The city of Warsaw, Poland, employs eight mussels equipped with sensors attached to their shells using hot glue to monitor and automatically shut off the city’s water supply if the mussels detect a problem. When water quality deteriorates, the mussels close their shells, triggering the sensors and alerting the control system. If four out of the eight mussels close their shells, the system automatically cuts off the water supply. These mussels are used for three months before being released back into the wild, and over 50 water treatment plants across Poland utilize the same method.
Adult clams and oysters can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily. However, if the water becomes too toxic, they close their shells and wait until conditions improve. RENK RENK
Mussel sensors are also used in Minneapolis, MN.
Who comes up with this stuff?