Zebra Mussels

What can happen when ballast water is taken into the ship?

• It can increase the ship's speed

• It can cause the ship to sink

• It may contain organisms that can become invasive species

• It cleans the ship's cargo hold

Tags

SEV1a.

By what percentage have phytoplankton levels decreased in the Hudson River due to zebra mussels?

• 70%

• 80%

• 60%

• 50%

Tags

SEV1a.

In 1990, zebra mussels, an invasive species which are not native to North America, had been found in all the Great Lakes. Zebra mussels eat algae. Which of these will MOST LIKELY happen as the population of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes increases?

• Native algae eaters will increase

• Native algae eaters will decrease

• Native algae eaters and predators of zebra mussels will increase

• Native algae eaters and predators of zebra mussels will decrease

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

This invasive species came over in boats from Europe in the 1980's.  They harm native fish, clog pipes and ruin beaches.  

• Sea Lamprey

• Zebra Mussel

• Asian Carp

• Feral Swine

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Zebra mussels eat

• krill

• algae

• small mouth bass

• phytoplankton

Ever since nonnative zebra mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes, they have caused ecological problems. Zebra mussels are very efficient filter feeders. They are better at filtering algae from the water than native species are. Which situation would not result from zebra mussel introduction?

• • 
    

    excessive growth of zebra mussel populations

• decline in populations of native mussel species

• water becoming clearer because zebra mussels eat more algae

• • 
    

    excessive growth of algae that kills other organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

To the right is a picture of a small freshwater mussel known as the zebra mussel. Zebra mussels were accidentally introduced into U.S. waterways in the 1980’s and are currently living in many Texas lakes. Zebra mussel populations grow quickly, and they attach to hard surfaces. As a result, they are destroying boats, pipes and water treatment plants. Zebra mussels are also harming plants and animals that live in the lakes. Zebra mussels are harming local plants and animals in all the following ways except —

• zebra mussels cause fish populations to reproduce more

• zebra mussels compete with other animals for available food

• zebra mussels attach to local mussels and harm them

• zebra mussels filter the water and change the local ecosystem

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the primary method by which zebra mussels spread to new water bodies?

• Through ballast water of ships

• By attaching to birds

• Via air currents

• Through underground water channels

Which of the following is a direct ecological impact of zebra mussels in freshwater ecosystems?

• Increase in native fish populations

• Reduction in water clarity

• Decline in native mussel species

• Increase in aquatic plant growth

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Zebra mussels are known to filter large amounts of water. What is the primary component they remove from the water?

• Dissolved oxygen

• Phytoplankton

• Heavy metals

• Sand particles

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4