Protests about saving the earth is all over the internet if searched, and recycling is most often always reinforced in public school across America as well as the idea of wasting the things we’re ever so blessed to obtain. However, within the big picture of what could result from global warming, ocean acidification, and all other world-polluting occurrences, the measurement and discovery about what has already resulted is not as publicized… at least not in regards to the backbone of all organisms -- ex: blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus), and the repercussions that ripple upon all those whom rely on blue mussels as a resource to live. Blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus), are commonly found in the mid intertidal zone of rocky shore lines in Alaska
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A bivalve is a category of marine and freshwater molluscs and can be located in the deepest depths of the ocean to shallow streams. Bivalves are easily identified due to the distinct quality of two shells attached by a muscular hinge. They can reach a length of 13cm but are often only reach a percentage of that length. Mytilus trossulus are filter feeders and can filter an average of 340 liters of seawater a day (Wildish, 1990). Therefore, blue mussels have a highly efficient method of accumulating bacteria found in the water, thus exemplifying their importance as biological indicators (Hale, 2003). The mytilus trossulus species has been heavily used in the study of oild …show more content…
“The concentration of toxic chemicals found in blue mussel tissues is one of the fourteen indicators used by the CBEP to evaluate the environmental health of Casco Bay in State of the Bay’’ (CBEP 2005). The health of the blue mussel population indicates the health of the beach environment and the surrounding water (State of the Coast Environment- NOAA) and are involved in many beach health studies (“Long-term monitoring fact sheet”) even in Alaska. Understanding the condition index of mussels, especially from different types of beaches can be helpful in understanding the health of those beaches (Nubian,V. Et al., 2006). Biologists understand the basic life history of this species (O’Clair, Charles E., and Rita M. O’Clair. 1998). Blue mussels are often located among fucus and barnacles, and act as a reliant food source to sea urchins and whelks. Scientists have discovered that the mussel bed sizes can vary greatly from year to year in Alaska (“Keeping tabs on mussels in Prince William Sound”) and learning about their condition may help scientists understand these
A bivalve is a category of marine and freshwater molluscs and can be located in the deepest depths of the ocean to shallow streams. Bivalves are easily identified due to the distinct quality of two shells attached by a muscular hinge. They can reach a length of 13cm but are often only reach a percentage of that length. Mytilus trossulus are filter feeders and can filter an average of 340 liters of seawater a day (Wildish, 1990). Therefore, blue mussels have a highly efficient method of accumulating bacteria found in the water, thus exemplifying their importance as biological indicators (Hale, 2003). The mytilus trossulus species has been heavily used in the study of oild …show more content…
“The concentration of toxic chemicals found in blue mussel tissues is one of the fourteen indicators used by the CBEP to evaluate the environmental health of Casco Bay in State of the Bay’’ (CBEP 2005). The health of the blue mussel population indicates the health of the beach environment and the surrounding water (State of the Coast Environment- NOAA) and are involved in many beach health studies (“Long-term monitoring fact sheet”) even in Alaska. Understanding the condition index of mussels, especially from different types of beaches can be helpful in understanding the health of those beaches (Nubian,V. Et al., 2006). Biologists understand the basic life history of this species (O’Clair, Charles E., and Rita M. O’Clair. 1998). Blue mussels are often located among fucus and barnacles, and act as a reliant food source to sea urchins and whelks. Scientists have discovered that the mussel bed sizes can vary greatly from year to year in Alaska (“Keeping tabs on mussels in Prince William Sound”) and learning about their condition may help scientists understand these