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- Document: Report (2.33 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
- Data Release: USGS data release - Evaluation of benthic barrier layers/tarps for open water control of invasive mussels in 2024 in Loon Lake, Benzie Co., Michigan, USA
- Software Release: USGS software release - Analysis of open water control of invasive mussels using benthic mats. Part 1—Short-term infusion of carbon dioxide under a mat
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Abstract
This study compared the efficacy of a benthic mat alone with carbon dioxide infusion under a mat for killing Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (zebra mussel). Three sites were selected in Loon Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Benzie County, Michigan, for replication of reference, benthic mat, and carbon dioxide mat treatments. Within a site, three 4-meter (m) x 4-m plots were delineated for each treatment and a reference. Pretreatment samples were collected to estimate zebra mussel density and macroinvertebrate community composition in reference plots. Zebra mussels (about 360) from outside of the treatment plots were caged and placed in the plots before treatment. Benthic mats (4.25 m x 4.25 m; polyethylene with a vinyl coating) were anchored on the lake bottom with sandbags and weights. Carbon dioxide was infused under a mat of the same material to a maximum of 200 milligrams per liter (mg/L; pH=6.13) every 2–4 hours, for about 12 hours. Benthic and carbon dioxide mats were deployed for 5 days. One day after mat removal, we assessed mortality of resident and sentinel caged zebra mussels and macroinvertebrate community abundance and diversity in each plot. Average pH (as a proxy for carbon dioxide) under the carbon dioxide mats was between 6.38 and 6.80, equivalent to 170.5 and 103.0 mg/L carbon dioxide, respectively. In the posttreatment survey, few zebra mussels were observed in the benthic mat and carbon dioxide treatment plots compared to the reference plots; survival was lowest in the carbon dioxide plots. Mortality of sentinel caged mussels was greater than 80 percent in carbon dioxide treatments compared to mean mortalities of 20.6 percent and 12.7 percent in the benthic mat and reference plots, respectively. Macroinvertebrate community total abundance was lower in both mat treatments compared to reference plots, but diversity was comparable among all treatments. Our study demonstrated that carbon dioxide treatment near 200 mg/L could produce greater than 80-percent mortality of zebra mussels within 5 days. Refinement of the carbon dioxide mat and delivery system could increase spatial coverage of the treatment and broaden its use to other habitats.
Suggested Citation
Waller, D.L., Erickson, R.A., Wise, J.K., Meulemans, M.J., Morris, B.E.C., Severson, T.J., and Barbour, M.T., 2026, Open water control of invasive mussels using benthic mats—Part 1, short-term infusion of carbon dioxide under a mat: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2026–1019, 22 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20261019.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Purpose and Scope
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Summary
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Open water control of invasive mussels using benthic mats—Part 1, short-term infusion of carbon dioxide under a mat |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2026-1019 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20261019 |
| Publication Date | June 08, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center |
| Description | Report: viii; 22 p.; Data Release; Software Release |
| Larger Work Title | USGS Open-File Report |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Benzie County |
| Other Geospatial | Loon Lake |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |