Bachelor Assignment

This assignment investigated the feasibility of using PH-X, a biodegradable biopolymer composite produced from bacteria found in waste water streams, coated with BESE-reef paste, a material designed to attract European Flat Oyster Larvae, to support the restoration of oyster reefs in the North Sea, particularly within offshore windfarms. The research focused on understanding the adhesion between PH-X and BESE-reef paste and assessing their combined potential to withstand the challenging marine environment. Although an ideal combination of natural additives and mechanical interlocking was found to enhance adhesion, the swelling behaviour of PH-X caused shear stress that compromised structural integrity. The final outcome led to the development of a framework to guide further product development, allowing for informed decisions on refining or adapting PH-X for other ecological restoration applications.