Generally speaking, two primary bases are required to treat ponds and lakes. These are chemical and biological. Chemical treatments can improve the quality of water in the lake or pond; theological treatment will help restore the natural balance of the environment.
Biological
The beneficial bacteria treatment of ponds and lakes involves harnessing the natural ability of plants and animals to improve water quality. These techniques are also called bioremediation.
Biological indicators are helpful for monitoring changes in freshwater quality. Oligochaetes are one such indicator. These organisms can be a good indicator of a polluted freshwater environment.
Another indicator of pollution is blue-green algae. These algae can grow in ponds using carbon dioxide, sunlight, and inorganic compounds released by bacteria. These algae are commonly referred to as pond scum.
Phosphorus is an essential element in preventing eutrophication. It is present in sewage as nitrates. Nitrates promote the growth of algae. Nitrates are also found in sewage as ammonia.
Aquatic organisms must have sufficient nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and oxygen to survive. The use of a nitrification-denitrification process can remove these elements.
Chemical
Choosing the right chemical is essential for ponds and lakes. However, the wrong choice can cause problems, costing money and time. To choose the right chemical, there are several considerations to keep in mind.
First, a pond owner must determine how much water he has in his pond. Knowing this can help him calculate how much chemical he needs to buy.
Chemicals are also a common way to control nuisances in ponds and lakes. They can be used to kill fish, algae, and pests. However, they can also be dangerous. This article explains how to choose the right chemical and use it to solve your pond problem.
One of the most common methods for controlling nuisance algae is to apply an algaecide. An algaecide is a chemical that interferes with the natural cellular processes of algae.
Surface aeration
Adding surface aeration to your pond or lake will help increase the health of the water. In addition, it can improve water quality by reducing sludge buildup, enhancing the decomposition of organic matter, and controlling surface algae.
Aeration improves water quality by providing an environment where aerobic bacteria can thrive. This increase in oxygen improves the function of these bacteria, reducing the number of toxic gasses that can kill fish. It also helps to prevent algae blooms.
Aeration is beneficial to both large and small ponds and lakes. It can help prevent algae blooms, maintain healthy fish populations, and control weeds.
Aeration can be achieved by using sub-surface aerators, surface aerators, and diffused air systems. All of these devices help to distribute oxygen evenly throughout the water column.
Fertilizer application
Whether you have a pond or a lake, it is essential to have a well-defined fertilizer application program. Fertilizers are natural substances that enhance the production of raw food organisms such as zooplankton and phytoplankton. These organisms are essential in maintaining the stability of a pond.
The amount of fertilizer to apply varies according to the size and type of pond. Inorganic fertilizers can be used directly or with the addition of manure. In addition, the water’s total alkalinity may need to be maintained.
The best fertilization results are obtained by applying the fertilizer at regular intervals, preferably every week or two. In addition, the chemical analysis should be performed to determine the pond water’s pH and total nitrogen content. It is also essential to monitor the behavior of fish.
Effects of treatment on benthic invertebrates
Various stressors can significantly impact benthic invertebrates in ponds and lakes. We studied the effects of a rotenone treatment on the abundance of benthic invertebrates. We also learned how the quantity of benthic invertebrates varied between control and treatment locations. Finally, we identified the effect of treatment and time on the quantity of benthic invertebrates by conducting permutation tests.
The results showed that benthic invertebrates showed minor short-term effects of treatment. On most sampling occasions, the abundance of benthic invertebrates was higher in the treated lake. However, lots in the treated lake were lower in October 2012. This was due to loss of presence-absence and fish predation.
A CCA ordination was obtained from 114 sampling sites. The results showed that benthic invertebrates responded to nine environmental gradients. Furthermore, the distribution of coastal benthic invertebrates along these gradients showed independent responsiveness. This provides good evidence for applying littoral benthic invertebrates as a bioindicator tool.
