The Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is an aquatic invasive species, which spread to Lough Key, Co. Roscommon, from the lower Shannon in the late 1990s. The mussels have been monitored in this 9km2 lake each year since 1998. By 1999 the population estimate was 6 billion (6x109) with high cover of zebra mussels on stones in near-shore areas of the lake. This project was a three-year study (2001-2003) on the impact of nutrients on the zebra mussel population in Lough Key (2000-MS-5-M1: ERTDI programme), which included some previous data from 2000.
Zebra mussels are effective filter feeders, with high individual clearance rates of phytoplankton, Cyanobacteria and other particles. Successful colonisation of a lake results in increased transparency and decreased chlorophyll levels and often a consequent decrease in total phosphorus. Since 1999 these changes have been noted in Lough Key. Transparency and chlorophyll levels indicate an improvement in trophic status (to oligotrophic) but total phosphorus levels are still within the mesotrophic range and have not reached limiting levels. These direct impacts create problems in classifying lakes according to existing (OECD) and developing (water framework directive 2000/60/EC) classification schemes.The construction of the new Boyle sewage treatment plant with a phosphorus removal system has reduced the loading of total Phosphorus to Lough Key. It was believed that the reduction in Phosphorus loadings could have a limiting effect on zebra mussels in Lough Key, due to a consequent reduced production of phytoplankton. It is not possible to separate the nutrient impacts this species has had on lake water quality from that due to the new sewage treatment plant. The project aimed to quantify the total number and biomass of zebra mussels and also to assess any changes to the population during the course of the study. Relevant water parameters and phytoplankton samples were analysed; direct ecological changes were also noted during the project.Zebra mussels were studied at all stages of growth from larva/veliger stage, through juvenile settlement and most intensively in the juvenile and adult stage (0-3 years). The total number of adult zebra mussels in the lake was estimated at 34 billion (34x109) with a total biomass of 4.4 x 106kg. This number is believed to relate to a more effective method of population estimate, rather than any real increase since 1999. This population is capable of filtering the entire volume of Lough Key in a 10 - day period. Biomass estimates taken in 2001 and 2003 were not significantly different ? this indicates that changes in total phosphorus did not limit the zebra mussel population during the course of the study. Food availability appears to be the main density-dependant limiting factor in the lake, as many stoney areas are not fully colonised. Ecological changes noted during the study included the extirpation of the native duck mussel, Anodonta anatina; reduced usage of the common reed (Phragmites australis) as a substrate and increased growth of aquatic plants and benthic algae.

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Lucy, F.   "Nutrient levels and the zebra mussel population in Lough Key". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=a5acfb17-282f-102a-a46d-815c4b6107fc (Last Accessed: 2024-12-14)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=5
Resource Keywords	Zebra mussel, Lough Key, substrate, phosphorus
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2000-MS-5-M1
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Water Quality
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Further publications based on the project will be submitted by research partners in 2006/2007. Any usage of data by other parties must be attributed to the project authors and referenced to this project or to the relevant publications.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	1
Project Start Date	Sunday 1st October 2000 (01-10-2000)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Friday 3rd November 2000 (03-11-2000)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 1st December 2003 (01-12-2003)
Published on SAFER	Tuesday 20th March 2007 (20-03-2007)
Date of Last Edit	Thursday 3rd March 2011 at 14:10:05 (03-03-2011)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Tuesday 20th March 2007 at 12:19:42 (20-03-2007)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
Lough Key is a lake in the Republic of Ireland. It is located in the north of County Roscommon, to the northeast of the town of Boyle. The lake is several kilometres across,almost circular, and contains over thirty wooded islands including Castle Island, Stag Island, Bullock Island, and Drummand Island. Castle Island contains Cloontykilla Castle, also occasionally known as Macdermott's Castle for one of the most important traditional families in the district. It is a trout and coarse fish lake. The lake is northern part of the River Shannon's catchment, and feeds a short tributary of that river which joins the main river at Lough Drumharlow, some eight miles (13 km) to the east.

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The following is a list of projects, datasets, and resources on SAFER-Data from which users downloaded attachments from soon after downloading attachments from this resource Nutrient levels and the zebra mussel population in Lough Key. You can view the full description for projects, datasets, and resources by using the links supplied.

• PM10 chemistry data starting 2005 for Carnsore Point, Oak Park, Malin Head View Full Metadata Description
• Identification of refereNce-Status for Irish lake typoloGies using palaeolimnological metHods and Techniques (IN-SIGHT) View Full Metadata Description
• Precipitation chemistry data starting 2005 for Oak Park, Glenn Veagh, Wexford View Full Metadata Description
• ILLUMINATE: Past, current and future Interactions between pressures, chemicaL status and bioLogical qUality eleMents for lakes IN contrAsting catchmenTs in IrEland View Full Metadata Description
• Summary of Irish Soil Data from Scoping Study View Full Metadata Description

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