Invasive freshwater zebra mussels are a problem in many areas. They block structures such as water intake and water treatment pipelines in the process of rapid reproduction A new technology could help control their numbers and allow them to eat "eco-friendly poisons" disguised as food
Mussels eat by inhaling particles from the water, assessing their nutritional value, and then digesting those particles that are considered edible. The rejected particles bind to the mucus and are then discharged.
Under the leadership of professors David Aldridge and Geoff mogridge, a team at the University of Cambridge set out to develop zebra mussel killer particles that would not be rejected by mollusks. To do this, they referred to particles previously developed by Aldridge as a means of providing nutrition to cultured mussels.
These small spheres, called biobullets, are coated with fat, and their size, shape and surface texture are similar to other particles commonly eaten by algae, plankton, bacteria and mussels. Although biobullets originally intended for aquaculture contain vitamins, these newer biobullets encapsulate a combination of salts that are lethal to zebra mussels, but have no impact on native species.
Many of the particles are absorbed by zebra mussels and kill mollusks when they regularly pass through infested water pipes. The remaining uneaten biobullets will dissolve in water within a few hours, releasing their salts, which are said to be harmless to the environment.
The technology is currently being tested in seven water companies in the UK with good results. According to one of the companies, using biobullets is 69% cheaper than the traditional less environmentally friendly zebra mussel control method, which involves long-term flushing of water pipes with chlorine.
Scientists are now working to make these particles smaller and more toxic, which should reduce the amount needed.
"As climate change promotes the continued spread of invasive species, mussel biological pollution may get worse where we already have it and begin to appear in new locations. Therefore, it is more critical to have these different tools to deal with this problem," Aldridge said