A review of the biological and chemical effects of hypolimnetic oxygenation

Abstract

Preece EP, Moore BC, Skinner MM, Child A, Dent S. A review of the biological and chemical effects of hypolimnetic oxygenation. Lake Reserv Manage. 35:229–246.

The technology of hypolimnetic oxygenation (HO) as a management tool continues to mature; at least 30 HO systems have been deployed worldwide in lakes and reservoirs to combat water quality issues that can flow from hypolimnetic hypoxia/anoxia. HO has been shown to decrease internal nutrient loading, decrease soluble metals (i.e., manganese, iron and mercury), reduce cyanobacteria blooms, and increase cold-water fish and zooplankton habitat. In this article, we review available case studies to examine how HO affects the biological and chemical components of lakes and reservoirs. Because HO is typically implemented with other restoration activities it is difficult to discern the exact impacts of HO in many waterbodies. Nevertheless, evidence from the reviewed case studies suggests that HO can be an important tool for restoring water quality when used properly.

Keywords:

• Fish
• hypolimnetic oxygenation
• metals
• nutrients
• phytoplankton
• restoration
• zooplankton

Acknowledgments

We thank Cam Irvine for his perceptive comments on the article, as well as the three anonymous reviewers.