Abundance and Distribution of the Golden Mussel (<i>Limnoperna fortunei</i>) Larvae in a Hydroelectric Power Plant in South America

Abstract

The impact of the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in South America involves both the human and the natural environments. Larvae and/or juveniles go inside the water systems of the drinking water plants, refrigeration systems of industries and power plants in the human environment, then they settle and maturate producing macrofouling problems. Life cycle studies are undertaken in a hydroelectric power plants in order to gather basic information to develop promising strategies for prevention and control of L. fortunei. The aim of this contribution is to describe the temporal dynamics and variations of golden mussel larvae in the power plant water system. Veligers and postveligers were collected between April 1999 and May 2001. The samples were taken from the dam, from the water intake system (WIS) and from the cooling system (CS). Veligers were found between September and May. Veligers first appeared in September, when the temperature was about 20°C. They increased to peak densities in December to March and declined during May. Differences in larval densities between the dam and the water intake ducts and cooling pipes were found. Due to structural characteristics of the plant, larvae were recorded for a longer period, and with greater densities, in the interior of the power plant.