Unit

Animal Science
Problem Area

Aquaculture
Lesson

Factors Affecting Dissolved Oxygen

in Water
Student Learning Objectives

1. Explain the daily cycle of dissolved oxygen present in

ponds.
2. Identify factors which affect the level of dissolved
oxygen present in water.
3. Explain how aquatic animals extract oxygen from water.
4. Describe management practices for maintaining
desirable oxygen levels in pond culture.
5. Describe management practices for maintaining
desirable oxygen levels in recirculating tank systems used
for aquaculture.
Terms

Atmospheric pressure
Biochemical oxygen demand
Cellular respiration
Diffusion
Gills
Mechanical aeration
Photosynthesis
Phytoplankton
Recirculating tank system
Turn-over
What is the daily cycle of dissolved oxygen
in ponds?
Generally ponds show depleted oxygen levels at dawn and
increased levels in the afternoon.
A. Dissolved oxygen in water comes from two sources:
photosynthesis or diffusion.
1. Photosynthesis by aquatic plants is the more important

source of dissolved oxygen in ponds. They consume carbon

dioxide and water to produce carbohydrate and release
oxygen into the water.
2. Factors that influence plant growthlight intensity,

herbicide use, temperature, etc.ultimately affect the level of

dissolved oxygen in the water. Active photosynthetic activity
during daylight hours accounts for the peak levels of dissolved
oxygen in the afternoon.
 B. Cellular respiration is the primary factor for the low
levels of dissolved oxygen at dawn. During cellular
respiration organisms use oxygen to metabolize food
energy. At night photosynthesis ceases yielding more
oxygen being used than is being produced.
C. Under typical conditions photosynthesis and diffusion is
sufficient to meet the bio-chemical oxygen demandthe
amount of oxygen needed by aquacrops, plants and
microorganisms. When oxygen demand exceeds the
dissolved oxygen available aquacrops become stressed
and growth slows or worse yet a kill-off occurs.
What factors affect the level of dissolved
oxygen present in water?

A. Water at higher temperatures is less able to hold

dissolved oxygen. Therefore in summer months when
water temperature increases the natural ability for water to
hold dissolved oxygen is decreased.
B. Excessive organic matter as a result of uneaten food,
runoff or other sources consumes oxygen during
decomposition. This consumption of oxygen increases
demands for oxygen limiting the availability for aquacrops.
C. Freshwater is able to dissolve more oxygen than salt
water.
 D. Atmospheric pressure is defined as the force exerted by the
weight of air. As atmospheric pressure increases more oxygen is
diffused into the water.
E. Seasonal temperature changes affect the oxygen level in
ponds as well. A phenomenon known as turn-over causes
oxygen levels to change through the stratified temperature zones
of a pond. As surface water warms in spring its density becomes
greatest at 39 F. When this happens the surface water mixes
into the lower level diluting the oxygen that was in the surface
water and increasing the need for oxygen due to increased
decomposition of organic compounds due to the warmer water.
This occurs twice annually usually in the late spring and late fall.
How do aquatic animals extract oxygen
from water?

Gills are blood-filled structures where gas exchange

occurs in fish.
A. Large quantities of oxygenated water flow across the
gills in fish as it swims. Through diffusion, the movement
of a substance from high concentration to low
concentration, oxygen is taken into the gills. As water
passes over the gills the oxygen level of the blood in the
gills is low due to the increased levels of CO2 while the
oxygen level in the water is greater causing diffusion to
occur. Oxygen is then entered into the bloodstream via
capillaries.
What management techniques are used to
maintain desirable dissolved
oxygen levels in aquaculture ponds?

A. Pond design is the initial step in providing desired

levels of dissolved oxygen. Ponds should not be
built on land that has naturally high levels of
decomposing organic matter. This would consume
oxygen that is needed by the aquacrops. Also the
location of the pond in relation to deciduous trees
that could shed leaves into the water causing an
increase in the demand for oxygen is important to
consider.
 B. Aquatic weeds can cause catastrophic problems
in ponds. They may cover the surface of a pond
prohibiting light to penetrate, reducing the
photosynthesis carried out by phytoplankton, small
floating plants. Also as the weeds die,
decomposition of the organic matter consumes
oxygen.
C. Mechanical aeration is an artificial means of
using mechanical energy to add oxygen to water.
Mechanical aeration can include the use of air
pumps, water pumps, or paddles.
What practices are used for maintaining
desirable oxygen levels in recirculating
tank systems used for aquaculture?

A recirculating tank system is one in which fish

are grown in tanks or vats while water is constantly
recycled.
A. To manage dissolved oxygen in recirculating
aquaculture systems the first step is provide
mechanical aeration. This is most often achieved
through a bubbler system. Atmospheric air is
pumped through a series of hoses into an air
diffuser which causes tiny air bubbles to form.
 B. Managing the amount of feed provided is another
important practice. Producers try to eliminate
feeding excessive amounts of feed that use oxygen
when microbial action is necessary to decompose
them.
C. Careful monitoring of dissolved oxygen levels is
important to diagnose problems. Chemical oxygen
tests are an affordable way to test. A more costly
method is the use of an automated oxygen probe.
When a problem is observed the producer can then
determine the best course of action to correct the
situation.
Review/Summary

What is the daily cycle of dissolved oxygen in ponds?

What factors affect the level of dissolved oxygen present in
water?
How do aquatic animals extract oxygen from water?
What management techniques are used to maintain
desirable dissolved oxygen levels in aquaculture ponds?
What practices are used for maintaining desirable oxygen
levels in recirculating tank systems used for aquaculture?