Mussels to the Rescue: Cleaning Up Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton, the biggest shallow lake in Central Europe, is home to a tiny hero. The quagga mussel, an invasive species, might just be the key to tackling organic pollutants in the lake. These pollutants, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can be harmful to the environment and local communities. The eastern part of the lake, which is more urbanized, shows signs of contamination, especially in the spring. This is where the quagga mussel comes into play. Mussels are filter feeders, which means they can clean up the water by removing harmful substances. They are quite good at it too. In experiments, mussels were able to reduce the level of PAHs by 100-85% in just four days. They also removed a significant amount of ibuprofen and ketoprofen from the water within 24 hours. This shows that they have a strong potential to help clean up the lake. The quagga mussel's ability to handle these pollutants is impressive. Even when exposed to high levels of PAHs, many of the mussels' stress response genes were activated, showing that they can cope with the contamination. This is a good sign for the lake's future. However, it's important to note that while mussels can help, they are not a magic solution. Human efforts to reduce pollution are still crucial. The quagga mussel's role in cleaning up Lake Balaton is a reminder of how nature can help us solve problems. It's also a call to action. While the mussels are working hard to clean up the lake, humans need to do their part too. This means reducing pollution and taking care of the environment. After all, a clean lake is good for everyone - humans, mussels, and all the other creatures that call Lake Balaton home.