Sea food lovers who prize the mussels for its earthy taste and succulent flesh may be unaware of its growing potential in the fight against water pollution. The mussels is the hoover of the sea, taking in phytoplankton for nourishment along with microplastics, pesticides and other pollutants- which makes it an excellent gauge. One day it may be pressed into service to cleanse water.
It’s a super-filter in the marine world, filtering upto 25 litres of water a day. It’s a real model of bioaccumulation of pollutants generally speaking. As they pump and filter the water throught their gills in order to feed and breathe, mussels store almost everything else that passes through which is why strict health rules apply for those destined for human consumption.
Like canaries in a coal mine, mussels have long been used as “bio-indicators” of the health of the seas, lakes and rivers they inhabit. Little known pollutants can turn up to join the usual suspects, with increasing attention paid to microplastics constaining bisphenol A and phthaltes, both thought to be endocrine disruptors.
Matter referenced:
Times of India, Ahmedabad, Tuesday, 20th August, 2019.
By: Dr. Bhawana Asnani.
Happy to see Reviews, Additions, Suggestions and Comments, further.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.