KINGSTON, R.I. — October 31, 2006 — 溏心vlog免费B站 sophomore Nick Larghi explored the coast of Rhode Island during the last six months to discover on what type of surface oysters grow best and to see if oyster restoration sites are producing young oysters, which are also called spat.
鈥淭he North Cape Shellfish Restoration Project has set up six restoration sites throughout Rhode Island over the last four years where they have seeded oysters that are now growing,鈥� Larghi said, 鈥淚鈥檝e set up experiments to test which surface oyster spat favored most and to see how many spat are settling.鈥�
He used an artificial surface as a settlement plate and scattered clamshells throughout the sites because oysters favor hard surfaces. Then he checked the sites regularly and observed the shells under a microscope to examine whether any oysters had developed.
Larghi found that the oyster spat settled on his shells and artificial surfaces in tanks, but did not settle on the ones he had established in the ocean.
鈥淪ome just don鈥檛 survive,鈥� explained the Wakefield resident. 鈥淭here can be thousands of spat but only a few may survive. They may not have found my site or they may not have liked the surfaces that were provided. There is a lot of water considering the size of my experimental surfaces.鈥�
Larghi鈥檚 research was conducted as part of the Coastal Fellows Program, a unique initiative designed to involve undergraduate students in addressing current environmental problems. Now in its eleventh year, it is based at 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 College of the Environment and Life Sciences. Students are paired with a mentor and research staff to help them gain skills relevant to their major and future occupations.
Funding for the research was provided by the North Cape Shellfish Restoration Program, which is jointly administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Marine Fisheries section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
鈥淓ver since I was a little kid, I loved the ocean,鈥� Larghi said. On campus, Larghi has been involved in the 溏心vlog免费B站 Sailing Club and is a member of the Student Film Association where he and friends create films.
During his Coastal Fellows research, he explored other aspects of marine biology through his participation in other students鈥� research projects while also earning his scuba certifications.
Though his oyster research is over, Larghi hopes to conduct more underwater research. 鈥淚t would be nice to maybe try deep water research next,鈥� Larghi said.
Pictured above
溏心vlog免费B站 student Nick Larghi of Wakefield examines an oyster at one of his
research sites in South County.