Researchers from the University of North Texas have developed a new method for protecting the coastline from erosion, which involves the use of hard saline masses. They assert that this technology could be more economical and effective than existing engineering methods.
One of the main ideas is that low electrical energy used in the process does not pose a threat to marine life. This allows for the integration of natural processes and advanced technologies for coastal protection.
Professor Alexander Rota Loria explains that the essence of the method lies in the use of electricity to bind loose sandy grains, making them solid, like marine crustaceans. He claims that the application of electricity allows for the transformation of minerals from water into solid forms, integrating them along the shoreline.
The researchers are working on developing a system of conduits capable of electrifying and strengthening larger coastal sections. This technology can be combined with other engineering methods to reinforce coastlines and protect against erosion.
In experimental frameworks, scientists used weak electric currents to convert sandy masses into solid substances resembling rocks. They hope that their method will help protect California's coastline from erosion, especially in the changing climate conditions and rising sea levels.
It is known that California's coastline is prone to rapid erosion, and specialists warn that the process is accelerating in the coming decades. Earlier coastal protection methods involved the construction of concrete structures, ensuring support and building rocky barriers.
This new method allows for the transformation of sand into solid materials, preventing erosion and preserving the coastline. Researchers assert that the process can also reclaim sand back to its original state.
