Alkalinity and Hardness in Production Ponds

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Alkalinity and Hardness in Production Ponds
Article in World Aquaculture · March 2002
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Alkalinity and Hardness in Production Ponds
William A. Wurts, Ph.D.
State Specialist for Aquaculture
Kentucky State University CEP at UK Research and Education Center
P.O. Box 469, Princeton, KY 42445
www.ca.uky.edu/wkrec/Wurtspage.htm
Alkalinity and hardness are both important The determination of whether water is acid,
components of water quality. However, these neutral or base is defined by pH. However,
two aspects of water chemistry are commonly alkalinity measures the total amount of base
confused. The confusion relates to the term used present and indicates a pond’s ability to resist
to report these measures, ppm CaCO3 (same as large pH changes, or the “buffering capacity.”
mg/L). Total alkalinity indicates the quantity of The most important components of alkalinity are
11 -
10 -
9-
pH 8-
7- High alkalinity water
6- Low alkalinity water
5-
Early Late Early

Morning Afternoon Morning
Fig. 1. Changes in pH during a 24-hour period in waters of

high and low total alkalinities (Wurts and Durborow, 1992).
base present in water -- bicarbonates, carbonates, carbonates and bicarbonates. The total alkalinity
phosphates, hydroxides, etc. Hardness concentration should be no lower than 20 mg/L
represents the overall concentration of divalent CaCO3 in production ponds. Pond pH can swing
salts (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) but does widely during the day, measuring from 6 to 10,
not identify which of these elements is/are the when alkalinity concentrations are below this
source of hardness. It is important to recognize level (Fig. 1). Large daily changes in pH can
the difference between hardness and total cause stress, poor growth and even death of the
alkalinity when farming aquatic animals. farmed animals. Most aquatic organisms can
live in a broad range of alkalinity concentrations. for the production of most aquatic animals. The
The desired total alkalinity level for most best (and easiest) time to lime your pond is
aquaculture species lies between 50-150 mg/L before you fill it with water. Agricultural
CaCO3, but no less than 20 mg/L. limestone should be distributed as evenly as
possible over the entire pond.
Hardness is also important to aquaculture.
Calcium and magnesium are the most common When pond alkalinity concentrations are
sources of water hardness. Calcium and below 50 mg/L, agricultural limestone can be
magnesium are essential in the biological used to raise alkalinity and hardness. If total
processes of aquatic animals, for example, bone alkalinity is above 50 mg/L, adding agricultural
and scale formation in fish. The critical limestone will not be effective. In this situation,
component of total hardness is the calcium or where hardness is not caused by calcium,
concentration, or “calcium hardness.” adding agricultural gypsum (calcium sulfate) is
Environmental calcium is crucial for an effective method of increasing calcium
osmoregulation, that is, maintaining precise hardness to the desired concentrations. The
levels of internal salts for normal heart, muscle addition of 5.0 lb of agricultural gypsum per
and nerve function. Calcium is also important in acre-foot of water will raise calcium hardness,
the molting process of shrimp and other and total hardness, approximately 1.0 ppm
crustaceans, and can affect the hardening of the CaCO3. It is important to match calcium
newly formed shell. Aquatic animals can hardness with total alkalinity concentrations to
tolerate a broad range of calcium hardness help stabilize pond pH – this prevents pH from
concentrations. A desirable range would lie climbing too high.
between 75 and 200 mg/L CaCO3.
Effects on Pond Productivity

Increasing Alkalinity and Hardness
Another benefit of using agricultural gypsum
If alkalinity and hardness concentrations are is that it can help to settle muddy water. By
below the suggested level, both can be increased clearing the water, gypsum improves light
by adding agricultural limestone [CaCO3 and penetration, which is critical to phytoplankton
CaMg(CO3)2]. Agricultural limestone will not growth. Phytoplankton are microscopic aquatic
increase pH beyond a maximum of 8.3. The use plants that are responsible for most of the
of hydrated lime (CaOH2) or quick lime (CaO) is dissolved oxygen present in production ponds.
not recommended because either of these In muddy or turbid water, light can not penetrate
compounds can cause the pH to rise very rapidly, to any appreciable depth. This inhibits
to levels that are harmful to aquatic life. The photosynthesis and aquatic plant growth, and can
most reliable way to determine the amount of reduce daytime dissolved oxygen levels. These
agricultural limestone needed is to take several tiny plants absorb most of the toxic, nitrogen
soil samples from the pond bottom. Collect the wastes produced by aquatic animals under
samples as you would for cropland and submit intensive culture conditions. The effects of
them to your county extension agent or a agricultural gypsum on water clarity can improve
university soils lab for analysis. To get the plant growth, primary productivity and water
correct recommendation, request the liming quality. It is important to note that adding
requirement suggested for “alfalfa production.” phosphorus to ponds immediately after applying
The amount of agricultural limestone needed to gypsum can result in phosphorus combining with
grow alfalfa should equal the minimum required calcium, causing both to drop out of solution as
calcium phosphate. The addition of phosphorus mg/L CaCO3. Liming with agricultural
based fertilizers should be delayed for several limestone increases total alkalinity, augmenting
weeks following the application of agricultural the availability of phosphorus for phytoplankton
gypsum. growth. Pond fertility is improved and primary
productivity increases which, in turn, can lower
Similarly, alkalinity has indirect effects on toxic, nitrogen wastes and elevate daytime
“primary productivity” or phytoplankton growth. dissolved oxygen concentrations. Attentiveness
In low alkalinity aquatic environments, certain to hardness and alkalinity concentrations, with
nutrients are unavailable to aquatic plant life. periodic sampling and concentration
Phosphorus fertilizers are relatively insoluble adjustments, can profoundly affect water quality
when alkalinity concentrations are below 20 and overall pond productivity.
Reference
Wurts, W. A. and R. M. Durborow. 1992. Interactions of pH, carbon dioxide, alkalinity and hardness in
fish ponds. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Publication No. 464.
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Alkalinity and Hardness in Production Ponds

Article in World Aquaculture · March 2002

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

7- High alkalinity water

6- Low alkalinity water

Early Late Early

Fig. 1. Changes in pH during a 24-hour period in waters of

Effects on Pond Productivity

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