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Consultant's Report - Minnesota State Legislature

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Cavitation<br />

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES<br />

Feasibility Study to Limit the Spread of Zebra Mussels from Ossawinnamakee Lake<br />

Cavitation is a form of acoustic energy that initiates the formation and collapse ofmicrobubbles.<br />

The bubble formation occurs in the region of decreased density and pressure in an intense<br />

ultrasonic wave or high velocity turbulent water flow (Donskoy and Ludyanskiy 1995). At<br />

frequencies between 10 and 380 kHz, this type ofenergy has demonstrated mortalities ofveliger,<br />

juvenile, and adult zebra mussels (Nalepa and Schloesser 1993). Exposure times are ranges of<br />

seconds for veligers, minutes for juveniles, and hours for adults.<br />

Sound Treatment<br />

Low frequency sound energy has demonstrated prevention of settlement by translocating zebra<br />

mussels and could be a valid option to reduce the spread of zebra mussels. Sound treatment<br />

utilizes water-borne acoustic energy in the fonn of sound waves (20 Hz to 20 kHz) or ultrasound<br />

waves (above 20 kHz) to disrupt the settlement of zebra mussels (Donskoy and Ludyanskiy<br />

1995). This type of acoustic energy is effective against veligers at frequencies below 200 Hz by<br />

causing them to become stressed and immobilized, resulting in detachment and subsequent<br />

sinking in the water column. At frequencies between 39 and 41 kHz, ultrasound acoustic energy<br />

can fragment veligers within a few seconds and can also kill adults within 19 to 24 hours. Two<br />

reports prepared for the Empire <strong>State</strong> Electric Energy Research Corporation (ESEERCO)<br />

document that frequency of 20 kHz or 42 kHz fragment or dissolve veligers in under 30 seconds<br />

(Sonalysts and Aquatic Sciences 1991, Sonalysts 1993).<br />

Vibration<br />

Vibration refers to the use of solid-borne acoustic energy in mechanical structures. This type of<br />

treatment requires that the zebra mussels be settled on a structure that can be subjected to<br />

vibration, such as pipes or water intakes. Vibrational energy is effective in killing zebra mussel<br />

veligers and juveniles at just below 200 Hz and between approximately 10 and 100 kHz (Nalepa<br />

and Schloesser 1993). Long-term effects of vibration may include structural deterioration of<br />

infrastructure (e.g., bridges, water intakes, etc.).<br />

Chemical Treatments<br />

Zebra mussel control technologies are sometimes categorized as chemical or non-chemical in the<br />

literature. They are commonly categorized in this fashion due to the environmental or toxic<br />

impacts that are a factor with chemical additions, but not with other technologies. For this<br />

reason, chemical treatments are very feasible for public facilities that can control the amount of<br />

chemical discharge, but they remain less practical for open water systems. If there is a concern<br />

of environmental impacts or harm to aquatic life, non-chemical treatments are sometimes<br />

targeted. Although many researchers have developed non-chemical strategies for control of<br />

zebra mussels, chemical alternatives remain the most common treatment due to their proven<br />

effectiveness.<br />

There are two main categories of chemical treatments: oxidants and nonoxidants. Oxidizing<br />

agents are very effective in: controlling zebra mussel populations; however, many of them also<br />

V-4<br />

Review ofPotential Control Methods

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