, 18) that may provide fluid communication with the interior chamber of habitat support module 10. It will be appreciated that while only two passages (namely passages 16, 18) are shown, the number and arrangement of the passages may vary depending upon design criteria and user need. One or more of passages 16, 18 may include associated seacocks, connectors (e.g., including self closing connectors, which may, for example, achieve a closed condition when not coupled to a mating connector, etc.), and the like. Seacocks, connectors, valves, and the like may allow, for example, one or more of passages 16, 18 to be opened or closed (e.g., to allow fluid communication with the interior chamber of habitat support module 10, and/or to prevent fluid communication with the interior chamber of habitat support module 10), may allow hoses or equipment to be coupled for fluid communication with the interior chamber of habitat support module 10, and the like.

With particular reference to FIG. 4a, and continuing with the above discussed aspect in which the habitat support module may be at least partially filled with water (e.g., “flooded”), one possible arrangement for flooding habitat support module 10 (e.g., for the purpose of ballasting habitat support module 10) is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, passage 16 may allow air to escape from habitat support module 10 (e.g., from chamber 14), for example via a hose (not shown) coupled to passage 16. The other end of the hose (e.g., opposite the end of the hose that is coupled to passage 16) may, for example, be supported above the surface of the water, by a float or other suitable arrangement. As such, the hose coupled to passage 16 may effectuate a surface snorkel for exhausting air from within habitat support module 10. The other passage (e.g., passage 18) may be opened to allow water to flow into the interior chamber of habitat support module 10, thereby causing air to be exhausted from habitat support module 10 via passage 16 and the hose connected thereto. Further, as shown, passage 18 may include a downpipe (e.g., downpipe conduit 30) extending to a region proximate a bottom chamber 14 of habitat support module 10. Consistent with the illustrated arrangement, water may only enter habitat support module 10 via passage 18, and may be direct to a region proximate a bottom of the interior chamber of habitat support module 10. Air, which may be displaced by the entering water, may be exhausted above, or near, the surface of the water. In such an arrangement, habitat support module 10 may be filled from the bottom up. Accordingly, habitat support module 10 may maintain its general orientation in the water (e.g., may have a decreased tendency to roll and/or flip over).

Referring to FIGS. 4b and 4c, two possible arrangements and methods are shown for removing the water from habitat support module 10 (e.g., “blowing down”/pumping out habitat support module 10). As shown in FIG. 4b, compressed air (e.g., which may be provided by a surface compressor, tanks of compressed air, or the like) may be introduced into the interior chamber of habitat support module 10 via passage 16. The introduction of compressed air into habitat support module 10 may displace the water within the interior compartment of habitat support module 10, e.g., by forcing the water to exit habitat support module 10 via the downpipe (e.g., downpipe conduit 30) and passage 18. As the downpipe (e.g., downpipe conduit 30) may extend to a region proximate a bottom of habitat support module 10, water may be displaced from habitat support module 10 down to the level of the interior open end of downpipe conduit 30.

In a related embodiment, depicted in FIG. 4c, rather than (or in addition to) displacing the water within the interior compartment of habitat support module 10 using compressed air, the water within habitat support module 10 may be pumped from within habitat support module 10. For example, a hose (not shown) may couple passage 18 to an external water pump (e.g., which may be provided by a surface vessel). Water may be pumped out of habitat support module 10 (e.g., via passage 18 and downpipe conduit 30). The water pumped out of habitat support module 10 may be replaced by air that may enter habitat support module 10 via a hose (not shown) coupled to passage 16. The hose coupled to passage 16 may extend above the surface (and/or may be coupled to a supply of air, e.g., one or more compressed air tanks) in the manner of a surface snorkel. As described with respect to FIG. 4b, as downpipe conduit 30 may extend to a region proximate a bottom of the interior chamber of habitat support module 10, water may be removed from habitat support module 10 down to the level of the interior open end of downpipe conduit 30.

As generally discussed above, habitat support module 10 may be dewatered, e.g., to obtain a positive buoyancy. When habitat support module 10 has a positive buoyancy, habitat support module 10 may be floated (e.g., from a land-based site, a cargo or transport vessel, etc.) to a surface location proximate a desired deployment site. Once at the surface location proximate the desired deployment site, habitat support module 10 may be at least partially flooded to decrease the buoyancy to the a neutral or negative buoyancy, which may allow habitat support module 10 to be moved to the desired deployment site on the seafloor and/or atop one or more other habitat support modules. Once habitat support module 10 has been moved to the desired deployment site on the seafloor and/or atop one or more other habitat support modules, habitat support module may be flooded, e.g., to ballast habitat support module 10 such that it may remain in the desired placement.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 through 7, various techniques may be used to position the one or more habitat support modules (e.g., habitat support module 10). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, habitat support module 10 may be deployed and positioned from beach utilizing crane 100, an excavator, forklift, loader, or similar heavy equipment. In such an embodiment, crane 100 may transport habitat support module 10 across beach 102 and may position habitat support module 10 in a desired location relative to the beach. In some embodiments, crane 100 may deploy habitat support module 10 from a land based position into the water. Further, as described above, once habitat support module 10 has been deployed into the water, habitat support module 10 may floated to a desired location.

