Effects of invasive zebra mussels on phytoplankton, turbidity, and dissolved nutrients in reservoirs

Abstract

Few experiments have quantified the effects of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on man-made reservoirs relative to other aquatic habitats. Reservoirs, however, are the dominate water body type in many of the states that are at the current front of the zebra mussel invasion into the western United States. The objective of this research, therefore, was to determine how zebra mussels affected phytoplankton, turbidity, and dissolved nutrients in water that was collected from three Kansas reservoirs that varied in trophic state (mesotrophic to hypereutrophic), but all experienced frequent cyanobacterial blooms. Laboratory mesocosm experiments were conducted to document the effects of zebra mussels on cyanobacteria and general water quality characteristics in the reservoir water. Zebra mussels significantly reduced algal biomass, and the total biovolume of cyanobacteria (communities were dominated by Anabaena) in each reservoir experiment. The effects of zebra mussels on other major algal groups (diatoms, flagellates, and green algae) and algal diversity were less consistent and varied between the three reservoir experiments. Similarly, the effects of zebra mussels on nutrient concentrations varied between experiments. Zebra mussels increased dissolved phosphorus concentrations in two of the reservoir experiments, but there was no effect of zebra mussels on dissolved phosphorus in the mesotrophic reservoir experiment. Combined, our results strongly suggest that zebra mussels have the potential to significantly impact reservoirs as they continue to expand throughout the western United States. Moreover, the magnitude of these effects may be context dependent and vary depending on the trophic state and/or resident phytoplankton communities of individual reservoirs as has similarly been reported for natural lakes.

Understanding cyanobacteria‐zooplankton interactions in a more eutrophic world

“…Dreissenids generally lead to a decline in phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass, whereas macrophytes and littoral zoobenthos increase (Higgins & Vander Zanden, ). Experiments have shown that the mussels might graze down cyanobacteria with their relatively large filtering capacity (Dionisio Pires et al ., ; Kirsch & Dzialowski, ). However, filtration of Dreissena on Microcystis ceased above a colony size threshold (White & Sarnelle, ).…”

Harnessing Synthetic Ecology for commercial algae production

“…The zebra mussel is a prolific invasive bivalve, originating from the Black, Caspian and Azov Sea regions of central and eastern Europe. Several studies have focused on assessing the impact of the zebra mussel in its invaded range on existing algal communities 4–7 . A single zebra mussel filters approximately two litres of water per day 8 and significantly reduces the total biovolume of cyanobacteria in reservoir mesocosm experiments 7 .…”

“…Several studies have focused on assessing the impact of the zebra mussel in its invaded range on existing algal communities 4–7 . A single zebra mussel filters approximately two litres of water per day 8 and significantly reduces the total biovolume of cyanobacteria in reservoir mesocosm experiments 7 . Additionally, Smith et al ., (1998) measured a shift in dominance from cyanobacterial to diatom species when analysing changes in the cell density and taxonomic composition of phytoplankton assemblages in the freshwater portion of the Hudson River before and after the successful invasion of zebra mussels 5 .…”

Key Nutriments Persistence with Various Loading of Phosphorus Pollution in Cihu Lake, China

“…Researches for the phenomenon called hysteresis recently invoked marvelous, which even if the nutrient load to the lake is strongly reduced it could not recover its original clear state(Marten Scheffer & Nes, 2007). Lake sediments with higher TP will lead high P release and flux rate compared to sediments with low TP (Das et al, 2012).Sediment in shallow lake influence the water quality via perplexing mechanism, in which the benthic algae and sunshine may make a important role (Zhang et al, 2012;Kirsch & Dzialowski, 2012).Soluble reactive P and particulate P could be removed effectively from the shallow lake water or wetland with varying plant communities (Gu & Dreschel, 2008). Dredging looks like the available method to clarify eutrophic lake water for some peoples.…”