MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica), an oyster species native to the Chesapeake Bay, spans coastal waters from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. The Eastern Oyster is known as a keystone species, meaning it is linked to the function and survival of a wide array of species (O’Connell, Franze, Spalding, & Poirrier, 2005). Oysters provide habitat, food, and water control to many other marine organisms. Historically, the eastern oyster has played a significant role in ecology and economics of the mid-Atlantic. The modern-day, Eastern Oyster population is 1% of its original size, and has undergone rapid population decline due to the accelerated effects of ocean acidification, eutrophication, pollution, and over sedimentation (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Although there are multiple efforts to restore the population of the eastern oyster, there is a lack of efficient and effective methods to address the decline of oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. The limiting factor in oyster restoration is the amount of substrate for the oysters to settle. In this literature review, we explore the application of 1) electrolysis mineral accretion and 2) fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing to restore and create artificial substrate suitable for oyster reefs within the Chesapeake Bay.

Word Count: 204

Reader’s Profile: A reader might be skeptic about the choice in artificial substrate.

Reader’s Response: I understand that the declining oyster population is a serious problem. They are really important to a lot of species in the Chesapeake Bay, so we definitely should be doing research to help. It makes sense that to help the oysters we should put more substrates in the bay for them to grow on. What I don’t understand is why choose electrolysis mineral accretion and 3D printing? Also, how are electrolysis and 3D printing even connected? Isn’t 3D printing plastic, so wouldn’t that be bad to put in the bay? Doing electrolysis in the water sounds dangerous. I want more information on why this team chose these methods.

C, the plastic piece is interesting. Especially because of the emerging information on microplastics and leakage. Any ideas on this? Can you look at that stability? I would be interested in that.

Also, should be combine oyster shells with this concept, to build up the volume? Should we require oyster shell recycling or buy backs?