Ackerman, J.D., C.M. Cottrell, C.R. Ethier, D.G. Allen, and J.K. Spelt, 1995. A Wall Jet to Measure the Attachment Strength of Zebra Mussels. University of Toronto

Reprinted from Canadian Journal of Aquatic Science (1995) 52: 126-135

A Wall Jet to Measure the Attachment Strength of Zebra Mussels

Abstract
A wall jet is presented as a novel means of measuring the attachment strength of zebra mussels. Attachment strength was inferred from a fluid detachment parameter (DP), defined as the nominal wall shear stress at the detachment site × mussel length ² . DP varied significantly on natural and artificial substrates: in tests with 288 Dreissena bugensis (~8-10 mm long), the mean (±SE) DP was 8.9 ± 0.9 mPa·m ² on limestone/dolomite, 5.6 ± 0.5 mPa·m ² on polyvinylchloride, 4.3 ± 0.4 mPa·m on stainless steel, 4.2 ± 0.5 mPa·m2 on aluminum, and 2.5 ± 0.3 mPa·m2 on polymethylmethacrylate (Plexiglas). The attachment strength of postlarval mussels (plantigrades; <1 mm) was two orders of magnitude less than adult mussels. These results were validated with conventional tensile loadings, in which 633 and 26 Dreissena polymorpha were pulled off substrates with a calibrated force scale. The tensile loadings results were comparable with those of marine bivalves. Good correlation between pull-off force and DP was observed. Information of this nature is useful for the implementation of environmentally benign zebra mussel controls.

Entire Paper
Contact: Josef Daniel Ackerman, Environmental Studies Programme, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9 Canada
Keywords: Zebra_mussel, Basic_biology, Byssal_attachment
Product Type: Research, Control
User Type: General