The New Zealand mussel industry generates around 40,000 tonnes of waste mussel shell material annually. Most of this ends up at landfill, and an alternative use is essential.
Like agricultural lime, mussel shells are made up predominantly of CaCO3 so mussel shell waste could potentially be used as an alternative liming material. This project was conducted to test the hypotheses that ground mussel shells will increase soil pH to a similar level as agricultural lime, increase soil microbial activity due an increase in organic matter and minerals, increase plant growth and positively effect herbage nutrient composition.
Report no. RE450/2023/032 NZBIDA
Funding
MBIE SSIF New Zealand Bioeconomy in the Digital Age (NZBIDA)
History
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