Scientists Test New Coatings to Deter Invasive Zebra Mussels (VIDEO)

Some invasive species are more of a nuisance than others, and that's definitely the case when it comes to quagga and zebra mussels. Now, scientists have spent six years testing coatings to control the reattachment of these mussels to water and power facilities, which could be a huge step forward when it comes to population control.

"Controlling attachment of invasive quagga and zebra mussels on Bureau of Reclamation facilities is important to ensure water delivery and hydropower generation," said Allen Skaja, the principal researcher, in a news release. "Though we have tested many different coatings, three durable foul-release coatings are showing promise in managing mussels."

In this case, the researchers found the Silicon Epoxy allowed mussels to attach, but were easily cleaned for the first 12 months of exposure. In addition, two experimental formulations prevented mussel attachment for the first 18 months. These three durable foul release coatings are a step in the right direction when it comes to deterring these mussels, and the researchers plan to test them further.

Silicon foul release coatings are actually the most promising when it comes to deterring mussel attachment in flowing and static water. While aquatic vegetation and algae may provide a surface for attachment, the coatings can be easily cleaned with no measurable force. Unfortunately, these coatings are soft and easily damaged, which means that researchers may have to develop better ways for these coatings to stay on for longer.

The findings reveal a potential way to deter mussels-especially invasive zebra mussels which tend to clog up pipes and cause other issues for water filtration systems.

To view the entire report, visit Reclamation's Quagga and Zebra Mussel Website.

Want to learn more? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube.