Mussel cultivation as a mitigation tool for eutrophic waters in Puget Sound, Washington.
Presentation Abstract
Eutrophication, an excess of nutrients from anthropogenic sources, can lead to a range of environmental problems including hypoxia and loss of biodiversity. This study, a collaboration between University of Washington Tacoma and the Pacific Shellfish Institute, examined the potential of using mussel cultivation as a mitigation tool in eutrophic waters. Mussels are filter feeding bivalves that have the ability to remove nitrogen and other nutrients from the water through bioextraction. Artificial habitats similar to what is used in mussel farming were created in Budd Inlet Olympia, WA and in the Thea Foss Waterway Tacoma, WA to collect naturally occurring set by the native bay mussel Mytilus trossulus. The purpose of this study is to determine the viability of mussels as a tool for remediation in Puget Sound by monitoring their growth, biomass and nutrient content. We are examining how various factors such as location, depth, time of deployment, and season affect a range of parameters, in order to create a set of best practices for future mitigation work. Next steps include the composting of resulting biomass, and analysis for pollution uptake within the mussels.
Session Title
Session S-10A: Shellfish Aquaculture: Exploring Themes of Sustainability and Ecosystem Recovery
Conference Track
Harmful Algal Blooms and Shellfish
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 6:30 PM
Location
Room 6C
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Eutrophication--Control--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Mytilus trossulus--Colonization--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Mussel cultivation as a mitigation tool for eutrophic waters in Puget Sound, Washington.
Room 6C
Eutrophication, an excess of nutrients from anthropogenic sources, can lead to a range of environmental problems including hypoxia and loss of biodiversity. This study, a collaboration between University of Washington Tacoma and the Pacific Shellfish Institute, examined the potential of using mussel cultivation as a mitigation tool in eutrophic waters. Mussels are filter feeding bivalves that have the ability to remove nitrogen and other nutrients from the water through bioextraction. Artificial habitats similar to what is used in mussel farming were created in Budd Inlet Olympia, WA and in the Thea Foss Waterway Tacoma, WA to collect naturally occurring set by the native bay mussel Mytilus trossulus. The purpose of this study is to determine the viability of mussels as a tool for remediation in Puget Sound by monitoring their growth, biomass and nutrient content. We are examining how various factors such as location, depth, time of deployment, and season affect a range of parameters, in order to create a set of best practices for future mitigation work. Next steps include the composting of resulting biomass, and analysis for pollution uptake within the mussels.
