PROCESSED PLANT CHLOROPHYLL A NATURAL SOLUTION TO ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATIONS

Transcription

1 PROCESSED PLANT CHLOROPHYLL A NATURAL SOLUTION TO ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATIONS A Patent Pending Process Including Patent Cooperation Treaty Countries By: Clyde Morgan September 25, 2018 Phone: ZebraGreenTea@gmail.com

2 Abstract: Zebra mussels are an invasive species which, since their discovery in 1988, have rapidly spread throughout the majority of the United States. The ecological impact alone is substantial, however their insidious behavior has an incredible economic impact with an estimated total cost in the United States of $6,000,000,000. To date, there are no environmentally safe, effective, or economic solutions to stop the imposing spread of the zebra mussels, at least until a recent discovery. I have found that a naturally occurring substance, chlorophyll, can be used to eradicate zebra mussels from areas of infestation. While having a method for elimination of this invasive species is important, the fact that it is ecologically friendly to surrounding plants and animals is what makes it revolutionary. Background: Since their initial discovery in 1988 Zebra Mussels have infested over 280 bodies of water in the United States. (Benson, 2018) This number is likely an under representation of the true level of infestation as several states have not provided updated statistics in over 5 years. In addition, there are questions of the accuracy in reporting as states such as Mississippi report only 3 hydrologic unit codes with observations of the mussels, however the neighboring states report a total of 37. (Benson, 2018) The rapid rate of spread is primarily due to the fact that each female is capable of producing one million eggs, which have a 33% one year survival. (Churchill, 2017) While the rapid spread alone is a concern, a second issue is these mussels can filter up to a liter of water per day, resulting in pseudo-defecation and expelled material acting as a flocculent, which covers the surrounding water bed. (Noordhuis, 1992) The damage and inefficiencies this invasive species causes to nuclear power plants, hydroelectric plants, water treatment facilities and industrial processing has cost the state of Kansas alone and estimated $145,000,000, with a total US estimate of $6,000,000,000. The bio-fouling impact when the pipes for these facilities are colonized can be substantial. One power plant in Michigan reported densities as high as 700,000/m 2, which not only diminished pipe diameter but resulted in a decreased flow rate by up to two-thirds. (Benson, 2018) In addition, there are concerns that the attachment of Zebra Mussels to water based structures, such as piers, is accelerating the rate of decay and shortening structural integrity. While damage and the associated high costs associated with infestations are the main concern, safety is an additional issue. Navigational buoys have sunk simply due to the weight from the attached zebra mussels. (Benson, 2018) While there is no doubt zebra mussel infestations have a massive financial impact, they also have a profound negative consequence on the ecosystems they invade. The Great Lakes are a prime example of the incredible effect these mussels can have on an environment. After the invasion of Lake Erie, the zooplankton levels dropped by 55-71%, with the means summer biomass decreased from 120 to 78 mg dry weight per cubic meter in a single year. (MacIsaac, 1995) Experimental evidence has shown this impact may rise up the food chain, with zebra mussels reducing the growth rate of larval fish through food web interactions. (Raikow, 2004)

