July 16, 09:38

Brazil for the first time lists Amazon river turtle as endangered species

Brazil has officially assigned the six-ringed river turtle endangered status for the first time, highlighting growing concern over the condition of one of the Amazon's most vital freshwater species.

Classification and reasons for population decline

The species cágado-iaçá (Podocnemis sextuberculata) was upgraded from 'near threatened' to 'threatened' in the latest national list of endangered wildlife in Brazil, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. This reclassification followed data showing that populations have declined by more than 50% over the last 36 years in the Amazonas and western Paraná territories, where about 70% of the species' range is concentrated.

Ecologists argue that the new status reflects increasing pressure on the Amazon's wildlife, despite decades of conservation efforts. According to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity (ICMBio), the six-ringed river turtle has faced significant population losses despite ongoing conservation programs.

The species is subject to a complex set of threats, including habitat degradation, illegal collection, and unsustainable hunting. Although it is consumed alongside the yellow-spotted river turtle and the larger Amazon river turtle, the latter two species remain in less threatened categories.

Balance between conservation and traditions

Officials emphasized that future conservation measures must strike a balance between wildlife protection and the livelihoods of traditional communities that have sustainably depended on these turtles for generations.

Updated list of threatened species

The updated list includes 790 threatened terrestrial species, encompassing mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Combined with aquatic species added earlier this year, Brazil now officially recognizes 1280 endangered species. Among the species recently classified as vulnerable are the iconic hyacinth macaw, black-crowned monkey, and red Sichuan raccoon. The red-footed tortoise was also included in the vulnerable list, and the yellow-footed turtle was upgraded to endangered status.

Main threat—habitat loss

Brazil conducted an assessment of over 15,500 animal species as part of what environmental agencies describe as one of the world's largest national extinction risk assessments. Habitat destruction remains the primary driver of biodiversity loss. The Atlantic Forest continues to record the highest number of threatened terrestrial species after centuries of deforestation, urban expansion, and agricultural development, with only a small fraction of the original forest cover remaining.

The Amazon faces similar pressures, as well as climate change, mining, infrastructure development, and agricultural expansion.

Wildlife trade exacerbates the crisis

Conservation groups also warn that illegal wildlife trade continues to exert enormous pressure on local Brazilian species. While official confiscation data provides some insight into the trade, experts note that it represents only a small fraction of animals removed from the wild annually. According to the National Network Against Wildlife Trafficking of Brazil, more than 38 million animals are removed from the country's terrestrial ecosystems each year to supply the illegal wildlife trade.

The inclusion of the six-ringed river turtle in Brazil's endangered species list underscores the growing challenges facing the unique biodiversity of the Amazon and the urgent need for conservation measures that protect both wildlife and communities dependent on these ecosystems.

www.2oceansvibe.comJuly 16, 10:00

Hartbeespoort Dam Covered in Green Algae Again Despite Cleanup Efforts

The Hartbeespoort Dam is once again showing a state resembling a football field submerged in water, which creates problems for boat visitors. Photos show that the northern dam is covered with a thick green layer, while open patches of water are visible only as small spots.

Causes of Blue-Green Algae Proliferation

The return of an old phenomenon known as the Hartbeespoort cocktail is caused by invasive water hyacinth, other floating plants, algae, and nutrients coming from sewage, which is causing public dissatisfaction.

Previously, satellite images from the NASA Earth Observatory showed deep blue water interrupted by bright green patches of algae and aquatic plants. The Hartbeespoort Dam is located about 25 kilometers west of Pretoria and is primarily used for irrigation and recreation.

History of the Problem and Control Measures

According to GroundUp, the hyacinth has been infecting the dam since the 1960s, actively developing due to nutrient-rich polluted water entering the reservoir. In March, Magalies Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation reported that the hyacinth coverage was limited to less than 10% of the dam's surface, despite heavy rains and nutrient inflow. As part of the fight, over 1,292 hectares of hyacinth were removed, and since September 2025, 350,000 insects of the species Megamelus scutellaris have been released.

These tiny jumping plants perform slow work by damaging the hyacinth tissues, leading to its decay and loss of buoyancy. Dr. Kelsey English from the Centre for Biological Control told GroundUp that the biocontrol method is effective in the long term, although it is not a fast process. However, according to English, the problem is that Hartbeespoort continues to receive the same pollutants that contribute to the return of the green mess.

Risks and Recovery Prospects

Koetzi noted that spring sprouting could increase coverage to 40% and above before biological control can reduce this figure. The National Sea Rescue Institute also warned boaters not to try to push through the hyacinth mats, as propellers can get tangled and damage the vessel with submerged objects. In December 2023, NSRI volunteers spent five hours rescuing 30 boaters stuck in these weeds.

Although the dam may recover locally, it remains a complex challenge. The insects are working, harvesters are acting, and scientists know what they are doing, but until upstream pollution is completely stopped, the dam will be forced to look picturesque while being 'fed like a broken sewer'.

yourstory.comJuly 16, 09:38

Metastable Materials in Bangalore Recycles Spent Batteries into Industrial Metals

India imports most of the critical metals required for battery production, despite the fact that spent lithium-ion batteries, whose volume is growing annually, contain many of these materials.

