We all know that plants produce oxygen. Some more than others.

Some of the links posted today about plant species got me to thinking. Are there certain aquatic plants that are better oxygen producers than others? I'm thinking if so...those would be the ones I would want in my pond. Someone with alot experience with pond plant species hopefully will chime in.




Thanks, just a thought provoker.

The elodea in my largest pond almost looks like it's doing a slow boil, especially in the morning. Of course, as they die and decompose they all take oxygen out.

Plankton as a general rule because of their numbers (% of pond biomass). That is one main reason you want alkalinity over 20. That supports plankton.

Plants with the highest rate of photosynthesis are your top Oxygen producers. Unfortunately, with this high rate comes a high growth rate causing the plant to be classified as either a 'Nuisance' plant or outright Invasive.
Elodea is one such plant and, if I remember correctly, is classified as invasive in some states.

Well, I don't know if you would consider it a plant or not, but I'd be willing to bet that in a pond where the visibility is 24'-36" due to planktonic algae, I would say the Planktonic Algae is the biggest O2 producer in the pond.

Without a doubt, algae, both planktonic and sessile, are the greatest Oxygen producers in most aquatic habitats. Though no longer considered a plant but a protist, algae actually produces more Oxygen than the natural gas transference at the water's surface.

It is always tradeoffs isn't it. Planktonic is food and oxygen to a pond but limits clarity. Then you have plants and clarity but the pond may be choked with plants. If you want to see the oxygen coming off you plants look at the sun bouncing off the water and all of the bubbles of oxygen sparkling to the surface. Nature had all of this figured out before we came along.