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The
problems associated with this alien invader are many.
Probably the biggest concern is the environmental
impact the Zebra Mussel has on lake and river water
quality. Zebra Mussels spread rapidly and have a huge
appetite for microscopic plant and animal life As
these plankton are consumed, water clarity is increased
dramatically. Where this may at first appear to be
a good thing, increased water clarity allows sunlight
to deeper depths promoting more vegetative growth
changing the chemistry and ecology of the lake.
Then
there are the economic concerns of the Zebra Mussel.
It has long been known that these mollusks can attach
and cling to almost anything. The mussels hardy appetite
draws it to water intakes and outflows where there
is a virtual constant supply of food and oxygen. It
is these constant water flows that create the ideal
environment for the zebra mussels to become mature
adults, where they have been known to completely close
off large diameter water pipes to a mere trickle.
Zebra
Mussels start their life cycle as an egg, followed
by the larval stage called a veliger and finally they
grow into an adult mollusk averaging about the size
of a dime. The eggs and veligers range in size from
40 to 70 microns which is about half the diameter
of a human hair.
If
you obtain your domestic water from a lake or river
where the zebra mussel is present, you may want to
protect your intake system. The ZMD or Zebra Mussel
Defense System by AquaSource is a highly effective
barrier against all phases of the Zebra Mussel and
filters down to 20 Microns, well below the 40 micron
minimum requirement.
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