CalciCoral
CalciCoral is an artificial reef designed with calcium carbonate from eggshells and ceramics. Calcium carbonate is a key mineral for marine organisms to build their structures, and it dissolves in acidic environments, reflecting the impact of ocean acidification due to human activity. Designed with fish movements, CalciCoral embodies the idea of “designed by fish, for fish,” aiming to increase marine biodiversity while engaging the public in ocean conservation and regeneration.
High levels of carbon emissions have a significant impact on the balance of the ocean ecosystems. The increased quantities of carbon emissions (CO2) dissolve in the seawater, releasing hydrogen ions, and reducing the pH levels, causing acidification of the oceans and many other shifts in the water ecosystem. One of the major groups affected by the tiniest acidic shifts is the marine organisms with calcium carbonate in their systems, shells, and skeletons. These calcifying organisms include corals, mussels, oysters, clams, sea urchins, and crustaceans. Their carbon-based structures dissolve in acidic environments leading to coral reef degradation, biodiversity loss, disruption in the food chain, altered fish behavior, and local species extinctions.
Calcium carbonate is a natural mineral found in various terrestrial organisms, including chicken eggs. The eggs are rich in calcium carbonate, and this common mineral is an important indicator of acidic environments and is an element that lies in the intersection of marine life, chickens, and humans.
CalciCoral is a proposal to bring multiple species together through the shared presence of calcium carbonate, and public engagement. Formed by the movement of the fish, the designs invite humans to observe and participate in raising public awareness on local water acidity, donate eggshells in rebuilding the dissolved structures, contribute to ecological regeneration, and interact with marine species from a playful and conscious perspective.
Student
Doga Karya Anliak
Mentors
Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinović
Antoine Bertin
Luke Franzke
Dr. Lyndon Alex Jordan
