Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
By: , and 

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Abstract

Resource managers need for effective methods to prevent the movement of silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to silver (278 ± 30.5 mm) and bighead (212 ± 7.7 mm) carp movement in continuous-flow outdoor ponds. As a barrier, CO2 significantly reduced upstream movement but was not 100% effective at blocking fish passage. As a deterrent, we observed a significant shift away from areas of high CO2 relative to normal movement before and after injection. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied across the pond during injection and reached maximum concentrations of 74.5±1.9 mg/L CO2; 29 532 – 41 393 µatm at the site of injection during three independent trials. We conclude that CO2 altered silver and bighead carp movement in outdoor ponds and recommend further research to determine barrier effectiveness during field applications.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds
Series title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
DOI 10.1139/cjfas-2015-0472
Volume 74
Issue 3
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher NRC Research Press
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description 9 p.
First page 297
Last page 305
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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