RESPONSE OF GREEN MUSSEL, PERNA-VIRIDIS (L) TO CHLORINE IN THE CONTEXT OF POWER-PLANT BIOFOULING CONTROL

Results of a study on lethal and sublethal responses of green mussel, Perna viridis exposed to different levels of chlorine, are presented. At 1 ppm chlorine residuals, 12 mm size group mussels showed 100% mort ality in 504 hours (21 days) and 95 mm size group mussels in 816 hours (33 days). At relatively high levels of chlorine residuals (10 ppm), 100% mortality in 12 mm and 95 mm size groups took 30 and 48 hours, re spectively. All size groups showed progressive reduction in physiologi cal activities such as filtration rate, foot activity and byssus threa d production when chlorine residuals were increased from 0 to 1.5 ppm. Reduction in physiological activities of mussels was strongly correla ted with the concentration of chlorine.