I visited my wetland today to take some water measurements just to get an idea of where it stands right now. There was a turtle swimming when I got there, so I figured it couldn't be that bad. Plus the water was pretty clear. I learned my lesson. The pH was 2.7. Yah...that's not good...and the turtle was probably swimming like crazy to get out of there. The water was probably pretty clear, because a pH of 2.7 probably keeps water free from various living things more than a highly chlorinated pool. I'm not sure how exactly all the bullrushes are still surviving. My only guess is that there's a reason they took over and invaded the wetland, and maybe they've somewhat adapted to high acidity in this area. I'm amazed it's not a dead pond.
I saw one of these ants outside my room today. It was the first one I have actually stopped to look at. But it was because it was 3 cm long, and that's a pretty big ant. I touched it with a leaf and it bent up kind of like a preying mantis in a defensive position. I decided I didn't want to do anything anymore...it has huge jaws!
I saw one of these ants outside my room today. It was the first one I have actually stopped to look at. But it was because it was 3 cm long, and that's a pretty big ant. I touched it with a leaf and it bent up kind of like a preying mantis in a defensive position. I decided I didn't want to do anything anymore...it has huge jaws!
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That is pretty sketchy to have such a high acidity. Let's hope your wetland doesn't turn into your pool of useless acid. :s
To be honest, I think it partly has to do with the fact it was dried up. The reason the soils release acid is that they're exposed to oxygen...the sediments remove the iron and sulfate, but when the wetland dries up those things go back to being acidic. So I have a feeling after the first 1-3 weeks or so, there should be less acidity in the wetland. But it's still historically around 4 apparently since around 2001. Which is nicer to plants, but still really low. Haha.