Monitoring conditions for the freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera using the Troll® 9500 water quality monitor

Why use the Troll® 9500?

The Freshwater Biological Association is housing several populations of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaitifera margaritifera, and using the Troll® 9500 to monitor and log the water conditions. This equipment will help us predict important temperature-dependent reproductive stages in the adult life cycle.
Equipment used

Troll® 9500 multi-parameter water quality monitor with pressure, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity and pH/ORP sensors purchased from RS Hydro.
Background

The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera is endangered throughout its range due to a variety of factors including siltation, pollution, pearl fishing and trampling. The UK is the last remaining stronghold for the species and as such, much is being done to try and save the diminishing populations. The Freshwater Biological Association is part of a collaborative project with Natural England and the Environment Agency for England and Wales, to try and save relic populations before they become extinct.

Captive breeding is often a last resort to try and save populations that are not recruiting successfully or where numbers have become critically low. A small number of adult freshwater pearl mussels have been brought to the FBA headquarters, on the shore of Windermere in an attempt to breed from them and reintroduce the offspring into their native catchment, when they have reached maturity.
Use of the Troll 9500®

We are using the Troll® 9500 to monitor and log the conditions we are keeping the adult mussels in. Temperature is particularly important for reproduction in the freshwater pearl mussel so an accurate temperature reading several times per day is vital in order to accurately predict the timing of important reproductive events. The Troll® 9500 water quality instrument simplifies multiparameter monitoring; it is a powerful, portable unit that houses up to 9 water quality sensors, internal power, and optional data logging capabilities.