Environmentally applications of invasive bivalves for water and wastewater decontamination

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 630; pp. 1016 - 1027
• Main Authors: Gomes, João, Matos, Ana, Quinta-Ferreira, Rosa M., Martins, Rui C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.07.2018
• Subjects: animals; bioaccumulation; biofilters; biofiltration; Bivalvia; chemical control; decontamination; Disinfection; economic impact; Eutrophic sites recovery; eutrophication; Invasive bivalves; nutrients; Pest management; pests; Processes integration; toxic substances; wastewater; Wastewater treatment; Disinfection; Eutrophic sites recovery; Processes integration; Pest management; Wastewater treatment; Invasive bivalves
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.292

The environmental and economic impact of invasive bivalve species implies the development of suitable pest management strategies. Chemical control is the most usual approach. However, the production of toxic intermediates as well as the unavoidable impact over non target biota is of special concern. Another approach consists on the physical removal of the animals from the invaded sites. The high biofiltration and bioaccumulation capacity of such animals make them interesting for the removal of contaminants from water and wastewater. In this context, environmental applications can be given for these pests encompassing nutrients removal for the recovery of eutrophic sites, water disinfection, organic and metal contaminants abatement. These approaches may be integrated with pest management where the physical removed animals from the invaded spots could be used for assembling biofilter for water and wastewater decontamination. However, some drawbacks must be addressed before proposing such alternative. In fact, the further spreading of the bivalves into non-invaded sites must be avoided. Moreover, some operational questions must be addressed such as the fate of contaminated animals after biofiltration. Bearing in mind the interesting results already available in this subject, this paper aims to critically overview literature regarding the environmental applications of invasive bivalves. [Display omitted] •Invasive bivalves threat native species and cause economic issues to industry.•Biofiltration capacity and tolerance to toxic compounds useful for water treatment•Invasive bivalves may be used to recover eutrophicated invaded sites.•Capacity of removing chemical and biological contaminants from water•Water treatment is an alternative pest management approach for these species.