What are the environmental and economic problems associated with zebra mussels? What are some methods that are being used to control them?
The environmental problems associated with zebra mussels are:
1. Due to coating of lakebeds by these mussels and using up most of the nutrients, the aquatic ecosystem is disturbed.
2. The zebra mussels clears out most of phytoplanktons from the water ecosystem disturbing the production of oxygen in the water as well as disturbing the organisms feeding on the phytoplanktons.
3. Due to clearing of phytoplanktons, aquatic plants such as cladophora grows. When this plants die and decays, the oxygen concentration of water decreases and this causes growth of anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria produces toxins that causes botulism. This theory is given by Waller.
The economic problems associated with Zebra mussels are:
1. Due to invasiveness of zebra mussels, native mussels are dying out. This causes a loss in economy related to native mussels.
2. Zebra mussels coats the inside of water pipes which makes it difficult for water treatment plants, power plants and other other industry that pulls out water of the lakes through the pipes.
3. Due to invasiveness of zebra mussels, it is harder to spawn fishes in natural water bodies causing a damage to fishing industry.
4. The zebra mussels shells litters the beach. These deceases the beauty and attraction of beaches causing harm to tourism industry.
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