Mercury Concentrations in Quagga Mussels, Dreissena bugensis, from Lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu

The recent invasion of the Dressenid species, the quagga mussel, Dreissena bugensis, into Lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu has raised questions about their ability to alter contaminant cycling. Mussels were collected from 25 locations in the three lakes. The overall average was 0.036 ± 0.016 μg g⁻¹ Hg dry wt. The range of the three lakes was from 0.014–0.093 μg g⁻¹ Hg dry wt. There were no significant differences in mercury concentrations among the three lakes (F = 0.07; p = 0.794). From this baseline data of contaminants in quagga mussels from the lower Colorado River, this species may be used to biomonitor lake health.