Our mission is to lead the way in ocean-based carbon capture by using bivalves to sequester carbon in the ocean, clean the seas, and cultivate oyster reefs. By initiating the growth of oyster reefs, we aim to not only sequester carbon but also to provide habitat for marine life and improve water quality. We are committed to operating our business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, and we are dedicated to educating the public about the importance of protecting our oceans and addressing climate change.
How Do Oysters Mitigate Carbon?
Oysters are ecosystem engineers that provide many benefits to the environment, including water filtration, biodiversity enhancement and ecological balance. Most importantly, oysters also facilitate the drawdown of atmospheric CO2. This then leads to carbon sequestration in sediments and shells. Carbon deposits in sediments are good, but carbon in shells are even better.
So, Why Oysters?
Oyster shells are made of crystalline calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is identical to limestone. This means that when oysters die, their shell remains intact and can keep carbon sequestered for geological periods of time. Calcium carbonate by mass is roughly 44% carbon dioxide.
So when Virginica constructs large, high density oyster reefs, large amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide is sequestered. Oysters do this by consuming large amounts of algae (alive and dead) which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ocean. The carbon from the algae is then incorporated into oyster shells after being consumed.
When oysters die, their shells become buried beneath the sediments and over time, transform into solid beds of limestone.