Post on 21-Dec-2015
Zebra Mussel Invasion of the Great Lakes
By Leslie Zaikis, Rachel Sullivan and Heather
Chirco
• Finger-nail sized mussels
• Native to Asia• Recently brought to North America from Europe
• First found in Lake St. Clair
• Invasion has had many effects
Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview
What is a zebra What is a zebra mussel?mussel?
History of the History of the InvasionInvasion
Positive EffectsPositive Effects Negative EffectsNegative Effects Methods of Methods of ControlControl
FutureFuture
What is a zebra mussel?
• Dreissena polymorpha• Striped shell pattern• Size of a thumb-nail• Attach to almost any
hard surface• Temperate, freshwater
species• Found 2-7 meters deep
What is a zebra mussel?What is a zebra mussel?• Extraordinary ability to reproduceExtraordinary ability to reproduce
– Can lay over 1 million eggs in a seasonCan lay over 1 million eggs in a season– Spawning catalyzed by temperature and Spawning catalyzed by temperature and foodfood
• Natural biofiltersNatural biofilters– Have the ability to remove excess algae Have the ability to remove excess algae and restore bodies of waterand restore bodies of water
– 1 zebra mussel can filter 1 liter of 1 zebra mussel can filter 1 liter of water per daywater per day
– However, tissues absorb contaminants in However, tissues absorb contaminants in the waterthe water
History of the Invasion
Originally from the Caspian and Black Seas in Asia
Brought from Europe from Ballast Water in ships
First spotted in Lake St. Clair between 1986 and 1988
History of the Invasion
The Spread of Zebra Mussels
Year Body of Water
1988 Lake St. Clair
1989 Lake Michigan
1990 All Great Lakes
1991 Illinois River
1999 Independence Grove Lake
2001 Lake County Forest Preserve, Sterling Lake
2001/2002 Fox Chain-O-Lakes, Gages Lake, Lake Zurich, West Loon Lake, Lake Minear, Tower Lake
2003 Bangs Lake, Cedar Lake, Third Lake
2004 Druce Lake, East Loon LakeZebra mussel spread Mid 1980s 1997
Positive Effects
Clear water by filtering algae
– Increases growth of aquatic plants Increase lake floor biodiversity Create a new food source for many native fish, birds, and
other animals Monitor water contamination levels
Negative EffectsNegative Effects
Clog water-intake pipesClog water-intake pipes– expensive to removeexpensive to remove
Negatively affect Negatively affect tourismtourism– Cut swimmers’ feetCut swimmers’ feet– Alter taste of drinking Alter taste of drinking waterwater
Negative Effects
Reduce energy available in the food web
Reduce many native fish populations
Caused the near extinction of some native clam species
Methods of Control Most scientists believe
total eradication is impossible
Most popular and effective = chlorine treatments• Harms the surrounding
environment
• Extensive cleanup efforts required
• Can form dangerous carcinogens
Methods of Control Other chemical molluscicides
Trace amounts of potassium Also very dangerous to surrounding species Often more toxic to fish than mussels
Natural Predation 176 natural predator species, especially birds and
fish Diving ducks in Europe Competitive displacement
Methods of Control• Manual Removal
– High pressure wash, pipe cleaning
– Mussels can come back the next year
• Many other methods have been tried– Thermal changes– Acoustical vibration– Desiccation– Ultraviolet light– Electrical current filters
FutureFuture
We think best method = learn to live with We think best method = learn to live with musselsmusselsOther methods are invasive and harmful to Other methods are invasive and harmful to the environmentthe environmentWill be expensive, up to 5 billion in next 10 Will be expensive, up to 5 billion in next 10 yearsyears– However, long term benefits will outweigh short However, long term benefits will outweigh short
term costs, and infrastructure can be used for term costs, and infrastructure can be used for many years in futuremany years in future
In Europe, successfully accommodated the In Europe, successfully accommodated the musselsmussels
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(1995). Effects of the zebra mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha Pallas) on protozoa and phytoplankton from Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Great Lakes Resources, 21(4), 545-557.
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