Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Pond vegetation

I've been aware of the many concerns about Roundup since the time I worked for BLM, and I've read various things on the subject in the interim. To my mind, there's plenty of reason for concern, and I choose not to use the stuff. But it's still one of the most widely used (probably the most widely used) herbicides, so it's obvious many people don't agree with my take on the subject.
http://roundupcompensation.com/
http://earthopensource.org/gmomythsandtr...easier-farmers/
http://robbwolf.com/2015/05/06/glyphosate-benign-or-dangerous/
http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Roundup-Glyphosate-Factsheet-Cox.htm
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html
http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/Actives/glyphosa.htm

When I look at internet links the first thing I do is go the .edu or .gov sites. I went to the one link that you list that fits this category and it seems accurate. These types of sites cannot just write anything. Folks have many concerns that have no evidence to support them.

http://www.ufocasebook.com/alienabductions.html

As a scientist, I go with evidence over popular concerns.

Come now. How can one compare the supposed danger of glyphosate to the very real possibility of alien abduction? I've said it before and I'll say it again, when the science experiment that is planet Earth comes to an end, there's going to be a lot of very surprised looks on faces.

You know how we manipulate the environment in order to raise our fish? Yeah well, that same technique works on a much grander scale also..

Alien abductions are a lot harder to disprove:) Supposed dangers of glyphosate can be tested in scientific experiments. Folks have been trying pretty hard for over 40 years to demonstrate the "dangers" of glyphosate with out much luck, but who knows what will pop up tomorrow?

I like hearing you say that. I think there are many who are content in believing today's knowledge is the ultimate and final word on a subject. I try to always keep an open mind and continue to question.

In another thread, there is a discussion about High PH in ponds which I find a very interesting subject and I've been digging into it some. One thing I’m finding in my reading is that, although submerged pond vegetation increases DO, it is reducing CO2 at the same time which will result in an upward swing in PH; with the amount of the upswing dependent on several factors. My pond has High PH (8.3 to 8.4) already and very high alkalinity (250-300). I don't want to go from an "ok" PH situation to one with unacceptably high spikes in the afternoons just because I planted/allowed vegetation.

My questions:

1) Does emergent and/or marginal vegetation increase DO and reduce CO2 to the same degree as submerged?
2) I’ve been planning to try and get some submerged vegetation started for habitat and nutrient control. Is this a good idea, bad idea or “it depends” for my situation?”
3) Should I focus on emergent and marginal vegetation instead of submerged?

Any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Bill D.

With high alkalinity - total hardness there is a high buffering capacity to resist 'swings' of pH. pH will swing up and down depending on sunshine (pH up); night (pH down). At night plants produce CO2 which converts to an acid (carbonic acid) to lower pH. In sunshine carbonic acid is converted to carbonates pH goes up. The amount of buffering and plant activity determines how much the shift will be. Significant shifts of pH are not a concern in your pond chemistry. With your hardness, I doubt very much you will ever see a pH decrease to 7.0 in your pond due to even abundant submerged plant growth. In low alkalinity water expect greater shifts of pH.

Thanks Bill. I will move forward with the plan, HOPEFULLY, get the desirable vegetation in place before the bad boys show up and takeover!

PSA...Aliens have recently been reported to be hanging around elevator shafts.

No worries Bob. I've seen the same reports. I suspect it's just Sparkie in his infamous fishing garb!

Bill, I have the opposite problem: low alkalinity (37 last I checked) and low pH (around 6, even with lime on the bottom).

My pond is new with little or no plant life. Would water plants help me with the alkalinity/pH?