The Concept of Metastable Materials

Metastable Materials, based in Bangalore, was founded on the idea that spent batteries should be viewed not as waste, but as ore that can be refined. The company was established in October 2021 by IIT Roorkee graduates Shubham Vishwakarma and Manikumar Uppala. They extract lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and aluminum from used batteries and sell them as purified commodity metals.

The founders initially developed the necessary chemistry during their studies. Uppala studied mechanical engineering and materials science, later specializing in equipment design and manufacturing at NBC Bearings, part of the CK Birla Group. Vishwakarma also worked in the advanced materials division of this company.

The Process of Turning Batteries into Metals

Metastable acquires spent lithium-ion batteries, disassembles them, and purifies the internal materials into high-purity metals. Vishwakarma states that the company is a supplier of sustainable raw materials and possesses high expertise in refining.

The entire process is comprehensive: from purchasing and dismantling batteries to recovering and extracting metals. Battery dismantling is carried out underwater, which eliminates the risk of fire and the emission of toxic gases typical of traditional crushing methods. The central element of the process is a patented and registered reaction called Integrated Carbothermal Reduction. According to the company, this approach is what distinguishes it from standard battery recycling.

Most recycling operations use external chemicals to break down the bonds between metals, but the Metastable process does not require this. Vishwakarma explains that they found a way to make the contents of the battery react with something else already inside the battery, without adding external components.

After the reaction is complete, the individual metals are separated based on their physical properties. Copper is extracted under pressure, lithium is dissolved in water, and nickel and cobalt are separated using magnets. Vishwakarma notes that these are 'simpler, yet effective' methods.

Developing Proprietary Equipment

To implement this process, the company had to develop a significant portion of its own equipment. Metastable designs and manufactures most of its machinery, including magnetic separators, density separators, agitators, boilers, furnaces, mills, and crushers. Furthermore, the team created a zero liquid discharge system, described as one of the most compact in India, allowing all liquid waste generated during the process to be reused.

Customers and Market Relations

Since Metastable produces purified commodity metals, rather than battery-specific intermediate products, its clientele extends beyond the battery industry alone. Lithium is sold to manufacturers of glass, ceramics, cement, and lubricants. The largest global consumer of nickel remains the stainless steel manufacturing sector, and Metastable's products can be supplied into this supply chain.

Vishwakarma points out that meeting industry requirements regarding purity, contamination levels, and particle size remains an ongoing challenge. Cobalt is used in the production of pigments and magnets, copper goes into the production of castings and tires, and aluminum is mainly sold for automotive casting.

Regarding supplies, Metastable receives spent batteries from various suppliers—from local scrap metal collectors in Delhi to large manufacturers of two- and four-wheeled vehicles. The company collaborates closely with suppliers on logistics and safety requirements for transporting batteries. Before starting large-scale deliveries, Metastable determines product technical specifications jointly with clients. For instance, for magnet manufacturers, the permissible level of manganese contamination in cobalt must be agreed upon, as manganese can affect magnetic properties. NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cell manufacturers are another major category of clients.

The company's business model is straightforward: Metastable buys batteries at market prices and sells purified metals based on commodity benchmarks, including the London Metal Exchange, Shanghai Metal Exchange, MCX India, and Bombay Metal Exchange. The final price depends on volume, purity, and client relationships.

Financial Performance and Competition

Revenue generation began in 2025. Metastable's production facility in Bangalore has a set capacity of 1500 tons per year, and its utilization has doubled over the last three quarters. Vishwakarma aims to eventually reach a utilization rate of 80% to 90%. According to IMARC Group data, the global battery recycling market was valued at $18 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $32.9 billion by 2034. In India, Metastable competes with companies such as Attero Recycling, Lohum, BatX Energies, and Tata Chemicals.

Plans for Business Scaling

Metastable has already secured two rounds of funding. In January 2022, the company received a seed round led by Akshay Singhal and Kartik Hajela from Log9 Materials, followed by a seed round in 2023 from Surge (the accelerator program of Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia India & SEA), Speciale Invest, Theia Ventures, and Climate9ers. The company did not disclose the amounts of funding. These funds were used for building two factories, filing patent applications, and forming a team of over 50 employees across offices and production sites.

Currently, the main focus is on increasing capacity. Vishwakarma emphasizes: 'We have proven that this is better. Now we need to scale. We will build as fast as possible. Factories still take time to build; they are physical assets.' This implies the need to construct additional plants and form corresponding operational teams.

Since 2024, Metastable has been operating in one office and two plants: on half an acre of land in the Karohalli industrial zone in Bangalore and a second facility in Delhi, chosen due to its proximity to raw material sources. The next phase involves expanding its presence. Vishwakarma is already inspecting sites in Rajasthan to assess potential locations. The company also continues to refine new processes while prioritizing patent filings. In 2026, Metastable's main objective is scaling.