Challenges & Solutions

Independent, site-specific restoration based on root cause analysis.

Science That Solves Lake Problems

Lakes are living systems—complex, sensitive, and highly responsive to change.

Over time, many lakes become degraded due to pollution, nutrient overload, invasive species, and habitat disruption. Left unchecked, these pressures can lead to serious ecological damage, public health risks, and loss of recreational or economic value.



Limnovations identifies the root causes of lake degradation and applies science-led solutions to restore function and resilience.
Our approach combines in-lake interventions with wider catchment strategies to ensure lasting results.

Challenges Facing Lakes

Lake owners face a range of problems requiring proactive management:

• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
  Especially toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), usually caused by excessive nutrient inflow—such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

• Waterborne toxins
  These can be lethal to pets and cause severe illness in humans.

• Pollution
  From both point sources (such as factories) and nonpoint sources (such as runoff from agriculture and urban areas), impairing water quality and affecting recreation and aquatic life.

• Invasive species
  Such as water hyacinth and pondweed, which disrupt native ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and impede recreation functions like fishing and transportation.

• Foul odours and poor water clarity
  Sediment accumulation, murky water, and bad smells make lakes unattractive for swimming, fishing, and tourism—and harm local economies.

• Biodiversity loss
  Caused by eutrophication, overfishing, introduction of non-native species, and habitat degradation.

How We Restore and Protect

Lakes are complex ecosystems. A combination of measures is typically necessary to improve water quality, mitigate algal blooms, and increase biodiversity.

In-Lake Techniques

• Phosphorus binding
  Using phosphorus binders to prevent phosphorus release from sediments.

• Dredging
  Removes accumulated sediments, organic matter, and contaminants from the lake bottom.

• Riparian zone restoration
  Enhances vegetated buffer areas to trap and filter nutrients before they reach the lake.

• Wetland preservation and restoration
  Supports natural nutrient absorption and processing.

• Harvesting aquatic plants and algae
  Physically removes nutrients from the system.

• Removal of invasive plants
  Often followed by replanting of native aquatic vegetation.

• Hydrological engineering
  Increases water flushing and dilution to export nutrients from enclosed water bodies.

• Biomanipulation of fish populations
  Encourages a balanced aquatic ecosystem.

• Hypolimnetic removal
  Extracts nutrient-rich bottom waters in stratified, deep lakes.

• Aeration systems
  Increases dissolved oxygen, helping counteract eutrophication and support aquatic life.

Catchment Management and External Controls

In-lake measures often need to be combined with strategies to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen entering the lake. These include:

• Reducing fertiliser use and avoiding application before heavy rain
• Improving sewage treatment to remove nutrients before discharge
• Using phosphate-free detergents
• Installing vegetative buffer strips along shorelines
• Preventing direct discharge of municipal and industrial sewage
• Maintaining septic systems and disposing of pet waste responsibly
• Implementing regulations to limit nutrient pollution from agriculture, industry, and urban areas
  

Get in Touch

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