Salvinia Molesta Research Articles

Balancing ecology and practicality to rank waterbodies for preventative invasive species management

Abstract ‘Early detection and rapid response’ (EDRR) is the most successful framework for preventative invasive species management, but prioritizing localized EDRR actions with limited resources is challenging. An approach that ranks individual locations, such as waterbodies, for EDRR by combining an invasive species' establishment risk with the practicality of managing it could help set reasonable priorities. Here, we worked with regional practitioners in Arkansas, USA, and the broader Southeastern USA to co‐produce a workflow for preventative aquatic invasive species management that (1) estimates establishment risk under current and future climates with a species distribution model, (2) scores waterbodies according to difficulty of eradicating an aquatic invasive species if it were introduced and (3) combines establishment risk and eradication difficulty scores to rank waterbodies according to preventative management priority. As our focal species, we used giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta), a floating aquatic fern ranked among the worst weeds in the world due to its negative socio‐ecological impacts and difficulty to eradicate once established. Current establishment risk is low for much of our study area, but under future climate scenarios (RCP 8.5), areas with >60% giant salvinia establishment risk increased from 546 km2 to 30,219 km2 between 2023 and 2040 in Arkansas. We found giant salvinia establishment risk and eradication difficulty are independent of each other (r = 0.28), and it follows that, alone, early detection tools such as species distribution models are insufficient for managers to prioritize sites for EDRR. Practical implication: We envision our approach fitting into a potential EDRR workflow that cascades from broad‐ to local‐scale. To illustrate, (1) horizon scanning and/or climate matching generates lists of high‐risk invasive species; (2) species lists are narrowed according to eradication feasibility scores; (3) for all remaining species, all waterbodies across a geography of interest receive prioritization rankings based on establishment risk and eradication difficulty scores. Given that climate change makes predicting invasive species' distributions a moving target, combining co‐produced eradication difficulty scoring with species distribution modelling will balance rigour with practicality when prioritizing locations for EDRR.

Bio-coal Synthesis via Hydrothermal Carbonization of Giant Salvinia for a High-Quality Solid Biofuel

Bio-coal Synthesis via Hydrothermal Carbonization of Giant Salvinia for a High-Quality Solid Biofuel

Habitat Preference of Lesser Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna javanica) in Selected Wetlands within Colombo Ramsar Wetland City

Lesser Whistling Ducks (LWD) (Dendrocygna javanica) mostly occur in flocks and inhabit lakes, ponds and marshes within freshwater wetlands. They feed mainly on plants taken from water (seed, shoots, tuber and leaves), vertebrates (fishes) and invertebrates (mollusks and worms). In this study, habitat preference of LWD in five selected wetlands in Colombo Ramsar Wetland City (CRWC); Beddagana Wetland Park (BWP), Diyasaru Park (DP), Heen Ela Marsh (HEM), Thalangama Marsh (TM) and Kimbulawala Wetland (KW) was studied from May 2021 to April 2022 as wetlands in urban areas act as the last resort for many resident and migratory bird species and play a major role in the assemblage and conservation of water birds. Habitats present in the selected wetlands were categorized as open water body, floating vegetation, trees, grassland, paddy field, shrubs, bare land. Percentage cover of each habitat type at each sampling site were estimated using quadrat method. LWD were surveyed using line transects of 100m in length, laid in each selected study site to cover representative habitats and observations were made up to 30m towards either side of each transect. Sampling was done in three time slots of the day, morning, mid-day and evening. Floating vegetation, open water body and grassland were the preferred habitat types of D. javanica in BWP, DP, HEM and TM. LWD were not recorded in KW. Floating vegetation (54.97%) was the most preferred habitat by LWD in each study site followed by open water body (24.70%) and grassland (15.82%) habitat types. Eicchornia crassipes (Common water hyacinth) and Salvinia molesta (Giant salvinia) were their most preferred floating vegetation type. Higher abundance of LWD was recorded in TM (83.22%) followed by DP (9.17%), BWP (4.16%) and HEM (3.45%). TM which had higher abundance of LWD had higher floating vegetation coverage (28%) and was rich with E. crassipes and S. molesta. Present study revealed that, LWD mostly used E. crassipes and S. molesta as their main foraging and resting sites. Management of invasive alien species have been undertaken in Colombo wetlands and as E. crassipes and S. molesta are alien species they are currently being removed. Therefore, outright removal of E. crassipes and S. molesta may not be suitable and a monitored removal program that will conserve this habitat type should be implemented in order to conserve the habitats preferred by LWD in CRWC. 
 Keywords: Lesser whistling ducks, Wetlands, Habitat preference

