Lakes and ponds are beautiful ecosystems that provide habitats for various species of plants, fish, and wildlife. However, when duckweed (Lemna spp.) invades these waters, it can quickly take over, creating a dense green carpet on the water’s surface. While duckweed might seem harmless at first, and in fact serves as a nutrient-rich food source for waterfowl, unchecked growth can have devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems.
Fortunately, nutrient deactivation is an effective and environmentally friendly approach to controlling duckweed by addressing the root of the problem—nutrient overload. This application can be a game-changer for lake management.
What Is Duckweed?
Duckweed (Lemna spp.)
Duckweed is a small, free-floating aquatic plant that thrives in nutrient-rich waters, particularly those high in nitrogen and phosphorus. It reproduces rapidly, doubling its population within days under optimal conditions. Too much duckweed is a concern for several reasons:
- Oxygen Depletion:
As duckweed covers the surface, it blocks sunlight from reaching submerged plants, reducing photosynthesis and depleting oxygen levels. - Disruption of Ecosystem Balance:
It creates an unbalanced environment where native plants and fish struggle to survive. - Water Quality Decline:
As the duckweed dies and decomposes, it further depletes oxygen and releases more nutrients, creating a vicious cycle.
Nutrient Deactivation as a Duckweed Solution
Nutrient deactivation is a process that reduces the availability of nutrients—primarily phosphorus—in the water column and sediments. By limiting phosphorus, the growth of duckweed and other invasive plants is naturally curtailed. Through nutrient deactivation, is chemically bound using compounds like aluminum sulfate (alum) or lanthanum-modified clay. These compounds form insoluble precipitates that settle to the bottom, making phosphorus unavailable for plant uptake. Unlike surface treatments that only temporarily remove duckweed, nutrient deactivation addresses the source of the problem—nutrient overload. By limiting nutrient availability, it prevents future blooms.
Click here to learn more about Nutrient Deactivation and Nutrient Reduction.
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