title: Assessment of toxicity of dissolved and microencapsulated biocides for control of the Golden Mussel Limnoperna fortunei.
abstract: Biological invasions currently pose major threats to ecosystems worldwide. Invasive bivalves such as the Golden Mussel Limnoperna fortunei can act as 'environmental engineers', altering biogeochemistry, reducing biodiversity, and literally changing the landscape of aquatic environments. The risk that this mussel will invade the Amazon basin is a great concern for environmental authorities, especially because no efficient control methods presently exist. In this study, we tested new microencapsulated chemicals, along with the traditional dissolved chlorine and KCl, as alternatives to control L. fortunei infestation in industrial and water supply plants along rivers. Because these bivalves can close their valves when they sense toxic substances in the water, microencapsulation has improved the effectiveness of the chemicals in controlling L. fortunei, reducing variation in the application and increasing toxicity compared to dissolved chemicals. Microencapsulation should be seriously considered as an alternative to replace hazardous chlorine.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sávio Henrique C
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Calazans
authors.forename: Juliana Alves
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Americo
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: da Costa Fernandes
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Aldridge
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Freitas Rebelo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects*; D017606:Chlorine Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D058865:Introduced Species; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D010571:Pest Control
chemical_list: D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants
keywords: Amazon; Environmental impact; Environmental protection; Exotic species; Filter feeding; Fouling organisms; Introduced species; LC50; Lethal effects