REEFCOVERY: Bringing lost oyster reefs back to life
Abstract
Did you know that oysters are the ecosystem engineers of the sea? They help recover damaged environments, filter and clean waters, provide a healthy habitat for numerous species, and enable biodiversity. Unfortunately, massive sea exploitation and climate change have endangered the life of our local European flat oyster (Ostrea Edulis), putting at risk the health of many other species thriving around the oyster reefs. The goal is to create a sustainable environment for the growth of European Flat oyster reefs and a healthier environment for the North Sea. This research is conducted within the project entitled REEFCOVERY funded by the Flemish Government VLAIO and supported by The Blue Cluster under project with reference number HBC.2023.0394.
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REEFCOVERY: Bringing lost oyster reefs back to life G. Santinelli1, M. Ramaekers2, M. Hughes3, B. Shabani1, V. Stratigaki1, P. Troch1, N. De Belie2, K. Van Tittelboom2, A. Declercq3 Methodology Nature Inclusive Design, effective engineering and positive environmental impact. Oyster-NID solutions to support ecosystem functioning After 1+ year into the project... Novel cementitious materials with focus on sustainability and bioreceptivity tested on oyster growth and survival Promising settlement results on rocks and novel materials Physical hydrodynamic tests designed for offshore survival and growth. What’s next? Stress tests planned, modelling oyster transport and outplacement Planning towards industrial modularity and site implementation RL2: Structural and hydrodynamics LABORATORIES Artemia Reference Center Coastal Engineering Magnel-Vandepitte Introduction Did you know that oysters are the ecosystem engineers of the sea? Chance of survival in their environment •On-site offshore conditions for oyster survival •Hydrodynamics tested in a wave flume •Modelling effects on oyster reef-like structures •CFD supporting physical experiments •Optimal offshore conditions vs oyster threshold values Giorgio Santinelli PhD candidate Substrate development •Bio-cementitious materials from waste streams •Sea sand/water and oyster powder/shells •Material properties for oyster settlement •Biochar to absorb nutrients within the material •3D-printing to create artificial reef structures Michaël Ramaekers PhD candidate Molly Hughes PhD candidate Biological conditions for reef growth •Settling native Ostrea edulis oyster larvae onto natural and cementitious substrates •Cold storage and transport for remote setting •Design and operation of a mobile offshore - container for oyster settlement at scale for deployment in offshore wind farms Major contributions •Filter and clean waters •Protection from erosion •Provide healthy habitat •Enable biodiversity At risk by •Massive sea exploitation •Bottom trawling fishing •Rising temperatures •Ocean pH levels dropping •Climate change Sustainability Structural integrity Biological receptivity 1FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE, DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, COASTAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 2FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE, DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING MATERIALS, MAGNEL-VANDEPITTE LABORATORY 3FACULTY OF BIOSCIENCE ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES AND AQUATIC ECOLOGY, LABORATORY OF AQUACULTURE & ARTEMIA REFERENCE CENTER Goal •Recover European flat oyster reefs of the North Sea •Create a sustainable environment around offshore infrastructure •Promote biodiversity with tailored substrate development This research is conducted within the project entitled REEFCOVERY funded by the Flemish Government VLAIO and supported by The Blue Cluster under project with reference number HBC.2023.0394. RL1: Innovative materials RESTORATION BY 4 RESEARCH LINES RL3: Oyster inoculation and suitability RL4: Offshore implementation