Impacts of acute and chronic suspended solids exposure on juvenile freshwater mussels

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-12, Vol.905, p.167606-167606, Article 167606
• Main Authors: Zhu, Wenyu, Kunz, James, Brunson, Eric, Barnhart, Chris, Brown, Henry, McMurray, Stephen, Roberts, Andrew D., Shulse, Christopher, Trauth, Kathleen, Wang, Binbin, Steevens, Jeffery A., Deng, Baolin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute exposure; Chronic exposure; Freshwater mussel juveniles; Human activities; Suspended solids
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167606

Construction activities may affect adjacent water systems by introducing increased levels of suspended solids into the water body and may subsequently affect the survival and growth of freshwater mussels. We tested three sediment types from sites in Missouri, including Spring River sediment (SRS), Osage River bank clay soil (ORC), and quarried limestone from Columbia (LMT). We prepared series of suspensions of each sediment with total suspended solids concentrations ranging from 0 to 5000 mg/L. Juveniles from three mussel species, Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), Arkansas Brokenray (Lampsilis reeveiana), and Washboard (Megalonaias nervosa) were exposed to these suspensions in both acute (96-h) and chronic (28-d) tests. No clear impact on survival was observed from the acute or chronic exposures, but chronic test showed that juvenile mussels' growth was strongly affected. Interestingly, growth was enhanced at lower levels of SRS and ORC (≤500 mg/L, p 1000 mg/L) of all three sediments, implying that high suspended solids levels could reduce survival in the long term. Our findings may help to inform regulations and guidelines for construction activities to minimize adverse effects on juvenile mussels. [Display omitted] •Impacts of elevated TSS levels on freshwater mussel juveniles were assessed.•Acute 4-day and chronic 28-day tests showed no juvenile mortality.•28-day growth impacts found related to sediment sources and concentrations.•Relatively low TSS levels of SRS and ORC stimulate growth of juvenile mussels.•TSS levels >1000 mg/L inhibited juvenile growth in the long term.