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Water quality is an important
factor to consider for the management of all water bodies and for whatever
the intended use. The A.G.A. Group are often consulted with regard to
water quality and the problems associated with maintaining the required
standards. In an effort to provide sustainable and natural solution the
A.G.A. Group often relies on tried and tested methods. However the pressure
upon the environment from our modern industrialised world means that that
increasing modern technology must play a part |
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Whenever technology is required it is nice to be able to couple this with natural solution or to use technology to enhance natural processes. The LAS POND 1 mixer is a good example of a mechanical method of enhancing a natural process in a sustainable way: |
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De-oxygenation | |
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Algal blooms including blue/green algae | |
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Noxious and toxic gases | |
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Surfaces scum |
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Deep circulation can greatly
accelerate the natural aeration process, thereby significantly increasing
the oxygen transfer rate. By bringing oxygen-depleted water to the surface,
it can absorb oxygen from the atmosphere, from wind and wave action, and
from solar penetration. This oxygen-rich water is then draw back down
to the lower strata where it can most effectively break down waste products.Without
'deep' circulation a body of water can thermally stratify and even in
shallow water bodies that do not form a thermocline the hydra-soil or
bottom mud can become depleted of oxygen (anaerobic). The separation that
occurs between an upper warmer, lighter, oxygen-rich zone from a lower
colder, heavier, oxygen-poor zone. |
This lower or bottom zone contains
foul-smelling incompletely oxidized animal and plant matter, these give
off toxic gases caused by anaerobic (without oxygen) bacterial action.
This lack of oxygen has the effect of stopping many life lower forms of
oxygen-using life including facultative bacteria doing their work as nature
intended. They break down waste products into substances that are naturally
absorbed into the aquatic environment as part of the natural cycle. |
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With deep circulation as provided by a POND 1 positive changes in the body of water occur. Aerobic bacteria and other lower forms of oxygen-using aquatic life eat up plant nutrients and waste materials, this helps to clarify the water. It is not unusual after the installation of a
POND 1 mixer and deep circulation has begun for an odour to develop. This
is the hydrogen sulphide, as well as other noxious gases such as ammonia,
methane, and carbon dioxide reaching the surface. This odour disappears
in a short time and the water will regain a natural healthy smell. An
often under stated but additional major benefit of deep mixing is its
effect in reducing nuisances from algae and surface scum. |
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