Referring to FIG. 6, habitat support module 10 may be deployed from land and may be positioned from sea and/or land. Further in some embodiments, habitat support module 10 may be deployed from sea, and may be positioned from sea and/or land. For example, habitat support module 10 may be deployed from beach 102 and into sea 104. Once deployed into sea 104, habitat support module 10 may be towed, e.g., by being towed by a suitable tow vessel (e.g., boat 106), through the sea to a position generally proximate a desired deployment site. Habitat support module 10 may be positioned by boat 106, which may push habitat support module 10 into the desired deployment site. In some embodiments, beach-based heavy equipment (e.g., bulldozer 108, a crane, an excavator, a forklift, a loader, or other suitable beach-based equipment) may assist in deploying habitat support module 10 from beach 102 into sea 104. Further, in some embodiments, beach-based heavy equipment may assist positioning habitat support module 10 in a desired location.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another example, habitat support module 10 may be deployed across beach 102 using intense pneumatic tires 110, collectively, as rollers for traversing beach 102 and positioning habitat support module 10 in a desired first location, and/or deploying habitat support module 10 into sea 104, from where habitat support module 10 may be otherwise positioned in a desired deployment site (e.g., via the assistance of a boat and/or land-based equipment). As is generally known, intense pneumatic tires (also known as “roller bags,” “shipping air bags,” and “salvage bags”) may generally include inflatable, generally cylindrical structures. As indicated above, intense pneumatic tires 110 may be used as rollers for deploying habitat support module 10 across beach 102. As habitat support module 10 rolls across intense pneumatic tires 110, individual intense pneumatic tires may exit from the rear of habitat support module 10, and may be moved in front of habitat support module 10. Habitat support module 10 may subsequently roll across an intense pneumatic tire moved in from of habitat support module. During deployment of habitat support module 10 using intense pneumatic tires 110, habitat support module 10 may, for example, be manually pushed and/or pulled using suitable equipment, such as a tractor, bulldozer, loader, etc. Once habitat support module 10 has been deployed into sea 104 and/or positioned in a desired deployment site, any intense pneumatic tires 110 positioned under habitat support module 10 may be deflated, and either removed or left in place for subsequent repositioning of habitat support module 10. Various additional/alternative techniques may equally be utilized for deploying and positioning the one or more habitat support modules in desired locations at the beach to sea interface.

As generally described above, once deployed into the water, habitat support module 10 may be floated (e.g., in embodiments in which the habitat support module may be at least partially buoyant, as discussed above) to a desired location. For example, a barge or work boat may be utilized to tow or push habitat support module 10 to a desired location. Upon reaching the desired location, habitat support module 10 may be positioned 10 in a desired location on the seafloor. For example, habitat support module 10 may be flooded (e.g., as described with respect to FIGS. 7a-7c) or otherwise ballasted to achieve a neutral, or at least partially negative, buoyancy. Habitat support module 10 may be guided to a desired position and orientation on the seafloor using any suitable means, including but not limited to cranes and the like.

Consistent with the foregoing description, in which the one or more habitat support modules (e.g., habitat support modules 10) may be at least partially submerged, the one or more habitat support modules may stabilized on the seafloor to aid in maintaining the one or more habitat support modules in a desired location. According to one embodiment, a habitat support module may ballasted to maintain the habitat support module in the desired location. Consistent with the foregoing description, in some embodiments the habitat support module may include an at least partially hollow structure, defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber of habitat support module may be at least partially emptied to achieve neutral or positive buoyancy for the purpose of floating the habitat support modules to a desired location. Once the habitat support module has been floated to a desired location, the habitat support module may be positioned in desired location on the seafloor and/or atop one or more other habitat support modules including ballasting the habitat support module, e.g., to increase the weight of the habitat support module to allow the habitat support module to be positioned on the seafloor (e.g., by sinking the habitat support module, or achieving a generally neutral buoyancy that may allow facile positioning of the habitat support module on the seafloor). Accordingly, once the habitat support module has been ballasted, the habitat support module may be less susceptible to undesired movement.

