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Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater Mussels are filter-feeding benthic (bottom dwelling) invertebrates. This makes them sensitive to pollution, and indicators of ecosystem health. For this reason, freshwater mussels have been utilized in stream monitoring studies. These studies give us a better understanding of the environmental price we pay when mining, farming, building infrastructure and more.
An Economy Built on Mining
An Economy Built on Mining
The state of Wyoming is the leading producer of coal and ranks in the top ten for production of crude oil and natural gas (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2025.). Coal alone accounted for 11.3% of state collected incomes in 2014 (Center for Energy Economics and Public Policy, 2015).
Figure 7. Open Pit Coal Mining (Shermac , 2021)
Ecological Economics
Ecological Economics
Ecological economics aims to explain and address the relationship between ecosystems and economics (Farley, 1989). As biological indicators, mussels can give us valuable insight into the price our ecosystems pay for economic gain.
Contaminants in Mining Wastewater
Contaminants in Mining Wastewater
Mining wastewater contains toxic pollutants such as oil, chlorides, sulfates and trace chemicals called major oxides. This pollution is point source (traceable to a single location), which is valuable for study. While according to the Environmental Quality Council toxic substances are not allowed in mining wastewater, the term is loosely defined. This can lead to gaps in management.
Figure 8. Gill tissue sampling technique (Beaver et. al. 2019)
Bioaccumulation of Trace Chemicals
Bioaccumulation of Trace Chemicals
Bioaccumulation is the process of a substance becoming concentrated in the body. Filter feeders such as mussels bioaccumulate chemicals through feeding. Due to a small chemical structure major oxides found in mining wastewater quickly bioaccumulate in the tissues of mussels and other filter-feeding invertebrates. This bioaccumulation is a tracer for exposure to mining wastewater.
Questions & Hypothesis''
Questions & Hypothesis''
Q: Does mining waste reduce condition index (CI) values measured by soft-body wet weight (SBWW) of Unionid Mussels?
Q: Does mining waste reduce condition index (CI) values measured by soft-body wet weight (SBWW) of Unionid Mussels?
H: Mining waste containing harmful chemicals, changes in pH, major oxides and trace metals will reduce CI of Unionid Mussels.
H: Mining waste containing harmful chemicals, changes in pH, major oxides and trace metals will reduce CI of Unionid Mussels.
Q: Do Unionid Mussels accumulate major oxides and trace metals in their gill tissue and contents?
Q: Do Unionid Mussels accumulate major oxides and trace metals in their gill tissue and contents?
H: Unionid mussels will bioaccumulate major oxides and trace metals from mining waste.
H: Unionid mussels will bioaccumulate major oxides and trace metals from mining waste.
Q: Is bioaccumulation of major oxides higher in Unionid populations downstream of point-source mining waste?
Q: Is bioaccumulation of major oxides higher in Unionid populations downstream of point-source mining waste?
H: Unionid populations downstream of point-source mining pollution will have increased bioaccumulation of major oxides.
H: Unionid populations downstream of point-source mining pollution will have increased bioaccumulation of major oxides.
Figure 9. Sampling graphic
Methods
Methods
As seen in Figure 9:
Ten, ten-meter transects will be set perpendicular to the shore
Five transects will be upstream of the pollution source and five will be downstream
Each transect will be sampled for mussels 1 meter above and 1 meter below using SCUBA and snorkeling equipment
A technique called 'racooning' will be employed where one pinches through the substrate to discover mussels below the surface
At each transect, a minimum of three mussels will be measured for age, length, width, and height, and a small gill tissue sample will be acquired
Laboratory analysis will be done to quantify bioaccumulation of major oxides in gill tissue samples
Figure 10. Mining wastewater in Wyoming (NPR, 2013)
Importance
Importance
Very few studies have been conducted on the impacts of mining wastewater on freshwater stream ecosystems. There have been no studies directly linking mining wastewater to freshwater mussel health. Data on the impacts of mining waste on our most sensitive stream invertebrates could better inform conservation efforts and policy implementation. Additionally, the economic gain of mining comes with an environmental price. Studies such as this one would allow us to better understand the environmental price we are paying and inform environmental economics.
Denise J Gardner
gardnden@mail.gvsu.edu
My Previous & Future Work with Mussels
My Previous & Future Work with Mussels
2023 - 2024: GVSU S3 Program and John Ball Zoo Undergraduate Research Fellow
(In Progress) Freshwater Mussels Influence on Macroinvertebrate Communities at Confluences in the lower Grand River
Gardner, D. Kosak, G. Powers, E. Snyder, E.
My undergraduate work with mussels was mentored by Dr. Eric Snyder and previous graduate student Grayson Kosak as well as aquatic biologist Matt Bain. This work allowed me to explore the Grand River ecosystem and gain critical skills in field biology, identification and microscopy.
2025 - 2026: Lead Aquatic Mussel Biologist with the Wyoming State Fish and Game Department
My post-graduate work will be in the state of Wyoming surveying streams in the eastern portion of the state for mussel populations to formulate baseline data.
Works Cited
Works Cited
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Beaver, C. E., Geda, S. R., & Johnson, N. A. (2019, October 4). Standardizing a non-lethal method for characterizing the reproductive status and larval development of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida). Journal of Visualized Experiments. https://doi.org/10.3791/60244-v
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