Unexplainable Solve me a river
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Oct 29, 2025 
Neel Dhanesha, a science reporter focused on river avulsions, shares insights into the mysteries of shifting river courses. Sally Helm, the newest team member, navigates through the alarming decline of freshwater mussels and their vital role in ecosystems. They delve into fascinating topics like the pathogens threatening mussel populations and the surprising factors behind rivers suddenly changing direction. With a twist of humor and engaging discussions, the duo unveils the complexities of measuring the longest river and potential engineering solutions to prevent avulsions.
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Mussels' Strange Lives And Names
- Byrd describes freshwater mussels' strange lives and quirky names, like the turgid blossom pearly mussel and heel splitter.
- He recounts mussels using fake-fish lures to disperse eggs and their critical role filtering and stabilizing rivers.
Mussels Are Hidden Ecosystem Engineers
- Freshwater mussels perform huge ecosystem services by filtering particulates, pathogens, and chemicals from water.
- Large, recent mass die-offs threaten river health and have prompted scientists to hunt for causes urgently.
Killer Of Mussels Remains Elusive
- Researchers, led by epidemiologist Tony Goldberg, suspect pathogens but haven't identified a definitive cause of mass mussel die-offs.
- Identifying sick mussels is itself difficult, complicating the hunt for viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
