chemical treatments – 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

Hand Pulling Starry Stonewort Helps Protect Native Plants

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 22:03:03 +0000

Heidi Bunk, a water resources management specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, said while the long-term effectiveness of hand pulling the invasive species starry stonewort is still being evaluated, it can be advantageous because it allows for the removal of starry stonewort without harming native species in the way chemical treatments might.

She said lakes that are over-managed with chemical treatments, which can kill native plant species, can actually increase the spread of some non-native species. She said while the treatment may temporarily reduce a starry stonewort population, it also opens the door to future spreading by potentially killing native plants that would otherwise compete with the invasive species.

Florida’s War on Weeds is Killing Fish and Supercharging Red Tide

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 21:45:21 +0000

On any given day, helicopters and an armada of airboats fan out across Florida’s fresh waters to spray tank after tank of poison. Pouring millions of gallons of herbicide into rivers and lakes to kill the weeds. What started as sensible navigation and flood control has turned into a million-dollar-a-month chemical addiction that is killing Florida’s natural state.

While fast-growing invasive plants outcompete some native species and threaten some waterways, the lush aquatic life serves as the liver and kidneys of Florida’s circulatory system. Plants like water hyacinth and water lettuce can clog navigation channels and tangle in propellers, but they are also natural filters that help clean all the pollution flowing out of farms, golf courses and neighborhoods.

Critics argue that by poisoning these plants and letting them sink to the bottom to rot, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation is only adding to the thick layer of fertilized muck that has been building in Florida’s wetlands for generations.

When pollution-rich flood water is released into the sea or when hurricanes churn and spread that muck layer across the Gulf of Mexico, scientists believe it serves as a powerful booster shot for naturally occurring toxic algae blooms, including the devastating red tide that occurred in 2017 caused by the churning of waters of Hurricane Irma. Irma blew across lakes like Kissimmee and Okeechobee, hundreds of tons of dead fish, sea turtles, dolphins and manatees began washing up on Florida beaches.

Since 2013, hundreds of square miles of these wetland filters have been sprayed with dozens of different herbicides at a cost of over $100 million.

Aquatic Invasive Plants, Toxic Herbicides, and Bad Permits

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:15:14 +0000

Invasive aquatic plants represent a serious problem in many lakes and waterways. To combat the aquatic weed infestation, herbicides are often applied directly to the water to kill the plants. Many of these herbicides are quite toxic and while permits are required prior to the application there may be flaws with the permit process.

Aquatic herbicides, which are applied directly into the water to kill the invasive species, are approved for use in the United States, many of them pose potential risks to human health and the environment. More significantly, direct application into the water means that these chemicals may drift away from the original treatment site, attacking a much larger area of the lake or pond and possibly affecting swimmers or wildlife in areas which may not have posted pesticide warnings.

2,4-D a relatively fast-acting systemic herbicide is widely used across America is able to travel though soil pathways and into groundwater, contaminating wells located near an aquifer of waterbody treated with the herbicide. It has been shown to reduce the rate of survival in ducks and waterfowl and has is highly lethal to endangered Chinook salmon smolts and fry as well as juvenile pink salmon.

Herbicide Destroys Aquatic Vegetation

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:25:47 +0000

Lake Pinehurst does not permit power boats making it an ideal lake to host cocktail cruises, sail, swim, and fish. Well, maybe not fish. This 200-acre manmade lake is owned by Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina; a premiere golf and recreation resort. Residents of the area and resort guests trolled for largemouth bass and other fish that were once plentiful in the lake. Pinehurst Resort advertised a well-stocked lake and provided fishing guide services for guests. That is until hydrilla was discovered, Pinehurst Resort and members of the homeowners association quickly ordered herbicide spraying to combat the aquatic invasive species.

Aquatic vegetation had always been a problem in shallow parts of the lake and years of limited spraying kept the vegetation under control. Three years ago an intensive annual program of spraying herbicides to kill the vegetation began. The program costs $20,000 annually and has proved to be successful. Very little aquatic vegetation remained after the spraying program, but native vegetation is necessary to keep lake healthy, filter pollutants, and create fish habitat. The annihilation of the aquatic vegetation has led to an unproductive fishery in poor shape; there is lack of forage fish and stunted and unhealthy game fish.