How does zebra mussels affect the environment

Zebra Mussel colony on the bottom of a lake. Zebra Mussels colonized on a native clam species. Zebra Mussels leave their Shells Behind. After zebra mussels die, the byssal threads which previously held them to whatever hard surface they were attached to release. This leads to many zebra mussel shells washing ashore—not only does it detract from the natural beauty of a river, sea, or lakeshore, but it is dangerous as well—the shells are sharp enough to cut your feet.

A beach shore covered in Zebra Mussel shells. Works Cited. Tammy Keniry, and J E. Department of the Interior. West Virginia. Currently, zebra mussels growing in water intake pipes are controlled by a few methods all chemical , each with ups and downs: 1. Works Cited 1. West Virginia University. One of the most damaging impacts of zebra mussels is that they filter out algae needed for food by native species. Beyond that ecosystem impact, that are several other ways zebra mussels negatively affect the environment they invade:.

Zebra mussels are not the only invasive species contributing to these problems, but they are one of the most rapidly spreading as they only take one year to mature.

All invasive species cause extensive economic, recreational, and ecological damage to Minnesota lakes and rivers. The good news is that not only can we prevent the spread, but zebra mussels can be removed. Waterfront Restoration offers two different zebra mussel extraction techniques :. For both of these types of extraction, we use specialized scraping tools to remove the mussels.

You can also use Zequanox , which is the only other way to get rid of zebra mussels besides scraping them off. You can remove the mussels by yourself, but it is a time-consuming and tedious process that is very difficult without the proper equipment. There is no permit requirement for removing them. However, permits are only required for transporting invasive mussels. The Waterfront Restoration removal process consists of removing weeds and rocks around the dock that the zebra mussels have attached to.

Using this method takes time, so we cannot extract mussels from very large areas, but this removal process works well for homeowners. The smaller the mussel, the more likely it is to be inadvertently transported. Although an adult mussel can survive for a week or more in a cool, moist, shaded area, smaller, juvenile mussels and larvae cannot survive out of water for as long.

Immature mussels die quite quickly when exposed to drying or the sun. Boats that have been in the water for more than 1 or 2 days in areas with zebra mussels may have mussels attached to their hulls, anchors and chains, trailers, equipment, and engine drive units. More often the mussels are found attached to the aquatic plants that have been snagged by props or drive units. These plant fragments are easily transported from waterbody to waterbody, and are a naturally moist and shaded environment in which mussels can remain alive.

The zebra mussel larvae can be inadvertently transported in live wells, in bilges, within the engine cooling systems, and in bait and collection buckets as well. Always examine a boat for adult zebra mussels immediately after exiting a body of water. Even if none are visible, cleanse the boat thoroughly with fresh water. Rinse the boat at the launch, taking care to clean the bottom and any crevices thoroughly. This will dislodge any mussels that may have settled on the boat.

If possible, let the boat dry out for a week as this should kill any of the remaining mussels. Vigorously rinse any gear that has come into contact with lake and river water prior to use elsewhere and always drain live wells before leaving the water. In Washington state all boats leaving a body of water must be free of aquatic weeds and other debris, otherwise risk being ticketed.

Hopefully, this important legislation comes in time to curtail the potential westward spread of zebra mussels and other invasive aquatic nuisance species.