The Laurentian Great Lakes contain twenty percent of the worlds freshwater and due to recent human interaction they have become attacked by many Invasive species. In fact, there have been at least 162 unintentionally introduced species established in the Great Lakes (Vásárhelyi & Thomas, 2003). These species 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 …show more content…
This solution appears to be successful, although many would oppose to such a method as these chemicals could find their ways into fish and ultimately do just as much damage to the water as the invasive species themselves. These chemicals could also speed up the process of corrosion in the hulls as well as having chemicals onboard a ship could lead to possible HAZMAT situations which can be very costly and time consuming. A chemical that has been deemed as an effective treatment agent for ballast water is Hydrogen Peroxide. When used in low concentrations this chemical would kill plankton inside the ship but would not be harmful once released from the ship as it would be diluted among a greater amount of water (Kuzirian et al, 2001). Along with these chemicals, ozonation has been investigated as a plausible means for treating ballast water. This process requires no chemicals to be stored upon the ship, which would be favorable to the shipping companies. (Oemcke & Leeuwen, …show more content…
Heat treatment is a very viable option as not many changes would be necessary to the infrastructure of the ship. Short exposures at temperatures at or exceeding 40 C was an effective means of killing these species (Tsolaki & Diamadopoulos, 2010). “Passing the water through the pump increased the kill rate but increasing the temperature above 55 °C did not improve the heat treatment’s efficacy” (Quilez-Badia et. al, 2008). Waste heat created by the ships engines could be the most feasible means of treating this water. This water would also serve as a coolant for the engine, allowing the ships to accomplish two tasks with one fluid. An alternative heating treatment is that of a continuous microwave system. “Test results indicated that microwave treatment can be an effective tool for ballast water treatment, and current high treatment costs notwithstanding, this technique can be added as a supplemental technology to the palette of existing treatment methods” (Boldor et al,
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.
My second reason that we need to remove the zebra mussels
It is important to establish preventive measures because once 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 of these invasive species can also lead to enlightenment and boost control.
It’s hard to manage system when there are constant changes. A large change in Lake Michigan started about 25 years ago when Quagga Mussels got into the system. The bottom of the lake is now covered with them because the smooth surface and cold water is the ideal for habitat for quagga mussels to grow on. Quagga Mussels can filter up to four liters water per day.
The Asian Carp Response in the Midwest states: “The presence of Asian carp in the Great Lakes could cause declines in abundances of native fish species. Asian carp will compete with native fish for food—native fish like cisco's, bloaters, and yellow perch, which in turn are fed upon by predator species including lake trout and walleye” (np). Another consequence is the poor quality of water that carp cause when they enter into new waters. They are known to be responsible for the unpredictable and disastrous results in habitats. As stated by Hansen, M. “Asian carp are like zebra mussels, which also prey on the base of aquatic food webs, and can thereby reorganize nutrient and energy flow with unpredictable consequences on native species” (np).
Drinking contaminated water can cause different types of cancers and also infertility and birth defects due to of the presence hazardous chemicals. Impoundments that have not been built or properly closed off have led to the death of many animals and also health issues in
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.
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 are one of the biggest issues affecting the great lakes.
Identify the problem: In a vast array of Michigan lakes, a crusty brown algae is spoiling the waters it comes into contact with. (Some lakes include Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and Lake Charlevoix). Pinpoint Causes of the Problem: From an undetermined source, groundwater nutrients nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are penetrating the lake at abnormal levels. However, a few leads have been suspected. These culprits include invasive mussels, heavy ice cover the last two years, residential and agricultural runoff, and outdated septic systems.
Grevy’s zebras are know to have very large heads and a rounder ear. The difference between Grevy’s zebras and other zebras is that their appearance look a little more closer to how a mule would look like. Also they are a lot taller than the other zebras. On their belly it is completely the color of white.
You will eventually heal both physical and emotional pain, so don’t stop trying until you reach a goal and dream in your life. In the story, Scholarship Jacket, by Marta Salinas, she teaches others how highly intelligent, 8th grader Martha learns the important lesson that you should not lose hope. The story, Zebra, by Chaim Potok talk about the life of a seventh grade boy named adam who does not give up on his dream when he learns the lesson that you should never give up. While some differences between Martha and Adam are evident, the similarities are pronounced through the use of motives, physical appearance, and other characters.
I researched Marine Mammal Center. They rehabilitate estranged animals to get their health up and release them back into the water. Since 1975, they have rescued and treated over 18,000 mammals. (according to Marine Mammal Center, 2015) Seventeen sea lions were poisoned on April 27, 2015.
Marine organisms are animals, plants, and other living things that live in the ocean. A Marine biologist is a scientist who studies marine organisms and studies the bodies, behavior, and the history of marine organisms. They also study how marine organisms interact with each other and their environment. I have chosen to research about Marine biology because I would like to learn about sea life, the ocean, and its surrounding environment. To start off, a Marine biologist might study coral, crabs, fish, microscopic marine organisms, sea stars, seaweed, squid, or whales.
Water Pollution is a huge environmental problem that has serious effects on marine habitats, animals, and water quality. BP1: The world's marine habitat has been getting worse because of how bad the pollution has gotten. “ Over 80% of marine pollution comes from land based activities “ (source 5 ). This quote explains how most of the water pollution is caused by human activity. “ Plastic litter does not degrade, can be expected to last in the oceans for hundreds of years “ ( source 6 ).
Disinfection Chemicals Introduction Water disinfection is removal, deactivation or elimination of pathogenic bacteria. Bacteria gets damaged or even deactivated, disabling reproduction. Disinfectants must not just eliminate bacteria. They must have residual effect. The disinfectant must not allow pathogenic bacteria to develop within the domestic plumbing after disinfection, causing water being decontaminated.