Does "duck weed" in a pond deplete oxygen or produce oxygen?

Question

I know some plants deplete and some create produce oxygen. Does "duck weed" produce or deplete? It is only a couple acre pond, with some bass, perch and catfish, if that matters.

Answer 1

I'm not 100% sure what duckweed is.

However, what I can tell you is that all plants produce oxygen. The depletion you're talking about is caused by one plant covering the surface of the water so that sunlight cannot reach the plants on the bottom. This kills the underwater plants that produced oxygen. If there is no new oxygen being created underwater while the same amount is being used the gilled critters start dying. With that information, you should be able to tell if this duck weed is harmful or not. Just look to see if the plant spreads across the surface.