News: Scientists have deployed thousands of mussels on the seafloor to monitor microplastic levels.
About Mussels
- Classification: Mussels are bivalve molluscs belonging to the marine family Mytilidae and the freshwater family Unionidae.
- Mussels typically live in beds on the ocean floor, attaching themselves to rocks or other mussels.
- Habitat: They are most common in cool seas.
- Freshwater mussels (naiads) inhabit streams, lakes, and ponds.
- Distribution: They are widely distributed across the world’s oceans, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Life span: They can live for several decades, and certain species may survive up to 50 years.
- Mussels are filter feeders, extracting plankton and nutrients by filtering seawater through their bodies.
- They can filter more than 17 gallons of water per day, helping to clean ocean ecosystems.
- Features:
- Mussels use strong, hair-like byssal threads, also known as “beards,” to attach themselves securely to surfaces like rocks, wood, and even steel.
- These byssal threads are made of chitin, a fibrous and durable material that provides remarkable strength and stability.
- During low tide, mussels close their shells tightly to prevent drying out and protect themselves from harsh environmental conditions.
- Importance:
- Mussels are a nutritious food source, low in sodium and saturated fat but rich in Vitamins B and C, Omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like iron, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium.
- Mussels play an important ecological role in maintaining water quality and supporting marine biodiversity.
- Scientists are studying mussel adhesion to develop bio-inspired adhesives for delicate surgeries, including eye operations.
- Threat: Mussels are vulnerable to pollution and coastal erosion and Ocean acidification.
