Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled and diverse faunal groups in North America, facing widespread decline due to habitat degradation, invasive species, and pollution. This study aimed to assess the effects of sediment- and water-borne contaminants on juvenile mussel growth and survival in the Conasauga River watershed. Two complementary approaches were used: (1) a 28-day sediment toxicity trial evaluated the effects of field-collected sediments on mussel growth and survival in a controlled laboratory setting, and (2) an in situ silo deployment assessed juvenile mussel responses to ambient water conditions across multiple tributaries. Mussel growth varied significantly across sites in both experiments, and multivariate models identified sediment and water chemistry, nutrient concentrations, and land use variables as predictors. Data from this research contributes to ongoing conservation efforts in the Conasauga River by identifying potential sediment and water contaminants and ambient stream conditions that are harmful to freshwater mussels.
