The effect of total dissolved gas supersaturation on gas bubble trauma in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), juvenile kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) and two age classes of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus).

Hydroelectric dams are an important source of electricity globally, but they can also cause total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation in rivers. Total dissolved gas supersaturation can harm fish through a condition called gas bubble trauma (GBT). Gas bubble trauma has been studied primarily in salmonids, such as rainbow trout and steelhead salmon (Oncorhynchus mykiss), but seldomly in non-salmonids like white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). We assessed the vulnerability of juvenile rainbow trout (<1 year old), juvenile kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) (<1 year old), and two ages of white sturgeon (<1 year old and 3+ year old) to GBT. Bubble formation and the time to 50% loss of equilibrium (LOE) was quantified during exposure to nominal levels of 100, 115, 120 and 130% TDG. We predicted that all three species would show similar times to 50% LOE at a given TDG level. However, time to LOE was longer, the proportion of fish with external symptoms of GBT was lower and the proportion of fish with bubbles in the gills was higher or lower (dependant on age) in white sturgeon relative to rainbow trout and kokanee at a given TDG. The physiological basis for the difference is not known. However, it is important to consider species specific differences in TDG sensitivity in the conservation of vulnerable species

Effect of Total Dissolved Gas Supersaturation on the Survival of Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Nobilis)

To assess the effect of TDG on the survival of different sizes of pelagic fish, bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were subjected to TDG supersaturated water at levels of 125, 130, 135, and 140%. The results showed that apparent abnormal behaviours and symptoms of gas bubble disease (GBD) were observed in bighead carp. The survival probability of large and small juvenile bighead carp declined with increasing TDG levels. The median survival time (ST50) values of large juvenile bighead carp were 74.97 and 31.90 h at 130% and 140% TDG, respectively. While the ST50 of small fish were 22.40 and 6.72 h at the same TDG levels. In comparison to the large juvenile bighead carp, the small juvenile bighead carp showed weaker tolerance to TDG supersaturated water. Furthermore, acute lethality experiments after chronic exposure to TDG were initiated to further investigate the effect of TDG on bighead carp. The juveniles were first subjected to 115% TDG supersaturated water for 96 h. After chronic exposure, live fish were immediately transferred to TDG supersaturated water at levels of 125, 130, 135, and 140%. The results demonstrated that no fish died under chronic exposure and few fish exhibited slight GBD symptoms. The ST50 values for bighead carp subjected to acute exposure after chronic exposure were 61.23 and 23.50 h at 130 and 140%, respectively. Compared with the bighead carp subjected to acute exposure, bighead carp subjected to multiple exposures were more vulnerable to TDG.