Stream Pollution 23 



The destruction of the river mujsels happens to be of direct 

 economic significance since their shells form the basis of the 

 important pearl button industry in the middle west. Even had the 

 pollution of these waters not been sufficient to kill the adult mussels, 

 yet these forms would have been wiped out by the destruction of 

 the young fish to which the young mussels are attached during 

 early stages of growth ; and on which they depend also for their dis- 

 tribution in the stream. Moreover the condition of the mussels is 

 a fair index of that of other organisms in the water. 



To the two examples given any number of others could be added 

 as desired; interference with natural conditions results in the 

 destruction of aquatic organisms of all types and the most serious 

 influence in this destruction is stream pollution. The losses are 

 indirect as well as direct, but all contribute to reduce and ultimately 

 to destroy the value of the stream to the state, that is to the people 

 in general. 



