Sustainable Coastal Solutions with Bivalve Growth

Introduction

Imagine an innovation that doesn’t just support marine life but strengthens the resilience of coastlines. This system for promoting bivalve growth on coastal structures achieves precisely that, making it a valuable tool for industries dedicated to sustainable coastal management and ecological restoration. By fostering the attachment and growth of bivalves, such as mussels or oysters, on breakwaters and seawalls, this patented technology brings a powerful natural solution to coastal ecosystems.

The Problem: Coastal Erosion and Marine Life Decline

Coastal areas face ongoing challenges like erosion, habitat loss, and weakened natural barriers, which put infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities at risk. Traditional methods for addressing these issues often rely on engineered barriers, which can lack ecological benefits or long-term effectiveness. The absence of natural marine organisms exacerbates the problem, as ecosystems lose the capacity to self-sustain and defend against environmental changes.

Innovative Design for Resilient Coasts

This patented system transforms coastal structures into bivalve-friendly habitats, providing surfaces where bivalves can attach, grow, and thrive. The design includes specialized texturing and materials that naturally attract bivalves, encouraging rapid attachment and growth. This feature not only enhances the durability and functionality of coastal barriers but also integrates ecological benefits, as bivalves contribute to water filtration and habitat creation. The system operates in a range of coastal conditions, ensuring adaptability across different marine environments and climate conditions.

Significant Advantages Across Essential Sectors

For marine and coastal engineering firms, this technology offers a dual solution: structural reinforcement coupled with ecological enhancement. Environmental organizations focused on marine restoration can leverage this system to accelerate habitat recovery, as bivalves provide critical ecosystem services, such as filtering pollutants and creating habitats for other marine life. In aquaculture, the system creates sustainable sites for bivalve farming, offering a stable and growth-optimized environment that supports both commercial and conservation goals.

Invest in a Greener, Stronger Coastline

Licensing this innovative system aligns your organization with sustainable practices and coastal resilience initiatives. This technology offers an attractive solution for stakeholders in marine and environmental sectors who value both ecological impact and long-term functionality. By fostering bivalve attachment and growth, this system contributes to healthier coastlines that can better withstand environmental pressures, making it an essential investment in a resilient and balanced marine future.

A curtain enclosure formed from a flexible, non-permeable membrane is positioned adjacent to a section of riprap or similarly configured structure that has been installed along a shoreline. The curtain is stretched around rigid elongate posts and extends outward into the water from the edge of the riprap to create an enclosed containment area formed between the interior of the curtain and the edge of the riprap. The bottom of the curtain is weighted to sit along the bed of the water body and resist movement in that position. Once the curtain enclosure has been formed, larval bivalve organisms, such as oyster larvae, are poured into the curtain enclosure, and thereafter the curtain enclosure is maintained in that position for a period sufficient to promote attachment and growth of the larvae on the riprap.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for promoting attachment and growth of bivalve organisms on coastal structures, comprising:

providing a plurality of elongate rods;
positioning at least two of said elongate rods against a wall formed of riprap on a shoreline, and positioning at least one of said elongate rods in water away from said wall;
providing a non-permeable, flexible, planar panel engaging each elongate rod to form an enclosure defined by an interior of said panel and a water-facing edge of the riprap, said enclosure having an enclosed area;
providing larval bivalve organisms provided in concentration of at least 16 larvae/cm2 of said enclosed area; and
pouring said larval bivalve organisms into said enclosure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

maintaining a position of said panel for at least seven days; and
removing said panel and said elongate rods from said site.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affixing said panel to each elongate rod.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said panel has a weighted bottom edge.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said weighted bottom edge extends along a full length of said panel.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein said weighted bottom edge further comprises a weighted cable extending through a sleeve positioned along a bottom edge of the panel.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of affixing said weighted cable to each said elongate rod positioned against the wall formed of riprap.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of engaging a plurality of weights on said weighted cable.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said bivalve organisms further comprise oysters.

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Title

System and method for promoting attachment and growth of bivalve organisms on coastal structures

Inventor(s)

Thomas F. Ihde, Richard V. Lacouture, Amber DeMarr

Assignee(s)

Morgan State University

Patent #

11766031

Patent Date

September 26, 2023

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