Fountains vs. Submersed Aeration vs. Nanobubbles: What’s the Difference?

Floating and architectural fountains are one option for helping increase circulation and dissolved oxygen in lakes and ponds. Fountains provide essential water column mixing in shallow waterbodies. As fountain water falls from the air in pleasing patterns, it bursts across the surface, accelerating the release of submersed gases, helping to reverse nutrient pollution, and introducing beneficial DO into the top layer of water. When the fountain is turned off, however, these benefits can subside.

Another way to increase dissolved oxygen in large lakes and ponds is through submersed aeration. In contrast to fountains, submersed aeration systems utilize an on-shore compressor to pump air through subsurface tubes and diffusers that oxygenate and circulate the water from bottom to top. As bubbles rise from the depths to the surface, they increase DO throughout the waterbody and disrupt undesirable stratification. Like floating fountains, submersed aeration systems help convert nutrients to more diluted forms that cannot sustain nuisance aquatic weed and algae growth, though they may not directly target these infestations. For the best results, these systems should be placed in deeper depths as they do not properly circulate shallow water.

Sometimes it’s not feasible to install an aeration system in an isolated lake or pond with no economical way to provide a power source. Windmill or solar-powered systems are excellent eco-friendly alternatives in these situations. While these systems still utilize an on-shore compressor that pumps air to the depths of the waterbody, the source of power is naturally-occurring wind or sunlight. A back-up battery will help ensure the aeration systems continue working when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun is down. Keep in mind, though, that windmill and solar-powered aerators still require professional maintenance on a regular basis.

New dissolved oxygen technologies, like nanobubbles, are helping to maximize the benefits of both fountains and submersed aeration. Similar to “traditional” submersed systems, nanobubbles are produced by compact on-shore generators, but they are about 1 million times smaller than ordinary bubbles and have a strong negative surface charge. As a result, they provide long-lasting oxygenation within the water column—and even the sediments—for up to 2-3 months without popping. Because nanobubbles do not rise to the surface, they do not offer the vertical mixing benefits provided by fountains and standard diffusers.

Nanobubble technology is not only effective at reducing odors, breaking down bottom muck and restoring water quality, some manufacturers have registered their equipment as a pesticidal device with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meaning it can be used to naturally eradicate nuisance algae and even eliminate cyanobacteria toxins.