Zebra Mussels as Pollution Monitors

From October 26, 1990 (update #5)

Delta Consult, a Dutch company, markets a water pollution monitor that uses live zebra mussels as sensors. The product uses changes in mussels behavior - as determined by monitoring shell movement through electromagnetic induction - to detect water quality changes. The mussels are glued to the device. Delta Consult reports that the system can detect low concentrations of tributyl-tin oxide, chlorine, crude oil and such heavy metals as copper, cadmium, selenium, zinc and lead. The best part of the system is that the mussels are replaceable - but you must supply your own. For information, contact: Delta Consult BV, P.O. Box 71, 4420 AC Kapelle (Holland), phone 01102-43510, fax 01102-42062.

ID: 19901026-5.

The Zebra Mussel Update was a 4- to 8-page quarterly national newsletter published by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute from May 1990 through May 1997. The ZMU documented the spread of the zebra mussel -- an exotic nuisance mussel -- through North America's freshwater environments, especially the Great Lakes, and on efforts to control it.