Potential for Selective, Controlled Biofouling by Dreissena Species to Intercept Pollutants from Industrial Effluents

Dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) are typically cited as troublesome invasive biofoulers, but their high productivity and filtration capacity offer promise for water quality management. Described here is a design that has evaluated the potential for flow-through mussel filters to clear bioavailable contamination from effluents before discharge. Fine resuspended natural sediments (to which many pollutants readily adsorb) were intercepted by a cascading series of three 16 l filters with a residence time of less than 10 mintank^{m 1}. The inexpensive design cleared up to 96% of suspended particles, and allowed removal of mussels and pseudofaeces as needed. More than 80% of particle interception resulted from mussel filtering, with little attributed to blockage by the apparatus and/or mussel shells. Scale-up, treatment and disposal of by-products, and practical filter applications are recommended.

Keywords:

• Biofiltration
• Dreissena
• Particulates
• Contaminants