Article Photos: New York's new environmental 'hero' _ the oyster



In this Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012 photo, Allison Fitzgerald measures an oyster from a bed at Soundview Park in the Bronx borough of New York. Marine scientists, planners and government officials say millions of mollusks living in waters off New York and other cities could go a long way toward cleaning up America’s polluted urban environment. The lowly oyster and other shellfish can slurp up toxins and eliminate decades of dirt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

In this Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012 photo, Allison Fitzgerald measures an oyster from a bed at Soundview Park in the Bronx borough of New York. Marine scientists, planners and government officials say millions of mollusks living in waters off New York and other cities could go a long way toward cleaning up America’s polluted urban environment. The lowly oyster and other shellfish can slurp up toxins and eliminate decades of dirt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)