THE ZEBRA MUSSEL INCIDENT The Zebra Mussel Incident Zebra Mussels are an invasive species which now dominate the Great Lakes region, they were introduced in the 1980’s and ever since then their quantities have increased dramatically. Since the time they arrived they have caused many problems including problems in the ecosystem and with the economy. Human’s have been trying ever since their arrival to eliminate or reduce their quantities but not much progress has been made. Right now Zebra Mussels
economic and environmental harm”. A example of Invasive species would be the Zebra Mussel. Zebra Mussels or also known as Dreissena polymorpha is a small freshwater mussel. The Zebra Mussels can live up to three-nine years which can grow up to 2 inches. These mussels attach to hard surfaces such as rocks or boats. They were first introduced to the Great lakes in 1988 but were originally from Russian and Ukraine lakes. The Zebra Mussels were first found in Lake St. Claire (one of the 5 great lakes) which
At first glance of a Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha), the description “invasive species” might not come to mind. Zebra mussels look like harmless shellfish, but they can actually cause more harm than good because they are not indigenous to the United States. In particular, the niche filled by zebra mussels has an environmental impact on the Colorado River. Zebra mussels upset the balance of marine biology. Zebra mussel fertilization occurs in water columns—the area from surface to sediment of
Zebra mussels, originally from the Caspian Sea, were introduced to the U.S. Great Lakes region in 1988, and have inhabited our lakes and streams ever since (Ballaro and Morley 1). After just a few years, an entire lake or stream can be taken over by zebra mussels or other invasive species. In recent years, zebra mussels have found their way to many of our Minnesota lakes along with Eurasian milfoil. Our environment has been both negatively and positively changed by invasive species. This paper will
MUSSEL INVASION MUSSEL INVASION Zebra mussel is a striped mussel that has shown up in place like the Hudson river. zebra mussel came from the southern lakes of Russia and Ukraine. It “accidentally” went to other places like the Hudson river and became an invasive species and might be a worldwide problem. In the Hudson river the present of phytoplankton has drop by 80 percent. Scientists believe that this is because the phytoplankton is being eaten by the Zebra mussel. This causes the zooplankton
great lakes there are an outstanding, 185 non-native species entering and altering our ecosytems. One of the most influential invaders is the Zebra mussel. These small, sharp-shelled mussels are believed to have come from ships from Europe in the late 1980s. The mussels grow up to 15mm in size and are striped, hence their name Zebra Mussel. The reason zebra mussels are so prominent within Canada’s waterways is because they easily go undetected, therefore when found, it is usually too late. This is because
Hudson river. Have you ever seen a zebra mussel. Or even let alone heard of these kinds of creatures. Well let me tell you exactly what is going on in the Hudson river. It’s also very sad as well because entire ecosystem is going down with the recent crazy population of the mussels. Zebra mussels started to show up in the Hudson river in may 1991. Scientists estimated there size in numbers and it turned out to be a whopping 500 billion. That is a lot of mussels in one river. This might sound crazy
know that zebra mussels cost the economy 5 billion dollars a year? 5 billion!? The zebra mussels are an invasive species that came from Europe to the states. They attached to boats and traveled there. Zebra mussels are a big problem because they cost the economy lots of money, eat up almost all of the plankton, and they hurt aquatic life. My first reason we should rid of the zebra mussel is because they cost the economy lots of money. According to the article Zebra Mussels by MNDNR, “Zebra mussels
In May 1991, zebra mussels were found in the Hudson River. 500 billion of these mussels were found in the course of a year. They looked seemingly harmless, but over time these mussels became a sort of threat. They were destroying the microscopic animals in the river. On the other hand, they also help out by a ton. Here is how the zebra mussels destroyed and helped the river. Zebra mussels are small, bivalve mussels originally from the lakes and rivers located in Eastern Europe and in the western
have caused numerous economic and environmental problems. Moreover, “invasive species control costs the Great Lakes Basin an estimated 5.7 billion dollars a year” (Pimentel, 2005). The mass spreading of Zebra Mussels, which are an invasive species, have contributed to these problems. “Zebra mussels have affected surface water-dependent electric power generation and drinking water treatment facilities since their arrival in North America
