Alternatives to chemicals for controlling dreissenid mussels are desirable for environmental compatibility, but few alternatives exist. Previous studies have evaluated the use of electrified fields for stunning and/or killing planktonic life stages of dreissenid mussels, however, the available literature on the use of electrified fields to control adult dreissenid mussels is limited. We evaluated the effects of sinusoidal alternating current (AC) and square- wave pulse direct current (PDC) exposure on the survival of zebra mussels at water temperatures of 10, 15, and 22°C. Peak voltage gradients of ~ 17 and 30 Vp/cm in the AC and PDC exposures, respectively, were continuously applied for 24, 48, or 72 h. Peak power densities ranged from 77,999 to 107,199 μW/cm3 in the AC exposures and 245,320 to 313,945 μW/cm3 in the PDC exposures. The peak dose ranged from 6,739 to 27,298 Joules/cm3 and 21,306 to 80,941 Joules/cm3 in the AC and PDC exposures, respectively. Mortality ranged from 2.7 to 92.7% in the AC treated groups and from 24.0 to 98.7% in PDC treated groups. Mortality increased with corresponding increases in water temperature and exposure duration, and we observed more zebra mussel mortality in the PDC exposures.

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have continued their spread within inland lakes and rivers in North America despite diligent containment and decontamination efforts by natural resource agencies and other stakeholders. Identification of newly infested waterways with early detection surveillance programs allows for rapid response zebra mussel eradication treatments in some situations. Previous eradication treatments have been conducted during times of variable water temperatures and temperature has been shown to influence the efficacy of molluscicides. Natural resource managers would benefit from knowledge regarding the impacts of water temperature and exposure duration on toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels. In particular, temperature specific data are needed to inform the selection of an effective molluscicide and the proper dose that will induce 100% zebra mussel mortality. We evaluated the influences of temperature and exposure duration on the toxicity of two EPA-registered (EarthTec QZ and Zequanox) and two nonregistered (niclosamide and potassium chloride) molluscicides to zebra mussels at water temperatures of 7, 12, 17, and 22 °C. Our results indicate that treatment options for the eradication of zebra mussels in waters ≤ 12 °C include 336 h or longer treatments with EarthTec QZ and KCl and treatments with niclosamide ≥ 24 h in duration. In waters ≥ 17 °C, multiple toxicant and exposure duration combinations would be effective for zebra mussel eradication treatments. However, site specific variables should be considered prior to treatment including: the extent of the infestation, water chemistry, aquatic vegetation, substrate, and the presence of nontarget organisms. The use of on-site or in situ zebra mussel bioassays would also be a useful tool for the evaluation of treatment efficacy. The dataset includes: Water Quality, Chemical Concentrations, Mortality, and Zebra Mussel Condition Data

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have continued their spread within inland lakes and rivers in North America despite diligent containment and decontamination efforts by natural resource agencies and other stakeholders. Identification of newly infested waterways with early detection surveillance programs allows for rapid response zebra mussel eradication treatments in some situations. Previous eradication treatments have been conducted during times of variable water temperatures and temperature has been shown to influence the efficacy of molluscicides. Natural resource managers would benefit from knowledge regarding the impacts of water temperature and exposure duration on toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels. In particular, temperature specific data are needed to inform the selection of an effective molluscicide and the proper dose that will induce 100% zebra mussel mortality. We evaluated the influences of temperature and exposure duration on the toxicity of two EPA-registered (EarthTec QZ and Zequanox) and two nonregistered (niclosamide and potassium chloride) molluscicides to zebra mussels at water temperatures of 7, 12, 17, and 22 °C. Our results indicate that treatment options for the eradication of zebra mussels in waters ≤ 12 °C include 336 h or longer treatments with EarthTec QZ and KCl and treatments with niclosamide ≥ 24 h in duration. In waters ≥ 17 °C, multiple toxicant and exposure duration combinations would be effective for zebra mussel eradication treatments. However, site specific variables should be considered prior to treatment including: the extent of the infestation, water chemistry, aquatic vegetation, substrate, and the presence of nontarget organisms. The use of on-site or in situ zebra mussel bioassays would also be a useful tool for the evaluation of treatment efficacy. The dataset includes: Water Quality, Chemical Concentrations, Mortality, and Zebra Mussel Condition Data

The goal of this study was to complete a comprehensive evaluation of a low-dose copper treatment for zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas 1771) suppression. The treatment objective was to maintain an average copper concentration of 60 µg/L in waters above the thermocline for 10 consecutive days. The study was conducted in Lake Minnetonka (Hennepin County, Minnesota) and the copper treatment was applied to St. Albans Bay (66.3-ha). Robinson Bay (37.2-ha) was used as an untreated control reference site. Five locations were identified as sampling sites throughout each bay and marked with a buoy. Test animals were held, and samples were collected in the vicinity of these sampling buoys before, during, and after treatment. The datasets included are as follows: Alkalinity and Hardness Benthic Invertebrate Sampling Results Biotic Ligand Model Data Chlorophyll A Copper Data Mortality SCUBA Zebra Mussel Survey Secchi Disk and Light Intensity Data Test Animal Condition Data Thermocline Data Tissue Copper Residue Summary Water Chemistry Zebra Mussel Settlement Zooplankton Sampling Summary

