2021-Feb-01
The Link Between Quagga Mussels and Great Lakes Algae Blooms
An interesting link between algae blooms and quagga mussels explained. A new study published by in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science suggests that the prolific population of invasive quagga mussels are now the most significant force controlling the phosphorus circulating in the Great Lakes. These deep water mussels are constantly ingesting and expelling phosphorus, preventing it from settling into the sediment and causing fluctuations in phosphorus levels that trigger the formation algae blooms.
For years GBA has been pointing out that excess phosphorous from open net fish farms in the Bay are helping to feed quaggas. When one factors in warmer water also encouraging algae, this reinforces the need to continue to try and move these farms into onshore sustainable facilities.
Read more about the report here.