How do zebra mussels damage power plants and industrial cooling systems?

Zebra mussels (Dreissena) are highly invasive freshwater bivalves that cause significant industrial damage due to their ability to proliferate rapidly and adhere in massive clusters to almost any submerged surface.12

In power plants and industrial facilities, these mussels pose a severe threat by colonizing water-intake valves and pipes. Because they settle in such dense numbers, they physically clog these intake systems, which restricts or completely blocks the flow of water necessary for cooling operations. This fouling process results in substantial economic losses annually, as the systems require frequent cleaning and maintenance to remain operational. Beyond industrial infrastructure, their rapid spread also disrupts local food webs by consuming vast quantities of phytoplankton, which negatively impacts native fish and mussel populations.12