An example of this species is an Zebra Mussels. Zebra mussels are invasive can kill native freshwater mussels in two ways the attachment to the shells of native species can kill them. Another way these species can outcompete native mussels and other filter feeding invertebrates for food. Zebra mussels are from Eastern Europe and Russia. They were brought over to the great lakes in ships. The population of zebra mussels were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988. Scientifically
Other invasive species may not destroy the habitat, but it can have an impact by killing large numbers of other species. Burmese pythons, for example, are top predators in the Everglades. As such, they have local mammal and bird populations. They are capable of consuming deer and even alligators, these creatures eat virtually any animal they encounter in the Everglades. A number of threatened and endangered bird species have also been found in the digestive tracts of pythons, prompting concern that
Then attached them to the bottoms of boats carried over into the great lakes. Which then spread all around the waters of the Great Lakes. Zebra mussels are a problem because they filter water, up to a liter per day, to eat the plankton. Since the zebra mussels eat a lot of plankton, they compete with fish for food. They also clog pipes by forming colonies inside of the pipes. Then the water cannot flow through the pipes as easily. These invasive
They are silent killers, living in backyards, parks and neighborhoods all across the world. They specialize in crowding out, choking, and killing native residents to the point where they rule over the land. The prevention and elimination of these species cost billions of dollars to the United States each year. Our commercial, agricultural, and recreational activities depend on the execution of these visitors. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, these killers go by a less potent
present invasive species are hard to eliminate and also cost a lot of money. An example is law passed by Canada and the United States in 2006 which requires ships to treat and flush its ballast water before discharge, this aid in the control of zebra mussel. Electric barriers are also being used in Romeoville, Illinoi to control Asian carp and restrict them from swimming to Lake Michigan. In Ontario the possession and sale of several invasive fish is prohibited. Educating people about the impacts
example of an invasive species is a zebra mussel. Zebra mussels were first discovered in 1988, in North America. Most scientists believe that they came to the Great Lakes on a cargo ship, specifically from ballast water, which is water that is carried in ships’ tanks to improve stability and balance. When ships use ballast water, plant and animals that live in the water are also picked up. These tiny shellfish spread rapidly around the area. However, zebra mussels have a negative effect on the environment
intrusive species becomes over the period on the attack the supporting species, for example, Zooplankton and Phytoplankton are gradually drained to a state of close termination. Cladophora Biomass levels ascend in direct connection to the ascent in mussel populace. Producing fish and lake Trout populace which are in rivalry with the obtrusive species are influenced by rivalry for sustenance and result with declining populaces. The Lab additionally uncovers that once the intrusive species is seriously
BYE BYE GREAT LAKES I am Dr. Hannah Romanik from Chicago, Illinois. I am a scientist studying the topic of the Great Lakes’ health. Pollution, invasive species, and habitat loss are issues facing the Great Lakes and places around it. Clearly, pollution is still a huge problem facing the Great Lakes ecosystem. Chemicals from agricultural uses get in the lakes. The fish digest the chemicals; we catch and eat the fish. Therefore, we have the toxins in our body and eventually die. Also, cleaning
Invasive Species Invasive, alien species, those which colonise, expand and out compete native species (Smith & Smith, 2009), are a major threat to our habitats, terrestrial and aquatic species, and biodiversity. Agricultural and leisure industries are affected as well as conservation welfare and the continued wellbeing of man, flora and fauna. Whole ecosystems can be distorted and the economic cost of awareness, prevention and eradication systems is substantial. Most invasive species have been
In this quotation, taken from the last paragraph of Postcards from Paradise by Ann Dowsett Johnston, the author describes her childhood experiences at the cottage in her summers and reiterates what cottaging means to her. This excerpt takes place after Johnston describes the end of each of her summers as a child. Through this quotation, Johnston develops the mood of the essay using imagery and diction. The mood that Johnston creates is warm and nostalgic. By detailing her experiences “[l]earning