The efficacy and subsurface application of Zequanox®, a commercially prepared spray-dried powder formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens (strain CL145A), were evaluated for controlling zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) within 27-m2 enclosures in Lake Minnetonka (Deephaven, Minnesota). Five treatments consisting of (1) two whole water column Zequanox applications, (2) two subsurface Zequanox applications, and (3) an untreated control were completed on each of three independent treatment days during September 2014. The two types of samplers used in the study were (1) custom built multi-plate samplers (type 1 samplers), with wood, perforated aluminum, and tile substrates that were placed into Robinson’s Bay in June of 2013 to allow for natural colonization by zebra mussels, and (2) samplers that were designed to contain zebra mussels (type 2 samplers) which consisted of zebra mussels adhering to perforated aluminum trays that were placed into mesh containment bags. One day prior to treatment, three individual samplers of each type were distributed to test enclosures and exposed to a randomly assigned treatment. Sampling to determine the living zebra mussel biomass adhering to type 1 samplers and the survival assessments for zebra mussels contained in type 2 samplers were completed ~40 days after exposure. The living zebra mussel biomass adhering to type 1 samplers and the survival of zebra mussels contained in type 2 samplers were significantly less in groups treated with the highest Zequanox concentrations and in groups that received whole water column applications compared to groups treated with lower Zequanox concentrations and subsurface applications. However, standardization biomass and survival results to the amount of Zequanox applied showed that the lower Zequanox concentrations and subsurface applications were more efficient at reducing zebra mussel biomass and inducing zebra mussel mortality. Although more efficient, biological significance and management goals should be evaluated prior to selecting subsurface application methods and lower treatment concentrations for Zequanox applications. Development and refinement of additional application techniques may improve the utility of the subsurface Zequanox applications.

The efficacy and subsurface application of Zequanox®, a commercially prepared spray-dried powder formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens (strain CL145A), were evaluated for controlling zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) within 27-m2 enclosures in Lake Minnetonka (Deephaven, Minnesota). Five treatments consisting of (1) two whole water column Zequanox applications, (2) two subsurface Zequanox applications, and (3) an untreated control were completed on each of three independent treatment days during September 2014. The two types of samplers used in the study were (1) custom built multi-plate samplers (type 1 samplers), with wood, perforated aluminum, and tile substrates that were placed into Robinson’s Bay in June of 2013 to allow for natural colonization by zebra mussels, and (2) samplers that were designed to contain zebra mussels (type 2 samplers) which consisted of zebra mussels adhering to perforated aluminum trays that were placed into mesh containment bags. One day prior to treatment, three individual samplers of each type were distributed to test enclosures and exposed to a randomly assigned treatment. Sampling to determine the living zebra mussel biomass adhering to type 1 samplers and the survival assessments for zebra mussels contained in type 2 samplers were completed ~40 days after exposure. The living zebra mussel biomass adhering to type 1 samplers and the survival of zebra mussels contained in type 2 samplers were significantly less in groups treated with the highest Zequanox concentrations and in groups that received whole water column applications compared to groups treated with lower Zequanox concentrations and subsurface applications. However, standardization biomass and survival results to the amount of Zequanox applied showed that the lower Zequanox concentrations and subsurface applications were more efficient at reducing zebra mussel biomass and inducing zebra mussel mortality. Although more efficient, biological significance and management goals should be evaluated prior to selecting subsurface application methods and lower treatment concentrations for Zequanox applications. Development and refinement of additional application techniques may improve the utility of the subsurface Zequanox applications.

Zebra mussels are representative of nonindigenous aquatic species (NAS) with devastating economic, recreational, and environmental impacts that are already under watch as a problematic species across the U.S. and in Texas. Targeting dispersal pathways is likely the most efficient means of controlling their spread further west. The movement of recreational watercraft is one of the main vectors for the spread of zebra mussels and other NAS among lakes. Thus, we created a risk assessment to guide monitoring efforts to detect and report new sightings of zebra mussels and other NAS. Lake risk scores were based on the potential establishment and spread of zebra mussels. Lake establishment risk was determined by applying a habitat suitability index (HSI) of water physicochemical parameters compiled from preexisting sources and supplemental field collection (Child Item 1: "Water physicochemical parameters of twenty Texas and New Mexico lakes 2022-2023"). The risk of spreading zebra mussels from a lake was determined by centrality measures of network analysis to identify lakes acting as hubs (degree score), stepping stones (betweenness score), and cutpoints. We applied network analysis at three different maximum roadway distances based on the 95th , 75th , and 50th percentiles of boater movement. The combination of HSI and centrality scores (Child Item 2: "Habitat suitability scores, network scores, and infestation status for 225 lakes in Texas and New Mexico") were used to identify potential high risk lakes.

