Aquatic Invasive Species – Aquarius-Systems

Quagga Mussel Treatment in Idaho Raises Concerns Over Chemical Use

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:59:34 +0000

In 2023, invasive quagga mussels were discovered in the Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. To stop the spread, officials carried out a large-scale chemical treatment using copper-based products. Two years later, the results show just how much damage these treatments can cause—and how little success they’ve had in eliminating the mussels.

Chemical Treatments: Lethal to More Than Just Mussels

The copper treatment was designed to kill mussels, but it didn’t stop there. Entire populations of aquatic life were hit hard. Native mussels, snails, and insects dropped by as much as 90%. Fish populations took a devastating blow too—most of the local sturgeon were wiped out along with other species.

On top of that, more than 7,000 pounds of copper settled into the riverbed, creating long-term toxicity risks for sediment-dwelling organisms. Instead of targeting only the quagga mussels, the treatment spread lethal effects across nearly the entire food chain.

A Partial Success at a High Cost

Despite the widespread losses, the treatment did not eliminate the mussels. Quagga larvae were still detected in the Snake River a year later, forcing another round of chemical use. Officials report that the infested stretch of river has shrunk in size, but containment is far different from eradication.

For millions of dollars spent—and with ecosystems damaged in the process—the results fall short. Many now see the effort as a failure, because the mussels survived while native species did not.

The Bigger Problem With Aquatic Chemicals

Copper and other aquatic chemicals may be approved for use, but they are far from safe. In a river system, they do not stay neatly in place. They travel downstream, settle into sediments, and continue poisoning life long after the initial treatment ends.

The Idaho case highlights the risks of relying on chemicals as a “quick fix.” They may knock back invasive species temporarily, but they also create lasting harm for native species, water quality, and ecosystem balance.

A Call for Smarter Solutions

Idaho’s quagga mussel response is a cautionary tale. We cannot treat complex waterways like controlled test sites. Before future treatments, agencies must consider alternatives that remove or manage invasive species without poisoning everything else along the way. Smarter strategies—such as mechanical removal, improved monitoring, or long-term prevention—are needed to protect both water quality and aquatic life.

Read More https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/article311507151.html

Water Hyacinths May Help Remove Microplastics From Water

Thu, 01 May 2025 17:15:16 +0000

Water hyacinth is often seen as a serious problem in lakes and rivers around the world. The fast-growing invasive plant can clog waterways, block sunlight, reduce oxygen levels, and harm native wildlife. Managing large infestations is difficult and expensive, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where the plant spreads quickly.

Now, researchers are exploring whether this problematic plant might also offer some benefits. A new study suggests that water hyacinths could help remove microplastics from freshwater. Scientists found that the plants trapped tiny plastic particles in their roots, potentially helping clean up polluted waterways.

In the experiment, researchers placed water hyacinths in tanks containing microplastics and observed how the particles clung to the plant roots. After just four days, the plants removed more than half of the microplastics from the water.

While more research is needed, this study adds to the growing interest in finding new ways to manage invasive aquatic plants and fight plastic pollution in lakes and rivers.

Glyphosate Risks in Water Hyacinth Control Highlight Concerns

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:37:41 +0000

Water hyacinth, one of the most invasive aquatic plants, poses serious threats to waterbodies across India, including Pashan Lake in Pune and Powai Lake in Mumbai. As municipal authorities struggle to manage these infestations, the use of herbicides such as glyphosate is being considered as a cheaper and quicker solution. However, applying glyphosate to control water hyacinth can have long-term harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems. Glyphosate breaks down into aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), which remains toxic and continues to affect aquatic life. It reduces oxygen levels by promoting the decay of dead plant matter, leading to the death of fish and other aquatic species. Additionally, glyphosate can disrupt the food chain by harming beneficial algae and microorganisms that support aquatic biodiversity.

The risks of using glyphosate go beyond immediate environmental concerns. Studies suggest that its residues in waterbodies can accumulate over time, affecting not just fish but also amphibians and other organisms. In sensitive habitats, such as those with crocodiles or endemic species, these chemicals may alter reproductive cycles and hinder growth, leading to population declines. Furthermore, introducing glyphosate without addressing pollution sources, such as sewage inflow, only provides a temporary fix. Experts emphasize the need for thorough environmental assessments and long-term monitoring before opting for chemical interventions. Sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives, such as biological control using weevils or mechanical removal, offer safer solutions to protect India’s vulnerable aquatic ecosystems.

Salvinia Threat Emerges in Lake Victoria Waters

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:16:39 +0000

A new invasive type of water hyacinth, Salvinia spp., has been discovered in Lake Victoria. It reproduces rapidly, doubling its biomass within 8 days due to high nutrient levels caused by human activities such as improper waste disposal and deforestation. Over 36 tons have already been removed, but the plant continues to spread, threatening fish populations, water transport, and biodiversity by depleting oxygen and reducing water quality.

