Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: Rebekah Claar on 06/06/2009 19:30:03

Title: What makes a pond healthy?
Post by: Rebekah Claar on 06/06/2009 19:30:03

Rebekah Claar  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Ponds and aquatic life: we are home-schooling this year and want to make it one of our daughter's science projects.  We have a pond out front in our yard, but the barn I board at has a 3 acre pond that has very little plant life and is a brown colour.  We would like to know how to help make it a healthy pond.
 
Rebekah Claar

What do you think?

Title: What makes a pond healthy?
Post by: Don_1 on 07/06/2009 12:36:26

You would need a chemical analysis of the water to find out what is in it that is preventing plant growth.

Title: What makes a pond healthy?
Post by: ukmicky on 08/06/2009 23:31:42

Healthy pond water requires plants that release large amounts of air into it.


Canadian Pondweed (Elodea Canadensis) is as good as it gets and grows quickly

Title: What makes a pond healthy?
Post by: LeeE on 09/06/2009 20:19:45

As Don_1 says, you need a chemical analysis of the water, not only to check for toxic pollution but also for nitrite, nitrate, acidity, phosphate and oxygen levels.  The brown water may indicate high phosphate levels, but this should be good for plant life in the pond (unless it causes a toxic algal bloom).