Why aeration is an essential element of small waterbody management.
Oxygen in lakes and ponds comes from two main sources; direct contact with the atmosphere and photosynthesis of phytoplankton. Usually these two processes can provide enough dissolved oxygen to maintain a healthy fish population, however during hot summer day’s lakes can become stratified. In a stratified lake the deep water below the thermocline becomes cooler, holds little to no oxygen, and does not mix with the surface water where oxygen is more abundant. To make matters worse, the loss of oxygen will change the bacterial decomposers on the bottom from aerobic to anaerobic organisms. The resulting byproducts of the new anaerobic decomposers are black muck and hydrogen sulfide. Anaerobic sediment also results in a release of stored phosphorus that will cause algal blooms. In the most extreme situations stratification can also lead to fish kills either in the form of low dissolved oxygen or via a rapid turnover.
Aeration can be the most effective way to prevent stratification. This is done by using compressed air to continuously move large volumes of water from the bottom to the surface of the lake. Electric, solar, or wind powered systems exist offering you options to customize the system for your needs.
Reduces ALgal Blooms
By providing oxygen to bottom sediment, organic phosphorus is locked preventing it from being used in the summer to support harmful algal blooms.
Stablizes Water Quality
By circulating the entire water volume multiple times per day, aeration gives the lake a more uniform water quality profile from top to bottom.
Prevents FIsh Kills
Most fish kills are a result of low dissolved oxygen. With aeration your lake has a greater ability to absorb and store oxygen, thus a much lower chance of fish kills.
COntrols Temperature
Uniform water will mean a more consistent temperature at depth. This will allow fish to use the entire water column.
Creates Food Source
Organic matter being pulled from the bottom will attract aquatic insects and juvenile fish to each bubble plume to feed.
Supports a Higher Carrying Capcity
Once established aeration will allow your lake to have a higher carrying capacity of all aquatic organism including your fish.