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Re: Zebra Mussels
In a message dated 10/29/99 2:53:52 AM Central Daylight Time,
Aquatic-Plants-Owner at actwin_com writes:
<< Don't forget the positive effect they have had on the Great Lakes by
cleaning up the water and allowing plants to become re-established. They
have also been investigated as increasing the populations of walleye and
perch by cleaning up their spawning beds. Everyone insists on heralding them
as the poster child of how man is destroying everything even though the ship
ballast introduction theory is just that. >>
Well that can be argued, positive effects !!!!!. They have cleared up the
water considerably. This has allowed the sun to penetrate deeper into the
less murky water. We just had a Peel Water Tech. at one of our aquarium club
meetings and it is interesting what effect clearer water has had on lake
Ontario.
The mean summer temperature of the lake prior to 5 years ago never reached
above 14 C. in the last 5 years the high has been 22 C.. This has created a
warmer environment and has allowed the blooming of blue green algae. For
close to 2 months in the year when they die off, the lake and surroundings
smell, and also the drinking water has a stench comparable to a aquarium gone
bad , with a taste to match. Supposedly thanks to the zebra mussels cleaning
the water.
THe cooling down of the lake takes much longer also, I am not complaining
because I like the warmer winters, but what is the overall effect of this ?
The costs of getting rid of this smell and taste is in the 10' s of millions.
The cost of unclocking of the pipes due to Zebra Mussels is also in the
millions.
I as a tax payer would rather be paying less tax not more, I want my water to
taste OK and not stink.
Not to mention what the effect of these blue green algae growths have on
water being used for water changes in our tanks. I had some funny stuff
growing in mine this summer.
Zebra Mussels get rid of them, perferably not by flushing them.
Every one of your good points has a negative side to it also.
Regards,
John