The ocean has a squatter problem. Invasive sun corals are aggressively colonizing reefs and industrial infrastructure, snuffing out native biodiversity and adding millions to the maintenance costs of offshore assets. While the old-school fix involved divers with hammers and chisels — a process about as efficient as mowing a lawn with nail clippers — today’s underwater frontier might be all about the air gun. Danielle Beurteaux takes us on a deep dive for SN.
🪸 A seismic shift in pest control
At a popular dive site off the coast of Brazil, scientists are testing high-precision underwater air guns to blast coral invaders off the map. Unlike physical scraping or pneumatic hammers, which not only can miss spots but also cause the invasive coral to spread, the air blasts are better targeted and more effective. If researchers can develop heavy-duty versions for cleaning up structures like ship hulls, the new method may serve to merge environmental preservation goals with industrial efficiency.
🌊 Charting the bathysphere
As offshore wind and subsea infrastructure sectors grow, the demand for robotic sentinels and janitors in the form of Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (AUVs) is also increasing. The global AUV market is projected to reach over $4.6 billion by 2030, fueled by rising investment in commercial, scientific and defense sectors. Innovation in sensors, navigation systems and AI is also shaping trends in underwater robots.
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