Chemical treatment for the control of the spread of zebra mussels in watercraft is typically focused on the early life stages of the mussel. Adult mussels may be spread via attachment or entangling to gear that is brought on board. Sodium chloride is a chemical that has been recommended for use during some aquacultural practices as a mussel disinfectant. The effectiveness of three sodium chloride-based salts (high-grade sodium chloride, iodized table salt, and water softener salt) was examined for their use as an adult zebra mussel decontamination solution. High-grade sodium chloride and iodized table salt both caused complete mortality at 30.000 mg/l in 24 h. Water softener salt caused complete mortality at the same concentration at 48 h. Iodized table salt caused complete mortality at a lower concentration faster than the laboratory-grade sodium chloride. On the basis of the results of this study, iodized table salt may be an acceptable alternative to high-grade sodium chloride for decontamination of zebra mussels, costing much less and leading to an increase in spread-prevention effectiveness.
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1 September 2015
Comparison of Three Sodium Chloride Chemical Treatments for Adult Zebra Mussel Decontamination
Eric A. Davis,
Wai Hing Wong,
Willard N. Harman
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Journal of Shellfish Research
Vol. 34 • No. 3
December 2015
Vol. 34 • No. 3
December 2015
decontamination
Dreissena
iodized table salt
Sodium chloride
water softener salt
zebra mussel