Ecolabels are increasingly being used to notify consumers that the labeled product imposes minimal harm to the environment or other natural resources. A growing number of studies have signaled that consumers respond to these labels, which can promote environmentally friendly production of consumable goods and incentivize growers to produce sustainably sourced goods. Shellfish are noticeably absent among these labeled products, but they are arguably the most sustainable source of animal protein. Additionally, while in the water, oysters and other shellfish provide numerous ecosystem services that improve environmental quality. We argue that shellfish aquaculture is uniquely positioned to take advantage of ecolabeling to improve public perception and steer consumers towards a highly sustainable source of animal protein. However, we also argue more research is needed to better understand how ecosystem services vary among different production modes of oyster aquaculture to ensure products are correctly labeled and inspire consumer confidence.

An industrial sludge lagoon is being closed through in situ addition and mixing of Portland cement, followed by on-site vaulting. The sludges must be solidified in order to enhance the physical properties and to facilitate handling and vaulting. The solidified materials must gain enough compressive strength so that heavy tracked equipment can continue operation on it and for successful construction of a vault and cap. Laboratory investigations were carried out in order to determine a process control strategy for the closure of the basin utilizing Portland cement. A patented DuPont mixer-head (U.S. Patent No. 5,275,513) was developed to thoroughly homogenize the materials in situ. Test excavations so far have proven successful. Field observations and testing indicate that the dewatered sludge is soil-like in texture and behavior, and exceeds all minimum geotechnical criteria. The information generated from the process control strategy studies has been used to predict the required cement dosage. The process control strategy has also been adjusted for warm weather conditions. The process control strategy development, full scale pilot operations, and key conclusions will be reviewed.

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