The introduction and rapid spread of the zebra mussel in North American waters has caused great concern among industrial and recreational users of these waters. This bivalve mollusk is a biofouler that attaches to any firm substrate (e.g. rocks, piers, water intake pipes, boat hulls) and has already created significant problems for raw water users such as water treatment plants and power plants.
Zebra Mussels: Biology, Impacts and Control provides essential information regarding the biology of the zebra mussel in North America and Europe, presents case studies of environmental and industrial impacts, and outlines control strategies. Summary articles detail its life history, origins, and morphology. The book also examines techniques used to culture and maintain this organism in the laboratory. Thirty-two color plates illustrate some of the dramatic problems created by the explosive population growth of this species.
Zebra Mussels: Biology, Impacts, and Control is an important resource for ecologists, conservationists, environmental consultants, water quality engineers, regulatory officials, power utilities, and libraries.
Thomas F. Nalepa is Research Biologist at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, NOAA, Ann Arbor, Michigan. His research interests include long-term trends in benthic communities, role of benthic invertebrates in the cycling of contaminants and nutrients, and trophic interactions between benthic communities and the upper food web. Don W. Schloesser is affiliated with the USGS Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan.