Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine lethal concentrations of CO2 to non-target species. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to CO2 continuously for 12 hours using a diluter system. Trials were performed on both species at target water temperatures of 5, 15, and 25°C. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

Resource agencies are searching for effective methods to prevent the spread of invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), hereafter bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. Elevating carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in water within locks and other pinch points is an approach being considered to reduce invasive fish passage. Laboratory studies have shown that bigheaded carps strongly avoid areas of elevated CO2 (Kates et al. 2012; Dennis et al. 2015). Similarly, telemetry studies found that CO2 can be used to exclude bigheaded carps from certain locations (Donaldson et al. 2016) and reduce upstream movement (Cupp et al. 2016). Previous studies were completed under controlled settings, and research to determine the feasibility and efficacy of elevated CO2 to control bigheaded carp movements in larger natural environments is needed. On October 21–28, 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Illinois-Iowa Water Science Center, and Columbia Environmental Research Center conducted a short field study at Emiquon Preserve (15T 750386.95m E, 4469041.70m N) near Havana, IL. Objectives for this study were to (1) characterize CO2 concentrations and distribution at various water velocities and (2) determine the effectiveness of CO2 to reduce general fish abundance and movement. During this study, water quality, atmospheric CO2, and fish presence were quantified across three water velocities (no flow, restricted flow, and unrestricted flow) with and without CO2 injection. The study was conducted at the water management structures (WMS) which served at the single connection between an isolated backwater lake and the Illinois River. Carbon dioxide was injected into the downstream portion of the WMS using air diffusers connected to compressed CO2 tanks. Fish abundance and movement was quantified using two Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS) transducers placed across WMS entrances. Water quality was quantified using stationary sondes, grab sample, and mobile transects. Atmospheric CO2 concentrations were quantified at fixed locations throughout the study site. Dates and times of importance: no water flow with CO2 start (21OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (21OCT2016 1600 CDT), modified flow with CO2 start (25OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (25OCT2016 1600 CDT), unrestricted flow with CO2 start (24OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (24OCT2016 1600 CDT), no flow control day without CO2 (28OCT2016), modified flow control day without CO2 (27OCT2016), and unrestricted flow control day without CO2 (23OCT2016).

Resource agencies are searching for effective methods to prevent the spread of invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), hereafter bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. Elevating carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in water within locks and other pinch points is an approach being considered to reduce invasive fish passage. Laboratory studies have shown that bigheaded carps strongly avoid areas of elevated CO2 (Kates et al. 2012; Dennis et al. 2015). Similarly, telemetry studies found that CO2 can be used to exclude bigheaded carps from certain locations (Donaldson et al. 2016) and reduce upstream movement (Cupp et al. 2016). Previous studies were completed under controlled settings, and research to determine the feasibility and efficacy of elevated CO2 to control bigheaded carp movements in larger natural environments is needed. On October 21–28, 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Illinois-Iowa Water Science Center, and Columbia Environmental Research Center conducted a short field study at Emiquon Preserve (15T 750386.95m E, 4469041.70m N) near Havana, IL. Objectives for this study were to (1) characterize CO2 concentrations and distribution at various water velocities and (2) determine the effectiveness of CO2 to reduce general fish abundance and movement. During this study, water quality, atmospheric CO2, and fish presence were quantified across three water velocities (no flow, restricted flow, and unrestricted flow) with and without CO2 injection. The study was conducted at the water management structures (WMS) which served at the single connection between an isolated backwater lake and the Illinois River. Carbon dioxide was injected into the downstream portion of the WMS using air diffusers connected to compressed CO2 tanks. Fish abundance and movement was quantified using two Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS) transducers placed across WMS entrances. Water quality was quantified using stationary sondes, grab sample, and mobile transects. Atmospheric CO2 concentrations were quantified at fixed locations throughout the study site. Dates and times of importance: no water flow with CO2 start (21OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (21OCT2016 1600 CDT), modified flow with CO2 start (25OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (25OCT2016 1600 CDT), unrestricted flow with CO2 start (24OCT2016 0800 CDT) and stop (24OCT2016 1600 CDT), no flow control day without CO2 (28OCT2016), modified flow control day without CO2 (27OCT2016), and unrestricted flow control day without CO2 (23OCT2016).

Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of CO2 as a behavioral deterrent to free-swimming fishes. Telemetered bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were monitored within a U-shaped pond (30.5 m long x 13.7 m wide x 1 m deep) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array. Gaseous CO2 was administered to one-half of the pond at 30, 75, or 150 L CO2/min while a comparable stimulus of atmospheric air without CO2 was simultaneously applied to the opposite side. Fish positions throughout nine independent trials were used to quantify and compare the spatial occupancy, movement patterns, and CO2 plume interaction of fish during CO2 treatment relative to normal swimming before treatment. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of CO2 as a behavioral deterrent to free-swimming fishes. Telemetered bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were monitored within a U-shaped pond (30.5 m long x 13.7 m wide x 1 m deep) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array. Gaseous CO2 was administered to one-half of the pond at 30, 75, or 150 L CO2/min while a comparable stimulus of atmospheric air without CO2 was simultaneously applied to the opposite side. Fish positions throughout nine independent trials were used to quantify and compare the spatial occupancy, movement patterns, and CO2 plume interaction of fish during CO2 treatment relative to normal swimming before treatment. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

There is growing interest in the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a management tool for controlling invasive fishes. However, there is limited published data on susceptibility of many commonly encountered species to elevated CO2 concentrations. Our objective was to estimate the 24-h LC50 and LC95 of four fishes (Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi). In the laboratory, we exposed fingerlings to a range of levels of CO2 for 24-h in unpressurized, flow-through tanks. A Bayesian hierarchical model was developed to estimate the dose response relationship for each species of fish with associated uncertainty, and posterior draws were obtained for the 24-h LC50 and LC95 values for each species. The 24-h LC50 (95% posterior interval) values were estimated as 150.7 (138.2 to 166.0) mg CO2/L for Rainbow Trout, 193.5 (177.6 to 212.0) mg CO2/L for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, 340.4 (308.7 to 375.4) mg CO2/L for Common Carp, and 352.2 (313.9 to 391.1) mg CO2/L for Channel Catfish. The 24-h LC95 (95% posterior interval) values were estimated as 190.6 (177.2 to 207.8) mg CO2/L for Rainbow Trout, 245.0 (222.2 to 272.2) mg CO2/L for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, 422.5 (374.7 to 474.5) mg CO2/L for Common Carp, and 434.2 (377.2 to 492.2) mg CO2/L for Channel Catfish. We observed complete mortality at 275 mg CO2/L (38,671.67 µatm), 225 mg CO2/L (30,710.74 µatm), and 495 mg CO2/L (65,707.70 µatm (CC); 77,212.55 µatm (CF)) for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and both Common Carp and Channel Catfish, respectively. Although the experimental findings show strong relationships between increased CO2 concentration and higher mortality, additional work is needed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of a CO2 application in a field setting.

There is growing interest in the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a management tool for controlling invasive fishes. However, there is limited published data on susceptibility of many commonly encountered species to elevated CO2 concentrations. Our objective was to estimate the 24-h LC50 and LC95 of four fishes (Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi). In the laboratory, we exposed fingerlings to a range of levels of CO2 for 24-h in unpressurized, flow-through tanks. A Bayesian hierarchical model was developed to estimate the dose response relationship for each species of fish with associated uncertainty, and posterior draws were obtained for the 24-h LC50 and LC95 values for each species. The 24-h LC50 (95% posterior interval) values were estimated as 150.7 (138.2 to 166.0) mg CO2/L for Rainbow Trout, 193.5 (177.6 to 212.0) mg CO2/L for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, 340.4 (308.7 to 375.4) mg CO2/L for Common Carp, and 352.2 (313.9 to 391.1) mg CO2/L for Channel Catfish. The 24-h LC95 (95% posterior interval) values were estimated as 190.6 (177.2 to 207.8) mg CO2/L for Rainbow Trout, 245.0 (222.2 to 272.2) mg CO2/L for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, 422.5 (374.7 to 474.5) mg CO2/L for Common Carp, and 434.2 (377.2 to 492.2) mg CO2/L for Channel Catfish. We observed complete mortality at 275 mg CO2/L (38,671.67 µatm), 225 mg CO2/L (30,710.74 µatm), and 495 mg CO2/L (65,707.70 µatm (CC); 77,212.55 µatm (CF)) for Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and both Common Carp and Channel Catfish, respectively. Although the experimental findings show strong relationships between increased CO2 concentration and higher mortality, additional work is needed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of a CO2 application in a field setting.

Invasive carp pose substantial economic and ecological damage when populations are widespread in freshwater systems within the United States of America (USA). Resource managers in the USA have a limited number of chemical control tools to selectively remove nuisance fish. The present study examined whether Antimycin-A (antimycin) wax encapsulated microparticles could cause selective lethality to invasive carps in a series of laboratory trials, controlled outdoor pond trials, and an experimental pond trial. Datasets include water quality, fish biometrics, fish survival, yttrium consumption, and antimycin microparticle dissipation data.

Invasive carp pose substantial economic and ecological damage when populations are widespread in freshwater systems within the United States of America (USA). Resource managers in the USA have a limited number of chemical control tools to selectively remove nuisance fish. The present study examined whether Antimycin-A (antimycin) wax encapsulated microparticles could cause selective lethality to invasive carps in a series of laboratory trials, controlled outdoor pond trials, and an experimental pond trial. Datasets include water quality, fish biometrics, fish survival, yttrium consumption, and antimycin microparticle dissipation data.

This study evaluated the use of dissolved carbon dioxide as a control method for juvenile red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Four concentrations of CO2 and a control were administered to 18 test tanks over a 96-hour period. Red swamp crayfish were observed for behavioral changes during the exposure and were assessed for mortality 24 hours post treatment. Datasets include daily care, water quality, biometric, behavioral observation, flow rate, and CO2 titration data from one trial. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.