Unlocking Nature's Elixir: Harnessing Kiambang (Salvinia Molesta) for Sustainable Water Quality Improvement in Post-Coal Mine Ponds

Objectives: Kiambang (Salvinia molesta), a natural aquatic plant, is tested for its ability to improve water quality in three post-coal mine ponds in South Kalimantan, Indonesia: Pond A (Satui), Pond B (Jorong), and Pond C (Angsana). Kiambang's ability to remediate dissolved nutrients and contaminants is the main goal. Theoretical Framework: Using kiambang's ability to absorb dissolved elements and contaminants, the study follows phytoremediation principles. Previous research has shown its promise in many settings, but applying it to South Kalimantan post-coal mine ponds is challenging. Method: A completely randomized controlled experiment with five treatments and a control group was conducted. Water quality measures like dissolved nutrients, heavy metals, and pollutants were measured before and after seven days. We used advanced testing equipment to verify accuracy. Results and conclusion: Kiambang-treated ponds have consistently better water quality. The plant greatly reduced dissolved nutrients, heavy metals, and contaminants. ANOVA analysis verified the significance of these differences (p < 0.05). Kiambang shows potential in phytoremediation, a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to post-coal mining pond water quality issues. Nature-based initiatives are crucial in coal-mining regions, according to the study. Implications of the research: Environmental conservation, sustainable resource use, and ecological applications are affected by this research. Kiambang's water quality management potential benefits post-coal mining ponds, aquatic ecosystems, wetlands, and aquaculture systems. This work enables future research and collaboration to use kiambang in varied environments.

Review on Aquatic Weeds and Their Management

When aquatic weeds grow too much, they pose a threat to fish farming. An essential component of pond management is weed control. Out of approximately 160 aquatic weeds, the primary focus in India revolves around Eichhornia crrassipes, Ipomoea aquatica, Typha angustata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Salvinia molesta, Nelumbo nucifera, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Hydrilla verticillata, Vallisneria spiralis, Chara spp., Nitelia spp., and Potamogeton spp. Aquatic weeds are rapidly expanding in several irrigation and hydropower projects across the nation, including the Kakki and Idikki reservoirs in Kerala, the Tungabhadra project in Karnataka, the Nagarjuna Sagar project in Andhra Pradesh and the Powai Lake in Maharashtra. Biological, chemical, and physical strategies can all be used to control aquatic weeds. Aquatic weeds can be stopped from spreading or eliminated using a few common control methods. Physical remedies work best for small-scale infestations, but they are expensive and prone to regrowth when used on big water bodies. Herbicide control of tiny infestations has frequently been quite successful, but it significantly depends on trained operators who keep a close eye out for the appearance of regrowth or seedlings over a lengthy period. The amount of nutrients released into water in recent decades has significantly increased from home and industrial sources as well as from land where fertilizers are applied or where clearing has increased run off. This essay examines the problems associated with eight aquatic weeds in India and the efforts made so far to control them through a range of techniques.

