Effects of Microfibers on Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Attachment Behavior
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Laurie Eberhardt
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Biology
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 5-3-2019
Abstract
Microplastics and fibers are an ever-growing ecological concern which result from both the breakdown of plastic pollutants and from human activities. Little is known of the behavioral effects which these pollutants have on affected organisms. Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are an ecologically important invasive species of filter feeders found in local freshwater systems which could help illustrate the ecological effects of microfiber pollution. Zebra mussels were collected from Stone Lake and Flint Lake and were exposed to treatments of blue polyester fleece fibers and polypropylene fibers from a rope to study the effects these typical pollutants have on attachment behavior of zebra mussels to substrates. Both types of pollutants were shown to have significant impacts on the amount of force required to remove a mussel from its substrate. This preliminary study indicates that attachment strength is a useful and measurable tool for studying behavioral effects of microfiber pollutants and opens up possibilities for further research and understanding of the larger ecological effects and implications of plastic pollutants.
Recommended Citation
Paul, Thomas G.; Banks, Cody A.; and Eberhardt, Laurie, "Effects of Microfibers on Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Attachment Behavior" (2019). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 809.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/809
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Cody Banks is a biology and environmental science double major in his final semester at VU. He is interested in environmental restoration and ecology, which have lead him in the direction of research that deals with impacts of human inputs into natural systems, as well as towards the field of restoration and management in the Lake Michigan watershed. Growing up near Lake Michigan spurred an interest in understanding and protecting freshwater ecosystems.
Thomas Paul is a sophomore at Valparaiso University who is currently a Biology major and Chemistry minor. While Thomas is currently involved in the preMed program, he is also fascinated by epidemiology and hopes to possibly work one day with the CDC. This is the first research experience for Thomas, but he hopes to continue similar work throughout his undergraduate education.