April 30, 2025
Michael Kalinowski studies oyster sediment at UMCES' Horn Point Laboratory.
In celebration of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) centennial, the story of Michael Kalinowski’s research on oyster aquaculture reflects the intersection of engineering innovation and marine science. A third-year Ph.D. student at UMCES, Kalinowski is leveraging his industrial engineering background to solve a growing environmental challenge: the accumulation of toxic sulfides in oyster aquaculture sediments.
As Maryland’s oyster aquaculture industry grows, the challenge of managing patchy organic matter accumulation—largely composed of the partially degraded algae that oysters consume and excrete—becomes more pronounced. Organic-rich sediments accumulate below oyster cages and promote sulfide production. Sulfide is toxic to aquatic life and can slow other crucial processes, like denitrification, from taking place. As oyster aquaculture expands and intensifies, the buildup of sediment sulfide associated with oyster production may limit the ecosystem benefits of oyster farming and the broader aquatic ecosystem.
Enter Kalinowski’s research, which examines the efficacy of two bioelectrochemical tools designed to tackle sulfide accumulation in oyster farm sediment: microbial fuel cells (BMFC) and electrochemical snorkels. These tools have been shown to remove sulfide in fish aquaculture sediment and clean sediment exposed to oil spills. Both tools represent a proactive approach to managing sediment toxicity before it can cause significant harm.
Kalinowski, who previously worked as an industrial engineer at Boeing, has long been fascinated by the potential to apply engineering principles to environmental science. "I always enjoy a project that allows me to build something, test it and implement it," he explains. Kalinowski's journey into marine science came after a pivotal decision to leave the industrial engineering field and explore new possibilities in environmental research. With his engineering background, Kalinowski brought a fresh perspective to the problems facing Maryland’s growing oyster farms.
The research, conducted at UMCES’s Horn Point Laboratory in January 2024, began by simulating the conditions of an oyster farm. The sediment, taken from the laboratory’s oyster demonstration farm, was enriched with algae (Chlorella) to mimic the nutrient-rich environment created by young oysters. The sediment was then packed into core liners and incubated for 66 days, where four different treatments were tested: BMFC closed circuit, BMFC open circuit, electrochemical snorkels and no treatment as a control. Throughout the study, samples were collected and analyzed for sulfide removal and denitrification potential, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of each method.
Photo provided by Michael Kalinowski, UMCES/HPL.
The microbial fuel cells work by using carbon-based materials, like felt, that provide a surface for bacteria to colonize. When placed in the sediment, bacteria congregate to the fuel cell to accelerate sulfide removal, in turn creating an electrical current that helps restore healthier sediment conditions. Electrochemical snorkels, which are graphite rods placed in the mud, function similarly by stimulating bacterial activity to remove sulfide, but short-circuit the electrical current generated by bacterial metabolism. Both tools leverage the power of naturally occurring bacteria to address an environmental problem without the need for costly chemical treatments or invasive methods.
Through this innovative project, Kalinowski’s research has already yielded promising results. “Our research worked well in a controlled setting,” he notes, though the next phase involves analyzing the DNA of the sediment to better understand which bacteria are present and how they interact with both tools. Understanding the microbial community is critical to optimizing these bioelectrochemical treatments and ensuring their long-term success in the field.
Beyond his technical work, Kalinowski’s personal journey exemplifies the dynamic nature of interdisciplinary research. His shift from industrial engineering to marine science shows how engineers, scientists and researchers can work together to solve complex issues. The knowledge gained from his research will not only benefit Maryland’s oyster aquaculture industry, but it will also contribute to global efforts in sustainable aquaculture practices.
This work, and the commitment behind it, represents the spirit of UMCES: innovation, collaboration and a relentless pursuit of solutions to environmental challenges. The story of Michael Kalinowski is just one of many ways UMCES is shaping the future of environmental science in Maryland and beyond, marking a century of progress and looking ahead to the next 100 years of discovery.