Analyzing The Efficacy of <em>Salvinia molesta</em> and <em>Pistia stratiotes</em> as Phytoremediation Agent for Heavy Metals

To rejuvenate our declining ecosystems, it is imperative to promptly face the issue of heavy metal contamination, which serves as the underlying cause for pollution globally. Phytoremediation, which is the ability of certain plants to accumulate, break down, or neutralize pollutants in water, soil, or air, offers a promising solution. The current investigation aimed to assess the efficacy of Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes in removing heavy metals from apparel industrial wastewater. In a controlled indoor environment, the wastewater underwent treatment using these plants, while control tanks of the same size without any plants were maintained for comparison. This setup included three replicates for each treatment. Over 18 days, samples of the wastewater were collected and analyzed for the presence of Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) every three days. An initial analysis of the untreated wastewater was conducted. Statistical analysis employed one-way ANOVA to compare the average concentrations in the effluent and the removal percentages across various treatment conditions. Pistia stratiotes exhibited a higher Cd reduction rate (29.97%) compared to Salvinia molesta (18.13%). Tanks containing Salvinia molesta showed a more substantial Cu removal rate (52.47%), while Pistia stratiotes demonstrated a lower Cu reduction (42.37%). As for Zinc (Zn), it decreased by 22.89% and 17.87% in tanks where Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes were used, respectively. This study, conducted over an 18-day trial period, underscores the effectiveness of both plant types in removing Cd, Cu, and Zn from the wastewater. The preferential absorption was observed for Cu over the other two metals. For Salvinia molesta, the removal efficiency followed the sequence: Cu>Zn>Cd, whereas for Pistia stratiotes, it was Cu>Cd>Zn. These findings demonstrate that both plant species can thrive while accumulating these heavy metals in apparel industrial wastewater.

Synergism of Consortium of Heterotrophic Bacterial Strains with Pistia stratiotes L. and Salvinia molesta D. Mitch as Biophytoremediator for Heavy Metal Removal in Domestic Wastewater

High levels of organic matter and heavy metals in domestic wastewater can increase the pollution of water bodies. The water pollution results correspond to the degree of public health. Waste must be controlled and processed first using management methods such as biophytoremedyator to decrease the rate of pollution because its advantages do not negatively impact public health and the environment. Biophytoremediation offers a better alternative method to repair environmental conditions by combining microorganisms and plants. This study aimed to analyze the effect of heterotrophic bacterial strains with Pistia stratiotes L. and Salvinia molesta D. Mitch for heavy metal removal in domestic wastewater. It also investigated the influence of heterotrophic bacterial strains with Pistia stratiotes L. and Salvinia molesta D. Mitch which were also carried out to observe the BOD and COD levels. The results showed decreased heavy metal levels from the three treatment groups. The consortium treatment group of heterotrophs and Salvinia molesta D. Mitch bacteria strains reduced heavy metal levels faster than the other groups by 59%. In addition, it is also able to reduce BOD and COD levels. This study has shown the significant effect of combining heterotrophic bacterial (HB) strains with Pistia stratiotes L. or Salvinia molesta D. Mitch for heavy metal removal in domestic wastewater.

Neuroprotective evaluation of Marsilea quadrifolia L. and Salvinia molesta D.S Mitchel in aluminium chloride induced Alzheimer disease

Phenolic compounds are very effective for the cure of various neurological and pathological diseases. Current study was conducted to estimate the Phenolic compounds through HPLC and to perform the anti-Alzheimer activity from two aquatic Leptosporangiate ferns; Marsilea quadrifolia L. and Salvinia molesta D. Crushed leaves were subjected to Microwave Assisted Extraction to prepare plant leave ethanolic extract of plants under study. Aluminum chloride induced Alzheimer’s disease model in rats by estimating behavioural and biochemical parameters were measured for ethanolic extract of both plants. Different behavioural tests were performed for neuromuscular coordination estimation and hole board test for exploratory behaviour were performed. The levels of AChE inhibitory activity and antioxidant enzymes were estimated on brain homogenates and Histopathological analysis were also performed. Phenolic compounds of leaf extracts were noted for HPLC chromatograms of standard compounds with Gallic acid (33.76 ± 0.08) higher in M. quadrifolia L. and Salicylic acid (12.45 ± 0.07) higher in S. molesta D. S Mitchel. Histopathological analysis showed that M. quadrifolia and S. molesta reversed the neurofibrillary tangles, degenerative changes, neuronal loss and neuroinflammation in the brain architecture. Both ferns at a dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000mg/kg significantly improved the Aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity by modulating cognitive disabilities and motor dysfunctions, and normalized the biochemical alteration of acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, both plants M. quadrifolia and S. molesta improved behavioural and biochemical parameters and therefore will be effective in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders via countless underlying mechanistic pathways.

