News – Aquarius-Systems

Singapore Turns Waste Ash Into an Offshore Landfill

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:33:52 +0000

With limited land available for traditional waste disposal, Singapore developed an unusual solution: an offshore landfill built in the sea. Semakau Landfill, which opened in 1999, receives ash and non-incinerable waste after most of the country’s solid waste is processed at waste-to-energy plants. Incineration reduces the volume of the waste by as much as 90 percent before the remaining material is transported to the landfill.

Semakau was created by enclosing approximately 350 hectares (about 865 acres) of sea with a seven-kilometer, or roughly 4.3-mile, rock barrier. An impermeable membrane and marine clay help contain the landfill and prevent contaminated water from entering the surrounding sea. Waste is deposited within engineered cells inside the enclosed area.

What makes Semakau especially interesting is the effort to protect and restore the surrounding marine environment. Mangroves disturbed during construction were replanted, while nearby coral reefs, seagrass beds and remaining mangrove habitat were protected. Today, the area supports marine life and migratory birds and is even used for guided nature walks, birdwatching and other recreational activities.

The project isn’t a permanent answer to Singapore’s waste problem. Semakau continues to fill, and the country is exploring ways to reuse incineration ash rather than sending it to the landfill. Still, the project provides an interesting example of how engineering, waste management and environmental protection can be incorporated into the same project when available land is extremely limited.

Managing Invasive Frogbit with an Integrated Approach

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:01:49 +0000

More than 100 tonnes (approximately 110 U.S. tons, or about 220,000 pounds)of invasive Frogbit have been removed from properties around Anna Bay in New South Wales, Australia, following the discovery of the first known infestation in the Port Stephens region. Frogbit is a prohibited aquatic weed in New South Wales because of its ability to spread rapidly across the surface of waterways, crowding out native vegetation, smothering aquatic habitat and interfering with drainage.

Managing the infestation has required a coordinated response using multiple control methods. Large quantities of the invasive plant were physically removed, while herbicide treatments were also used as part of the effort to control remaining growth and reduce the potential for the weed to spread. The response demonstrates how an integrated management approach can be valuable when dealing with aggressive aquatic invasive species.

Early detection and continued monitoring will be important to preventing Frogbit from becoming established in the region. The project also highlights the importance of removing invasive plant biomass from waterways while combining appropriate management tools to address regrowth and protect surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

Rotorua Lake Weed Odor Sparks Calls for Preventative Management

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:12:15 +0000

Rotting lake weed and dead fish are causing a strong odor along Rotorua’s lakefront as a 70-tonne-per-day clean-up continues. Businesses report guests are complaining or staying away, highlighting the impact on the city’s reputation.

The piles of weed surfaced two weeks ago after strong winds disturbed the lakebed. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council began removal on 14 November, with Rotorua Lakes Council handling disposal. Ongoing weather fluctuations have worsened the smell, prompting calls for increased investment in preventative weed management to protect both the lake and Rotorua’s visitor experience.

Decomposing Weeds After Spraying Kills Fish in Lake

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:34:36 +0000

Residents around Indian Lake in Worcester, Massachusetts, are raising concerns after a spike in fish deaths following the recent application of aquatic herbicides. These chemicals, intended to control the spread of invasive weeds, work by killing the plants outright. But once the plants die, they begin to decompose in the water—a process that consumes dissolved oxygen. As oxygen levels drop, fish and other aquatic life can no longer survive, resulting in visible fish kills along the shoreline.

This chain reaction—herbicide application, plant decay, and oxygen depletion—has become a growing concern for communities trying to balance weed control with aquatic health. Indian Lake residents voiced frustration over poor communication from city officials, especially after seeing and smelling the aftermath of the July 2025 treatment. This incident underscores the environmental risks of chemical plant control and the importance of considering non-chemical alternatives like mechanical weed harvesting.

Read More https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2025/07/22/dead-fish-herbicides-communication-discussed-at-indian-lake-meeting/85306476007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118908p000650c000650d00—-v118908d–79–b–79–&gca-ft=234&gca-ds=sophi

Chemical Spraying Causes Major Fish Kill in Florida Canal

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:18:06 +0000

Following a chemical treatment aimed at controlling aquatic vegetation in Port St. Lucie’s Elkhorn Canal, residents reported what they called the “worst smell in the entire world” as countless fish perished on the canal’s surface. Water tests revealed that dissolved oxygen levels plunged to levels unsustainable for aquatic life—an unintended but severe consequence of the applied chemicals.

Critics argue that proper dissolved-oxygen testing should have been completed before treatment—something the contractor failed to do. Environmental advocates now recommend exploring safer alternatives, such as mechanical harvesting or biological controls, to manage vegetation without triggering oxygen depletion or fish kills.

