RESPONSE OF BROWN MUSSEL, PERNA-INDICA, TO ELEVATED-TEMPERATURES IN RELATION TO POWER-PLANT BIOFOULING CONTROL

1. Results of a study on lethal and sublethal responses of different s ize groups of the tropical brown mussel, Perna indica, when exposed to different temperatures are presented. 2. Exposure to a temperature of 38 degrees C showed 100% mortality of 9 mm size group mussels in 120 min. 3. Mortality was dependent on age (size) of the mussels, young on es being more susceptible than older ones. 4. All size groups showed a progressive reduction in physiological activities such as filtration rate, foot activity and byssus thread production when temperature was increased from 30 degrees C. 5. This study suggests that heat treatmen t is an attractive alternative to chlorination for mussel fouling cont rol in tropical power stations.