Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Time To Turn Aerator Off?

PaPond Help!

Snow removal allows sunlight penetration through ice so primarily phytoplankton (microscopic suspended algae) can photosynthesize and produce dissolved oxygen into the water. Depending on the water clarity under ice and water depth a lot of oxygen can be produced by bottom living (benthic) attached vegetation which includes: rooted weeds (macrophytes) that are not dead, filamentous algae and periphyton.

Ample dissolved oxygen in the water practically eliminates the production of toxic gasses thus ice holes are not often needed. In most situations, I think the need for ice holes and transfer of gasses to the atmosphere is overrated. This is why. Bad gasses are primarily produced when the dissolved supply is exhausted. However some bentic gasses will be produced during oxygenated conditions under ice cover when thick deposits of organic muck comprise the bottom sediments. But with ample dissolved oxygen in the water column the effects of the most common and prevelant toxic benthic gas, hydrogen sulfide, is minimal.

Actually I don't think hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can exist for long in oxygen saturated conditions. Maybe PaPond or another chemist can help us with this concept. I think it is similar to the effects of carbon monoxide when there is ample fresh air (oxygen).