Research Focuses on Control of Zebra Mussel Veligers Research Focuses on Control of Zebra Mussel Veligers Dr. John Van Benschoten, Great Lakes Program faculty affiliate and New York Sea Grant researcher, is involved in a project that examines what effects coagulants have on controlling zebra mussels.
Coagulants are chemicals that cause particles in the water to stick together and form a mass.
They found that coagulants killed veligers largely because they make water more acidic. As a result, the scientists concluded that mild acidification of water at the intake shows great potential for water utilities needing to control mussels.