Environmental Impact of Quagga Mussels - The quagga mussel, an invasive species, originated from the Black Sea and has spread to North American Great Lakes and European waters, including Switzerland [1] - A single adult quagga mussel can produce up to 1 million larvae per year, leading to a population estimated at 300,000 tonnes [2] - In some areas of Lake Geneva (Léman), over 20,000 individuals per square meter have been counted [5] - Quagga mussels colonize various substrates, obstruct lacustrine pipes, threatening drinking water and hydrothermal energy supplies, potentially costing hundreds of millions [7] - The mussels' filtration activities deplete phytoplankton, impacting the food chain and potentially causing ecosystem collapse [8][9] - Increased water clarity due to filtration promotes the growth of potentially toxic aquatic plants and reduces oxygen levels, leading to botulism outbreaks and mass mortality of fish and birds [10] - A study predicts a 20-fold increase in quagga mussel populations in Swiss lakes by 2045, potentially leading to toxic algae blooms, shell-covered shores, and the disappearance of fish species [11] Mitigation and Solutions - Instead of eradication, a new paradigm focuses on cohabitation with quagga mussels through a systemic approach [16] - An AI algorithm is used to assess the extent of the problem and prioritize protection zones, such as fish spawning areas [18] - Existing robotic technology is adapted to collect quagga mussels in lacustrine environments [21] - A transformation process has been developed to valorize the collected mussels, with shells used as a regenerative alternative to non-renewable fossil limestone and the mussel flesh converted into biogas [22][23][24]