Dissolved organic carbon is an important nutrient source for heterotrophic bacteria cultures and their support staff that exist on the bottom of your pond where all the organic matter accumulates. Organic matter has a high concentration of organic carbon, about 58%. The common sources of DOC in a maturing pond are:
- expired aquatic plants (macrophytes)
- dead algae that have settled to the bottom
- phytoplankton and zooplankton after die off
If you decide to aggressively treat your pond with probiotic bacteria it is possible to reduce the “easy to eat” supply of organic carbon which encourages the bacteria to scavenge carbon from other sources like living macrophytes. This could lead to the manipulation of the food chain creating green water conditions as more nitrogen, phosphorous and some ammonia is released.
Testing the pond water on a scheduled basis is quite important to prevent low oxygen condition and good nutrient management.