CAN NEW ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATIONS BE ERADICATED?

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1 CAN NEW ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATIONS BE ERADICATED? 2016 Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Management Showcase September 12, 2016 Continuing Education and Conference Center University of Minnesota James A Luoma United State Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center La Crosse, WI jluoma@usgs.gov

2 Presentation Overview: 1) The million dollar question 2) Project background 3) Study concept 4) Test system 5) Range finding results 6) Expected timeline

3 The million dollar question: If a new zebra mussel infestation is discovered in a waterbody can they be eradicated? Answer = Probably, IF: 1) The infestation is within a defined, localized area (marina, boat landing, etc.), and 2) The response is immediate, and 3) Environmental tradeoffs must be acceptable (cost/benefit).

4 Project Background Zebra mussels have rapidly expanded throughout the U.S. and Minnesota and their spread is likely to continue in the absence of severe watercraft transportation restrictions. 30 years

5 Dispersion Kernel phenomenon A function of probability with distance MN Infested Waters List As of August 2016, 251 waterbodies listed as infested due to either confirmed zebra mussel presence or interconnection to a waterbody with a confirmed presence ( /ais/infested.html).

6 Two of Minnesota s recent Early Detection and Rapid Response actions Christmas Lake Detected August 16, 2014 Barrier installed August 21, 2014 Zequanox treatment September 8, 2014 Earthtec QZ treatment October 18, 2014 Potash (KCl) treatment December 19, 2014 Lake Independence Detected September 25, 2014 Barrier installed October 1, 2014 Earthtec QZ treatment October 6, 2014 Potash (KCl) treatment April 28, 2015

7 Identified Need: Protocols to eradicate localized zebra mussel infestations. 1) Toxicant selection? 2) Toxicant dose required to obtain a complete kill? Dose = exposure concentration x exposure duration 3) Effects of water temperature?

8 Study concept Evaluate 4 known molluscicidal compounds for potential use in zebra mussel rapid response actions. a) 4 test temperatures - 22, 17, 12, and 7 C b) Exposure durations - 8 hours 14 days c) Static exposures in environmental chambers d) Synthesize results into temperature-specific treatment protocols.

9 Zequanox An EPA registered biopesticide with specificity towards dreissenids. The efficacy of Zequanox has been investigated for open-water zebra mussel control applications, however, temperature was not a test variable in those investigations. Zequanox was the first product applied in the Christmas Lake EDRR.

10 Earthtec QZ Earthtec QZ, a copper-based product, has demonstrated efficacy for controlling both zebra and quagga mussels. Although temperature ranges for this product were not evaluated (Claudi et al. 2014, Watters et al. 2013), temperature is known to influence copper ion toxicity in zebra mussels (Rao and Khan 2000).

11 Potassium chloride Potassium was discovered to be toxic to zebra mussels in the early 1990 s. Exhibited the most selectivity for zebra mussels out of 18 potential molluscicides (Waller et al. 1993). Muriate of Potash (MOP), which contains approximately 99% potassium chloride, was used to eradicate zebra mussels from a highly infested 4.9-hectacre, 28-meter deep quarry lake in Virginia.

12 Niclosamide Various niclosamide products have been used for sea lamprey control, control of snails in aquaculture ponds, and control of parasites in humans. Waller et al. (1993) found Bayluscide 70% WP to be highly toxic to and somewhat selective for zebra mussels. The selectivity ratio (lowest nontarget LC 50 /highest zebra mussel LC 50 ) was 2.18 when compared to the toxicity to two species of freshwater fish and a freshwater mussel.

13 Test System Two walk in environmental chambers will be used to hold the animals at the desired test temperature and photoperiod. Heated or chilled well water will be supplied to the zebra mussel holding tanks. Zebra mussels will be fed Reed Mariculture Instant Algae diets.

14 Rangefinding Earthtec QZ

15 Rangefinding Potassium chloride

16 Rangefinding Niclosamide

17 Project Timeline Date Activity September 2016 Collect and test zebra mussels at 22 C September - October 2016 Collect and test zebra mussels at 17 C October - November 2016 Collect and test zebra mussels at 12 C November - December 2016 Collect and test zebra mussels at 7 C December February 2017 March - May 2017 June 2017 Summarize and analyze data Prepare peer-reviewed manuscript and other dissemination products Project completion

18 Questions?