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Effects Of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) Colonization On Water Quality Parameters In Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Gregory A. Lang, Thomas F. Nalepa, Thomas H. Johengen

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

A large-scale study of Saginaw Bay was initiated in 1990 and continued through 1993 to examine the effects of the zebra mussel colonization which began in summerlfall 1991. Saginaw Bay responded quickly to the zebra mussel colonization, as fall 1991 values of chlorophyll were similar to 1992 and 1993 values. In inner Saginaw Bay, where most zebra mussels were found, chlorophyll, kPAR, and total phosphorus values decreased, and Secchi disk depth increased during the study period, regardless of the presence or absence of zebra mussels at a specific station. At outer bay control stations no significant differences were found for …