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Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

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By Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center January 17, 2020

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for general aquatic invasive species control. Most research has focused on its effectiveness as a behavioral deterrent and lethal control or invasive carps. However, because CO2 is generally non-selective, there is potential for this new control chemical to be applied across a wide range of aquatic invasive species challenges.

Media
Red swamp crayfish collected during field evaluation of CO2 as a deterrent in Michigan.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Red swamp crayfish collected during field evaluation of CO2 as a deterrent in Michigan.

Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide

 

The goal of this project is to evaluate CO2 as a control chemical to address aquatic invasive species needs identified by natural resource managers across the United States. Studies are conducted in laboratories, outdoor ponds, and field settings to collect data on toxicity, behavioral manipulation, and other beneficial endpoints that support aquatic invasive species control. Examples of studies range from behavioral deterrence of CO2 with invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), lethality of CO2 with invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), and behavioral stimulation of invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

Media
Rusty crayfish used in lab CO2 deterrent trials.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Rusty crayfish used in lab CO2 deterrent trials.

 

Media
Round goby being measured after use in lab CO2 deterrent trials.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Round goby being measured after use in lab CO2 deterrent trials.

 

Media
Zebra mussels being put on plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Zebra mussels being put on plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.

 

Media
Zebra mussels attached to plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Zebra mussels attached to plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.

 

Links associated with this project.

Invasive Crayfish Collaborative

Red Swamp Crayfish

link
USGS scientist monitoring water quality during evaluation of CO2 on non-target fish during toxicity trials.

Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp

Registration of new fishery chemicals is critical for resource managers to incorporate chemical controls as part of their Integrated Pest Management plans. In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) obtained a Section 3 registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for carbon dioxide (CO2) as a new pesticide under the name Carbon Dioxide–Carp...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp

Registration of new fishery chemicals is critical for resource managers to incorporate chemical controls as part of their Integrated Pest Management plans. In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) obtained a Section 3 registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for carbon dioxide (CO2) as a new pesticide under the name Carbon Dioxide–Carp...
Learn More
link
Plain pocketbook mussels being used to evaluate effects of CO2 on non-target species.

Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms

Chemical controls are a vital component of many effective Integrated Pest Management plans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for invasive carps as a general toxicant or behavioral deterrent. Administration of non-selective chemicals, such as CO2, into public waters could pose a risk to non-target organisms (e.g. native mussels, native fishes) through direct or...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms

Chemical controls are a vital component of many effective Integrated Pest Management plans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for invasive carps as a general toxicant or behavioral deterrent. Administration of non-selective chemicals, such as CO2, into public waters could pose a risk to non-target organisms (e.g. native mussels, native fishes) through direct or...
Learn More
link
Liquid CO2 supply tanks for field testing.

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control

Management agencies often rely on commercial harvest for invasive carp population control. Piscicides, or fish toxicants, are an alternative method that could supplement Integrated Pest Management plans to kill and remove large quantities of invasive carps in a relatively short period of time. This non-selective removal strategy could greatly improve removal efficiency, particularly where high...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control

Management agencies often rely on commercial harvest for invasive carp population control. Piscicides, or fish toxicants, are an alternative method that could supplement Integrated Pest Management plans to kill and remove large quantities of invasive carps in a relatively short period of time. This non-selective removal strategy could greatly improve removal efficiency, particularly where high...
Learn More
link
Carbon dioxide being delivered for field trials near Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems

Management agencies have identified key pinch-points where there is a need to block invasive carp passage. Recent studies have shown that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an effective behavioral deterrent for invasive carps and could be used independently or in combination with other deterrents to reduce the risk of migration into new areas. Installation of a deterrent at these management locations...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems

Management agencies have identified key pinch-points where there is a need to block invasive carp passage. Recent studies have shown that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an effective behavioral deterrent for invasive carps and could be used independently or in combination with other deterrents to reduce the risk of migration into new areas. Installation of a deterrent at these management locations...
Learn More
link
USGS and USFWS personnel preparing to electro fish for common carp near Kaukauna, WI.

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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. Navigation 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 non-physical fish deterrent that could reduce fish passage...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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. Navigation 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 non-physical fish deterrent that could reduce fish passage...
Learn More

Below are partners associated with this project.

