Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent Active
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide
Introduction of invasive carps into public waters of the United States has resulted in a large effort to limit dispersal beyond the Mississippi River watershed. Navigational structures positioned throughout most major rivers are potential pinch-points to block further range expansion into new areas. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as fish deterrent to reduce fish passage through navigational locks that would also not directly interfere with vessel passages and lock operations.
The goal of this project is to characterize fish behavior when exposed to a CO2. More specifically, we are studying fish behavior to determine if CO2 could be applied to deter invasive carps from locations (e.g. lock chambers) where they are at risk to move upstream. Studies are conducted in laboratory, outdoor pond, and field settings using acoustic telemetry, hydroacoustic sonar, and underwater cameras to monitor fish behavior. Results are intended to inform natural resource decisions related to the integration of CO2 as a new control tool to better manage invasive carps.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Temperature dependent effects of carbon dioxide on avoidance behaviors in bigheaded carpsManagment of Biological Invasions, International Journal of Applied Research on Biological Invasions, Volume 9, Issue 3
What it is to be established: policy and management implications for non-native and invasive species
Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds
Carbon dioxide as a tool to deter the movement of invasive bigheaded carps
Below are partners associated with this project.
USGS, Central Midwest Water Science Center
USGS, Western Fisheries Research Center – Columbia River Research Lab
USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Center
USGS, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
USFWS, Midwest Fisheries Center
Fox River Navigational System Authority
- Overview
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide
Introduction of invasive carps into public waters of the United States has resulted in a large effort to limit dispersal beyond the Mississippi River watershed. Navigational structures positioned throughout most major rivers are potential pinch-points to block further range expansion into new areas. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as fish deterrent to reduce fish passage through navigational locks that would also not directly interfere with vessel passages and lock operations.
The goal of this project is to characterize fish behavior when exposed to a CO2. More specifically, we are studying fish behavior to determine if CO2 could be applied to deter invasive carps from locations (e.g. lock chambers) where they are at risk to move upstream. Studies are conducted in laboratory, outdoor pond, and field settings using acoustic telemetry, hydroacoustic sonar, and underwater cameras to monitor fish behavior. Results are intended to inform natural resource decisions related to the integration of CO2 as a new control tool to better manage invasive carps.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Temperature dependent effects of carbon dioxide on avoidance behaviors in bigheaded carpsManagment of Biological Invasions, International Journal of Applied Research on Biological Invasions, Volume 9, Issue 3
What it is to be established: policy and management implications for non-native and invasive species
Management of invasive species, whether prevention, population reduction, or eradication, requires assessment of the invasive species’ population status and an assessment of the probability of success of management options. Perceptions of a species’ permanence in an environment or lack thereof frequently drives how limited time, financial, and personnel resources are allocated to such efforts. LanAuthorsPatrick Kočovský, Rochelle Sturtevant, James SchardtResponses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds
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 barAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Richard A. Erickson, Kim T. Fredricks, Nicholas M. Swyers, Tyson Hatton, Jon AmbergCarbon dioxide as a tool to deter the movement of invasive bigheaded carps
Nonnative bigheaded carps are established in the Mississippi River and there is substantial concern about their potential entry into the interconnected Laurentian Great Lakes. While electrical barriers currently exist as a preventative measure, there is need for additional control mechanisms to promote barrier security through redundancy. We tested the effectiveness of infused carbon dioxide gas (AuthorsMichael R. Donaldson, Jon Amberg, Shivani Adhikari, Aaron R. Cupp, Nathan Jensen, Jason G. Romine, Adam Wright, Mark P. Gaikowski, Cory D. Suski - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.
USGS, Central Midwest Water Science Center
USGS, Western Fisheries Research Center – Columbia River Research Lab
USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Center
USGS, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
USFWS, Midwest Fisheries Center
Fox River Navigational System Authority