POSCO Launches Sea Forest Cultivation Program
POSCO announced on June 3 that it has installed artificial reefs made of slag off the coast of Ulleung Island under a sea forest cultivation program launched to mark National Ocean Day (May 31).
Earlier in May, POSCO installed 100 Tritons and 750 Triton blocks underwater and fostered a sea forest reaching 0.4 ha in Ulleung Island. Triton is an artificial reef brand made with POSCO’s steel slag.
The installed Tritons have been acknowledged as artificial reefs by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The 100 Tritons were placed on the edge of the sea forest to facilitate the growth of marine algae while 750 Triton blocks were stacked up in the center, serving as a habitat and breeding ground for fish.
About 20 attendants were present at the event, including Ulleung Island Governor Kim Byung-soo, fishermen of Ulleung Island, POSCO president Chang In-hwa, and Yu Seong, president of RIST, a company that developed, together with POSCO, the Triton artificial reef.
In 2000, POSCO and RIST developed the artificial reef with steel slag, a co-product of the steelmaking process. POSCO provided steel slags that amounted to a total of 6,559 Tritons free of charge. The Tritons were placed in 30 different sea forests in South Korea. In the case of Ulleung Island, POSCO not only provided the steel slag but also participated directly from the production to the installation stage.
Steel slag, the main material of Tritons, has high mineral content such as calcium and iron, which are useful for marine ecosystems, than general aggregates. Not only can the Triton facilitate the growth of marine algae, but it can also promote photosynthesis, thus restoring the marine ecosystem and diversifying coastal organisms as well. Also, the Triton reef can withstand typhoons and tsunamis due to its high gravity and strength and is highly resistant to seawater corrosion.
POSCO is focusing on the Triton sea forest cultivation project as one of its major corporate citizenship activities. The project is expected to restore the marine ecosystem and has a blue carbon effect since it absorbs and stores CO₂ underwater. RIST and other related organizations have found that sea forests are capable of storing 3 to 16 tons of carbon dioxide annually per hectare.
POSCO explored different underwater sites around Ulleung Island since December last year and selected the best location to cultivate a sea forest. In April, the company conducted a thorough investigation to understand the existing biological habitat. And finally, POSCO transported the Triton to Ulleung Island and installed them underwater. POSCO and Ulleung Island will continue follow-up management — including research of water quality, supplemental planting of marine algae, and exterminating harmful organisms.
POSCO plans to develop sustainable sea fertilizer and a new type of artificial reef using steel slag. These developments are expected to contribute to restoring the marine ecosystem and also help improve the income of local fishermen.