For the purposes of how PondWorks utilizes it, a Bioaugmentation Treatment program is adding (augmenting) beneficial bacteria (biological organisms) to a water body to assist in the breakdown of a contaminant (pond muck). Pond muck can generally be thought of as a natural buildup of organic matter at the bottom of a pond or lake that can be a sludge-like mass that is neither water, nor mud. Over time, this layer of decaying organic matter (plants, leaves, pollen, fish waste, algae, etc.) builds up and impacts the balance of the aquatic ecosystem by depleting the available oxygen at the bottom of the pond. Bioaugmentation does not break down inorganic debris such as dirt, rocks, or sediment. Buildup of these items often requires physical removal (dredging).
Applying a Bioaugmentation Treatment
Various types of bacteria naturally exist within a pond and hopefully find a healthy balance within an aquatic ecosystem. When the muck layer on the bottom of a pond gets too thick (from excessive leaf debris, algae blooms and die-offs, excessive fish population waste, etc.) the amount of detrimental (anaerobic) bacteria can be imbalanced and the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem can be thrown off. This also adds additional nutrients to the pond which can foster an algae bloom once the water body heats up in summer. While algae is not necessarily unhealthy for the pond, it is unsightly and is often is an indicator that the pond is not balanced or healthy.
Through the use and application of beneficial bacteria, micronutrients, and probiotics, PondWorks can help bring back the balance of a pond by breaking down the muck layer and in doing so, improve the overall health of the pond. Beneficial bacteria (aerobic) can help aerate the water and improve oxygen levels at the bottom of the pond which is important to bacterial, plant, and fish life, particularly during hotter summer days when oxygen depletion at the pond bottom can speed up the muck layer accumulation and further imbalance the pond.
In addition to a Bioaugmentation Treatment program, a wholistic approach to pond aeration and muck layer reduction can also include installing a Floating Fountain and / or a Subsurface Aeration system. Both offer beneficial aeration and oxygenation of the pond, but differ in their benefits, aesthetics, and maintenance requirements. Both systems will need electricity to be available near the pond, and each system has their own ongoing service / maintenance program to provide optimal benefits. Below are some key benefits and considerations when choosing which system is right for each individual water body.
A PondWorks Floating Fountain Installation providing aeration and aesthetic beauty to a Chester County property
FLOATING FOUNTAIN (think of a floating pump that sprays water in the air)
+ Can have various spray patterns
+ Can have lighting to accentuate the water spray
+ Has and aesthetic and acoustic benefit letting you see and hear the water
+ Better for shallow ponds, but does require minimum depths for pump operation
- Does not circulate water from deeper in the pond as well
- Should be winterized and removed from the pond in the off season
A PondWorks Subsurface Aeration system installation in a 2+ acre pond that designed and constructed
SUBSURFACE AERATION (think of an air stone in an aquarium, only bigger)
+ Very efficient in mixing deep water and shallow water while oxygenating and all depths
+ Is much less visible and does its work ‘under the surface’ while maintaining a more natural water surface
+ Does not require electrical line be run into the water
+ Can be run year-round
- Little to no visual or acoustic appeal
- Less effective in shallow ponds
A typical subsurface aeration system from Airmax
We hope this helps inform you about what Bioaugmentation is, how it can work, and the benefits of a Treatment program can be, especially when combined with additional aeration systems such as a Floating Fountain or Subsurface Aeration system. Please feel free to call or email PondWorks to discuss your needs and we would be happy to offer any recommendations we can to provide you with a more healthy and clearer pond.