It is appreciated that the strata of the seafloor may vary in consistency and stability. Such variations in consistency and stability may, in some situations, result in settling or movement of the habitat support module. Unintended settling of the habitat support module may, in some circumstances, inhibit and/or undesirably increase the difficulty of further repositioning and/or removal of the habitat support module. Additionally, unintended settling may impact the efficacy of the habitat support module in creating and/or maintaining a desired habitat for marine biota. Similarly, unintended settling of the habitat support module may result in the habitat support module moving from the desired location on the seafloor, and/or moving from a desired orientation relative to other habitat support modules or other features or structures (such as existing reefs, rock features, seafloor trenches, etc.). In order to at least partially control the degree of settling or movement of the habitat support module, the degree of ballasting (e.g., and therein the resulting negative buoyancy, or effective weight applied to the seafloor) may be determined based upon, at least in part, the nature of the seafloor. Such control of the degree of ballasting may be carried out to reduce and/or control the degree of settling experienced by the habitat support module. In various embodiments, the degree of ballasting may be varied by the selection of ballasting materials, the amount of ballasting material, the inclusion of low density materials (e.g., foam materials, air bladders, or other low density materials), and the like. In addition, baffling may be used in conjunction with, or exclusive of the aforementioned ballasting materials, to minimize, mitigate, and/or other wise eliminate undesired settling of the one or more habitat support modules. Further, as described above, in some embodiments habitat support module may include a plurality of buoyancy chambers that may individually flooded and/or dewatered. As such, the degree of ballasting of the habitat support module may be controlled, at least in part, based upon the number and/or degree to which the plurality of buoyancy control chambers are flooded. Further, in some embodiments, the habitat support module may be periodically at least partially refloated (which may include only partially raising the habitat support module from its position on the seafloor). At least partially refloating the habitat support module may, for example, mitigate any settling of the habitat support module that may have occurred. Additionally/alternatively at least partially refloating the habitat support module may allow silt, sand, or other sediment to migrate under the habitat support module. In some embodiments, the habitat support module may be subsequently re-ballasted, e.g., to facilitate maintaining the habitat support module in the desired location.

As generally discussed with reference to the description of FIGS. 7a-7c, ballasting of the habitat support module may include at least partially filling the habitat support module with water. For example, as described above, the habitat support module may be at least partially filled with water by pumping water into the habitat support module, opening one or more seacocks below the water level (e.g., and possibly also providing one or more air vents to allow for the escape of air from the habitat support module as water enters the habitat support module), etc., thereby allowing the habitat support module to at least partially flood. As noted above, in addition/as an alternative to at least partially filling the habitat support module with water, the habitat support module may be ballasted with other materials, such as sand, rocks, etc.

In addition/as an alternative to ballasting the habitat support module, the habitat support module may be anchored in the desired location. Anchoring the habitat support module may also advantageously be employed when, for example, the seafloor strata lacks the necessary stability to carry the weight of a fully ballasted habitat support module without undesired settling or shifting of the habitat support module. In such an implementation, the habitat support module may be ballasted to achieve a buoyancy that can acceptably be carried by the seafloor (e.g., neutral buoyancy, or an acceptable degree of negative buoyancy). The habitat support module may then be anchored to the seafloor, e.g., to aid in maintaining the habitat support module in the desired location. Further, the habitat support module may also be anchored even in embodiments in which the habitat support module may be optimally ballasted (e.g., to aid in maintaining the desired location of the habitat support module). The habitat support module may be anchored using any suitable known anchor, such as a mushroom anchor, earth auger, “navy” anchor, etc.

In a similar manner, the habitat support module may be anchored by spudding. A spud may generally include a generally vertical post (such as a steel rod, shaft, or tubular member; a steel reinforced, often pre-stressed, concrete cylindrical or square beam; wooden piling; or any other suitable material, orientation, geometry, and/or configuration) that may be coupled to the habitat support module (e.g., as by being received through a spud well, such as a receptacle or opening in the habitat support module and/or attached to the habitat support module) and may be at least partially driven into the beach and/or sea floor. In addition to securing the habitat support module to the seafloor, spudding may also be utilized for tying multiple habitat support modules into a larger functional structure. Tying multiple habitat support modules together may be accomplished, for example, by aligning at least one spud well of each respective adjacent habitat support module with one another (e.g., in an overlapping manner) such that two, or more, habitat support modules may share at least one common spud that may be at least partially received through each respective spud well. According to an embodiment, the aspect of tying multiple habitat support modules together may allow for the creation of a functional structure as much as one or more orders of magnitude larger that any single habitat support module.

