According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, zebra mussels were discovered in four central lakes and a series of mine pits. It seems that the discoveries were made by swimmers and divers, who announced the authorities. The DNR is advising all people who are using the lakes to pay attention to their gear and clean it very well before leaving the water or moving from pit to pit.
- More zebra mussels were discovered in four central lakes in Minnesota.
- They are a major threat as they eat algae, which is eaten mostly by fishes. Moreover, they are able to grow and black pipelines built for our water supply.
However, things are not bad as they may seem. According to Ann Pierce, section manager at the DNR, while any new infestation was serious, it was important to note that more than 98 percent of Minnesota lakes are not infested with zebra mussels. If we want not to worry about a thing, we should work to keep it this way and pay more attention so clean your boat and drain all water that could be transported during your trip. The DNR is making sure that the laws are respected and there have been more decontamination units than ever before.
The zebra mussel is a freshwater mussel that was first found in Russia. It has been introduced, by mistake, in many other areas and it has become an invasive species. Why is it dangerous for the environment? Well, they eat the algae that are food for fish. So in order for the fish not to starve, zebra mussels must disappear.
They can be found covering the undersides of docks or boats. They can grow so much that they are able to block pipelines so our water supply would be in danger too. Moreover, they are responsible for the death of thousands of births in North America. Their only advantage is that they are efficient at filtering water while accumulating pollutants and toxins. However, there are so many disadvantages that we should be against zebra mussels.
What should we do in order to avoid zebra mussels? There are several methods such as adding oxidants, heat or mechanical removal. Scientists are working on finding more ways to get this danger out of our lakes. Meanwhile, pay attention to the infested areas in Minnesota and let the authorities know if you find any more lakes with zebra mussels. They can do great danger to our ecosystems and also be a threat to our water supply.
Image source: Flickr.com
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