Shelling out relief
Restoration efforts help clean polluted Indian River Lagoon
By Fred Mays
A single oyster can filter 30-50 gallons of
polluted water in a day, a tiny clam, as much as
25 gallons. So say scientists working to clean
up the Indian River Lagoon in Brevard County.
Think of what millions of those bi-valves can
do for water quality in the lagoon.
Not convinced?
If you have a fish tank, next time it starts to get grungy put a
couple of live oysters in it. Rather quickly the water becomes
clear again.
To be sure oysters and clams can’t do it all themselves, but
they are probably the most cost effective way to help clean
the polluted lagoon waters in Brevard County.
Working with grants from the Brevard sales tax devoted
to the lagoon cleanup, the Brevard Zoo is transplanting
millions of oyster shells into the lagoon, forming oyster
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WHITNEY LAB, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
BREVARD ZOO
A volunteer for the Share and Shuck program, which is run by the Brevard
Zoo, places an oyster bag in the lagoon.
>>
Whitney Lab workers and
volunteers sow clams in
the Indian River Lagoon in
Rockledge, one of seven
different locations in
Brevard County.
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