Mussels continuously pump water through their bodies. This pumping process allows the mussel to filter food from the water. Mussels are long lived species with some living more than 10 years. Others have been recorded as over 100 years old. There are however pollutants that reduce this life expectancy.
Freshwater mussels have a high ecological value.
They are an important food source for many other animals including muskrats, minks, otters, fishes, and some birds. More importantly, they serve as indicators in that they are sensitive to pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, agricultural nutrients, heavy loads of fine silts. It is inevitable that mollusks are going to be exposed to water born chemicals. Once exposed uptake is very rapid and very easy. Examples of these compounds include benzene hexachloride, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, and toxaphene.