The Purpose And Methods Of Lake Aeration
Lakes are water bodies surrounded by land that enhances the beauty of nature. They are home to many marine creatures and serve as excellent fishing spots for anglers. Many local lakes store the water poured down during rain, and collect residues after storms, including homeowner associations, golf courses, and more – Above all, lakes act as ecosystems for living organisms and the physical environment.
While lakes and ponds serve so many purposes, these bodies of water, often get overlooked. When was the last time you cleaned the lake or pond in your premises? Do you remember when was it last aerated? Perhaps, you don’t even remember.
Ponds and lakes require aeration to thrive. Leaving the lakes unmanaged, causes physical and chemical imbalances to develop in the water body. Lack of oxygen in the water level of lakes reduces their lifespan and damage the surrounding environment.
What Is Aeration?
When the oxygen level is reduced in the lakes or ponds, aeration becomes essential. It is a process through which the content of dissolved oxygen is increased in the water. There are multiple ways of increasing the oxygen content in the lakes, including:
- Injecting air in the lake
- Injecting pure oxygen
- Aeration by mechanical agitation
Different Aeration Models
There are many options when it comes to choosing an aeration model for your pond or lake. So, if you’re considering manage a nearby lake or pond, it will be helpful knowing some of the aeration models.
Solar Aeration Models
Aeration systems that run on solar power are an all-rounder. First, solar aeration models are eco-friendly and economical. Also, these systems offer placement flexibility as they don’t require an additional power supply.
Windmill Aeration Models
Yet another eco-friendly option for aeration. No need to mention that the aeration system administered through windmills use wind power. It pushes oxygen through the windmill compressor. The air passes from the compressor to a tube which is placed at the bottom of the lake/pond. The air is then released to the pond through a diffuser.
These two environmentally-friendly aeration models work best in remote locations. However, surface agitation is a common aeration method used for a study supply of oxygen into ponds and lakes.
Methods Of Lake Aeration
Surface aerators not only help meet the oxygen need of ponds and lakes but also have an aesthetic appeal to them. Primarily, the oxygen enters the water in two ways:
- Diffusion from the surroundings
- Photosynthesis by Aqua plants
Considering the characteristics of the lake or pond, you may choose either of the following aeration systems for the water body.
Aeration Through Fountains
Fountains can serve as excellent aeration system. The beautiful ornamental structures, placed in the middle of a pond or lake, pump water into the air. Floating fountains are a visual treat. While the aesthetically-pleasing patterns attract the onlookers, shallow ponds and lakes also benefit from them.
As the jets spray water and splashes back on the lake, beneficial oxygen is developed. This allows the submerged gases at the surface level to escape.
Submersed Diffused Aeration
Floating fountains are not ideal for deep ponds and lakes. For aerating the lower depth levels, submersed diffused aeration systems are the right choice. The submerged system uses an on-shore compressor for pumping air through a tube to submerge bubble diffusers.
The bubbles carry the low oxygenated water from the bottom to the surface. The water is then mixed with the atmospheric oxygen and the rich surface water before sinking back. The missing cycle helps increase the dissolved oxygen content throughout the lake or pond.
How Does Lake Aeration Help?
Perhaps, you think that aeration only helps stabilize oxygen levels in the water bodies. While it is true, lake aeration has much more to offer. Let’s have a look at some of the purposes that lake aeration serves.
Aeration Combats Muck
As time passes, nutrients start settling at the surface of the pond in the form of muck. The muck makes the pond unsightly and is unpleasant to feel. Also, the muck build-up causes a stingy odor and serves as a breeding ground for leeches. However, lake aeration services help reduce the muck and other decomposers accumulated at the bottom.
Aeration Increases Oxygen Level In The Lake
Lake water needs oxygen for the aquatic creatures as well as for the development of beneficial bacteria. When the oxygen levels decrease in the pond water, the lake helps anaerobic bacteria to grow in the water.
Compared to the beneficial bacteria, anaerobic bacteria is not effective for breaking down organic elements at the surface. Anaerobic bacteria lead to the production of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in the lake, thereby causing an unpleasant odor. Aerating the ponds and lakes help maintain a healthy aerobic system and cause no damage.
Aeration Help Aquatic Life Survival
Aeration is equally important for the aquatic habitat to survive. In case you don’t know, oxygen levels in the water help fish swim through. As the fish swims in oxygenated water, the air molecules pass through the gills help fish to survive.
The warm water fish especially needs oxygen as low oxygen levels can kill them. An adequate supply of oxygen helps maintain the levels, thereby improving the living conditions for the warm fish. Besides fish, other aquatic animals and plants also need oxygen stabilized oxygen levels. Lake aeration helps plants at the surface to grow healthier.
Aeration Deals With Stratification
Sometimes, lakes get separated into layers with each layer having a different temperature. This is called stratification and can be harmful to the natural habitat and resources in the lake. Aeration system help maintain water circulation, thereby stopping the stratification of the lake in different layers. Most commonly, environmentalists use air injection or mechanical agitation for destratification.
Aeration Improves Water Quality
Aerating the lakes and ponds help improve the quality of water across the surface and bottom. As the oxygen circulates in the water at a regular interval, it stabilizes the Ph. Aeration also removes harmful gases from the surface, thereby balancing the alkalinity of the lake.
Final Thoughts
Ponds and lakes also need oxygen levels in an adequate amount for various reasons. When lakes are left unmanaged for a long period, muck starts to settle in the surface. The pH levels can increase to dangerous levels, posing a serious threat to aquatic habitat. Lake aeration systems are effective solutions for pond and lake management. Aeration helps improve water quality by increasing oxygen levels at the surface.