3 Problem Statement: Zebra mussels are one of the most invasive species in North America, with an incredibly negative economic and environmental impact. While the rate of spread has decreased, we are still constantly fighting a species we can barely control. Sadly, pesticides or species imbalance are the most accepted methods of eradication. Ionized copper has also been used as an approach to keep the zebra mussels from water inlets, however there are substantial challenges with consistent measurements, as well as potential safety concerns for all of the surrounding plant and animal life. Solution My involvement with zebra mussels started out as a search for an economical use of raised zebra mussels. After several weeks I noticed the water the mussels were kept in became crystal clear, so I attempted to feed the zebra mussel population a processed chlorophyll product. To my surprise the chlorophyll resulted in the complete demise of my colony of zebra mussels. Mistakenly I had achieved what multiple sources had said was not possible. The very product used in the aquarium to enhance fish health, proved to cause the demise of the infamous zebra mussel. After this realization I began in earnest to explore current management strategies. Through observation and further investigation, I discovered that elevated chlorophyll concentrations, processed from grass, grains, leaves or aquatic plants, resulted in the destruction of colonized zebra mussels. Studies were performed at various chlorophyll levels to determine the needed concentration but also the estimated time each concentration level required to eradicate the zebra mussels. My research clearly showed that zebra mussels are not able to process large volumes of chlorophyll. This idea was further validated through observation of multiple lakes. One lake I visited had zebra mussels in the inlet where the water appeared to be clear, while not a single zebra mussel could be found near the dam area where chlorophyll levels were greater than 30 ug/l. Additional observations from several lakes demonstrated a range from complete infestation to the absence of a single zebra mussel. Testing again demonstrated that sites with elevated chlorophyll levels had minimal invasion. Chlorophyll levels in a body of water that was considered infested by the State of Kansas measured 3 4 ug/l, while a site without any zebra mussels measured over 18 ug/l estimated chlorophyll a. Solution Data Plant processed chlorophyll has benefits over aquatic chlorophyll. Plant process chlorophyll does not remain at the surface indefinitely. Instead it migrates towards the lower levels where most lake and river zebra mussels are found. Apart from lakes and rivers, equipment can also be treated by saturating the area to a higher concentration than

4 what would be performed in a lake or river for a quick absorption or keep zebra mussels counts minimal. The plant processed chlorophyll can then be safely discharged back into a lake or river becoming a source of nutrient for native plants and wildlife. Using processed plant chlorophyll to eradicate of the zebra mussels could be achieved in as little as a few hours to days, depending on the concentration selected. National Water Quality Monitoring Council s records of over 40 years, show that the patent pending plant processed chlorophyll concentration necessary to treat zebra mussels is within prior detected levels (figure 1). NATIONAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING COUNCIL HISTORICAL DATA OF 40 YEARS OF HISTORICAL DATA RELATED TO CHLOROPHYLL a LEVELS IN KANSAS LAKES AND RIVERS Processed Plant Chlorophyll treatment range in open waters is 25 ug/l to 150 ug/l, using higher limits in piping and equipment. A NATURAL SOLUTION TO A NATURAL PROBLEM PAST 40+ YEARS: AVERAGE RECORDED READINGS IN KANSAS** PAST 40+ YEARS: AVERAGE OF TOP THREE RECORDED ug/l LEVELS IN KANSAS** It Is Their Accumulation Of Data That Demonstrates Processed Plant Chlorophyll Levels Are Safe To Treat Zebra Mussel Infestations and Continue Control. Figure 1: ( (The above readings consist of over 8,500 individual readings.) Average High ug/l Chlorophyll a, Levels for 40+ Years: 129 ug/l Average ug/l Chlorophyll a, Levels for 40+ Years: 21 ug/l ** Readings less than 1 ug/l were removed as was readings over 200 ug/l, for demonstration purposes.

5 References Benson, A. R. (2018, 2 13). US Geological Survey. Retrieved from NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species: Churchill, C. D. (2017). Environmental conditions increase growth rates and mortality of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) along the southern invasion front in North America.. Biological Invasions, Vanderploeg, Henry A., Thomas H. Johengen, and James R. Liebig Feedback between zebra mussel selective feeding and algal composition affects mussel condition: did the regime changer pay a price for its success? Freshwater Biology 54: MacIsaac, H. C. (1995). Suppression of microzooplankton by zebra mussels: importance of mussel size.. Freshwater Biology, Noordhuis, R. H. (1992). Filtration rate and pseudofaeces production in zebra mussels and their application in water quality management. In The Zebra Mussel Dreissena polymorpha. (pp ). New York: Gustav Fischer Verlag. B. L. Bayne, A. J. S. Hawkins and E. Navarro, American Zoologist, Vol. 28, No. 1 (1988), pp National Water Quality Monitoring Council. Raikow, D. (2004). Food web interactions between larval bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and exotic zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). Canandian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science,