Pond Water - Living Organisms

Pond water, like the water found in lakes, rivers and spring, is considered fresh water. And because water attracts most living things in order to stay alive, a whole bunch of small organisms reside within pond waters which they have turned into their source of nutrient and habitat.

Microscopic pond water organisms may include a number of single-celled organisms called bacteria. A certain kind that belong to the Kingdom Monera, are abundant in these waters, among others. Cyanobacteria, from the above mentioned kingdom creates the bluish-green color of pond water. Specific examples of this type of bacteria are nostoc and anabaena. Spirochaete bacteria are also common in ponds. This type has numerous hair-like structures that enable them to move fast.

            Unicellular eukaryotes called protozoan are also abundant in pond waters (around 50,000 species). Among the protozoan pond water organisms is euglena. This microorganism moves with the help of flagella. Protozoan called amoeba are also plentiful in such waters, along with ciliates like paramecium, ophrydium and vorticella. The ciliates derive their name from the hair-like structures (cilia) that help them move. Another kind is called sporazoans. They are very small spore-like organisms that have no means of movement. Some of these protozoans are actually harmful causing the dreaded malaria.

            Micro-animals called rotifers are also present in pond water. They are named after the tuft of cilia around their mouth which they use to move and direct their food into their mouth. They eat algae, dead bacteria and fish wastes. So you can probably say that they are the janitors of the pond that help keep it free from dead bodies, fish poop, and other icky stuff.

            The rotifer food, algae, is a group of plants. Unlike rotifers, they can create their own food through photosynthesis. Chlamydomonas and spongomonas are just two of the most common algae found in pond waters. Spirogyra, diatoms, zygnema, porphyridium and cladophora are also commonly found in most bodies of water, not just ponds.

            Hydra is also among the pond water organisms. It is another fresh water animal that belongs to the hydrozoa class. It is a predatory animal that stings its prey with its cnidocytes present in the tentacles surrounding its mouth. The opposite end of its tubular body is a basal disc that it uses to attach itself to the substratum. So in a way, the hydra is like the king of its own jungle.

            Ponds provide a good habitat for a multitude of microorganisms, some able to cause serious health problems. With all the living pond water organisms mentioned, it’s safe to say you should not attempt to drink water from ponds, especially during these days, without some form of treatment like filtration to name but one.