AWS mussel intro video

What is the largest source of contamination for the Anacostia River?

• Stormwater runoff

• Acid Rain from air pollution

• The military dumping nuclear waste

• A factory putting chemicals in the river.

What is the main goal of the Anacostia Watershed Society?

• To increase the number of boats on the river

• To build a new dam

• To stop all fishing activities

• To create a swimmable and fishable river

How many species of freshwater mussels live in the Anacostia River?

• 8

• 2

• 20,000

What can we do to help keep the Anacostia River clean?

• Ignore pollution

• Throw trash in the river

• Organize community cleanups

• Use more plastic bags

How did the freshwater mussel program begin?

• By importing mussels from another river

• By building a mussel farm

• Through a planned research project

• By accident during a fishing study

How do freshwater mussels clean the river?

• They filter algae and bacteria from the water.

• They use toxic chemicals to build their shells

• They push pollution out of the river when they swim.

What do freshwater mussels need to reproduce?

• A fish

• Saltwater

• Plants to hide in

• Alkaline water

Which is NOT a reason why mussel populations are decreasing?

• Native Americans ate too many mussels

• Overharvesting for buttons

• Poor Water quality

• No fish to reproduce

What do mussels use to move along the riverbed?

• Their siphons

• Their foot

• Their fins

• Their shells

Why are mussels important for the river ecosystem?

• They improve water quality and provide habitat

• They make the water dirty

• They eat all the fish

• They block the river flow