2012 Student Scholars Day
Monitoring Quagga Mussel Growth using Remotely Operated Vehicles Participants attending from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Presenter: Mara Deckinga Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) can be used to monitor quagga mussel growth and to map threatened archaeological sites. Inexpensive ROVs made of PVC pipes are another option for researchers studying our underwater heritage. With the support of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, video observation of mussel colonization was made on artificial substrate over 2 months. Inspection of the substrate was conducted every 2 weeks by video observation and visual inspection. Video from a professional ROV and a PVC pipe ROV were compared. Adult mussels migrated to the box. ROV footage showed algae discoloration, but the grid system restricted ability to count mussels. The inexpensive PVC pipe ROV worked as well as the professional-grade ROV for the purposes of monitoring mussel growth. Use of inexpensive ROV technology is a viable option for mapping the effects of mussel growth on underwater archaeological sites. Mentors: Mark Schwartz, Mark Gleason, PhD
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