Zebra

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Cottagers and homeowners using surface waters within Ontario are finding that Zebra Mussels have changed the nature and rules of plumbing. Zebra mussels attach themselves to solid surfaces and grow, bread and multiply rapidly where there is water movement to assist feeding. These mussels will rapidly clog foot valves and the inside of the 1 to 2" water pipe leading in from the lake or river.

Zebra mussels have several life stages:

Egg - an average female can produce from 30-40,000 eggs per season.
Veliger Stage - Several hours after fertilization the larvae, known as veligers, emerge.
- Preshell Larva - the shell has not formed yet.
- Veliger Stage - The Velum the organelle used for feeding and swimming develops
- Straight-hinged Larva - the shell encloses the internal organs.
- Ilmbonal Larva - the shell is no longer transparent anymore.
Post-Veliger Stage - time after the velum has finished developing.
- Pediveliger - has foot to help it move. The shell is thicker and whiter.
- Planti grade - the last stage as a larva. The shell is not round; it has elongated. The siphons form. Siphons are holes for excretion and respiration.
Juvenile - the zebra mussel has finished making organs, gills, and siphons. It is now a juvenile and will be an adult when it can reproduce. It has also made byssal threads to attach itself to things.
Adult - becomes an adult when it is sexually mature and will live to about 3 years in the Great Lakes.

Filtration:

To avoid problems within the water supply system, filtration must be at input. Special foot valves, and sand filtration systems and bag-filtration are techniques successfully used to mechanically filter the veligers (70 Microns upon hatching) and prevent juveniles from entering the system. Chlorination can also be used successfully but it is almost impossible to protect the intake system with chlorination.

Additional Reading

For further information about zebra mussels, their history of invasion and life cycle and other facts follow the links below:

Their the & their veligers Zebra mussel veligers are approximately 70 microns in size upon hatching.

The Georgian Bay Association has conducted a study evaluating water filtration equipment for cottagers. They also have some good Zebra Mussel facts and Links.

Marist College provides this pamphlet on zebra mussels. http://library.marist.edu/diglib/envsci/archives/alienspe/glseagrant/zebramusselscontent.htm

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