Dyes
Light Attenuation
Impart color to water to reduce light penetration and suppress submersed plant growth
Considerations
- Not selective in that all submersed plant species may be affected
- May select for invasive plants like hydrilla that needs less light than most native plants
- May be cost prohibitive for large water bodies
- Water body needs to be sufficiently deep for dyes to exclude light and be effective
- Difficult to sustain appropriate concentration in flow through waters
- Commercial blue dyes are available
- Natural tannins can be concentrated but black or brown may be aesthetically unpleasing
Examples of Feasible Control
- Dyes are applied to small ponds to impart pleasing blue color and impede submersed plant and algae growth