Zebra Mussels

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Zebra Mussels

• The Great Lakes Catastrophe

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• History of the Zebra Mussel Problem
• Medieval Age, Europe- Zebra Mussels infected
  their canal system
• 1985-86, U.S.- Believed to be brought over in
  ballast water on a transoceanic ship and
  discharged into Lake St. Clair
• 1988, Lake Erie- The first siting occurred

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• First believed that Zebra Mussels could only
  exist on hard surfaces, rocks and clams
• 1995 Zebra Mussels covered 2000 km2 of Lake Erie
  soft sediment
• Density ranges of 1500-32,00 mussels/meter2

Zebra Mussels overwhelming a shopping cart
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• Positives
• Water quality is 400 clearer since 1988
• Plant growth increased, creating new habitats
• Spaces between mussels create homes and provide
  fish egg protection
• New source of food for fish, ducks change
  migratory routes to find them
• Entrepreneurs enter zebra mussel defense industry

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• Negatives
• Competition for algae and zooplankton
• Limit growth and population of some fish
• Native clam beds wiped out
• Boaters pay for expensive measures to rid boats
  of mussels
• Toxic polluted sediment transferred up the food
  chain

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The Interagency Great Lakes Task Force
Recommendations

• Remove any visible vegetation that was
  accidentally removed and transported on a boat or
  trailer, since zebra mussels easily attach to
  aquatic vegetation
• Flush the engine cooling system, live wells and
  bilge with hot water and rinse any other areas
  that get wet during boat transport, water hotter
  than 110 F is known to kill the mussels
• Air dry the boat before using in uninfested water
  since zebra mussels can live up to 2 weeks out of
  water
• Examine equipment before re-use, if it feels
  gritty then young microscopic mussels may be
  attached
• Never re-use bait and empty your bait bucket on
  land, not in the water

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Potential Carriers of Zebra Mussels

• Plants and animals
• Fishing gear and bait bucket
• Water
• Scientific equipment
• Snorkeling and scuba gear
• Boats, trailers and related equipment

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Counter Attacks to Zebra Mussels by Environmental
Technologies Inc, Missouri

• Onboard Ballast Water Treatment using Ozone and
  Sonic Technology

• Plant-generated Steam injection into piping along
  with an in-line shredding device to allow zebra
  mussel particles passage

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The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and
Control Act

• Prevents unintentional introduction of
  nonindigenous species into waters of the United
  States
• Coordinates research and provides information
  regarding zebra mussels
• Develops environmentally sound control methods to
  prevent the introduction of nonindigenous species

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• Minimizes the economic and ecological impacts of
  nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species, including
  the zebra mussel
• Establishes a program of research and technology
  to assist in the management and removal of zebra
  mussels

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Is There Any Hope?