Zebra Mussels & Soil Structure

Description

• Zebra mussel has a D-shaped shell that is less than 2 inches long. The mussels get their common name due to their yellow to brown shell that is often marked with white lines. Zebra mussels are sedentary filter feeders. They are often attracted to fast-moving water, such as the intake of water pumps, and attach themselves to the substrate by producing a fine, hair-like substance from a special organ called a byssus.

Benefits

• In addition to the benefits of removing invasive animals from freshwater systems, harvesting and composting zebra mussels is a useful way to adjust the pH in garden soils. Like all shelled animals, zebra mussel can be used to lime soils to increase the pH of the soil. Zebra shells are composed mostly of calcium; they have little organic matter inside. While effective at changing the soil chemistry, they do not provide many usable nutrients for plants and should be composted with supplemental organic matter.

Composting Zebra Mussels

• At least 100 pounds of zebra mussels are needed to affect soil structure and create a usable composting material. Before adding the mussels, create a compost base containing , by weight: 1 part peat, 12 parts sawdust, 17 parts poultry litter and 18 parts water. Add 1 part of the composting base to 1 part zebra mussel shells and allow to sit for three to four months before applying to your garden soil.

Dangers

• Zebra mussels are filter feeders that continually take in water to filter out small algae and organic mater for nutrients. In the process, they often accumulate a large number of toxins that bind to such small organic matter. In areas around heavy industry or high pollutant levels, avoid composting zebra mussels in your garden because the toxins can be absorbed by edible plants in soils composted with zebra mussels, according to the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant program's website.