Ponds

The natural absorption and adsorption capabilities of zeolite ( as molecular sieve )make it the perfect candidate to promote the ongoing health and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. In these environments, zeolite serves three primary functions: to remove toxic levels of nitrogen and ammonium ions from aquarium waters; to provide oxygen-enriched air; to purify tank waters (Mumpton 1985 & 1999).

Hargreaves (1998) reported that fish excrement and sediment flux add to nitrogen levels in aquatic environments. If levels exceed ponds’ assimilatory capacity, water quality deteriorates due to an accumulation of nitrogenous compounds, like ammonia. When this occurs, scientists observe gill damage, hyperplasia, sterility, stunted grown, and mortality in fish (Mumpton, 1985).

Studies have proven that zeolite’s ion exchange properties control nitrogen content and can provide an effective means for ammonium removal (Mumpton, 1985 & 1999). In fact, studies have found that up to 97 percent of ammonium produced in aquatic systems can be removed by zeolite ion-exchange (Mumpton, 1985). As an added advantage, zeolite treatments are low cost and the mineral itself has a high tolerance to changing temperatures and chemical conditions (Mumpton, 1985).