MEASURING THE OXYGEN LEVELS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT
WHAT DOES MEASURING OXYGENATION ENTAIL AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Ensuring full oxygenation of the entire water column, down to the benthic margin where water and sediment meet, is a crucial prerequisite for successfully remediating a eutrophic water body.
Without adequate oxygenation, other remediation steps cannot be effectively implemented.
When we conduct an initial assessment of a water body to gather the necessary information for a solution design, we not only measure dissolved oxygen levels from the surface to the bottom but also perform a bathymetric scan.
This scan allows us to calculate the volume of water and the area of sediment that is hypoxic, providing valuable insights into the extent of the problem.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE OXYGEN LEVELS?
Measuring dissolved oxygen is a straightforward process when using the right equipment. A probe is lowered into the water, and readings are taken at regular intervals, typically every couple of feet.
This method enables us to identify the oxycline, which is the transition zone where the water shifts from aerobic to hypoxic and then to anaerobic conditions.
By combining the dissolved oxygen measurements with the bathymetric data, we can calculate:
1. The volume of water that is hypoxic and therefore uninhabitable for animal life.
2. The surface area of sediment that is hypoxic, making it inhospitable to animal life and a primary source of nutrient recycling.
This information is crucial for developing an effective strategy to reverse eutrophication and manage the lake’s health.
Without understanding the extent and distribution of hypoxia, it is impossible to design and implement a successful remediation plan.
To track the water body’s condition and inform adaptive management practices for remediation and maintenance of water quality, we measure dissolved oxygen levels regularly throughout the year.
This ongoing monitoring allows us to assess the progress of our efforts and make necessary adjustments to optimize results.
WHAT DO OXYGENATION MEASUREMENTS INDICATE?
Understanding the degree of hypoxia and deoxygenation in a water body is essential for designing and configuring the right oxygenation system.
Without this knowledge, one would have to rely on guesswork, which can lead to ineffective or even counterproductive solutions.
Our RADOR (Rapid Acting Dissolved Oxygen Restoration) systems are designed to be adaptable, allowing for adjustments and modifications in response to oxygenation dynamics, seasonal changes, and alterations in the lake’s depth profile due to Bio-Dredging.
This flexibility ensures that the oxygenation system remains effective and efficient throughout the remediation process.
By conducting detailed measurements and modeling of dissolved oxygen levels throughout the water column and analyzing bathymetric data, we can ensure that the water body remains fully oxygenated at all times.
This comprehensive approach is the foundation for successful lake restoration, as it creates the necessary conditions for other remediation strategies, such as BioDredging and bioaugmentation, to be effective.
In summary, measuring oxygenation is a critical aspect of understanding and addressing the challenges posed by eutrophication.
By simplifying the science and explaining the importance of dissolved oxygen monitoring, bathymetric analysis, and adaptive management, we can help stakeholders, such as lake associations, property owners, and local authorities, make informed decisions about the health and future of their water bodies.
This knowledge empowers them to take action and support the implementation of effective, science-based solutions that will restore the ecological balance and ensure the long-term sustainability of their cherished aquatic resources.