Efektivitas kombinasi Pistia stratiotes L. dan Salvinia molesta Mitchell dalam fitoremediasi air asam tambang batubara

Open pit mining is a mining system that is commonly applied to coal extraction activities. Environmental problems in coal mining activities are generally related to acid mine drainage (AMD). Efforts to overcome the impact of AMD can be done by phytoremediation in constructed wetlands (CW). Plants that have the potential for AMD phytoremediation include Pistia stratiotes L (water lettuce) and Salvinia molesta Mitchell (giant Salvinia) , so it is necessary to conduct research on the effectiveness of the combination of P. stratiotes and S. molesta to be developed on CW vegetation. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design (CRD), with 3 treatments using P. Stratiotes, S. Molesta, Combination of P. stratiotes and S. molesta each 9 replications. The results showed the effectiveness of phytoremediation using plant vegetation of P. stratiotes and S. molesta in increasing pH by 40.04% and reducing sulfate levels by 41.72%. The effectiveness of the combination of P. stratiotes and S. molesta in reducing levels of Mn and Fe were 101.36% and 93.49%, respectively. The decrease in TSS levels is better done by the combination of P. stratiotes and S. Molesta vegetation compared to P. stratiotes or S. Molesta vegetation alone, but the better growth rate occurred in S. molesta vegetation only.

Kinetic study for removal of cationic hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride dye using phytoremediation.

The present investigation provides a kinetic study for the removal of hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride, a hazardous dye, by phytoremediation using a water plant. It reveals Salvinia molesta has a phytoremediation tendency. The ability of Salvinia molesta to remove crystal violet (CV) dye is investigated with kinetic study in this research. Phytoremediation is done for different concentrations of hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride with varying pH and weight of Salvinia molesta Mitchell. About 88% of hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride has been decolourised from 50 mg L-1 solution at pH of 6 with 4 g of Salvinia molesta Mitchell. The results obtained for hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride removal at pH of 6 are studied for pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and Elovich kinetics. The resulting curve for removal of hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride indicates that phytoremediation process follows pseudo-second order kinetics with correlation value R2 ≥ 0.985. The Salvinia molesta used at pH 6 has been reused and the decolourisation has been achieved at about 84% for 50 mg L-1 solution of CV dye. The FTIR results reveal the phytoextraction of CV in the roots by interaction of functional groups. From the experimental results, Salvinia molesta Mitchell can be used to treat textile wastewater and wet land.

Low carrier volume herbicide trials and UAAS support management efforts of giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta): a case study

