Electrolysis to promote the development of blue mussels in the Baltic Sea : An experimental study on the benefits of electrodeposition in combating eutrophication

Sammanfattning

Eutrophication remains a pressing issue in the Baltic Sea, and blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) can play a crucial role in mitigating its effects through their filtration capacity. This study explores whether electrolysis can enhance mussel growth and resilience by facilitating calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) deposition through electrolysis of Baltic Sea water. A literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical foundation, followed by an experiment in which mussels were subjected to electrolysis in a controlled environment. The preparatory experiment at KTH confirmed that constant current could facilitate the desired electrochemical reactions, with deposition conditions aligning with previous research. However, the main experiment at Askö laboratory revealed that mussels exposed to electrolysis exhibited reduced filtration rates and growth compared to control populations, filtering 60% fewer particles and growing significantly less. Observations suggested that the electrode material and corrosion may have negatively impacted the mussels, and possibly inhibiting CaCO₃ deposition. Despite the challenges, the study indicates that electrolysis remains a viable concept but requires further refinement, particularly in electrode selection and corrosion management, to optimize its potential benefits for mussel growth and eutrophication mitigation.