Smoke on the Water: Comparative Assessment of Combined Thermal Shock Treatments for Control of Invasive Asian Clam, Corbicula fluminea

Abstract Suppression of established populations invasive alien species can be a complex and expensive process, which is frequently unsuccessful. The Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774), considered high impact invader that adversely alter freshwater ecosystems decrease their socioeconomic value. To date, C. continues to spread persist within environments worldwide, despite repeated management attempts prevent dispersal suppress populations. As extensive beds often become exposed during low-water conditions, the direct application hot or cold thermal shock treatments has been proposed as suitable mechanism for control. Further, mechanical substrate disturbance may enhance efficacy by facilitating exposures multiple layers buried clams. In present study, we advanced these methods assessing combined applications both control , using steam spray (≥100 °C; 350 kPa), low- high-intensity open-flame burns (~1000 °C) dry ice (−78 °C). comparison raking with applications, tended most effective, especially following applications. addition, when are followed final (i.e. ice), effective. was applied either alone prior an treatment, substantial if not complete mortality observed. Overall, this study demonstrated treatments, disruption substrate, substantially increase compared separate treatments.