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Water Hyacinths Show Promise for Microplastics Removal, Despite Being an Invasive Species

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21 Apr, 2025

This post was originally published on Eco Watch

In a recent study, scientists have found that the species Eichhornia crassipes, also known as the common water hyacinth, has strong potential as a remediator for microplastics in the environment.

In the study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers collected water hyacinths from a river in Shanghai, China and relocated the plants for continued growth in a greenhouse with controlled nutrients, light and temperatures. Then, to test for the ability to take up microplastics, researchers placed plants of the same size and from the same mother plant, with two of these plants per one glass culture bottle.

From there, particles of polystyrene (PS) were added to the nutrient solution in the bottles and observed for a 14-day period, with the liquid in the bottles switched out every 7 days.

Based on the results, the water hyacinths’ growth was not impacted by the presence of microplastics, and microplastics only made it to the stem of the plants, not the leaves. The root system even adsorbed the microplastics over the course of the research. 

Within 48 hours, the extensive water hyacinth roots removed 55.3% of the microplastics from the nutrient solution. After five days, the roots removed 62.8% of the 0.5-micrometer particles, 78.3% of the 1-micrometer particles and 76.8% of the 2 micrometer particles.

According to the authors, the massive root caps on water hyacinth make them particularly suitable for removing water pollutants, like microplastics, with a total surface area reaching more than 150,000 square millimeters. 

The Global Invasive Species Database lists the water hyacinth as “one of the worst aquatic weeds in the world” because it grows so quickly. The plant’s quick growth and large root system can block light and oxygen from reaching native plants and fish in waterways, leading to a decline in biodiversity.

But, as a 2019 study revealed, these invasive plants can also provide some benefits, acting as both bioindicators of pollution levels in an environment and as filters for removing pollution, like heavy metals, from waterways.

Because the latest study revealed that the microplastics do not inhibit growth or reach past the stem of the plant, the invasive water hyacinth could also be used for other purposes after filtering water.

As Mongabay News reported, the uncontaminated plant leaves could be used for biogas generation or livestock feed after cleaning waterways. According to Greeneration Foundation, the high nutrient content found in water hyacinth, in part from filtering runoff like nitrogen and phosphorus out of waterways, also means it could be composted and used for crop fertilization.

“Aquatic ecosystems often become contaminated with multiple hazardous substances, including MPs, heavy metals, and organic pollutants,” the study authors concluded. “Water hyacinth has shown remarkable tolerance and removal capabilities in relation to these pollutants, highlighting its potential application in managing complexly polluted water bodies.”

Water hyacinths in a pond in Hong Kong. LeeYiuTung / iStock / Getty Images Plus

The post Water Hyacinths Show Promise for Microplastics Removal, Despite Being an Invasive Species appeared first on EcoWatch.

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Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Sydney developer Billbergia Group has announced the Rhodes Recreation Centre — an $85 million, 9200 m2 multi-purpose community hub in Sydney’s Inner West.

Located at 6 Gauthorpe St and designed by architectural firm SJB, the recreation centre is in a three-level podium building beneath two high-rise residential towers — the 48-level Peake and 43-level Oasis. Together, they form stage two of the developer’s Rhodes Central Masterplan — a $3 billion, three-stage town centre project.

The Rhodes Recreation Centre was delivered under a $97 million Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the developer and City of Canada Bay Council. It will be handed over to council next month and is set to open later this year. Once complete, the masterplan will have delivered 25,000 m2 of dedicated public amenity, including retail, community facilities and open space.

With the NSW Government’s housing reforms set to address the housing shortage, the recreation centre will reflect the importance of ‘placemaking’ — a collaborative approach to designing and managing public spaces that enhances community wellbeing and fosters connections between people and their environment — in planning new urban communities.

It also presents a pathway for public and private sectors to collaborate and create social infrastructure while increasing housing supply in fast-growing suburbs.

The recreation centre is set to add vibrancy and pedestrian activity to the local streetscape, providing a diverse range of facilities that enhance the livability of the evolving suburb. These community amenities include two full-sized indoor sports courts, a gymnastics centre, a 70-place childcare centre, a community lounge, allied health services, and bookable spaces for local groups and events. It also provides a gym with cardio equipment, weights, group fitness rooms, a creche and an outdoor terrace, alongside a range of sustainability features.

Facilities at the Rhodes Recreation Centre. Images supplied.

“Rhodes Recreation Centre is the community heart of our high-density TOD development, bringing to life Billbergia’s vision for a future-focused, livable urban environment that prioritises amenity, not just density,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.

The amenities within the two residential towers include a swimming pool, spa, sauna, children’s play area, library and theatre rooms. Pedestrian connections and through-site links provide access to Rhodes railway station and the Homebush Bay waterfront.

“The Rhodes Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in successful public–private collaboration. Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, livable neighbourhoods,” Moran said.

Located adjacent to Rhodes railway station, stage one of Billbergia’s Rhodes Central Masterplan was completed in 2021 and included the 13,000 m2 Rhodes Central Shopping Centre, with convenience retail, a Woolworths supermarket, medical facilities and the Bamboo Lane dining precinct.

Other previous projects include the 1.2 ha Phoenix Park in Rhodes, the $63 million Bennelong Bridge, the popular Baylink Shuttle service, the 3500 m2 Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library, and the Wentworth Point Pop-Up Town Square.

Billbergia’s ongoing focus on placemaking and social infrastructure also includes the $8.4 million delivery of a library at its mixed-tenure development, Arncliffe Central, in Sydney’s south. There is the potential for 75% of Arncliffe Central’s dwellings to be dedicated to social, affordable and essential worker rental housing, along with 3400 m2 allocated to childcare, convenience retail and cafes, and a 4000 m2 park with play space for both residents and the broader community.

Top image caption: The Rhodes Recreation Centre location with two planned residential towers, Peake and Oasis. Image supplied.

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