What are Beneficial Bacteria And Why Are They Important For Your Pond?

Did you know there are beneficial bacteria in lakes and ponds? While some algae and microorganisms make the water murky and cause damage to aquatic life, good bacteria work to break down dead organic material. There are various types of beneficial bacteria for your ponds and lakes that work together to get rid of organic compounds. Let's take a look at some of these beneficial bacteria and why they are so important for your pond.

Two primary types of pond bacteria include aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic bacteria break down organic compounds with the use of oxygen. This process is quite rapid. Conversely, anaerobic don't require the use of oxygen, but they don't perform nearly as quickly. They both break these organic compounds down through their production of natural enzymes. The beneficial bacteria use these enzymes to absorb the broken down compounds into their own cells where they use them for nutrition.

Some bacteria perform a process known as denitrification. This process removes nitrate from ponds by turning it into nitrogen gas. Another harmful element they're able to remove is phosphorous. They remove this soluble phosphorous from the water column, turning it into calcium phosphate and calcium iron phosphate. These minerals are both insoluble, not available to most harmful pond algae.

This unavailability works to cut down on these damaging algae populations, making your pond cleaner and aiding in the health of aquatic life The ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous is critical when it comes to algae growth. If you have too much phosphorous, detrimental types of algae are encouraged to flourish. In addition to controlling the nitrogen/phosphorous ratio, beneficial bacteria can serve as a useful food source to things like zooplankton and benthos, which can go on to feed fish and other water life.

Lake and pond management companies in Florida can assist in the culture of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria can then be introduced to your pond to manage the decomposition and nutrient removal process known as biological water quality augmentation. As these bacteria develop, they disperse mainly to the sides and bottom of your water body. These areas are where the decomposition of organic matter occurs. Some bacteria will stay in the water column to process soluble nutrients and dead phytoplankton.

There are many different types of bacteria that can help with the breakdown of organic compounds. Some use aerobic bacteria to specifically destroy stubborn organisms. There are also bacteria formulations meant for maintenance purposes. They handle most types of organic waste degradation and improve overall water quality. Adding an aeration system such as a fountain or aerator can also assist in optimizing bacterial metabolism. Expert lake and pond management companies in Florida can work to develop a plan that targets and treats issues specific to your water source and that can best accommodate your budget.