Invasive golden mussels that have been clogging pipelines throughout the state’s water systems over the past two years may also weaken concrete and cause water quality issues, according to several studies. Westlands Water District Deputy General Manager Kelly Vandergon told the district’s board in September that a study in China showed golden mussel attachment could weaken cement. Vandergon said the study showed that the way the mussel’s byssal threads attach to concrete “essentially loosens that upper surface, allowing water to penetrate deeper into the concrete structure.” The mussels secrete byssal threads, thin strands with adhesive tips, from inside their shells. Vandergon said the concrete issue is “one of the research projects we’re trying to develop for Prop 4 funding, which has not yet been made available by the state.” 

Other invasive species news:

• Western Outdoor News (San Clemente, Calif.): Invasive golden mussels find a way to dig further into boaters’ pocket books