Fox River Navigational System Authority

Auburn University (AU)

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Michigan State University (MSU)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

University of Illinois

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for general aquatic invasive species control. Most research has focused on its effectiveness as a behavioral deterrent and lethal control or invasive carps. However, because CO2 is generally non-selective, there is potential for this new control chemical to be applied across a wide range of aquatic invasive species challenges.

Media
Red swamp crayfish collected during field evaluation of CO2 as a deterrent in Michigan.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Red swamp crayfish collected during field evaluation of CO2 as a deterrent in Michigan.

Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide

 

The goal of this project is to evaluate CO2 as a control chemical to address aquatic invasive species needs identified by natural resource managers across the United States. Studies are conducted in laboratories, outdoor ponds, and field settings to collect data on toxicity, behavioral manipulation, and other beneficial endpoints that support aquatic invasive species control. Examples of studies range from behavioral deterrence of CO2 with invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), lethality of CO2 with invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), and behavioral stimulation of invasive red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

Media
Rusty crayfish used in lab CO2 deterrent trials.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Rusty crayfish used in lab CO2 deterrent trials.

 

Media
Round goby being measured after use in lab CO2 deterrent trials.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Round goby being measured after use in lab CO2 deterrent trials.

 

Media
Zebra mussels being put on plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Zebra mussels being put on plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.

 

Media
Zebra mussels attached to plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Zebra mussels attached to plates for use in evaluation of CO2 as a control method.

 

Links associated with this project.

Invasive Crayfish Collaborative

Red Swamp Crayfish

link
USGS scientist monitoring water quality during evaluation of CO2 on non-target fish during toxicity trials.

Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp

Registration of new fishery chemicals is critical for resource managers to incorporate chemical controls as part of their Integrated Pest Management plans. In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) obtained a Section 3 registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for carbon dioxide (CO2) as a new pesticide under the name Carbon Dioxide–Carp...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp

Registration of new fishery chemicals is critical for resource managers to incorporate chemical controls as part of their Integrated Pest Management plans. In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) obtained a Section 3 registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for carbon dioxide (CO2) as a new pesticide under the name Carbon Dioxide–Carp...
Learn More
link
Plain pocketbook mussels being used to evaluate effects of CO2 on non-target species.

Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms

Chemical controls are a vital component of many effective Integrated Pest Management plans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for invasive carps as a general toxicant or behavioral deterrent. Administration of non-selective chemicals, such as CO2, into public waters could pose a risk to non-target organisms (e.g. native mussels, native fishes) through direct or...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms

Chemical controls are a vital component of many effective Integrated Pest Management plans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for invasive carps as a general toxicant or behavioral deterrent. Administration of non-selective chemicals, such as CO2, into public waters could pose a risk to non-target organisms (e.g. native mussels, native fishes) through direct or...
Learn More
link
Liquid CO2 supply tanks for field testing.

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control

Management agencies often rely on commercial harvest for invasive carp population control. Piscicides, or fish toxicants, are an alternative method that could supplement Integrated Pest Management plans to kill and remove large quantities of invasive carps in a relatively short period of time. This non-selective removal strategy could greatly improve removal efficiency, particularly where high...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control

Management agencies often rely on commercial harvest for invasive carp population control. Piscicides, or fish toxicants, are an alternative method that could supplement Integrated Pest Management plans to kill and remove large quantities of invasive carps in a relatively short period of time. This non-selective removal strategy could greatly improve removal efficiency, particularly where high...
Learn More
link
Carbon dioxide being delivered for field trials near Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems

Management agencies have identified key pinch-points where there is a need to block invasive carp passage. Recent studies have shown that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an effective behavioral deterrent for invasive carps and could be used independently or in combination with other deterrents to reduce the risk of migration into new areas. Installation of a deterrent at these management locations...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems

Management agencies have identified key pinch-points where there is a need to block invasive carp passage. Recent studies have shown that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an effective behavioral deterrent for invasive carps and could be used independently or in combination with other deterrents to reduce the risk of migration into new areas. Installation of a deterrent at these management locations...
Learn More
link
USGS and USFWS personnel preparing to electro fish for common carp near Kaukauna, WI.

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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. Navigation 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 non-physical fish deterrent that could reduce fish passage...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Mississippi River
link

Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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. Navigation 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 non-physical fish deterrent that could reduce fish passage...
Learn More

Below are partners associated with this project.

Fox River Navigational System Authority

Auburn University (AU)

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Michigan State University (MSU)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

University of Illinois

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)

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