Hydrilla Eradication Efforts Raise PFAS Concerns in New York Lakes

Wed, 28 May 2025 14:18:19 +0000

Hydrilla, a non-native aquatic plant, has been labeled one of the world’s most invasive species. While it can dominate shallow, warm waters in places like Florida, its threat in deep, cold lakes such as those in New York is far less clear. Nevertheless, aggressive chemical eradication campaigns have been launched across the state, including in Cayuga Lake and the New Croton Reservoir—key drinking water sources for millions. These treatments have relied heavily on herbicides like fluridone, often applied in massive quantities over several years.

Fluridone is a PFAS chemical—a class of compounds known for their persistence in the environment and growing links to serious health issues. Despite being banned from use in food packaging and other consumer products in New York, it’s being deliberately applied to drinking water sources at concentrations vastly exceeding current PFAS safety thresholds. Native aquatic plant populations have sharply declined, and no monitoring has been conducted on the impacts to fish, birds, or invertebrates. With millions of New Yorkers at potential risk, experts are calling for more transparency, scientific scrutiny, and a halt to unnecessary herbicide use in critical water supplies.

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.

The Hidden Dangers of Aquatic Herbicides

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:50:31 +0000

At first glance, using herbicides to control aquatic weeds might seem like an efficient solution. But emerging science shows that these chemicals often come with serious unintended consequences for the environment.

A recent report from Beyond Pesticides reveals that a new class of herbicides containing florpyrauxifen-benzyl (FPX) —designed to mimic natural hormones—may be threatening non-target aquatic species. These chemicals don’t just attack invasive plants; they can interfere with the biology of fish, amphibians, and beneficial plant life, potentially disrupting entire aquatic ecosystems.

This is especially concerning in lakes and waterways where biodiversity and water quality are already under pressure. Once these chemicals enter the water, they’re hard to remove and can persist in sediment long after application.

Read the Full Article

The Most Vulnerable Fish Species in U.S. Rivers Today

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 18:06:19 +0000

The article “The Most Vulnerable Fish Species in U.S. Rivers Today” highlights several fish species facing significant threats in American rivers due to factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Key species discussed include:

American Eel: Once abundant in eastern U.S. rivers, their populations have declined due to migration barriers like dams, pollution, and habitat loss.
Pallid Sturgeon: Native to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, this prehistoric fish has been endangered since 1990, primarily due to habitat alterations from damming and channelization.
Shortnose Sturgeon: Historically found along the Atlantic coast, overfishing, dams, and pollution have led to its endangered status.
Apache Trout: Endemic to Arizona streams, they face threats from habitat destruction and competition with non-native species.
Colorado Pikeminnow: Once widespread in the Colorado River basin, river modifications and water extraction have endangered this species.
Devils River Minnow: Found in Texas, they are threatened by water pollution and excessive groundwater extraction.
Humpback Chub: Inhabiting the Colorado River, they are vulnerable due to habitat changes and predation from non-native fishes.
Topeka Shiner: Native to Midwest prairie streams, habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization has led to their decline.
Modoc Sucker: A rare fish from northeastern California, facing threats from habitat fragmentation and stream degradation.
Robust Redhorse: Found in the southeastern U.S., threatened by habitat destruction and pollution.

The article emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, pollution control, and sustainable water management, to ensure the survival of these species.

Cutting Weeds to Restore Lake Horowhenua

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:52:22 +0000

A unique weed harvesting machine, described by its skipper as something out of Waterworld, is helping restore Lake Horowhenua (Punahau). The contraption, part boat and part tractor, moves slowly across the lake, using paddle steamer-like wheels and sharp teeth to cut and collect up to ten tonnes of aquatic weeds daily. Built in the U.S. by Aquarius Systems and one of only two in New Zealand, the harvester trims weeds just above the lake bed. This ongoing project, a collaboration between Horizons Regional Council and the lake’s owners, Muaūpoko, aims to manage the excessive weed growth, which alters the water’s pH and contributes to pollution. Despite four years of mowing, the weed volume remains high, but overall water quality is gradually improving.

Punahau has long suffered from pollution due to farming runoff and historical sewage discharge, earning it a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most contaminated lakes. However, efforts to restore its health are showing progress, with the return of native plants and fish like grey mullets. Muaūpoko leaders emphasize the lake’s spiritual and cultural significance, calling its restoration a step toward healing both the water and their people. Last year, over 400 tonnes of weeds were removed, a record likely to be surpassed this summer. The harvested weeds are repurposed as compost, ensuring the cleanup efforts also support sustainability.