Attachment Strength of Zebra Mussels on Natural, Polymeric, and Metallic Materials

Abstract

Zebra mussel ( Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis ) fouling has increased operating and maintenance costs for marine and industrial facilities. An understanding of zebra mussel attachment strength on various substrates of different surface roughness is useful for the development of control strategies. Mussel attachment strength was inferred directly through tensile loading experiments using a calibrated force scale, and indirectly through fluid detachment using a wall jet. The results of both techniques were consistent and yielded statistically significant differences for different substrate types (natural ≥ metallic > polymeric). Attachment varied significantly with material ( P < 0.01) and with surface roughness within a material ( P < 0.05). The lowest attachment strengths were measured on (in increasing order of attachment strength) smooth polytetrafluoroethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, and aluminum. The strongest attachment was measured on rough limestone/dolomite cobble, and mild steel of all roughnesses. Zebra mussel attachment strength was intermediate on, marine concrete, marine plywood, polyvinylchloride, stainless steel, and coal tar epoxy coated mild steel. These results provide preliminary design guidelines for the control of zebra mussels.