CAUSES AND CONTROL OF WATER TURBIDITY IN FISH PONDS

Causes - Suspended silt or clay particles. Clay turbidity restricts light penetration and may limit growth of plankton. It may also clog and block gill systems of fish and affect rate of reproduction by damaging fish eggs and destroying breeding grounds. Habitats of benthic organisms are also damaged. - High plankton density. Turbidity arising from planktonic organisms is desirable so long as it is not in excess. Excess plankton bloom may limit light penetration due to algal scum on surface and may deplete dissolved oxygen due to respiration Control of Turbidity - Simply by soaking dry vegetation in pond. - By use of chemicals such as lime, filter alum to precipitate suspended solids - Fertilization should be suspended if turbidity is caused by plankton blooms.