Mitigating Algal Competition with Fouling-Prevention Coatings for Coral Restoration and Reef Engineering

Coral reefs are undergoing unprecedented degradation due to rising ocean temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and coastal pollution. Despite conservation efforts, including marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices, the magnitude of these challenges calls for innovative approaches to repair and restore coral reefs. In this study, we explore the application of bioinspired materials to address the challenge of algal competition, a key bottleneck for effective restoration approaches. We develop and optimize slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS), as a fouling-prevention coating tailored for coral reef restoration and engineering. Through aquarium experiments and in situ trials on O'ahu, Hawai'i, we assess the effectiveness of these coatings in mitigating algal competition and facilitating coral growth. Our results demonstrate that PDMS-based SLIPS coatings significantly reduce algal coverage compared to commercial aragonite-based surfaces, with up to 70% reduction observed over a 12-week deployment period in situ. We also develop coral-guards, which are slippery substrates customized for coral fragment outplanting. Coral-guards facilitate tissue growth of Stylophora pistillata fragments, without competitive turf algal growth. These approaches hold promise for advancing restoration efforts, including the engineering of hybrid reefs and targeted coral gardening approaches.