Question

zebra mussels are only the size of a dime, but they can have a large impact on aquatic food webs. the non-native mollusk was first discovered in north american waters at lake st. clair, michigan, in 1988. they were likely brought to this continent from their native waters in eastern europe in the ballast water of cargo ships. within two years, zebra mussels had multiplied and spread to all of the great lakes. by 2010, they had colonized waters in 30 u.s. states. zebra mussels attach to hard surfaces and feed by filtering water through their gills and capturing microscopic phytoplankton (photosynthetic algae, protists, and cyanobacteria), zooplankton (tiny, aquatic carnivores that feed on phytoplankton), and bacteria that live in river waters. because each tiny zebra mussel can filter a liter or more of water per day, large numbers of zebra mussels can rapidly and severely deplete plankton populations. the smaller populations of plankton that result from zebra mussel filtering then impact the population sizes of fish and other animals, as plankton form the foundation of

Answer 1

Zebra mussels are invasive species that were introduced to North American waters in 1988. They have rapidly spread throughout the Great Lakes and other water bodies in the US. Their filtering activity has had a major impact on plankton populations and the overall aquatic food web.

Step-by-step explanation:

Zebra mussels are invasive species that have caused significant economic damage to waterways. They were introduced to North American waters in 1988 and have since spread rapidly. Their ability to filter large amounts of water per day has led to a depletion of plankton populations, which in turn has impacted the population sizes of fish and other animals.

These invasive mussels were likely brought to North America from Europe in the ballast water of cargo ships. Ballast water, which is taken on at a port and then discharged at another port, can carry living organisms that can establish themselves in new environments. Zebra mussels have caused millions of dollars in clean-up costs and have dramatically altered the ecology of the Great Lakes.

Invasive species like zebra mussels can disrupt food chains, carry diseases, prey on native species, and out-compete them for resources. These effects can lead to the extinction of native species. It is important to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species through measures like strict ballast water regulations and monitoring.