AbstractExpanding the current aquatic herbicide portfolio, reducing total spray volumes, or remotely delivering herbicide using novel spray technologies could improve management opportunities targeting invasive aquatic plants, where options are more limited. However, research on giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell) response to foliar herbicide applications at carrier volumes ≤140 L ha−1 is incomplete. Likewise, no data exist documenting S. molesta control with unoccupied aerial application systems (UAAS). Following the recent >100-ha incursion of S. molesta in Gapway Swamp, NC, a case study was developed to provide guidance for ongoing management efforts. In total, three field trials evaluated registered aquatic and experimental herbicides using a 140 L ha−1 carrier volume. Select foliar applications from UAAS were also evaluated. Results at 8 wk after treatment (WAT) indicated the experimental protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, PPO-699-01 (424 g ai ha−1), in combination with endothall dipotassium salt (2,370 g ae ha−1) provided 78% visual control, whereas control when PPO-699-01 (212 g ai ha−1) was applied alone was lower at 35%. Evaluations also showed diquat (3,136 g ai ha−1) alone, glyphosate (4,539 g ae ha−1) alone, and metsulfuron-methyl (42 g ai ha−1) alone achieved 86% to 94% visual plant control at 8 WAT. Sequential foliar applications of diquat, flumioxazin (210 g ai ha−1), and carfentrazone (67 g ai ha−1) at 6 wk following exposure to in-water fluridone treatments were no longer efficacious by 6 WAT due to plant regrowth. Carfentrazone applications made from a backpack sprayer displayed greater control than applications made with UAAS deploying identical carrier volumes at 2 WAT; however, neither application method provided effective control at 8 WAT. Additional field validation is needed to further guide management direction of S. molesta control using low carrier volume foliar applications.

What is Salvinia molesta (Salviniaceae)? Determining the maternal progenitor and genetic diversity of the clonal invasive fern giant salvinia

What is Salvinia molesta (Salviniaceae)? Determining the maternal progenitor and genetic diversity of the clonal invasive fern giant salvinia

Potential of individual and combination of earthworm species in vermicomposting Salvinia Molesta, Mitchell

Study is on the performance of earthworm species in vermicomposting salvinia was reported earlier. In this study on the performance of reactors inoculated with single species and combination of two or three species in vermicomposting salvinia is reported. The experiment was carried out on seven set of vermireactors, i.e. mono species - Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida, Perionyx excavatus., di species - Eudrilus eugeniae +Eisenia fetida., Eisenia fetida + Perionyx excavatus., Perionyx excavatus + Eudrilus eugeniae and multi species - Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida, Perionyx excavatus. The performance of multi–species reactor achieved conversion of about 67% of the feed mass (100 g dry wt,) per fortnight. The vermireactors were sustainable as the animals have remained consistently healthy and reproductive over a period of ten months.

Different Species of Epigeic and Anecic Earthworms Cause Similarly Effective and Beneficial Biocomposting-A Case Study Involving the Pernicious Aquatic Weed Salvinia (Salvinia molesta, Mitchell).

As reported recently by the present authors, vermicomposting by the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida transforms the highly ligninous and allelopathic aquatic weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta) into a benign organic fertilizer. The present study was carried out with four other earthworm species, including three epigeic species of different sizes and phytophagic habits: Eisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubillus, and Perionyx sansibaricus. One anecic species, with geophytophagous habits, was also explored for comparison: Drawida willsi. The objective was to see whether the type of salvinia transformation caused by E. fetida is a general phenomenon or whether there are significant differences in the nature of biocomposts generated by different earthworm species. Accordingly, the characteristics of the biocomposts separately generated by each of the six species mentioned above were assessed with UV-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The studies reveal that, with minor variations, the biocomposting by all four species was able to remove the intransigence of salvinia and impart plant/soil-friendly attributes to it in substantial measures. All the findings obtained with different techniques corroborated each other in arriving at this conclusion. Hence, it can be said that, in general, biocomposting by earthworms takes away the toxicity of pernicious weeds such as salvinia, converting them into plant-friendly and soil-friendly biofertilizers.

