We are elated to share a new peer-reviewed publication from the University College Cork, titled “Shellfish processing wastewater: characterization of a group of wastewater resources for future valorisation.” The research was conducted by Iván Loaiza, Neil E. Coughlan, Gavin Burnell, and Marcel A.K. Jansen at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Environmental Research Institute, as part of the IMPRESS project.
The study explores the composition and valorisation potential of wastewaters generated by the shellfish processing industry, focusing on species such as mussels, crabs, scallops, and oysters. Findings reveal significant variation in wastewater characteristics, such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia, sulphates, and suspended solids, depending on the shellfish species, processing methods, and end products.
Among the different species, mussel processing wastewater showed the highest concentrations of organic and nutrient loads, often exceeding international effluent discharge limits. However, the research highlights that these nutrient-rich waste streams also represent valuable resources for circular bioeconomy applications.
By implementing innovative remediation and valorisation strategies, such as cultivating complementary species (e.g., plants or algae) on wastewater, the industry can both reduce environmental impact and recover useful compounds. This approach supports circular economy principles and contributes to achieving a zero-waste seafood sector.
Read the full article ⤵️
This summary was written by reframe.food.