# US 10,863,747 B2 · Methods and systems for controlling invasive mussel species > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,747 B2 - Document ID: US10863747B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/271,523 - Filed: 2019-02-08 - Published: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-30 - Applicants: Clyde Morgan - Inventors: Clyde Morgan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863747B2 ## CPC - A01N 65/03: Algae - A01N 63/10: Animals; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom - A01N 63/20: Bacteria; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom - A01N 65/00: Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof (containing compounds of determined constitution A01N27/00 - A01N59/00) - A01N 65/20: Fabaceae or Leguminosae [Pea or Legume family], e.g. pea, lentil, soybean, clover, acacia, honey locust, derris or millettia - A01N 65/44: Poaceae or Gramineae [Grass family], e.g. bamboo, lemon grass or citronella grass - Y02A 90/40: Monitoring or fighting invasive species - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract Methods and systems for killing, preventing, or inhibiting the growth and spread of invasive Dreissenid mussel species, such as Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and Quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) are provided herein. The treatment methods and systems utilize a nonnative source of chlorophyll introduced to a body of water to increase the chlorophyll concentrations in bodies of water. The increased chlorophyll concentration effectively kills or prevents the spreading of the invasive mussel species in the bodies of water. The methods and systems of the present invention advantageously avoid the use of heavy metals or pesticides that may pose health risks to humans. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention can use treatment doses that are nonharmful to other aquatic life. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling the spread of an invasive Dreissenid mussel species comprising introducing a nonnative source of chlorophyll to a body of water comprising the invasive mussel species, wherein: the nonnative source of chlorophyll is added at an amount sufficient to provide a concentration of chlorophyll in the body of water of about 10 μg/L to about 200 μg/L and the body of water has a pH of about 7 to about 8 after introducing the nonnative source of chlorophyll. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nonnative source of chlorophyll comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cyanobacteria, alfalfa, soy beans, wheat grass, wheat straw, barley grass, mulberry, chlorella, sea weed, fresh water moss, spirulina, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the nonnative source of chlorophyll comprises fresh water moss material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the nonnative source of chlorophyll comprises a mixture comprising spirulina, chlorella, and alfalfa. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nonnative source of chlorophyll is provided in a form selected from the group consisting of vapor, liquid, paste, powder, pellets, cubes, blocks, animalia food, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting an aquatic plant or algae material from the body of water and artificially processing the material to form the nonnative source of chlorophyll. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the invasive Dreissenid mussel species is Dreissena polymorpha or Dreissena rostriformis bugensis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nonnative chlorophyll is introduced to the body of water so as to provide an average chlorophyll concentration in the body of water of about 15 μg/L to about 25 μg/L for about 3 to about 4 days. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nonnative chlorophyll is introduced to the body of water so as to provide an average chlorophyll concentration in the body of water of about 20 μg/L to about 40 μg/L for about 1 to about 2 days. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nonnative chlorophyll is introduced to the body of water so as to provide an average chlorophyll concentration in the body of water of at least about 40 μg/L for less than about 24 hours. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body of water has a turbidity of about 5 ppm to about 500 ppm after introducing the nonnative source of chlorophyll. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the method does not comprise introducing a heavy metal to the body of water. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing comprises pouring, spreading, or spraying the nonnative source of chlorophyll onto the surface of the body of water, or injecting the nonnative source of chlorophyll into the body of water below the surface of the water. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing comprises feeding the nonnative source of chlorophyll to an animalia that defecates in the body of water. ### Claim 15 A method of controlling the spread of an invasive Dreissenid mussel species comprising introducing a nonnative source of chlorophyll to a body of water comprising the invasive mussel species, wherein: the nonnative source of chlorophyll is added at an amount sufficient to provide a concentration of chlorophyll in the body of water of about 10 μg/L to about 200 μg/L and the nonnative source of chlorophyll comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cyanobacteria, alfalfa, soy beans, wheat grass, wheat straw, barley grass, mulberry, chlorella, sea weed, fresh water moss, spirulina, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the invasive Dreissenid mussel species is Dreissena polymorpha or Dreissena rostriformis bugensis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the nonnative chlorophyll is introduced to the body of water so as to provide an average chlorophyll concentration in the body of water of about 15 μg/L to about 25 μg/L for about 3 to about 4 days. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the nonnative chlorophyll is introduced to the body of water so as to provide an average chlorophyll concentration in the body of water of about 20 μg/L to about 40 μg/L for about 1 to about 2 days. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the nonnative chlorophyll is introduced to the body of water so as to provide an average chlorophyll concentration in the body of water of at least about 40 μg/L for less than about 24 hours.