A University of Connecticut research team harvest kelp near the Thimble Islands in Branford, CT. Ribbed mussels in Long Island Sound. Nutrient Bioextraction combines growing and harvesting shellfish and seaweed for the purpose of removing nitrogen and other nutrients from coastal waters. Nutrient bioextraction can also provide economic benefits. Since 2009, the Long Island Sound Study has promoted efforts to bring nutrient bioextraction to Long Island Sound. In 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and NEIWPCC with support from LISS hired a bioextraction coordinator to implement a Bioextraction Initiative.
Nutrient Bioextraction combines growing and harvesting shellfish and seaweed for the purpose of removing nitrogen and other nutrients from coastal waters. Nutrient bioextraction can also provide economic benefits. Since 2009, the Long Island Sound Study has promoted efforts to bring nutrient bioextraction to Long Island Sound. In 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and NEIWPCC with support from LISS hired a bioextraction coordinator to implement a Bioextraction Initiative.
Reducing nutrient inputs is a priority for many estuary programs in the United States, including Long Island Sound, Chesapeake Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. By reducing nutrients in coastal waters, states and federal agencies hope to reduce widespread and recurring problems with algal blooms, loss of seagrass, and hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen). Nutrient bioextraction can complement existing programs (such as using advanced treatment methods to remove nitrogen from wastewater treatment plant sewage discharges into the Sound). It is the only method available to remove nitrogen after it has entered the Sound.
Practical Government and Private Sector Applications of Bioextraction. Learn about nutrient bioextraction projects taking place in Long Island Sound and elsewhere along the East Coast. See examples.
Ribbed Mussel Pilot Study. Learn about the pilot program completed off of Hunts Point in the South Bronx (near the western Narrows of Long Island Sound) to test the effectiveness of ribbed mussels and seaweed in removing nitrogen from the local environment. See mussel study project summary.
Ecosystem Services Assessment of Bioextraction in Long Island Sound. This research project used ecological, economic, and other models to show that oyster aquaculture in Long Island Sound compared favorably to existing nutrient reduction methods, in terms of both the cost and effectiveness of nitrogen removal. Oyster aquaculture has the added benefit of providing a sustainable source of local seafood. See research project summary.
Seaweed Pilot Studies. Learn about the pilot program completed off of Hunts Point in the South Bronx and two sites in Connecticut to test the effectiveness of seaweed in removing nitrogen from the local environment. See seaweed study project summaries.
2009 Bioextraction Workshop. In 2009, the Long Island Sound Study held a workshop to learn more about topics related to nutrient bioextraction from experts around the world and to discuss opportunities for nutrient bioextraction in Long Island Sound. See bioextraction workshop.
The mission of the Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative is to improve water quality in NY and CT marine waters by removing excess nitrogen through the cultivation and harvest of seaweed and shellfish. The Initiative will provide information to help decision makers with the guidelines needed to facilitate public and private seaweed and shellfish farming and harvest operations in their coastal waters. We do this by:
The New York and Connecticut Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Siting Tool is an interactive online map that provides spatial information for all of New York’s Marine and Coastal District and Connecticut’s Coastal Area. The map provides detailed information on natural resources, environmental conditions, navigation, regulatory requirements, and potential use conflicts, which cumulatively aid in the identification of potential locations for shellfish and seaweed farms.
A Guide to New York and Connecticut’s Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Viewer
Nutrient Bioextraction Initiative Fact Sheet (2024) – Describes current initiative in Long Island Sound.
What is Nutrient Bioextraction? (2010) – Explains nutrient bioextraction and initial bioextraction initiative.
Kelp: It’s What’s For Dinner Focuses on GreenWave training new kelp farmers, bioextraction, and environmental benefits of farming kelp. See video.
A Nasty Tasting Shellfish Could Be the Job for Cleaning Rivers Report on a published article in a science journal that describes the ecological benefits of harvesting ribbed mussels based on research from the Bronx River pilot study. See Economist article. | Science Magazine article
Valuing Shellfish Beyond Market Describes research in Greenwich Harbor to identify the value of shellfish resource when shellfish is used to remove nitrogen from coastal waters. See news release.
Can Seaweed Cut Methane Emissions on Dairy Farms? Adding seaweed to cattle feed may significantly reduce methane emissions from dairy cows. See article.
The Climate-Friendly Vegetable You Ought to Eat New York Times food writer describes the nutritional and cooking benefits of kelp. See article.
Oyster Farms Make Slight Improvement In Water Quality Researchers found that oyster farms in the lower Chesapeake Bay had slightly positive impacts on water quality. See article.
A pilot study at the location where the Bronx and East rivers meet will study the viability of removing nutrients through the cultivation of ribbed mussels. see article