Impact of European zebra mussel infestation to the electric power industry

Conference · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Proceedings of the American Power Conference; (United States)

OSTI ID:6019798

McMahon, R F ^[1]

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1. Center for Biological Macrofouling Research, Univ. of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX (US)

This paper reports on Dreissena polymorpha, the European freshwater zebra mussel, introduced to the Great Lakes in 1985. It is now found throughout Lakes St. Clair and Erie, in Green Bay, Lake Michigan and invaded western Lake Ontario by Fall 1989. As its planktonic veliger larva is dispersed on water currents and adults are transported by human and natural vectors, it is likely to spread throughout U.S. and southern Canadian freshwaters. Mussel accumulations impede flow, and aggravate sedimentation and corrosion. Settlement occurs at flow velocities less than 1.5-2.0 m/sec. Mussels foul intake structures, low-flow piping, steam condensors, heat exchangers, fire protection systems, and cooling tower basins. Monitoring of source waters for mussels and veligers allows initiation of control measures before macrofouling occurs. Mussel fouling should be prevented as removal is difficult and expensive.

• OSTI ID: 6019798
• Report Number(s): CONF-9004133-; CODEN: PAPWA
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the American Power Conference; (United States), Vol. 52; Conference: 52. American power conference, Chicago, IL (United States), 23-25 Apr 1990; ISSN 0097-2126
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
42 ENGINEERING
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
MAINTENANCE
HEAT EXCHANGERS
FOULING
MUSSELS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
PIPES
CLEANING
STEAM CONDENSERS
COOLING TOWERS
FLUID FLOW
GREAT LAKES
ROBOTS
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CONDENSERS
CONTROL
INDUSTRY
INVERTEBRATES
LAKES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOLLUSCS
POLLUTION CONTROL
SURFACE WATERS
TOWERS
VAPOR CONDENSERS
200104* - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Components
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow