Is your pond or lake looking murky, smelling foul, or suffering from stubborn algae blooms? The root cause often isn’t just surface debris—it’s a hidden natural phenomenon called thermal stratification, and the solution lies in an innovative process known as artificial destratification.
At IGS Water Solutions, we address this core issue using our advanced Pond Aeration System (Destratification System). Here is an educational look at the science behind the problem and how our system creates healthier, clearer water.
The Problem: Understanding Thermal Stratification
In deep water bodies, water density changes dramatically with temperature.
- Warm Top Layer (Epilimnion): During warm months, the lighter, warmer water stays at the surface.
- Cool Bottom Layer (Hypolimnion): The denser, cooler water sinks and settles at the bottom.
Because these layers have different densities, they do not mix. This lack of circulation causes a cascade of problems at the pond’s floor:
- Oxygen Depletion (Anoxia): The deep water becomes starved of oxygen.
- Nutrient Release: Without oxygen, nutrients like phosphorus are released from the bottom sediment, which then feeds excessive algae growth when they mix toward the surface.
- Poor Health: The entire ecosystem suffers, leading to stressed fish, unpleasant odors, and a murky appearance.
The Solution: Artificial Destratification
Artificial destratification is the process of deliberately forcing the water layers to mix. This reverses the stagnant condition by ensuring oxygenated water is continuously circulated throughout the entire water column.
The IGS Water Pond Aeration System achieves this by:
- Drawing from the Depths: A water intake manifold draws water from the most stagnant, low-oxygen areas near the bottom of the pond.
- Conditioning: The water is passed through a Water Conditioner where low and high pressures create turbulence. This begins to treat minerals and nutrients in the water.
- High-Efficiency Aeration: The conditioned water is mixed with air in the aerator chamber. This significantly increases oxygen levels and subtly changes the electrical charge of the minerals, making the water healthier.
- Creating Thermal Flow: The plumes of newly aerated water and air rise to the surface, generating a powerful thermal flow that ensures the entire water body is circulating and mixing.
By simply restoring the water’s natural ability to circulate, our Pond Aeration System provides a sustainable, long-term solution for water quality management, turning a stagnant mess into a healthy, flourishing aquatic environment.
