We studied the potential of zebra mussel farming for nutrient retention in a eutrophic lake. Duplicate experimental long-line cultivation units were deployed and mussel growth and nutrient retention were quantified after 28 months. Mussels grew well at shallow water depth (<3 m) and our 625 m² (lake area) experimental units produced 507 and 730 kg dry biomass, respectively, of which 94% were shells. These yields corresponded to an average retention of 92.7 ± 23.1 kg C, 6.1 ± 0.68 kg N, and 0.43 ± 0.04 kg P retention, or 742 kg C, 49 kg N, and 3.5 kg P for a full-size (0.5 ha) mussel farm. We estimate that concentrating the long-lines to a depth of 2.5 m would probably have doubled these yields, based on the differences in mussel growth among depths. We further estimate that a full-size cultivation unit (0.5 ha) thus could compensate for the annual total-P run-off from 23 ha, or the biologically available P from approximately 49 ha of agricultural soils. As traditional measures have proven insufficient, decision-makers need to facilitate novel approaches to mitigate the negative effects of cultural eutrophication. We envision that zebra mussel farming, within their invaded range, provides a promising approach to invert nutrient losses in lakes and coastal lagoons.

我们研究了斑马贻贝养殖在富营养化湖泊中保留养分的潜力。部署了重复的实验长线栽培单元，并在28个月后对贻贝的生长和营养保留进行了定量。贻贝在浅水深度（<3 m）和我们的625 m ²处生长良好（湖区）实验单位分别生产507和730 kg干生物质，其中94％是贝壳。这些产量对应于92.7±23.1 kg C，6.1±0.68 kg N和0.43±0.04 kg P的平均保留量，或742 kg C，49 kg N和3.5 kg P的平均保留量（0.5 ha）贻贝农场。根据不同深度贻贝生长的差异，我们估计将长线集中到2.5 m的深度可能会使这些产量提高一倍。我们进一步估计，一个全尺寸耕种单位（0.5公顷）可以弥补23公顷的年全磷径流，或约49公顷的农业土壤中的可生物利用的磷。由于传统措施已被证明不足，决策者需要促进新颖的方法来减轻文化富营养化的负面影响。