UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 8 May 2008 -- Several months ago, news reports surfaced about the potential use of oysters as a tool to filter wastewater. 

The New York City Department of Environment Protection (DEP) conducted a study that demonstrated the ability of an adult oyster to filter 5-50 gallons of water a day – depending on its size as well as the temperature of the water.

Specifically, the oysters can absorb the nitrogen, algae and bacteria as part of a wastewater purification process.  

Over the past decade, scientists have begun to better understand the ability of oysters to filter water. 

Not only can oysters potentially help with a wastewater purification process, but the oyster beds can also serve as a foundation for supporting an ecosystem that can nurture other marine type species with the ability to absorb waste materials.

While several shellfish restoration projects are being introduced in other U.S. states, it is interesting to note that similar programs have been implemented in other countries around the world.

For example, in Israel, carp and other filter-feeding fish have been introduced in drinking water reservoirs.  Some initiatives have worked and some have not.

And in China, a “fish” water purification program has been introduced on a massive scale in order to ensure clean drinking water for millions of people. 

Chaohu Lake located in the Anhui province is not only one of China’s largest lakes but it is one of the most polluted as a result of agricultural run-offs and industrial waste.  

Fertilizers are eating up the oxygen and the algae are suffocating the native fish. Local residents can no longer draw drinking water from the lake; instead, they are turning to deep-water wells.

To address this worsening environmental challenge and to attempt to meet a national goal of restoring the severely polluted lakes by 2030, the Chinese authorities have begun to pursue a rather unique approach. 

They have discharged over 50,000 silver carp fish in the lake with the hope that these little creatures will help purify the water by eating up the algae.  The silver carp naturally thrive on blue-green algae.

This solution option is not limited to just Chaohu Lake. While it represents the country’s biggest initiative of its type, tons of silver carp fish are being discharged in lakes across China. 

In fact, nowhere else in the world is this kind of water purifying solution being attempted on such a large scale.

On a side note, once the algae-consuming carp have performed their water purification function and when they have reached a big enough size, these fish can then become the target of the local fishing community and sold at the local markets for food.

While the use of silver carp fish appears to be a natural indigenous solution that can help address China’s polluted lakes, the verdict is still out. 

According to experts, this kind of undertaking might seem to be the perfect fix, but it could lead to other unplanned problems that have yet to be identified. Only time will tell.

Labels: United Nations, U.N., MaximsNews WATER, water, wastewater treatment, China, New York City, pollution, silver carp, oyster, Kathy Shandling, international development, environment, water news, water sustainability, water resource, water management, global water crisis, sustainable development

 

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