The Problem
Development within watersheds has increased greatly in recent
years and many ponds have been subjected to an ever-increasing
load of nutrients and sediments, resulting in decreased pond
water quality. Increased nutrient loadings are most commonly due
to excessive use of fertilizers, malfunctioning septic systems,
poor aeration system and improper waste disposal within the
watershed. As development continues to increase, the amount of
total hard–surfaced area also increases and the volume and
velocity of the water moving through the watershed into surface
waters is increased. This run-off erodes soils and transports
organic materials and nutrients from surface soils. Inorganic
materials, in the form of sand, silt, and clay are also
transported to receiving waters, resulting in decreased pond
water quality.
Controlling Input
In an ideal world, applying effective pond aeration system within the
watershed to control the quality and limit the quantity of
run-off should be the best solution. However, even in the best
situation, watershed controls are not 100% effective. These
pond aeration systems can reduce nutrient loadings but they are only
as effective as the enforcement effort behind their
implementation. The elevated nutrient loadings that find their
way into streams, lakes and ponds cause: algae blooms,
proliferation of rooted aquatic plants, low dissolved oxygen
levels, increased water temperature, odors, increased bacteria
levels, and stunted fish populations or fish kills. Many studies
have shown that some watershed management systems and pond
aerators only reduce pollutants in
ponds by about 5 – 35 percent. This usually is not enough to
make a noticeable difference in aquatic
pond weeds
and
pond algae growth, does little or nothing to
improve fish health, nothing to
reduce mucky lake bottoms
or reduce disease bacteria or odors.
Natural Cleansing Capacity
Healthy ponds have a natural capacity to cleanse themselves.
Each pond is an individual ecosystem with a food chain of
organisms that assimilate the incoming nutrients. The food chain
moves nutrients up from the simplest single-celled bacteria, to
people catching fish. This natural system works very well
without any pond aeration system to
improve pond water quality, keeping the ecosystem in balance
until excessive nutrient inflow overwhelms the ability of the
ecosystem to assimilate the nutrients. Once this occurs, the
excessive nutrient levels adversely affect the aesthetic
qualities of the pond by stimulating the growth of nuisance
algae and plant life. Pond algae (algae blooms) can quickly turn
a pond “pea soup” green or cause the formation of “smelly”
floating algae mats.
Pond weeds can interfere
with swimming, boating and fishing.
Water Treatment Chemicals
Traditionally, aquatic
pond weeds or
pond algae problems have been addressed by using
water treatment chemicals in place of pond aeration systems. Chemicals are applied at the water
surface or directly to floating mats. The chemicals kill the
weeds
and algae and the dying vegetation sinks to the bottom of the
water-body where it rots. As the vegetation rots, the plant
nutrients in it that have been absorbed from the water are
released back to the water column and become nutrients for the
next weed growth or algae bloom. But something far worse occurs;
as the vegetation decays, it uses up the oxygen at the bottom.
Many studies have shown that an average of about three times as
much nutrients are released from bottom sediment of ponds
without oxygen, than what typically comes in from the watershed
each year. The next weed or algal growth will occur when
conditions of light and temperature are favorable, and the
concentration of the water treatment chemical in the water
column is reduced below toxic levels. The effectiveness of the
water treatment chemical is quickly reduced as it settles to the
bottom and is diluted by pond inflow and mixing with waters from
untreated portions of the pond. The dead mass of vegetation
accumulates on the bottom of the pond adding to the mass of
organic sediments already there. Herbicides and algaecides do
more harm to water quality than they do good. They sometimes
cause fish kills and add toxic substances to the water and
sediments. So it is highly recommended to use the
latest pond aerators and proper pond aeration systems
for maintaining water quality.
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Edina before. |
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Edina after.
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The Beginning of the Problem
If there is oxygen present, the accumulated organic sediments
begin to decompose aerobically. This organic material serves as
food for bacteria and organisms that live in the substrate
(bacteria, insect larvae, worms, etc.). These organisms require
and consume dissolved oxygen as they digest the organic
sediments. As sediments and biological activity increase,
dissolved oxygen levels are depleted and become limiting. Low or
no dissolved oxygen conditions can occur quickly, eliminating
aerobic organisms and slowing the breakdown of the organic
sediments. Then the growth of anaerobic bacteria, the bacteria
that thrives in an environment of low or no dissolved oxygen,
increases. Anaerobic digestion of the organic sediments begins,
releasing toxic gases into the water that kill beneficial
aerobic bacteria and insects.
