MUSSELS IN THE WILD

Our "Mussels in the Wild" animation takes viewers into the river to see the life and times of a freshwater mussel trying to make it in the world. This presentation is one component that will be featured in the Fairmount Water Work's forthcoming landmark exhibition and living laboratory, The Mussel Hatchery. This project was made possible by generous support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and Philadelphia Water. ABOUT FRESHWATER MUSSELS Freshwater mussels have the potential to be a viable driver of an ecosystem-based approach to improving the health of our waterways. We should all care about mussels because they are natural water filters AND are among the most imperiled creatures on the planet. You can think of a single mussel as a self-contained water treatment facility— one mussel is capable of cleaning up to 20 gallons of water per day. Mussels help stabilize and cultivate complex and healthy river habitats— capturing nutrients, storing them and releasing them as fertilizer. Many scientists consider freshwater mussels to be powerful indicators of the health of the world's rivers as they are exposed to, are sensitive to disturbances and endure, long-term environmental issues (sometimes living a century or longer!) Just like other bivalves, mussels can improve water quality, provide food for bottom critters, and provide good habitat in rivers, streams, and ponds. Mussels are filter-feeding animals that help clean the water in which they live. To do this, mussels suck in water and use their large gills, much like a sieve, to trap and eat small particles such as dirt, algae, and even some pollutants. This water filtration results in cleaner water downstream. As an example, one mussel bed studied in southeastern Pennsylvania was estimated to remove up to 26 metric tons (the weight of 5 or more elephants!) of particles in the water in one summer season. Mussels fertilize the bottom of streams and ponds because their poop is rich in nutrients. These nutrients are available for bottom critters such as worms to enjoy. In waters where the bottom is soft, mussel beds provide good habitat because mussel shells are hard structures. Shells serve as good hiding spots and good surfaces for other animals to attach eggs or larvae.