What is the Golden Mussel?
Limnoperna fortunei is a
freshwater bivalve that invaded South America, through the Plata
Basin, through the Rio de la Plata, Argentina, in 1991.
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History and Distribution
Limnoperna fortunei dispersed
quickly upstream throughout the Plata Basin, at an estimated
speed of 240 km per year.
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Problems caused in the Natural Environment
It attaches to any kind of hard substrate,
displacing native species and creating a favorable microenvironment
for other species. It also modifies native fish's diets.
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Problems caused in the human environment
It invades industries' water systems,
water-treatment plant, generating plants, etc. causing severe
macrofouling problems.
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Economical impact
Industries
are forced to face new expenses produced by the macrofouling
problems in fresh water.
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Preventing Spreading
Preventing and slowing down the spreading
of the golden mussel is essential to avoid macrofouling and
damage to fishing industry, tourism and nautical sports.
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Control and prevention
A combination of strategies must
be implemented to prevent the species from entering the Plant
and setting there, and/or removing it.
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116222936im_/http://www.malacologia.com.ar/MALACOLOGIA/Imagenes/Prevcon_a.JPG)
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Counseling done
The Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (La Plata
National University, Argentina) has a Third Party Services Program
to provide counseling in all the aspects of control and prevention
of macrofouling to Mercosur member countries.
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Macrofouling Services Consultant
Dr. Gustavo Darrigran,
at Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (La Plata National
University, Argentina) leads a research team that works on biology
and control/prevention strategies to counter the negative effects
of this invading species.
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116222936im_/http://www.malacologia.com.ar/MALACOLOGIA/Imagenes/reptec_a.jpg)
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Distinctions and prizes
Distinctions and prizes obtained
for progress the research about Limnoperna fortunei's
biology and it's control and prevention in the human environment.
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Meetings
Meetings where our scientists deal
with the problems of this invasion.
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Bibliography
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Researchers
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