The Cleaner The Better

1
The Cleaner The Better
Created By Jamita Baker Tim Calabrese
Myra Sawyer Emily Ajamobi Erica
Kufleitner
2
Where We Are

• Located in Northeastern North Carolina, the
  Pasquotank River has come to the attention of the
  locals such as ourselves. (Camden, Currituck, and
  of course, Elizabeth City).
• The Pasquotank River is approximately 145 miles
  long and varies from 10 to 50 miles wide.

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The Problem

• The Pasquotank River is becoming contaminated by
  numerous amounts of pollutants.
• The main contaminant happens to be Sewage Dumping
  (toxic waste). It is affecting the water quality
  negatively such as polluting the water by killing
  the rivers aquatic life because is includes
  bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

4
Effects

• Sewage prevents the sunlight from reaching the
  seafloor which results in low vegetation growth.
• It is affecting the water quality negatively such
  as polluting the water by killing the rivers
  aquatic life because it includes bacteria,
  viruses, and parasites.
• It can cause hepatitis, an infection of the
  liver, as well as an infection of rashes or cuts.

5
Our Solution

• To introduce oyster gardens into the Pasquotank
  River.
• Each adult oyster can filter up to 50-60 gallons
  of water a day.
• Oysters also provide food for the marine animals.
• In addition, oysters can add to the economy by
  providing jobs for oyster fisherman.

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How It Is Done

• Young oysters are taken from oyster hatcheries
  and placed in crates (1 cubic foot in size). A
  suggestion would be to tie the crates to the
  pillars under Pasquotank Bridge.
• Here the baby oysters have a chance in thriving
  and after they are about two years of age, they
  will be released into the River in order to
  filter the water.
• Oysters need a salinity range of at least .5 ppm
  and that is exactly what the Pasquotank River
  has.
• As a small fact, oysters can grow up to be 3 feet
  long.

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Conclusion

• We believe that if oysters are introduced into
  the Pasquotank River the water quality will
  improve, the economy will benefit, and marine
  life will increase.

8
Reflection

• We learned that the Pasquotank River is
  contaminated by sewage.
• The sewage can cause sickness in humans.
• Oysters do a lot more than provide food.
• This project was basically a very good learning
  experience in that we had to think and re-think.
• Each question led to another question like a
  chain reaction.