Every waterbody is different, but all healthy waterbodies have one important thing in common: balanced dissolved oxygen (DO) and nutrient levels. Beneficial bacteria and zooplankton—the foundation of the aquatic food web—require oxygen and nutrients, just like we do. But what happens to water quality when the balance is disrupted?
What Happens When Dissolved Oxygen Drops In A Pond?
Ecosystems are intricately connected, meaning one small imbalance can ripple through the entire system. One of the most obvious signs of low DO is a fish kill, when large populations of fish or mollusks die at once. This isn’t uncommon following periods of hot, dry weather or after storms when the turbulence from heavy rainfall causes DO to fluctuate rapidly; however, unexplained fish kills may signal a more severe issue.
Another sign of low DO is more easily overlooked. When plants and aquatic species die off, they are decomposed by aerobic bacteria that thrive in DO-rich environments. Decomposition can consume DO faster than it can be replenished from the atmosphere. If DO is deficient, the beneficial bacteria are replaced with anaerobic bacteria. Organic matter cannot be broken down properly under these conditions, leading to foul odors, slimy bottom muck, and elevated nutrient levels.
How Low Oxygen and Nutrients Impair Pond Water Quality
An overabundance of nutrients combined with low DO creates a destructive cycle. Nutrients fuel the excessive growth of aquatic weeds and algae, but decomposition can’t keep up when they die. Muck accumulates and releases nutrients back into the water, fueling new growth.
As a waterbody fills with organic matter over time, it will become shallower, stagnant, and more costly to restore. Health and safety risks can also increase, including more frequent flooding during rainstorms, dangerous shoreline deterioration, and harmful algal blooms.
Luckily, there are numerous tools available to restore balance and break this cycle.
Increase Dissolved Oxygen Levels With Pond Aeration
Fountains and aerators help oxygenate and circulate the water column. While floating fountains provide both aesthetic and functional benefits, surface aerators and submersed aerators are designed for more powerful water movement and oxygen distribution.
Choosing the right aeration system for your waterbody depends on a multitude of factors. To learn more about fountains and aeration systems, click here.
Reducing Excess Nutrients In Ponds
A range of eco-friendly solutions are available to “deactivate” excess nutrients within the water column and sediments, helping interrupt the cycle that drives poor water quality:
Lanthanum-modified clay: Binds with phosphorus in the water column and bottom sediments; typically used on smaller ponds and stormwater systems.
Aluminum sulfate (alum): Binds with phosphorus and sinks it to the bottom, permanently locking it in the sediment; best suited for large lakes and drinking water reservoirs.
Beneficial bacteria: Can be supplemented to help keep anaerobic bacteria in check, similar to a probiotic for your waterbody.
Reset Your Pond With Ecosystem Restoration Solutions
New ecosystem restoration solutions are designed to address DO and nutrient imbalances in tandem. This approach increases oxygen in the bottom sediment to help beneficial bacteria break down nutrient-rich muck more efficiently, leaving behind a firmer, sandy bottom.
Maintaining Long-Term Balance
Just like most things in life, balance is key. A proactive approach that includes ongoing water quality monitoring and maintenance best practices can help ensure your waterbody is on the right track to meet your goals year-round.
The Benefits of Oxygen In Your Pond
SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm committed to providing sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty and preserve natural resources.
SOLitude’s team of aquatic scientists specializes in the development and execution of customized lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management programs. Services include water quality testing and restoration, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, shoreline erosion control, muck and sediment removal and invasive species management. SOLitude partners with homeowners associations, golf courses, private landowners, businesses and municipalities. SOLitude Lake Management is part of Rentokil, a leading business services company, operating across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
For more information, visit SOLitude Lake Management at solitudelakemanagement.com, and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