Zebra mussels are representative of nonindigenous aquatic species (NAS) with devastating economic, recreational, and environmental impacts that are already under watch as a problematic species across the U.S. and in Texas. Targeting dispersal pathways is likely the most efficient means of controlling their spread further west. The movement of recreational watercraft is one of the main vectors for the spread of zebra mussels and other NAS among lakes. Thus, we created a risk assessment to guide monitoring efforts to detect and report new sightings of zebra mussels and other NAS. Lake risk scores were based on the potential establishment and spread of zebra mussels. Lake establishment risk was determined by applying a habitat suitability index (HSI) of water physicochemical parameters compiled from preexisting sources and supplemental field collection (Child Item 1: "Water physicochemical parameters of twenty Texas and New Mexico lakes 2022-2023"). The risk of spreading zebra mussels from a lake was determined by centrality measures of network analysis to identify lakes acting as hubs (degree score), stepping stones (betweenness score), and cutpoints. We applied network analysis at three different maximum roadway distances based on the 95th , 75th , and 50th percentiles of boater movement. The combination of HSI and centrality scores (Child Item 2: "Habitat suitability scores, network scores, and infestation status for 225 lakes in Texas and New Mexico") were used to identify potential high risk lakes.

Data are biological and chemical in nature. They describe organismal responses to copper treatments. The abstract can be found below. Copper can be toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations and has been previously used successfully to control zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). Because copper’s toxicity changes with water chemistry, using the same copper concentration in different waterbodies could yield different outcomes. We demonstrate how measuring water chemistry parameters and using the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) and multiple linear regression (MLR) models can predict a suitable, site-specific copper concentration for management. We exposed zebra mussel adults and non-target organisms to varying concentrations of copper over 10 d in a mobile laboratory. We found that one non-target species, Daphnia magna, had a 50% chance of survival at 9.50 µg Cu/L (i.e., the 50% lethal concentration, LC50), within our BLM-predicted range of 3.38–16.95 µg Cu/L LC50 values. In the future, managers could make similar predictions and tailor their copper concentrations to their management goals. We also measured zebra mussel larvae mortality at copper concentrations ranging from 0 to 191 µg Cu/L. While those results were inconclusive, we present the results of this work as a foundation for future projects. Our study underscores the importance of developing site-specific copper concentration recommendations and demonstrates the potential utility of the BLM and MLR approaches for informing those recommendations. Citation information for this dataset can be found in Data.gov's References section.

Control technology for dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis) currently relies heavily on chemical molluscicides that can be both costly and ecologically harmful. There is a need to develop more environmentally neutral control tools to manage dreissenid mussels, particularly in cooler water. Previously, carbon dioxide (CO2) showed selective toxicity for Zebra mussels, relative to unionids, when applied in cool water (12 °C). Carp-Carbon Dioxide (carbon dioxide, CO2) is registered as a pesticide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for deterrence of Asian carp and to control aquatic nuisance species when applied under ice (USEPA 2019). The current registration would allow the use of CO2 to kill Zebra mussels in water bodies during periods of ice cover, but first efficacious treatment regimes in cold water need to be determined. We compared toxicity endpoints (lethal concentrations, time to lethality) and behavioral responses of Zebra mussels (gaping, attachment) and juveniles (burial) of two unionid species (Plain pocketbook, Lampsilis cardium) and Fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis) to CO2 across a temperature range to determine treatment scenarios that had the greatest efficacy to invasive mussels and safety margin to native mussels. We found CO2 treatment regimens at all three temperatures that were efficacious to Zebra mussels and caused minimal mortality of unionid. At 5 °C, Plain pocketbook survived 96 h exposure to the highest PCO2 treatment (139 atm). At 20 °C, the 96 h LC10 for Plain pocketbook (173 atm PCO2, 95% confidence interval CL 147 – 198 atm) was significantly higher than the LC99 for Zebra mussels (118 atm PCO2, CL 109 – 127 atm). Lethal time to 99% mortality (LT99) of Zebra mussels in PCO2 ~ 110 – 120 atm ranged from 100 h at 20 °C to 300 h at 5 °C. Mean survival of unionids exceeded 85% in LT99 CO2 treatments at all temperatures. Seasonal behaviors of native mussels are also considered to assess the potential risk of a CO2 treatment to unionids. Short-term infusion of 100 to 200 atm PCO2 at a range of water temperatures could reduce biofouling by Zebra mussels.