Use of Emersion as a Zebra Mussel Control Method
Abstract
Data are presented indicating that dewatering of fouled structures or source water drawdown is potentially efficacious for zebra mussel control. These strategies can expose mussels to lethal desiccation or freezing. Zebra mussels survive emersion < 3 days at temperatures greater than or equal 25 deg C (77 deg F) regardless of relative humidity (RH). However, as emersion tolerance increases exponentially with decreasing temperature and increasing RH, dewatering or drawdown is best applied during warm, dry summer months. Emersion tolerance was greatly reduced (LT1OO < 10-40 hr) (estimated time for 99.9 percent sample mortality) at a lethal temperature of 35 deg C (95 deg F), which suggested that injection of heated air into dewatered structures would increase the mortality rate among emersed mussels. Freezing temperatures greater than or equal-3 deg C (27 deg F) caused rapid mussel mortality (LT100 greater than or equal 24 hr); thus, dewatering of mussel fouled structures when air temperatures are subfreezing shows promise as a mussel-fouling control strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA267665
Entities
People
- Michael F Clarke
- Robert F. Mcmahon
- Thomas A. Ussery
Organizations
- University of Texas at Arlington