Artificial reefs are typically made from manmade materials like sunken ships, planes, cars, concrete, rubber tires and trash. On land, this material might be called junk. Although fish will hide behind or within any structure that provides shelter and although certain sponges and soft organisms will sometimes settle on these materials, they never turn into a true coral reef.

To power the mineral accretion process, a low DC voltage is necessary. The source of this current generally depends upon the environment near the reef. If a ready supply of electricity is available, cables can be attached to the structure. In more remote areas, solar collectors are usually the energy source. These panels will generally be set up on the shore to feed current to the Biorock reef via submerged cables.

Just as a gardener pulls up weeds that would overgrow the flowers, undesirable weedy organisms and certain sponges and algae that could overgrow corals are periodically removed. Organisms that kill corals, such as the crown of thorns starfish and certain coral-eating snails are eliminated. Biorock reefs also need to be periodically checked to ensure that cables and connections are intact.

There are many requests for mineral accretion projects from marine conservation groups around the world, but unfortunately there is little funding available from governments, international philanthropic agencies or private foundations. a result, most mineral accretion reefs are pilot projects that demonstrate the process. The results are so unexpectedly spectacular that one must see them directly to appreciate their value.

Global warming has caused significant reef mortality around the world. The prognosis is that oceans will continue to warm until world leaders recognize the long-term consequences of turning a blind eye to the problem. A few governments have tried to address the problem by building sea walls out of concrete, steel, coral rubble or sand bags. But these materials soon rust, corrode, collapse and need to be rebuilt.

Like an oasis in the desert, all forms of coral life are quickly attracted to Biorock reefs. Many forms of reef life have been observed to be attracted to the structures, and none repelled. However it is the organisms with limestone skeletons, such as corals, clams, oysters, barnacles, tube worms and sand-producing algae that are especially benefited, allowing them to outgrow weedy algae that often smothers and kills corals in polluted waters.

Results of all spinal surgery are similar in success rates. Fusions and conventional laminectomies offer 50 to 70% success rates while the artificial disc is around 67% success rates (per a recent study, although studies by the manufacturer reports success rates in the 80% range). Our surgeries are around 70% successful. Thus, the success rates are very similar but the recovery time, incision size and postoperative pain are greater with non-Microspinoscopy techniques.

Discarded tires quickly become breeding mosquitoes. Under the false guise of helping the marine habitat, tires are often wired together and dumped in the ocean. This method of disposal has several consequences: Tires release chemicals that are toxic to marine life for a long time until the tires have been completely overgrown with marine organisms. Organisms that eventually do settle on rubber tires are largely "weedy" organism like stinging hydroids, sponges, and fire coral.

It is difficult to know precisely where the "best" locations might be, or if there is even a significantly better site for an artificial reef. However, what is certain is that the platform already exists and that its jacket currently supports a thriving habitat for both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms that would be destroyed if the jacket is removed.

Contact CARE toll-free at 1-800-804-6002, e-mail us at: info@calreefs.org, write to us at: CARE, 1008 Tenth Street #298, Sacramento, CA 95814-3584, or visit our Web site at www.calreefs.org.

Over 200 square miles of near virgin reef can be found in Bermuda. The warm, nutrient rich waters of the Gulf Stream pass through Bermuda and have led to the formation of the worlds most northerly coral reef. The reef is very healthy, and has not suffered the effects of Diver Damage like some Caribbean locations. Abundant hard corals and sea fans are to be seen, but less sponges than you'll see in the Caribbean.

Cysts and abscesses are caused by tissue damage inflicted by the needle at point of entry. The AGRO-JET® eliminates the occurrence of abscesses and cysts with little or no trauma to tissue. Its patented process delivers any vaccine or medication in a fine jet at low-pressure thus providing safe and painless entry with little or no trauma to the tissue at point of entry.

For many years, rehabilitation therapies -- including ultrasound, interferential current and TENS -- have been used extensively throughout the world to treat pain and stimulate the healing processes. Unlike BioFlex, however, the healing effects of these treatments have been disappointing as they only modulate symptoms. In contrast BioFlex is able to influence the pathology directly at the cellular level, resulting in therapeutic benefits that are more profound and generally curative.

They compare very favourably, and many people find that the sale of a larger family house provides sufficient cash to buy a luxurious, modern park home with enough funds left over to provide financial security. As to the actual costs, these of course vary according to the model chosen and the market value of the land on which the home is situated - precisely the same factors, in other words, which influence the price of a conventional house.

To build a Biorock reef, an electrically conductive frame, usually made from readily available construction grade rebar or wire mesh, is welded together, submerged and anchored to the sea bottom. Sizes and configurations are infinite and are varied to fit the setting. A low voltage direct current is then applied. (Power sources can include chargers, windmills, solar panels or tidal current generators.

The structure is built from ordinary construction materials typically available almost anywhere in the world. This can include steel rods, pipe, or rebar. Other materials necessary for the project include electrical cables and epoxy or silicone sealants to protect the electric connections. While the main structure serves as the cathode, another electrode, the anode, is a special titanium mesh that does not corrode.

In most coral reef environments, structures sit on limestone bedrock where they eventually cement themselves solidly to the hard bottom. Usually structures are held in place against wave forces by their own weight or by filling them with rocks. In hurricane regions, where there is a tradeoff between how long it takes to get the structure solidly cemented to the bottom and when the first hurricane hits, we drill holes for vertical rebar supports; a couple of feet is usually adequate.

Our divers never damage an existing, healthy reef to populate a Biorock structure. In all cases, we transplant broken fragments of live coral that have been damaged by waves, storms, anchors or by other means. These pieces would almost certainly die as the fragments roll over in heavy waves and become buried in sand.

The longer a project runs, the more corals will grow and be protected from future hot episodes. A project can have its power turned off at any time, but then the special advantages of growth, strength, self-repair, accelerated coral growth and survival will be lost. However, once the structure is sufficiently strong, the power can be reduced to maintenance levels.

In August 1999 the first of two pilot structures was placed in the reef of Sac Bajo, (next to Isla Mujeres, across from Cancun). Shaped like a triangular prism, the reef is approximately 3 meters long and 1.5 meters high. In March 2000 a second structure was placed at the same location, approximately 5 meters away from the first. This structure was named "El Doble Caracol" (twin snail shell), owing to its shape of a double spiral of steel construction mat.