Fu-Hsian Chang1, C. Thorman1, M. Hayes2, and N. Larson1. (1) Bemidji State Univ., Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Dr. NE, Bemidji, MN 56601-2699, (2) Minnesota Envrionmental Service, Buffalo, MN 55313
Field demonstration was conducted to restore the Indian Lake by removing excess nutrients from the flora side of the ecosystem and re-assign those nutrients to the fauna side of the ecosystem and identify any existing pollution sources in the watershed. A mixed bacterial culture (Bacta-Pur) was added to the lake in mid-June through September to degrade both the solid waste and utilize inorganic nutrients for their growth. The end products of this restoration process are organic sludge removal and water clarification and microbial biomass that is rich in protein which served as food for invertebrate consumers, then converted to secondary consumers (fish) biomass. Success of restoration was measured by using the Carlson Trophic Index (TSI). The TSI values averaged for chlorophyll-a concentrations, Secchi depth and total phosphorus. According to this method, Indian Lake is considered eutrophic based on the Carlson Trophin Index (TSI) of 61.55. The high readings of Chlorophyll-a during the fall of 2006 may indicate that the phytoplankton/zooplankton populations have grown and reproduced in high numbers due to the bacterial culture addition. Application of mixed bacterial culture has resulted in a significant improvement (more than 20%) in TSI reduction. It is anticipated that Indian Lake could be restored to a mesotrophic lake.