Sometimes referred to as an algae bloom, Another factor which
can influence the pH of the water is the presence of plants, most notably if there
is an algae bloom in the pond. During the hours of daylight, plants produce
nutrients directly from carbon dioxide dissolved in the water and the energy
obtained from sunlight, a process known as photosynthesis.
As a consequence of photosynthesis the plants utilize carbon dioxide
in the day time and remove this from the water causing alkaline carbonates and
bicarbonates to predominate in the water and the pH to rise. In the case of heavy
algae blooms, the pH of the water can fluctuate quite dramatically through a 24 hour
period.
While many large fish can survive these
fluctuations, small fish can become quite stressed by these rapid pH
changes. |