The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has investigated the use of mussel shell as an adsorbent
to remove dissolved chemical contaminants, particularly zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) from
stormwater. Existing stormwater treatment devices, such as sand filters and rain gardens,
typically use peat mixed with sand to provide adsorption of dissolved metal s and filtration of
particulate metals. Peat has the following disadvantages; 1) it degrades over time, 2) good
quality peat is a relatively expensive and scarce resource, and 3) peat is a non-renewable
resource.