The document summarizes a study being conducted by the DEP on using ribbed mussels to improve water quality in Jamaica Bay. It discusses: 1) A literature review finding ribbed mussels can filter particles and bacteria from water; 2) Microcosm experiments confirming mussels effectively filter pathogens and their filtration is only temporarily impacted by low salinity; 3) Ongoing mesocosm experiments at a larger scale to test mussel densities and responses to bacteria and freshwater pulses; 4) Plans for an in-situ pilot study deploying 75,000 mussels in Jamaica Bay to monitor their ability to naturally recruit and improve water quality.