By Patrick Goodwin, Certified Lake Manager and Aquatic Research Scientist
Vertex Aquatic Solutions newest product offering Oxygenation Saturation Technology (OST) is available now to eliminate lake anoxia while preserving stratification. The side-stream saturation technology manages anoxia by pumping low dissolved oxygen (DO) water from a lake, canal or lagoon, saturate it with oxygen and return the water.
The first commercial Vertex OST was installed on Sarah’s Pond on April 7th, 2021. This small 8-acre pond in Orleans, MA had originally purchased a nanobubble system in 2019 to improve water quality, more specifically to reduce internal phosphorus loading causing harmful algae blooms (HABs). You can see the 2-year summary report conducted by Water Resource Services:
https://www.orleanspondcoalition.org/oxygenation-demonstration/
Over the course of the 2-year study, the nanobubble performance did not meet expectations and was removed. On April 7, 2021, we installed our patent pending oxygen saturation technology (OST). As part of our installation and demonstration during startup, we showed 97% oxygen transfer efficiency with dissolved oxygen levels measured at 65 mg/L on the outflow back to the lake.
The system operated as designed and was able to increase DO levels in the hypolimnion in excess of 25 mg/L with >15 mg/L observed at sediment-water interface. As a result, we were able to put the entire system on a timer and operated 6 hours per day, reducing their operating cost from $12.80/day to $3.10/day.
About Patrick Goodwin
Patrick earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and a Master of Science in Lake Management from the University of New York, SUNY – Oneonta. Patrick is an elite NALMS Certified Lake Manager. He is a lead researcher and a recognized national authority on sustainable lake restoration technology. His specialties include nutrient reduction, water quality improvement, lake aeration design and cyanobacteria management. He has been on the Florida Lake Management Society Board (FLMS) and a member since 2015. In addition, he is on the Student Committee for the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS), as well as nine other prestigious aquatic plant and lake management organizations in the country. Patrick has presented research or conducted training relating to sustainable lake management technology for multiple organizations at their annual conferences.
Vertex Aquatic Solutions, founded in 1977, is the professionals’ choice for research based scientific consulting services, aeration systems, floating fountains, bubble curtains and biological products to enhance water quality in lakes, ponds, canals, marinas and reservoirs. As respected leaders in the lake management industry the Vertex team of aquatic biologists, limnologists, fisheries scientists and engineers work together to deliver science-based, environmentally sound solutions to complex waterbody issues. Our products and services are delivered through an international network of qualified, experienced waterbody professionals who provide local support, service and pond management expertise to customers.