Process and apparatus for the restoration of seagrass

Abstract

The disclosed device and process includes a biodegradable bag or sack, referred to as a sediment tube, that is filled with sand and placed in a prop scar or blow hole. The sediment tube corrects many issues created a prop scar or blowhole: (1) the trench or hole is filled, restoring the elevation of the scar to the surround grade of the seagrass; (2) the sediment tubes stabilize the scar, preventing further erosion of the sand by the flow of water; (3) the sediment tube optionally includes fine-grained sediments that promote seagrass growth and recovery; and (4) the sediment tube includes fertilizer and/or other chemical or minerals that encourage growth.

Claims

1. A process for restoring underwater aquatic plants to a damaged location within an estuary, the process comprising: a. filling a sediment tube, the sediment tube including: i. a biodegradable outer layer; ii. a growing medium within the biodegradable outer layer, the growing medium including sand and one or more appropriate fertilizers; b. sealing the sediment tube to prevent leakage of the growing medium; c. placing the sediment tube within the damaged location; d. allowing the sediment tube to season for a period of time, whereby local organisms introduce themselves to the growing medium; and e. creating an opening within the biodegradable outer layer of the sediment tube.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising, after step e, the step of: a. planting one or more seagrasses in the growing medium.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the one or more appropriate fertilizers is Peruvian seabird guano.

4. The process of claim 1, comprising an additional step, prior to step a, of selecting a type of sand based upon the sand present in the damaged location, the selected type of sand used within the growing medium.

5. The process of claim 1, comprising an additional step, prior to step a, of partially filling the damaged location with an aggregate.

6. The process of claim 1, comprising the following additional steps prior to step a: a. obtaining a soil sample from the damaged area; b. testing the soil sample for nutrient content; c. selecting one or more seagrass species to plant in the damaged area; d. selecting one or more appropriate fertilizers based upon the results of the soil sample, and the needs of the one or more seagrass species.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable outer layer is a polymeric film produced without ultraviolet inhibitors, whereby sunlight breaks down the polymeric film over time.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the one or more appropriate fertilizers is a fertilizer with a nitrogen concentration between 0% and 15% is added to the sand in a ratio of one pound per cubic yard.

9. A process for restoring underwater aquatic plants to a damaged location within an estuary, the process comprising: a. performing a composition test of the damaged location; b. determining what additional components are required for optimal seagrass growth, such additional components are fertilizers, chemicals, or minerals that aid in plant growth; c. filling a sediment tube, the sediment tube including: i. a biodegradable outer layer; ii. sand; and iii. the additional components chosen in the previous step; d. sealing the sediment tube to prevent leakage of the growing medium; e. placing the sediment tube within the damaged location; f. creating an opening within the biodegradable outer layer of the sediment tube; and g. inserting one or more seagrass plants.

10. The process of claim 9, further comprising the following additional step after step e: a. waiting for a period of time to allow the sediment tube to season, whereby the sand of the sediment tube accumulates local organisms to create live sand.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the period of time is more than one week but less than six months.

12. The process of claim 9, wherein the one or more fertilizers is Peruvian seabird guano.

13. The process of claim 9, comprising an additional step, prior to step a, of selecting a type of sand based upon the sand present in the damaged location, the selected type of sand used within the growing medium.

14. The process of claim 9, comprising an additional step, prior to step a, of partially filling the damaged location with an aggregate.

15. The process of claim 9, wherein a fertilizer with a nitrogen concentration between 0% and 15% is added to the sand in a ratio of one pound per cubic yard.

16. A device for repairing underwater trenches and blowholes created by boaters comprising: a. a tube for placement in an underwater trench, the tube acting to stabilize and maintain the location of sand and seagrass for a period of time sufficient to allow the seagrass to develop roots and fix the sand in place; b. the tube comprising: i. a biodegradable outer layer; ii. a growing medium within the biodegradable outer layer, the growing medium including sand and fertilizer; iii. the fertilizer being organic and derived from bird guano.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the sand is carbonate sand.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the sand is siliciclastic sand.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the fertilizer is Peruvian seabird guano with an NPK rating of 12-12-2.5.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the fertilizer contains 2% water soluble nitrogen and 8% water insoluble nitrogen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates a prop scar prior to the introduction of the sediment tube.

[0055] FIG. 2 illustrates a prop scar with a sediment tube.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a prop scar with a sediment tube showing more mature seagrass.

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a blowhole filled using rock and sediment tubes.

[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates a blowhole, or deep prop scar, filled using only sediment tubes.

[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a sediment tube prior to placement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 1, a prop scar prior to the introduction of the sediment tube is shown. The propeller scar 10 is shown cutting through the estuary bottom 20. Along the estuary bottom 20 is existing seagrass 22.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2, a prop scar with a sediment tube is shown. The propeller scar 10 is now shown filled with the sediment tube with internal fertilizer 1, filling the depression along the estuary bottom 20. Along the estuary bottom 20 is existing seagrass 22, with transplanted seagrass 24 shown planted in the sediment tube with internal fertilizer 1.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, a prop scar with a sediment tube showing more mature seagrass is shown. The transplanted seagrass 24 shown is more mature, and the sediment tube with internal fertilizer 1 has started to blend into the estuary bottom 20. Runners 26 (not shown) are starting to tie the transplanted seagrass 24 to the estuary bottom 20.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, a blowhole filled using rock and sediment tubes is shown. Aggregate 30, such as lime rocks, pea gravel, or other small stones, is used to fill the bulk of the blowhole 12, then topped with sediment tubes with internal fertilizer 1. The existing seagrass 22 and transplanted seagrass 24 cover the bottom, connecting the estuary bottom 20 to the sediment tubes with internal fertilizer 1.

[0065] Also shown is the optional bird perch 50 that acts to encourage birds 52 to roost over the damaged area, ideally resulting in additional guano.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, a blowhole, or deep prop scar, filled using only sediment tubes is shown. Here sediment tubes with internal fertilizer 1 are used without any aggregate. This may be useful when aggregate is difficult to obtain, but sand is readily available.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, a sediment tube prior to placement is shown. The flexible shell or bag 40 is shown, sewn along a longitudinal seam 42. The terminal seam 44 closes one end. Within the flexible shell 40 is the growing medium 46, likely sand, with the addition of fertilizer 48.

[0068] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

[0069] It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.