Biofouling Control of Invasive Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Using Acoustic Energy

Effects of increasing levels of audible sound energy (500, 1000, 5000 Hz frequency) on attachment strength and mortality rates of zebra mussels were investigated in a long-term study for the control and deterrence of zebra mussel infestation. All groups exposed to sound treatments presented weight loss by 1.09, 1.44 and 2.07% in the 500 Hz, 1.000 Hz, and 5.000 Hz frequency groups, respectively, while mussels receiving no sound showed an increasing trend in weight gain by 1.37%. The mortality rate increased with both increasing levels of sound frequency, and the time-length of exposure duration within the same frequency level. Attachment strength declined with induced mortality of zebra mussel after 20 days of sound exposure, and nearly 50% of zebra mussels died by sound treatment of 5000 Hz frequency after 100-days of exposure. The findings in this study demonstrate that sound energy is a potential tool and a practical option for preventive management and control of zebra mussel biofouling in freshwater ecosystems.