A hidden crisis threatens North America’s rivers. Freshwater mussels, small creatures that clean water naturally, are dying out. Thirty-five species have already been declared extinct, and more are likely gone. These mussels work like living water filters. Each one cleans up to 20 gallons of water every day. They remove dirt, harmful bacteria, and even metal pollution from rivers. In one part of the Mississippi River, mussels clean 14 billion gallons daily. That’s more than most water treatment plants can handle. Pointing at the river, Rose Agbalog, a researcher at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, said, “This used to … Continue reading Freshwater Mussels’ Decline Threatens North America’s Natural Water Filtration