A single adult oyster can filter up to 190 litres of water per day.

Oysters play a powerful, underappreciated role in cleaning and balancing coastal waters. Acting as natural biofilters, oysters draw in large volumes of seawater to feed and in doing so, remove suspended particles, organic matter, excess nutrients and harmful contaminants from the water column.

As filter feeders, oysters actively pump water through their gills, extracting microscopic algae (phytoplankton) and other particles for nutrition.

Once filtered, cleaner water is released back into the surrounding ecosystem. In densely populated reefs, the cumulative impact is immense - improving water clarity, promoting the growth of seagrasses and corals and increasing light penetration throughout the ecosystem.

This process also removes nitrogen compounds, which, in excess, can fuel harmful algal blooms and dead zones.

How It Works

Filter Feeding: Oysters pump water into their bodies through their siphons.

Mucus Coating: The gills are lined with a layer of mucus.

Trapping Particles: As water flows over the gills, tiny particles like plankton, algae, and other organic matter become trapped in the mucus.

Particle Transport: The oyster then moves these trapped particles to its mouth, where they are ingested and passed to the stomach for digestion.

Water Purification: This entire process helps to remove particles and other substances from the water, contributing to cleaner water conditions.

Nature's Living Water Filter