Early benthic succession and pioneer community dynamics on 3D printed substrates at Koh Samaesan, Chon Buri Province

Ason Meenapha; Tinn Suvarnasathira; Kamonpooh Sooksawat; Sumaitt Putchakarn; Sarawut Siriwong

Authors

Ason Meenapha The Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri, 20131, Thailand.
Tinn Suvarnasathira The Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri, 20131, Thailand.
Kamonpooh Sooksawat The Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri, 20131, Thailand.
Sumaitt Putchakarn The Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri, 20131, Thailand.
Sarawut Siriwong Faculty of Marine Technology, Burapha University Chanthaburi campus, Chanthaburi, 22170, Thailand.

Keywords:

coral reef restoration, 3D printing cement, artificial reef, coral, marine organism

Abstract

As coral reefs in many areas are degraded, various techniques for coral reef restoration have been developed. One popular method is the creation of artificial reefs, which are widely accepted for restoring habitats for coral reef communities. At present, 3D printing technology is used as a substrate for coral recruitment and is hoped to be one of the factors that help to further increase coral reef areas. This study aimed to examine the composition of benthic communities on the surface of 3D-printed. Data were collected six times during November 2024–September 2025 at Koh Samaesan, using a 15 × 15 cm quadrat sampling method, with quadrats randomly placed on the outer surfaces of the structures. Photos were taken in 6 quadrats per structure, with 15 replicates. A total of 10 categories of sessile benthic organisms were found. Marine sponge is the dominant benthic organisms on 3D-printed (4.14%), followed by turf algae (3.48%) and Mollusk (2.23), while 87.50% had no organisms attached to the structure. In terms of coral cover, which is the main purpose of the 3D-printed, only 0.10%, with two species are Porites sp., and Oulastrea crispata. Despite the results showing that 3D structures may not be optimal for the settlement of coral recruits, this study was conducted only six times over one year. Therefore, studies should be conducted continuously over 3–5 years to monitor and assess coral recruit settlement, including other functions of 3D-printed structures for the environment.

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