Performance Evaluation of Hydroponic Wastewater Treatment Plant Integrated with Ensemble Learning Techniques: A Feature Selection Approach

Wastewater treatment and reuse are being regarded as the most effective strategy for combating water scarcity threats. This study examined and reported the applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence in the phytoremediation of wastewater using Salvinia molesta plants. Water quality (WQ) indicators (total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and turbidity) of the S. molesta treatment system at a retention time of 24 h were measured using an Arduino IoT device. Finally, four machine learning tools (ML) were employed in modeling and evaluating the predicted concentration of the total dissolved solids after treatment (TDSt) of the water samples. Additionally, three nonlinear error ensemble methods were used to enhance the prediction accuracy of the TDSt models. The outcome obtained from the modeling and prediction of the TDSt depicted that the best results were observed at SVM-M1 with 0.9999, 0.0139, 1.0000, and 0.1177 for R2, MSE, R, and RMSE, respectively, at the training stage. While at the validation stage, the R2, MSE, R, and RMSE were recorded as 0.9986, 0.0356, 0.993, and 0.1887, respectively. Furthermore, the error ensemble techniques employed significantly outperformed the single models in terms of mean square error (MSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) for both training and validation, with 0.0014 and 0.0379, respectively.

Encapsulation of silver nano crystals using Salvinia molesta against the Anopheles stephensi and oxidative stress enzyme activity of larvivorous fish

Anopheles mosquitoes, which are the main carriers of the disease throughout India, Asia, and the Middle East, are the ones that cause malaria. The role of water predators in mosquito aquatic stage regulation is still recognized. With the use of synthetic insecticides, the environment became contaminated and insects developed high resistance to chemical pesticides. Based on our outline, we anticipated an innovative technique of bioencapsulated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Salvinia molesta, which would perform as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Bioencapsulated-AgNPs existed and were classified using a variety of physiochemical techniques. In bioassays, the LC50 values of S. molesta aqueous extract against Anopheles stephensi range from 240.247 (1st instar larvae) - 428.851 ppm (pupae), LC50 of S. molesta-encapsulated AgNPs ranges from 20.010 (1st instar larvae) to 35.676 ppm (pupae). An experiment with S. molesta extract and encapsulated AgNPs was conducted in the open environment, and the larval reduction of mosquitoes was 100% after 72 h. In the ovicidal activity of An. stephensi, hatched eggs were reduced by 100% when treated with 40 ppm of encapsulated AgNPs and 500 ppm of S. molesta extract and encapsulated AgNPs, which significantly reduced the life span of malarial mosquito adults. Furthermore, we investigated the predatory ability of the larvivorous fish Aplocheilus blockii against third and fourth instar larvae of An. stephensi in laboratory conditions using ultra-low doses of bioencapsulated-AgNPs. Regarding non-target impact, in a conventional laboratory environment, the predation efficacy of the larvivorous fish A. blockii, was 58.58% and 54.78% against the 3rd and 4th instar larvae of An. stephensi, respectively. In bioencapsulated AgNPs-contaminated circumstances, fish predation was amplified to 78.18% and 75.54%, respectively. A. blockii was exposed to sublethal concentrations of AgNPs, namely 5, 10, and 15 g/ml, in enzymatic assays to assess changes in GST and AChE activity after 16 days. This study advances our understanding of the contagiousness of water-floating fern-conveyed insecticides and bioencapsulated AgNPs against therapeutically important insects, allowing us to recommend the proven materials as effective candidates to evolve the most recent and cost-effective pest management tools, and the long-term use of this larvivorous fish during wetlands and associated An. stephensi larval ecologies in various parts of the country is proposed.

3D Micropatterned Functional Surface Inspired by Salvinia Molesta via Direct Laser Lithography for Air Retention and Drag Reduction

3D Micropatterned Functional Surface Inspired by Salvinia Molesta via Direct Laser Lithography for Air Retention and Drag Reduction

3D Micropatterned Functional Surface Inspired by Salvinia Molesta via Direct Laser Lithography for Air Retention and Drag Reduction