The Real Problem
Anaerobic digestion of pond sediments is a much slower process
than with aerobic digestion. Where |
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aerobic digestion can result in the control or reduction of
organic sediment levels, anaerobic digestion almost always
allows organic sediments levels to increase. During anaerobic
digestion, bacterial enzymes and lack of oxygen make the
nutrients in the bottom sediments soluble. Then the nutrients
return to the water column and are available to support new weed
and algae growth. Anaerobic conditions at the pond bottom have a
damaging effect on the food chain that supports fish populations
as well as reducing or eliminating fish habitat, ultimately
resulting in a reduction of the fish quality, size and quantity.
Treating the Symptoms
Chemical treatment for algae control and aquatic plants
can be a valuable tool in the aesthetic management of a
pond, but it does not eliminate the condition that
causes the problem. Water treatment chemicals cannot be
applied to prevent an algae bloom. Pond aeration is the
best and most effective system for naturally maintaining
the quality of the water. They can only be applied to
eliminate the bloom. The bloom captures dissolved
nutrients from the water column and creates algae. The
chemical treatment kills the pond algae, and the dead
and dying organisms settle to the bottom where they
decompose releasing soluble nutrients back to the water
column. Once the biomass is formed, nutrients are
effectively locked into the pond’s ecosystem to be
recycled forever. Some chemical treatments, copper in
particular, can accumulate in pond sediments when used
year after year. Accumulated copper can reach levels
that are toxic to aquatic organisms or result in the
growth of algae that is resistant to the effects of
copper. Herbicides for aquatic weed control create
similar problems.
Pond Restoration – Dealing with the Problem
To restore a pond to a healthy condition, we must restore the
natural processes that allow a pond to assimilate the nutrient
load that it receives. Ideally, nutrient inputs should be
reduced or eliminated wherever possible. Understanding our
limited ability to accomplish this task, we must then supplement
and support natural assimilation of the nutrient load as it
exists.
The Natural Process
The natural assimilation of nutrients in the pond ecosystem
begins to breakdown when these natural processes are limited or
eliminated by low oxygen levels. Aerobic organisms are much more
efficient at digesting organic material than anaerobic
organisms. Aerobic organisms feed on organic material contained
in the sediments and assimilate these nutrients into increased
body mass and reproduction. Aerobically assimilated nutrients
become part of the food chain, rather than being recycled within
the water column, as they are when anaerobic conditions exist.
By maintaining aerobic conditions at the bottom of a pond, fish,
the top consumer will also improve in quantity and quality.
Maintaining the aerobic environment will also reduce or prevent
the accumulation of organic sediments. Aerobic conditions at the
pond bottom benefit all aspects of the aquatic environment.
Pond Aeration – The
Solution
Pond aeration is the process of adding Oxygen to improve
water quality which is needed by fish, aquatic animals
as well as aerobic bacteria to decompose organic matter.
Pond aeration increases the process of oxidizing or
eliminating pollution. Pond aeration system works by
using special equipment called aerators. CLEAN-FLO uses
Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation
aeration process. |
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Pond Aeration – CLEAN-FLO
History
CLEAN-FLO pond aerator systems improve the pond and lake water
quality for drinking, swimming, fishing and boating. Having more
than 30 years of experience in pond aeration and lake aeration
management, CLEAN-FLO believes in a customer-focused approach.
Pond Aeration - The CLEAN-FLO Approach
The
CLEAN-FLO Continuous Laminar Flow Inversion and Oxygenation
System restores and maintains
aerobic conditions in ponds. The Pond Aeration method of
CLEAN-FLO employs natural non-turbulent inversion to aerate the
pond from bottom to top. Our pond aerators improve water quality
in your ponds and lakes by allowing natural processes to
naturally occur within a pond using oxygen (air) and natural
bacterial and enzyme products.
CLEAN-FLO - A Pond Specific System
Each CLEAN-FLO pond aeration system is engineered specifically
for the pond in which it is to be installed. The design process
begins with an assessment of water quality data and existing
conditions. Watershed characteristics, and physical dimensions
and depths are also evaluated. A system is then designed to
address the specific conditions that exist in the pond. Our pond
aerators also improve water quality in your ponds and lakes.
CLEAN-FLO pond aerators specialize in water pollution control
and iron and manganese remediation. In water reservoirs we
neutralize the ammonia and blue green algae to give safe and
natural drinking water.
Complete pond
questionnaire to receive proposal for your pond.
Your Pond Aeration solution – Contact us
Because CLEAN-FLO delivers commitment of quality & innovation,
please feel free to contact us. Unlike others, our approach to
pond aeration management is “solving the problem rather than
treating the symptoms”. Let us solve your problem naturally.
Other Aeration systems by CLEAN-FLO
Restoration of Lakes
Restoration of Reservoirs
Restoration of Rivers
Restoration for Aquaculture
Restoration of Wastewater Ponds
For more information about Pond Treatment
click
here.
Improve lake fishing and improve water chemistry using natural
lake processes.
When is the best time to start?
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