Control of Limnoperna fortunei fouling by desiccation

Abstract

When exposed to air, Limnoperna fortunei can survive between 3 and > 10 days, larger individuals being more resilient than small ones. Desiccation can constitute an innocuous, cost-effective nonchemical control strategy for freshwater fouling mussels, but in order to be applicable, fouled components must be taken off-line for variable periods of time, which may involve the need for parallel backup components unless production is stopped. Survival in air is important in waterbodies with significant fluctuations in water levels, and survival in air can also facilitate overland dispersion of the golden mussel.