AbstractBioinspired functional surfaces are attracting increasing interest in surface engineering, mostly in the field of wettability. The Salvinia‐effect is a remarkable example of superficial air retention and drag force reduction caused by selective chemical coating (super‐hydrophobic wax and hydrophilic dead cells) and peculiar 3D hierarchical morphological structures. The replication of Salvinia‐like patterns at the microscale has always been prevented by limitations in microfabrication techniques, thus hindering relevant technological applications at this dimensional scale. Integrating 3D laser lithography and traditional microfabrication techniques, dimensionally downscaled, 3D micropatterned surfaces inspired for the first time by both morphology and chemical coating of the hairs present on the Salvinia Molesta leaves are reproduced. The effect of design and different surface energies (bare hydrophilic, hydrophobic, selective hydrophilic/hydrophobic coating) on the wettability are modeled and investigated. Bioinspired surfaces demonstrated to be super‐hydrophobic in terms of apparent static contact angle (up to 170°) and provide tunable adhesion with roll‐off angle from less than 10° to 90°. They successfully proved remarkable underwater air retention capability, sustained by stable Cassie‐Baxter state under external hydrostatic pressure up to 4 atm. The proposed surfaces are tested in hydrodynamic conditions: drag force reduction is successfully demonstrated with up to 40% of energy saved.

Janus Fabric with Asymmetric Wettability for Switchable Emulsion Separation and Controllable Droplets with Low Friction.

Superwetting surfaces have recently attracted extensive attention in oil-water emulsion separation and droplet manipulations, which are widely used in various situations ranging from wastewater treatment, to flexible electronics, to biochemical diagnosis. However, it still remains challenging to obtain asymmetric materials with high efficiency during oil-water separation. Meanwhile, excellent robustness of the superhydrophobic surface is of significance but retards the mobility of droplets due to increased lateral adhesion of small spacing between solid protrusions. Herein, a facile approach is demonstrated to obtain the excellent robustness of Janus fabrics with asymmetric wettability. As for one side of water-in-oil emulsion separation, mimicking the soft earthworm with periodically wrinkled skin, an adaptive superhydrophobic fabric was fabricated by wrapping soft wrinkled poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymer with a cross-linking structure on woven fabric fibers induced by Ar plasma treatment. In addition, inspired by the desert beetle's structure but with reversed wettability, the other side of the Janus fabric was constructed for treating emulsion of oil-in-water. In addition, the underwater superoleophobic surface consisting of magnetically responsive PDMS microcilia with slippery heads, which shows robustness against pH, improved water drop mobility and lowered the resistance of fluid friction similar to the intrinsic hydrophobic Salvinia molesta with additional slippery performance. Hence, we propose a novel and easy approach that optimizes enhanced emulsion separation and reduced fluid drag properties simultaneously, which actively broadens their widespread applications.

Acoustic methods improve the detection of the endangered African manatee

The African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) is an elusive, data-deficient, and endangered species which inhabits marine and freshwater systems throughout Western and Central Africa. A major challenge in understanding the species ecology and distribution is the difficulty in detecting it using traditional visual surveys. The recent invasion of Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) at the most important site for the species in Cameroon further limits their detectability and may restrict their movements and habitat use. To investigate methods’ effectiveness in detecting African manatees, we conducted monthly vessel surveys from which visual point scans, 360° sonar scans, and passive acoustic monitoring were conducted simultaneously at ten locations and over 12 months in Lake Ossa, Cameroon. Manatee detection frequency was calculated for each method and the influence of some environmental conditions on the methods’ effectiveness and manatee detection likelihood was assessed by fitting a binary logistic regression to our data. Detection frequencies were significantly different between methods (p < 0.01) with passive acoustics being the most successful (24.17%; n = 120), followed by the 360° sonar scan (11.67%; n = 120), and the visual point scan (3.33%; n = 120). The likelihood of detecting manatees in Lake Ossa was significantly influenced by water depth (p = 0.02) and transparency (p < 0.01). It was more likely to detect manatees in shallower water depths and higher water transparency. Passive acoustic detections were more effective in uninvaded areas of the Lake. We recommend using passive acoustics to enhance African manatee detections in future surveys.