Effects of intermittent halogenation on settlement, survival and growth of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Abstract

The effect of intermittent (2–4 h/day) treatments with chlorine or bromine at levels of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/L (total residual oxidant) upon settling and growth of veliger larvae of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, was examined in two successive flow-through studies. The work was conducted in a field laboratory which received a constant supply of water from western Lake Erie. Veliger densities in the water at the field site peaked at 530/L, while mussel densities on settling monitors reached 147,100/m2 over the course of the two studies (early July to late September 1991). In Study 1, a 2-h daily treatment with 1.0 mg/L chlorine reduced mussel settling by 91% as compared with controls, although mussel densities of up to 6,000/m2 still occurred. Treatment with 0.5 mg/L chlorine for 4 h/day produced a similar reduction in mussel settling during the second study. Bromine was less effective than chlorine at reducing settling of veligers. Mussels which remained settled in the treatment tanks had growth rates similar to controls, reaching 2–4 mm in length over a 30-day period. The intermittent halogen treatments similarly had no effect on whole body glycogen levels or growth of adult D. polymorpha. The intermittent chlorination regime used may therefore delay, but would not prevent a mussel fouling problem.