High Nitrite Effects Ponds and Lakes
Environmental Impact
Nitrates in fertilizer dissolve in rain or irrigation water. Eventually, they find their way into ground water, wells, streams, rivers and lakes. Warm weather and high levels of nitrates in rivers and lakes may lead to algae blooms and fish kills, where large numbers of fish die in water. Excess nitrates in well water, rivers and lakes eventually enter human drinking water.
High Nitrite Effects
Producing oxygen by day, algal bloom causes unstable oxygen levels in the water. This stresses fish. The number of decomposers also increases when organic material enters a pond or lake. These oxygen-consuming bacteria deplete water of oxygen. Without oxygen, wildlife dies. Decomposers increase further, resulting in ponds starved of oxygen. Rapid plant and decomposer growth followed by oxygen depletion is termed eutrophication. At high levels and in the absence of oxygen, nitrogenous compounds become toxic ammonium hydroxide. Heavy mats of algae near the surface block sunlight. Toxicity and absence of light kill more wildlife, exacerbating eutrophication.
Typical Problem
Large amounts of algae can cause extreme fluctuations in dissolved oxygen. Photosynthesis by algae and other plants can generate oxygen during the day. However, at night, dissolved oxygen may decrease to very low levels as a result of large numbers of oxygen consuming bacteria feeding on dead or decaying algae and other plants.
Eutrophication, bringing with it high amounts of phosphates and nitrates, is a main cause in the destruction of lake ecosystems around the world. Several scientists have studied mineral levels in different bodies of water, and have found that the levels of phosphates and nitrates heavily impact the overall health of the water and its inhabitants.
LLMO GC program take care of high nitrite and high phosphates.