The effects of lime addition on aquatic macrophytes in hard water: in situ and microcosm experiments

1. Aquatic macrophytes are abundant in ponds and canals that are constructed in semi‐arid regions for water storage and conveyance, as well as in lakes that are culturally enriched. 2. Addition of Ca(OH)₂ to two hardwater ponds at 250 or 275 mg L^–1 caused an immediate eradication of submersed aquatic plants. Although these ponds are well‐buffered (alkalinity: 2.57–3.94 mequiv L^–1; pH: 8.1–9.0), lime addition caused an immediate increase in pH of 0.2–3 units. 3. Application of 135 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ for 24 h or 210 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ for 65 h to two irrigation canals had no effect on macrophyte biomass at the lower concentration and duration, but resulted in the elimination of aquatic macrophytes 1 month after the higher concentration, longer duration treatment. 4. Unlike the macrophyte control achieved following application of 210–275 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ to ponds or canals, microcosm experiments in which lime formulation [slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂), calcite (CaCO₃), or a 1 : 1 mixture] and concentrations (up to 1500 mg L^–1) were manipulated failed to elicit a consistent change in macrophyte biomass. Macrophytes in microcosms treated for the short‐term (23–33 days) with ≥ 200 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ or a mixed Ca(OH)₂/CaCO₃ formulation always lost pigmentation, but biomass was not consistently reduced. 5. Declines in macrophyte biomass following treatment of ponds and canals may have been triggered by a short‐term rise in pH which, in these relatively warm (22–23 °C) alkaline (2.28–3.94 mequiv L^–1) systems, would have resulted in low concentrations of free CO₂ and bicarbonate for photosynthesis.