An
interesting project is currently underway in Lake Winnipeg.
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| Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada |
The Manitoba government is trying to stop the
growth of the aggressive zebra mussel.
Zebra mussels, native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, are extremely
invasive and latch onto boats, buoys, rocks, and other structures.
Zebra mussels are very difficult to control and
previous attempts to halt their spread in the U.S. and Canada have largely been
ineffective. However mussels are
sensitive to high potassium concentrations and it is hoped that this may be the
key to slowing down their invasion.
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| Zebra mussels (Wikipedia) |
A concentrated potassium chloride solution was
recently added to the Winnipeg Beach Harbor and all of the zebra mussels were
killed within ten days. Potassium
chloride does not have a negative impact on fish, other mussels, humans, or
water quality as it gradually dissipates into the lake.
 |
| Zebra mussels (Wikipedia) |
You will recall that Canada has the largest geologic
reserves of potassium chloride in the world.
These mines harvest naturally occurring potassium minerals from the
ground, wash away any impurities, and then sell valuable potassium fertilizer
(potash) to agricultural regions around the world where soil reserves of
potassium are too low to support healthy plant growth.
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| Potash mine in Saskatchewan, Canada |
You can read
more about this in these news outlets:
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