Abstract:

The oxygen supply is essential for zebra mussels to maintain active. Laboratory tests showed that the mortality rate of zebra mussels is about 3 times higher, when they are placed under vacuum, than its counterpart when exposed to air. It is the absence of dissolved oxygen, not the air exposure that plays the key role in the elimination of zebra mussels. Therefore, a reduction of dissolved oxygen in the water will have an adverse effect on zebra mussels activeness to prevent them from attaching to piping systems. A vacuum device was proposed to reduce the dissolved oxygen of water for zebra mussel control. The device consisting of a vacuum chamber with water circulation system was constructed in the laboratory for testing. Tests were conducted to determine the optimal water level in the vacuum chamber for the reduction of dissolved oxygen for the zebra mussel control in the piping system. Based on the testing results, an optimal vacuum device was obtained and showed that it is a promising mechanical device for controlling zebra mussels.

1. Chapter 24, Zebra Mussel Control, pp. 389-398, Dearborn, Michigan, 1996.

2. Professor, 147 Stocker Center, Civil Engineering Department, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701.

3. Graduate Assistant, 200 Stocker Center, Civil Engineering Department, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701.

4. Graduate Assistant, 200 Stocker Center, Civil Engineering Department, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701.

For more information on this or any other paper contact Terry Chang by email at tjchang@bobcat.ent.ohiou.edu

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