BioMedical Applications

The live rock communities may provide a rich source of critical pharmaceutical medicines and health products. Many species of algae, hydroids, sponges, mollusk  (clams, slugs, snails etc.), and barnacles are being investigated. A family of invertebrates, called bryozoans, contains symbiotic bacteria that are known to produce a compound that inhibits the growth of cancerous cells (Russo 2000).   

Complex Live Rock Communities

The most complex community living under the platforms are the invertebrate-algae community or otherwise known as “live rock” that attaches to the platform’s pilings and transoms. Drifting plankton continually bombards the platform’s profile. It provides the attaching organisms the necessary substrate to anchor and feed on the passing nutrients. 

Bryozoan

The Bryozoan Bugula neritina lives in the Gulf and can potentially be commercially harvested from platforms. This organism is being tested as a treatment against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic leukemia (MMS 2002). So far, ~ 20 out the 4,000 platforms have been investigated. A final report on the research should be completed in Dec 2002 (MMS).  

Bacteria
Marine Bacteria and members of Actinobacteria in particular, have yielded numerous bioactive compounds. 

Algae
Marine algae begin to inhabit platforms almost immediately after installation and they continue to compose a large % of the biomass as the platforms age and develop more complex live rock communities. Marine algae are utilized for a wide variety of pharmaceuticals and are used as a culture medium for microorganisms in medical and biological research.

Molluscs
Pharmacological uses of mollusc-derived compounds have been studied for decades. Compounds extracted from molluscs include:

-Hypotensive agents
-Cardioactive substances
-Muscle relaxants
-Antibiotics
-Antiviral agents
-Antitumor agents

Ocean Farming

As the demand for natural marine products increases, farming live rock and coral on platform legs should alleviate the stress on natural communities. Aquarium enthusiast are already cultivating live rock organisms in Southern Florida on artificial substrate for the aquarium trade. Large artificial structures could  protect our precious natural reef habitats by providing culture opportunities not only for coral and live rock, but also for finfish and crustaceans.  Creating artificial harvesting opportunities could reduce the pressure on our natural coral reefs and promote sustainable methods of harvest  opposed to predatory methods of harvest.