Environment news in Esplanade Theatre Singapore
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Bowmouth guitarfish filmed at Bedok Jetty, first Singapore record since 1995
A bowmouth guitarfish was filmed by anglers at Bedok Jetty on Oct 29, 2022, and formally documented in a report published by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum on Aug 31. It is the first confirmed record of the critically endangered species in Singapore waters since a specimen was netted off Marine Parade in 1995.
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NParks removes six unhealthy tembusu trees at MacRitchie Reservoir Park
Six tembusu trees at MacRitchie Reservoir Park were removed by NParks on Sept 2 after inspections found them unhealthy, with decay and structural defects. The removals came to light after a Nature Society Singapore forum member posted photos of the stumps near the Paddle Lodge. NParks says native species will be planted to replace the trees.
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NUS study: Sand with more oxygen helps microbes break down oil faster
A new study by the National University of Singapore found that microbes in well-drained, oxygen-rich beach sand degrade oil much faster than in waterlogged sand. The research, prompted by the 2024 oil spill, showed a 40% degradation rate in oxygen-rich conditions versus 5% in oxygen-poor conditions. The findings could help improve oil spill clean-up strategies.