Generally herein a single habitat support module has been discussed. It will be appreciated, however, that often multiple habitat support modules may be deployed together to create a desired habitat for attracting, fostering, developing, etc. one or more species, or types of species, of marine biota. The multiple habitat support structures may be deployed in a variety of configurations, in which the multiple habitat support structures may be arranged adjacent to one another, in various stacked arrangements, linked configurations, or the like. For example, multiple habitat support modules may be arranged in a generally linear array, e.g., to create a reef or barrier type habitat. Further, in some such configurations, in addition to be arranged in a generally linear array, habitat support modules may also be arranged in a stacked configuration, e.g., to create a generally linear array of a desired height. In some embodiments, multiple habitat modules may be arranged in a circular or box-like arrangement, e.g., to define a generally central protected region, or pocket. Various additional and/or alternative configurations may also be created.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A marine habitat support module comprising:

a body including a concrete exterior defining a plurality of habitat support features, the concrete having a pH selected to promote biocompatibility;

an interior chamber defined within the body; and

a selectively sealable passage between the interior chamber and the exterior of the body for controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module.

2. The marine habitat support module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of habitat support features include one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, vegetation, and irregular surface features of the concrete exterior.

3. The marine habitat support module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of habitat support features include one or more habitat materials at least partially embedded in the concrete exterior.

4. The marine habitat support module of claim 3, wherein the plurality of habitat materials include coral, vegetation, sand, and at least partially and exposed rock.

5. The marine habitat support module of claim 1, wherein the pH selected to promote biocompatibility includes a pH selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with a defined deployment site.

6. The marine habitat support module of claim 1, wherein the pH selected to promote biocompatibility includes a pH of about 7.8.

7. The marine habitat support module of claim 1, wherein the selectively sealable passage allows selective flooding and dewatering of the interior chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the marine habitat support module.

8. A marine habitat support module comprising:

a concrete body having a pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for a selected deployment site;

a buoyancy control chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the concrete body; and

a plurality of habitat support features defined in an exterior of the concrete body, the habitat support features including one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, defined in an exterior of the concrete body.

9. The marine habitat support module of claim 8, wherein the pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for the selected deployment site includes a pH selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with the defined deployment site.

10. The marine habitat support module of claim 9, wherein the pH selected to promote biocompatibility includes a pH of about 7.8.

11. The marine habitat support module of claim 8, wherein the buoyancy control chamber includes one or more chambers configured to be selectively flooded and dewatered to controllably vary the buoyancy of the concrete body.

12. The marine habitat support module of claim 11, wherein the buoyancy control chamber includes one or more openings for selectively flooding and dewatering the one or more chambers.

13. The marine habitat support module of claim 12, wherein the buoyancy control chamber includes a plurality of chambers, and wherein each of the plurality of chambers include a respective opening for individually selectively flooding and dewatering the plurality of chambers.

14. The marine habitat support module of claim 8, wherein the concrete body includes one or more of coral, vegetation materials, and exposed rock at least partially embedded in the exterior of the concrete body.

15. The marine habitat support module of claim 14, wherein the vegetation materials include one or more of natural vegetation materials and artificial vegetation materials.

16. A marine habitat support module comprising:

a concrete body;

a buoyancy control chamber for controllably varying the buoyancy of the concrete body;

a first fluid passage extending between an exterior of the concrete body and a first interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber;

a second fluid passage extending between the exterior of the concrete body and a second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber, the second interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber being at a height within the buoyancy control chamber lower than a height of the first interior portion of the buoyancy control chamber; and

a bio-habitat feature associated with at least a portion of a top surface of the body.

17. The marine habitat support module of claim 16, wherein the concrete body includes a pH selected to promote biocompatibility with marine biota for a selected deployment site, the pH selected based upon, at least in part, prevailing habitat substrate associated with the defined deployment site.

18. The marine habitat support module of claim 17, wherein the pH selected to promote biocompatibility includes a pH of about 7.8.

19. The marine habitat support module of claim 16, wherein the bio-habitat feature includes one or more of a plurality of rocks affixed to the top surface of the body portion, an oyster reef and a coral reef affixed to the top surface of the body portion, and a biomat.

20. The marine habitat support module of claim 16, wherein the bio-habitat feature includes a plurality of habitat support features defined in an exterior of the concrete body.

21. The marine habitat support module of claim 20, wherein the habitat support features including one or more of voids, crevasses, fissures, tunnels, holes, defined in an exterior of the concrete body.

22. The marine habitat support module of claim 16, wherein the bio-habitat feature includes one or more of coral, natural vegetation materials, artificial vegetation materials, coquina sand, and exposed rock at least partially embedded in the exterior of the concrete body.