ASSESSMENT OF FIRED RED CLAY CERAMICS WITH ORE TAILINGS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL REEF STRUCTURES AT DIFFERENT SINTERING TEMPERATURES

This study investigates the influence of sintering temperature on the biological performance of ceramic test bars exposed to marine environments. Four sintering temperatures—1135°C, 1050°C, 950°C, and 850°C—were evaluated by deploying test bars in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and analyzing the number and types of organisms that adhered to their surfaces. The results revealed a clear trend, with the test bars sintered at 1135°C showing the highest biofouling activity, recording a total of 54 organisms. As the sintering temperature decreased, the number of organisms declined, with 49 organisms on the 1050°C sample, 35 organisms on the 950°C sample, and 33 organisms on the 850°C sample. These findings suggest that higher sintering temperatures, which result in denser and smoother surfaces, promote greater biofouling, while lower sintering temperatures may hinder organism attachment. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing material properties for marine applications, for the application of coral reef preservation.