How Enzyme Therapy Is Revolutionizing Lake Management

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) seriously threaten human health and the environment. They occur in eutrophic lakes worldwide and are characterized by large aggregations of naturally occurring photosynthetic bacteria that release cyanotoxins.

An enzyme therapy is an emerging therapeutic approach to treat a variety of pathologies, including metabolic deficiencies. However, it faces many challenges. These include short in vivo half-life, poor tissue specificity, and immunogenicity.

Increase Water Quality

Enzymes are naturally occurring enzymes that are used in a variety of ways in the environment. They are a powerful way to reduce or eliminate toxicity and render water safe for reuse.

One of the most common applications for enzymes is in wastewater treatment. They are combined with aeration to treat waste and improve water quality before releasing it into the environment.

Another application of enzymes is in lake management. They can be used to reduce sediment thickness and increase water depth, which will help reduce algae growth.

These solutions greatly reduce the number of organic materials built in lakes and ponds over time. However, they can only work if the bottom sediment has a high percentage of organic material available for these enzymes to digest.

Reduce Sedimentation

Sedimentation is one of the most critical threats to lakes and ponds because it allows nutrients to enter the water, which can result in excessive eutrophication. To combat this issue, ponds, and lakes should be managed to reduce sedimentation and increase nutrient removal through various techniques.

Enzyme therapy is revolutionizing lake management by reducing sedimentation and promoting beneficial bacteria in the water. It also provides a direct phosphorus mitigation technique.

Various nutrient cycling processes affect the activity of enzymes in soil and sediment, such as organic matter digestion and nitrogen fixation. Climate changes may also affect these processes, which can modify the relationship between enzyme activity and soil environmental conditions.

Reduce Aquatic Invasive Species

Nonnative species are a major threat to freshwater ecosystems. They can cost billions of dollars in damage and disrupt the natural balance of a lake or stream.

However, aquatic invasive species are hard to control once in a water body. Eradication efforts are expensive and often impractical.

Instead, many invasive species are controlled through prevention strategies. These strategies are analogous to cancer prevention and focus on preventing the introduction of invasive species in the first place.

For example, preventing the spread of invasive mussels starts with cleaning, draining, and drying your boat and fishing equipment before leaving the water. Many New York State boat launches also have hot water decon stations.

Increase Fish Habitat

Enzyme Therapy is revolutionizing lake management by increasing fish habitat. This is done by removing carp and improving the aquatic plant community.

By removing carp, the lake’s nutrient load is greatly reduced, which helps to prevent nuisance algae blooms. Algal blooms can produce harmful toxins and noxious odors and impair swimming and fishing.

Essential fish habitat (EFH) includes coral reefs, kelp forests, bays, rivers, and deep ocean areas where certain marine species spawn, breed, grow, feed, and shelter. This habitat is vital to fish survival, and could not exist without it.

Reduce Discharge

Enzyme therapy is a natural and safe way to remove unwanted sludge and nutrients from the water. It also improves water quality and reduces odors.

Many ponds and lakes experience organic build-up that can cause an imbalance in their water chemistry. Routine additions of pond and lake biocatalysts, probiotics, enzymes, and cultures help to keep aquatic ecosystems balanced.

A popular request from pond managers is for bio-dredging, which uses bacteria and enzymes to break down organic matter at a pond’s bottom. This process is often used to lower sediment thickness and reduce algae growth in lakes and ponds.