Abstract:
The freshwater bivalve mollusk, Dreissena polymorpha -- better known as the Zebra Mussel, since its introduction into the Great Lakes in 1985 has been quickly spreading throughout the waterways of both the United States and Canada causing serious economic and environmental consequences. The present study has been directed toward developing acoustic techniques to control Zebra Mussel infestation in various water intake and storage facilities. The effects of ultrasonic and hydrodynamic cavitation, low-frequency sound and vibration on various life stage mussels (from eggs and larvae to adults) have been studied. It was found that cavitation can be used as a control measure for Zebra Mussel veligers. The efficiency of the ultrasonic and hydrodynamic cavitation treatments were measured as an output energy rate to achieve 100% mortality. Laboratory experiments demonstrated the effective use of low-frequency waterborne sound to prevent Zebra Mussels from settling and translocating and to reduce reproduction abilities of mussels. [This work has been supported by Grant No. NA26RG0403-01 from the NOAA to the Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey Sea Grant College Program.]