Studies on the Use of Raw Water by Dreissena Polymorpha Pallas
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Authors
Gunnison, Karen L.
Issue Date
1993
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The use of raw (unprocessed) water by the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
was investigated through analysis of the bacterial population of sediment suspended in
raw water versus that found in mussel biodeposits (feces and pseudofeces). According
to the findings, raw water filtered by the mussels contained a single dominant species,
tentatively identified as Pseudomonas paucimobilis B; the mussel biodeposits were more
variable, with no apparent dominant species. Disappearance of bacteria from raw water
over the observed period and the absence of these bacterial species from pseudofecal
samples indicate that the mussels ingest bacteria and suggest that they also digest the
cells. Removal of bacteria and s~spended sediment from surrounding water was found
to follow an exponential curve, consistent with earlier studies on filtration of artificial
pellets and algae. The presence of Aeromonas hydrophila-like DNA Group 2,
lanthinobacterium lividom A, and Aeromonas media-like DNA Group 5 (tentative) in
both the fecal bacteria and the visceral mass indicate that some component of the fecal
bacteria may be supplied by the mussels' intestinal flora. The presence of Pseudomonas
mephitica and Pseudomonas putida B (tentative) in pseudofeces and their absence in all
other fractions indicated contamination from the mussels.
Description
v, 35 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
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