The newly discovered Salvinia spp. in Lake Victoria likely entered the lake through contaminated fishing gear, boats, or water currents connecting nearby ecosystems. Unlike the regular water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which forms thick mats on the surface, Salvinia spp. spreads faster and is more resilient under varying environmental conditions. It depletes oxygen more aggressively, suffocating aquatic life and reducing biodiversity. This variant poses a greater ecological threat and requires immediate control measures.

The species negatively impacts fishing, tourism, and water supply, making urgent action necessary.

Aquatic Weed Harvester Protects Salmon Spawning Grounds

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:47:54 +0000

Lake-Wide Herbicide Treatments May Harm Native Aquatic Plants

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:42:43 +0000

Invasive Eurasian water milfoil is flourishing in Wisconsin’s lakes, sometimes outcompeting native plants and creating floating mats that cause problems for people, boats and property values. But new research shows that the benefits of using one type of historical lake-wide herbicide treatment may be outweighed by the costs to native aquatic plants.

Lake management teams often try to tackle their milfoil problems with chemicals, which reduce the size of the milfoil population but can have off-target effects. In most lakes, lake-wide herbicide treatments are associated with more native plant declines than the milfoil, according to the study, published recently in the journal Facets.

For many lakes, it’s likely they may not have to use a lake-wide herbicide treatment on milfoil until native plant species are clearly suffering. For other lakes, a control regime not involving herbicides may work instead.

Researchers Determine Aquatic Invasive Species Spread by Boats

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:11:14 +0000

Preliminary results from systematic monitoring of Wisconsin lakes for aquatic invasive species confirm that boaters, not ducks or other birds, are spreading the invaders around. That is according to state and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers.

None of the wilderness lakes surveyed – those in remote places and easily accessible only to wildlife – had any invasive species present while there was a direct link between the presence of invasive species and boat access from public or private property. This suggests that these aquatic invasive species are spread by boaters.

“The fact that accessible lakes are the ones that are invaded indicates that these species are moved by boaters,” says Alex Latzka, a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student involved in the research. “While birds could transport invasive species from one lake to another, our finding that remote lakes do not have invasive species strongly indicates that birds are not an important factor.”

Mechanical Harvesting and Volunteers Battle Water Chestnut in Mystic River

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:10:44 +0000

While water chestnut would literally take over the river from shore to shore, the Mystic River Watershed Association and many partners battled the invasive plant with the help of mechanical harvesters and by organizing volunteer hand-pulling events.

Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is native to Asia, Europe and Africa. It was introduced in 1897 by a gardener as an ornamental plant in Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since then, it has spread to rivers and lakes throughout the commonwealth. Eradication efforts of water chestnuts in the Mystic River have been ongoing.

MyRWA is happy to report that in 2014 it had its most successful year yet! More than 940 volunteers hand-pulled 6,603 baskets of water chestnuts and the aquatic plant harvester removed 1,000 tons of water chestnuts this year.

Curly-Leaf Pondweed in Minnesota Lakes and the Role of Mechanical Harvesting

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:29:29 +0000

Curly-lead pondweed is an invasive aquatic plant that has been found in 759 lakes in 70 of the 87 counties in the state of Minnesota. Curly-leaf is unique in that it begins growing in late fall and continues to grow under the thick ice. When spring arrives it is usually the first plant to appear after ice-out. Then when most native aquatic plants are growing, curly-leaf pondweed is dying back.

As the dying weeds decompose it contributes to increased phosphorous concentrations in the lakes. The excessive phosphorus provides necessary nutrients for algae to grow causing additional recreation and water-quality problems.

Mechanical harvesting (raking, cutting, or harvesting) is effective if performed in the spring – before Memorial Day. This process does need to be performed yearly however, but since curly-leaf can spread from just a small plant fragment; it is imperative that the harvesting method include collecting and disposing of the clippings.

Hydrilla and Water Hyacinth Threaten Water Pumping on India’s Tapi River

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:39:48 +0000

Hydrilla and water hyacinth, two of the worst aquatic weeds, have taken over the surface of Tapi River in India just above the pumping stations. This phenomenon of summer, which creates problems in the pumping of water from the pumping stations to Surat city, has occurred this time of the year for the first time. The reason for the growth of vegetation is reduced water level in Tapi River.

The vegetation has got a chance to grow because of sewage in the upstream of the river. When water level is low, the sewage acts as nutrition for weeds and help them to grow faster.

The vegetation will need to be removed or else it would interrupt the pumping of water into intake wells and from the pumping stations.