Where Does Pond & Lake Sludge Go?

Sludge build-up is a common problem in ponds & lakes and there are a number of specific water treatments to tackle this issue.  Treatments such as SediFree, SchlixX or SchlixX Plus are highly effective at reducing organic sediment but, we are often asked;  Where does all the sludge go?  If the treatment ‘digests’ the muck, doesn’t this just convert into another problem or another material?

Think of the process as decomposition rather than digestion.

The solid-state matter (organic silt) is essentially returned to the earth by converting it to gas (namely Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen), so there is not a visible solid byproduct with decomposition that you would see with digestion as we think of it. The byproducts are gases, which can then purge out of the water naturally, or be displaced with the assistance of an aerator. This process is called ‘aerobic decomposition’, which put simply is Oxygen-using microorganisms breaking down the silt.

The process of fallen leaves becoming silt is called ‘anaerobic decomposition’, which involves cultures that do not use Oxygen breaking down fresh leaf litter and other organic matter, resulting in a build up of black sludge (silt) on the pond floor. Anaerobic decomposition produces foul odours as noxious gasses are produced, while Oxygen is locked out of the growing biomass.

In the case of SchlixX Plus, each application would introduce active Oxygen and aerobic bacterial cultures directly onto the surface layer of silt, where it would begin aerobic decomposition of the silt. The process is finite though, as the micro-organism cultures deplete with the increase in Carbon Dioxide generated by the process, so this does need to be kickstarted with further applications to keep seeing results. However, the process of decomposition occurs far quicker than the time it would have taken for the same volume of silt to amass, so you can potentially reduce decades of siltation in a far shorter timeframe.

Don’t forget that sludge treatments will only work if the biomass is organic in composition (i.e. not sand, clay or inorganic material).

For further assistance on pond or lake sludge and treatments, do feel free to contact our team at Water Garden Ltd for expert advice.