West Islip Senior Analyzes Oyster Shells At Brookhaven Lab

Press release from the West Islip School District:

June 8, 2021

West Islip High School research student Gianna Pillitteri presented her research
paper, titled “Monitoring Environmental Changes Through the Lens of Oyster Shells From
the 1600s Through Today,” on May 17 at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s National
Synchrotron Light Source II and Center for Functional Nanomaterials Users’ Meeting. This
annual meeting provides scientists with the opportunity to share their work in synchrotron
radiation and nanoscale science research.

While participating in BNL’s Student Partnerships for Advanced Research and
Knowledge program, Pillitteri has been analyzing oyster shells from the 1600s, 1800s and
modern era donated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in
cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program Director Christopher
Pickerell. She analyzed the mineral content of the oyster shells using X-ray diffraction at
the X-ray Powder Diffraction beamline at the NSLS-II. She also used X-ray fluorescence
spectroscopy at the Tender Energy X-ray Spectroscopy beamline to identify light elements
present in the shells. Pillitteri's data analysis is ongoing, but so far she has found that the
older shells contain calcium phosphate, a mineral that is not present in the modern-day
shells.

“Congratulations to Gianna and her research teacher Mary Kroll for this amazing
accomplishment,” said Debbie Langone, West Islip’s director of science and engineering
technology.

This press release was produced by the West Islip School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.