A lake has a low pH. Is it acidic or basic? Would fish be healthy in this lake?
1 Answer
Dec 28, 2016
A low pH means that the lake is acidic.
Explanation:
Here is a diagram of the pH scale:
Fishes are unable to survive in acidic conditions as the natural pH of lakes should be 6 or 7. Here is an excerpt on what happens when the pH decreases
As the pH approaches 5, non-desirable species of plankton and mosses may begin to invade, and populations of fish such as smallmouth bass disappear.
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Below a pH of 5, fish populations begin to disappear, the bottom is covered with undecayed material, and mosses may dominate nearshore areas.
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Below a pH of 4.5, the water is essentially devoid of fish.
(LENNTECH,2016)
