Environment news in Vivocity Singapore

1. NParks removes six unhealthy tembusu trees at MacRitchie Reservoir Park

   3 days ago The Straits Times MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapore 8.9 km

   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.

2. NUS study: Sand with more oxygen helps microbes break down oil faster

   1 week ago The Straits Times Bendera Bay on St John's Island, Singapore 5.8 km

   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.