Oceans play a vital role in our environment, absorbing about 25 to 30 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere. When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it creates carbonic acid, raising the acidity of the water. This shift can harm marine life, especially organisms like corals and oysters, which depend on calcium carbonate to build their shells. An increase in ocean acidity can threaten entire ecosystems and the economies that rely on them.
Professor Kripa Varanasi from MIT states, “As oceans take in more CO₂, the chemistry changes. This means shellfish have less carbonate to form their shells.” This decline could trigger economic issues for coastal communities, as shellfish aquaculture alone is valued at around $60 billion globally. “The lasting effects of these changes are already visible in our hatcheries today,” he adds, stressing the need for immediate action to protect marine ecosystems.
To combat the effects of ocean acidification, Varanasi and fellow MIT professor T. Alan Hatton have been working on innovative ways to remove CO₂ from seawater. They collaborate with researchers at the University of Maine to apply this technology in oyster hatcheries. Bill Mook, founder of Mook Sea Farm, experienced major production losses due to acidic water affecting young oysters. “We lost hundreds of thousands of dollars before we understood the problem,” he recalls.
The team developed an electrochemical method to balance the pH levels of seawater without introducing chemicals. This approach uses electricity to remove CO₂, helping to restore a favorable environment for oysters and other shellfish. In trials, it showed that this method not only maintained the health of young oysters but also produced better growth results than traditional methods. Importantly, it creates no waste, capturing CO₂ that can even be repurposed, such as for algae farming.
Damian Brady, an oceanography professor involved in the project, highlights the significant role the Damariscotta River Estuary plays in oyster farming, supporting about 70 percent of Maine’s oyster production. He sees great potential in linking the engineering advancements at MIT with the aquaculture expertise of the University of Maine.
Through their collaboration, the research team aims to enhance the technology for wider use. “This isn’t just about science; it’s about jobs and supporting local economies,” Varanasi says. With growing awareness of climate change, finding ways to balance aquaculture and environmental needs is crucial. “What we have developed can be scaled, leading to a resilient blue economy.”
As we move forward, integrating new technologies in aquaculture will not only help mitigate climate change but also provide economic benefits. This innovation could reshape not just how we farm shellfish, but our overall approach to managing coastal resources.
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MIT MechE, aquaculture, oyster farming, Oyster larvae, ocean acidity, acidic seawater, Calcium carbonate, threat to oyster shells, shellfish hatcheries, Climate Crisis, blue economy, Mook Sea Farms, Damariscotta River Estuary, University of Maine Darling Marine Center, CoFlo Medical, Kripa Varanasi, T. Alan Hatton, Simon Rufer, Damian Brady
