8th International Congress on Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye, 19 - 21 Ekim 2021, ss.170
The present study investigated the effects of underwater sound frequency 50 Hz on survival and
attachment rates of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). Six identical glass aquariums filled
with aerated freshwater in a recirculating system were used in the experiment conducted triplicates.
All experiments aquariums were equipped with waterproof hydrophones situated 5 cm below water
surface and opposite to the water inlet pipe. For the even distribution of sounds in each
experimental aquarium, an mp3 amplifier with three outputs was used. Experimental fish were
exposed to playbacks of continued underwater sound transmissions of 50 Hz frequency for a period
of 30 days. A group without sound treatment served a control. Sound transmission in all test
aquariums were automatically initiated at 07:00 am and terminated at 20:00 pm using an automatic
timer. It was found out that 50 Hz sound frequency decreased the survival rate of zebra mussels
(Dreissena polymorpha) up to 88 %. The results indicated that sound frequency might be a useful
tool with environment-friendly approach for the control of Zebra mussel infestation in water
channels of hydroelectric power plants. In future studies, it is necessary to search different levels
of sound frequencies in order to increase mortality rates with reduced exposure times for the control
of zebra mussel expansion in freshwater ecosystems.