News items from Eutrophication News

Bangalore, INDIA: Soaps and detergents are turning out to be the new killers of lakes, according to researchers from Bangalore University. Shocked by the revelations, experts have suggested that the government ban the use of phosphate in detergents and soaps, and instead switch to synthetic chemical, Zeolite.

Collier County water quality monitors are reporting various species of dead fish and discolored water in at least two Marco Island canals. Monitors are blaming low oxygen levels in the canals because of a bloom of non-toxic algae detected in water quality samples.

BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- China's overall environmental situation is still grave while its seven major rivers and coastal seawaters are slightly polluted, according to an annual report on the country's environmental conditions in 2010 released Friday.

The Tampa City Council is on a fast track to pass an ordinance banning the use or sale of certain fertilizers during the summer rainy season. The law is intended to protect the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay from nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Local residents and activists showed up in numbers to today's City Council meeting to support the proposed ordinance.

The fish kill experienced earlier this week appears over. Nancy Richie, city Environmental Specialist, said, "From my samples (taken on Wednesday) the canal fish kill was caused by low dissolved oxygen, resulting from a 'mixed' bloom of non-toxic algae and diatoms

The Manitoba government is to be congratulated for its announcement this week that its policy for Lake Winnipeg will focus on aggressively reducing phosphorus inputs to the lake.

A five-year study on the health of Lake Winnipeg contains some dire warnings for Manitobans. The study, released Tuesday, said if no action is taken, deadly toxic algae could form and spread.

Jellyfish are great survivors of disturbed marine ecosystems – even the oxygen-starved “dead zones” caused by coastal eutrophication – and the tipping point comes when the sum of human impacts allows jellyfish to outnumber the filter-feeding fish.

"When these blooms die and sink to the bottom, they suck the oxygen out of the water," Waldbusser said. "Low oxygen is the flip side of high CO2. People in the Northwest are starting to become aware of hypoxia and its impacts, but there hasn't been the same awareness of ocean acidification on a local level."

Louisiana's shrimpers expected 2010 to be a good year. Instead, they got the oil spill. Although many found temporary jobs working cleanup for BP PLC, hopes for recovery turned to 2011.

PHILIPPINES - "Lake ecosystems are threatened by overexploitation, pollution, the proliferation of aquaculture and fisheries structure, the introduction of exotic invasive species, solid and domestic waste," said Dr. Manuel Bravo of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Harrington beach at Workington has been named and shamed as one of the worst in the UK due to water pollution. The beach is one of 46 across the UK breaching basic European water quality standards, says the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) in a report today.

A Waikato University scientist believes that by diminishing koi carp numbers, the quality of water in Waikato lakes and rivers can improve without forcing farmers to reduce their fertiliser use.

YICHANG (Xinhua) -- China has begun the second phase of a research project to explore the use of fish to clean up water pollution in the Three Gorges Reservoir on the Yangtze River, the country's largest river.

KARACHI: Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan and a hub of industrial activity. However, its coastal zone is extended up to 135 kilometres that is exposed to heavy pollution load of both domestic and industrial origin, says a report of the Society for Human Rights & Environment Protection (SHEP) on chemical water pollution.

The Hutt River is bordered by paths, lined with parks, and peppered with swimming spots. It is the Hutt Valley's playground, but its duties do not end there. It is also the source of most of the drinking water for the Hutt and Wellington.

The 18 wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the Great Bay estuary face tougher clean water standards. Nitrogen pollution is threatening the Bay’s health.

Unbridled urban development is destroying Kashmir’s precious wetlands and government apathy is to blame, writes Athar Parvaiz from northern India.

Udupi, INDIA May 20: Thousands of fishes were found to have dead in Udyavar rivulet on Thursday May 19, as a result of pollution caused by the direct discharge of untreated effluents by the effluents mixed with oil released by the fish mills here.

Gov. Martin O'Malley signed into law today legislation that limits both the content and the application of fertilizer for urban and suburban lawns, a measure supporters say should help rescue the Chesapeake Bay from the nutrient pollution fouling its water.