Location
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Science and Education Building
Start Date
9-8-2011 10:15 AM
End Date
9-8-2011 12:00 PM
Description
Quagga Mussels, Dressenia bugensis, are a growing problem in the western United States, particularly in their ability to infest underwater infrastructures and clog water intake pipes and screens of power and treatment plants. Chlorine has been found to be the most effective chemical to get rid of veligers (planktonic larval form of quagga mussels) in the pipes. However, chlorine leaves a residue called trihalomethane, which is a carcinogen at higher concentrations. The purpose of this project is to test the effectiveness of an alternate chemical, chloramines (chlorine and ammonia), which leaves behind little to no residual trihalomethane. Upon experimentation with various dosages of chloramines, it was found that 1.0 mg/l effectively kills approximately 97% of the veligers after an exposure time of approximately 4 hours. Our results provide critical information needed to replace the use of harmful chlorines in drinking water systems.
Keywords
Chloramines; Freshwater mussels – Control; Introduced aquatic organisms – Control; Nonindigenous pests – Control; West (U.S.)
Disciplines
Animal Sciences | Desert Ecology | Environmental Sciences | Public Health | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Language
English
Included in
Animal Sciences Commons, Desert Ecology Commons, Environmental Sciences Commons, Public Health Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
The Use of chloramines to eradicate quagga mussel larvae
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Science and Education Building
Quagga Mussels, Dressenia bugensis, are a growing problem in the western United States, particularly in their ability to infest underwater infrastructures and clog water intake pipes and screens of power and treatment plants. Chlorine has been found to be the most effective chemical to get rid of veligers (planktonic larval form of quagga mussels) in the pipes. However, chlorine leaves a residue called trihalomethane, which is a carcinogen at higher concentrations. The purpose of this project is to test the effectiveness of an alternate chemical, chloramines (chlorine and ammonia), which leaves behind little to no residual trihalomethane. Upon experimentation with various dosages of chloramines, it was found that 1.0 mg/l effectively kills approximately 97% of the veligers after an exposure time of approximately 4 hours. Our results provide critical information needed to replace the use of harmful chlorines in drinking water systems.