The Staten Island Zoo in New York, US, has reopened its aquarium following a US$9.2m (€8.2m, £7.2m) upgrade.

Included in the renovations, four new floor-to-ceiling tanks have been installed across a 3,642sq ft (338sq m) space, replacing 15 smaller tanks to create a more immersive experience for visitors.

The newly-installed tanks are organised into regions of the biosphere – Tropical Coral Reef; Pacific Kelp Forest; Southeast Asian Freshwater Habitat, and Atlantic/Caribbean Sea Life. A new audio-visual system has also been installed, with the purpose to deliver the zoo’s conservation message to the general public.

The development, which also included a long-planned boiler replacement, was financed by the Mayor's Office, which allocated capital funds to realise the project.

"With the opening of this new aquarium, visitors have the opportunity to see beneath the waves in an immersive experience that explores sea life in four different fresh and saltwater environments, each representing a distinct region of the globe, said council member, Deborah Rose.

"I’m proud to have supported this project – along with a project to modernise the zoo’s infrastructure – and I thank all those who have joined me in bringing the wonders of nature closer to Staten Islanders."

Steven Matteo, who was also involved in the financing process, called the zoo one of the New York borough's "cultural jewels", with the new aquarium experience enhancing that.

"I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues to provide unprecedented funding and resources to help make this transformation happen," he said. "I strongly encourage everyone to come and see for themselves all of the exciting new things happening at the best little zoo in the US."