The invasive mussels move quickly to cover any hard surface they come in contact with, from boat hulls to water intake pipes, causing much financial damage. Their sharp shells litter shorelines, creating hazards on beaches. But the most serious consequence of their introduction is the damage they cause to ecosystems. These mussels compete directly with fish and other aquatic organisms for food, disrupting the natural food web and ecological balance of a water body–an imbalance frequently resulting in nasty algal blooms.
Can they be stopped before they attack every lake and river in North America? If two black labs and a German Shepherd have anything to say about it–yes. H20 Radio’s Frani Halperin and Jamie Sudler report.
For the full transcript of this story and more, visit H20Radio.
