Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Biopollution by the Green Mussel, Perna viridis, in the Southeastern United States
EPA Grant Number: R828898Title: Biopollution by the Green Mussel, Perna viridis, in the Southeastern United States
Investigators: Baker, Shirley M. , Benson, Amy , Phlips, Edward , Williams, James , Nunez, Jose , Baker, Patrick
Institution: University of Florida , United States Geological Survey
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: June 1, 2001 through May 31, 2004 (Extended to September 30, 2004)
Project Amount: $447,602
RFA: Exploratory Research to Anticipate Future Environmental Issues (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Water , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
The objectives of this research project were to: (1) assess the potential for the future dispersal of a new biological pollutant, the green mussel Perna viridis, within and from Tampa Bay, Florida; (2) assess and predict environmental impacts by green mussels on fouling communities, including artificial substrata, and on native species at risk of displacement; and (3) assess and predict environmental impacts by green mussels on phytoplankton communities.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Green mussels occur in west Florida from Boca Ciega Bay south to Ten Thousand Islands, and the east coast from Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida, to Savannah, Georgia. Individuals were also reported from Pensacola, in west Florida and isolated locations north of Georgia. Green mussel distribution is not continuous between these regions, which implies additional human-mediated introductions.
The lower salinity limit for populations of green mussels in Tampa Bay is about 14 ppt, although green mussels in the laboratory can tolerate slightly lower salinities. The lower thermal limit under laboratory conditions is 10-12°C, suggesting that this species will not persist in coastal waters north of Georgia. The winter of 2002-2003 killed most intertidal green mussels in Tampa Bay, but subtidal mussels survived. Subtidal winter mortality of mussels has been observed in northeast Florida and Georgia.
Field data infer that green mussels start reproducing in April. In Tampa Bay settlement begins in late April or early May. Reproduction continues into August or September. Histological collections are being analyzed for confirmation. Green mussels reach 70-100 mm in shell length by their second year and can live 2-3 years, attaining sizes up to 170 mm. Peak densities of adults are usually 3,000-4,000∙m-2, although densities as high as 9,000-12,000∙m-2 were observed.
Impacts of green mussels on native oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were estimated by quantitative comparison of impacted oyster reefs in Tampa Bay and nonimpacted oyster reefs in the nearby Waccasassa Bay area. Green mussels did not occur in the high-intertidal zone, which served as a refuge for oysters. In the other tidal zones, sites with green mussels had total mortality of adult oysters and declines of juvenile oysters. Green mussels are occasionally abundant on mangroves, another important oyster habitat, but are absent from mangroves in most areas.
Surveys of phytoplankton in green mussel areas have been analyzed. Cyanobacteria were the most numerous but diatoms and dinoflagellates often dominated biomass basis because of their larger size. Two potentially toxic species, the diatom Pseudonitzschia spp. and the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense var bahamense, were abundant in areas with green mussels, and P. bahamense reached bloom proportions in the summer of 2003. The well-known harmful dinoflagellate species Karenia brevis was present but did not bloom at our sample sites during this study. The large nonindigenous diatom Odontella sinensis was observed for the first time in Tampa Bay.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 13 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
marine, estuary, ecological effects, population, stressor, diet, ecology, surveys, southeast, Florida, FL, ecosystem protection, environmental exposure, risk, geographic area, biochemistry, chemical mixtures, environmental exposure and risk, human health, ecological indicators, ecological risk assessment, ecology and ecosystems, ecosystem/assessment/indicators, exploratory research, environmental biology, southeastern estuaries, biodiversity, biopollution, conservation, ecological dynamics, ecological effects, ecological exposure, ecological pollutants, emerging environmental problems, exploratory research, futures research, green mussel, green mussel infestation, marine ecology, phytoplankton,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, State, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Monitoring/Modeling, Biochemistry, Southeast, Ecological Risk Assessment, Exp. Research/future, Futures, emerging environmental problems, ecological effects, ecological exposure, biodiversity, Southeastern Estuaries, stressors, green mussel, marine ecology, biopollution, conservation, phytoplankton, exploratory research, ecological pollutants, green mussel infestation, ecological dynamics, Florida, futures researchRelevant Websites:
http://fishweb.ifas.ufl.edu/ Exit
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/links
http://greenmussel.ifas.ufl.edu Exit
http://www.floridamarine.org/features/ Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.