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Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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By Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center January 16, 2020

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 through navigational locks while supporting continued use of the waterway by commercial and recreational navigation.

Media
USGS and USFWS personnel preparing to electro fish for common carp near Kaukauna, WI.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
 USGS and FWS personnel preparing to electro fish for common carp near Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide

 

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.

 

Media
Evaluation of CO2 as a fish deterrent at a water management structure along the Illinois River.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Evaluation of CO2 as a fish deterrent at a water management structure along the Illinois River.

 

Media
Manifold system to evaluate CO2 as a fish deterrent in Morris, Illinois
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Manifold system to evaluate CO2 as a fish deterrent in Morris, Illinois

 

Media
USGS scientist monitoring invasive round goby movements in response to CO2 using a shuttle box system.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS scientist monitoring invasive round goby movements in response to CO2 using a shuttle box system.

 

Media
Water sample collection during CO2 injection at a water management structure along the Illinois River.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Water sample collection during CO2 injection at a water management structure along the Illinois River.

 

Below are publications associated with this project.

Temperature dependent effects of carbon dioxide on avoidance behaviors in bigheaded carps

Managment of Biological Invasions, International Journal of Applied Research on Biological Invasions, Volume 9, Issue 3

Filter Total Items: 17

Evaluation of a carbon dioxide fish barrier through numerical modelling Evaluation of a carbon dioxide fish barrier through numerical modelling

The Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) is a potential route for the migration of aquatic invasive species from the Mississippi River Basin into the Great Lakes. Electric dispersal barriers were installed in the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal, within CAWS, to prevent invasive fish from reaching the Great Lakes. Despite the high efficiency of these barriers, occasional maintenance events...
Authors
Marcela Politano, Aaron Cupp, David Smith, Avery Schemmel, P. Jackson, Jeff Zuercher
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations

Behavioral deterrents of among-pool movement represent a promising tool for controlling invasive fish populations. To date, much of the research in this area has been focused on the direct effectiveness of different methods of deterrence. However, the effect of these structures on populations in spatially complex habitats is unknown. We combine a metacommunity model with movement data of...
Authors
Donald Schoolmaster, Aaron Cupp, Alison Coulter, Richard Erickson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Upstream experience and experimental translocation of invasive bigheaded carps results in increased upstream passage success at a navigation lock in a large river Upstream experience and experimental translocation of invasive bigheaded carps results in increased upstream passage success at a navigation lock in a large river

Fish movements in regulated rivers can be challenging to study because anthropogenic modifications, such as locks and dams, can influence animal behavior. Upper Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19 (LD 19), for example, is an invasive carp movement bottleneck due to an impassable dam. Upstream fish passage at LD19 is restricted to the lock chamber, making it an optimal location to test...
Authors
Andrea Fritts, Daniel Gibson-Reinemer, Brent Knights, Amanda Milde, Jessica Stanton, Marybeth Brey, Douglas Appel, Aaron Cupp, Sarah Tripp, James Lamer, Mark Fritts
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Application of the technology readiness levels framework to natural resource management tools Application of the technology readiness levels framework to natural resource management tools

Technology advancements in fisheries science can provide useful tools to support natural resource management and conservation. However, new technologies may also present challenges for decision makers due to the lack of a standardized process to assess technologies for consideration within management plans. Future technology development in fishery and water resources could benefit from a...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Andrea Fritts, Marybeth Brey, Christa M. Woodley, David Smith, Mark Cornish, Amy McGovern, Rob Simmonds, Neal Jackson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Movement and behavioral states of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in response to a behavioral deterrent in a navigational lock Movement and behavioral states of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in response to a behavioral deterrent in a navigational lock

Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most affected by biological invasions due, in part, to the introduction of invasive carp worldwide. Where carp have become established, management programs often seek to limit further range expansion into new areas by reducing their movement through interconnected rivers and waterways. Lock and dams are important locations for non-physical deterrents...
Authors
Maggie Raboin, John Plumb, Matthew Sholtis, David Smith, P. Jackson, Jose Rivera, C.D. Suski, Aaron Cupp
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Performance of a carbon dioxide injection system at a navigation lock to control the spread of aquatic invasive species Performance of a carbon dioxide injection system at a navigation lock to control the spread of aquatic invasive species

Natural resource agencies need effective strategies to control the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as invasive fish, which can expand their range using rivers as hydrological pathways to access new areas. Lock and dam structures within major rivers are prospective locations to deploy techniques, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) infusion into lock water, that could impede...
Authors
Thomas Zolper, David Smith, P. Jackson, Aaron Cupp
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps

Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Marybeth Brey, Robin Calfee, Duane Chapman, Richard Erickson, Jesse Robert Fischer, Andrea Fritts, Amy George, P. Jackson, Brent Knights, Gavin Saari, Patrick Kocovsky
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin

Controlling range expansion of invasive carp (specifically Hypophthalmichthys spp.) on the Tennessee River is important to conserve the ecological and economic benefits provided by the river. We collaborated with State and Federal agencies (the stakeholder group) to develop a decision framework and decision support model to evaluate strategies to control carp expansion in the Tennessee...
Authors
Max Post van der Burg, David Smith, Aaron Cupp, Mark Rogers, Duane Chapman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Chemical controls for an integrated pest management program Chemical controls for an integrated pest management program

Chemical controls ranging from natural products to synthesized chemicals are widely used in aquatic pest management activities. Chemicals can be used to lure organisms to traps or can cause direct mortality by altering the physiological function of an organism. Much of what is known about controlling pests with chemicals is from research done on terrestrial pesticides. This paper focuses...
Authors
Kim Fredricks, Terrance Hubert, Jon Amberg, Aaron Cupp, Verdel K. Dawson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps

Carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed into water is being explored as a possible management strategy to deter the upstream movements of invasive carps through navigation locks and other migratory pinch-points. This study used two-dimensional acoustic telemetry to assess the effectiveness of dissolved CO2 as a chemosensory deterrent to two carp species in a large U-shaped pond. Free-swimming...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Ashley Lopez, Justin Smerud, John A. Tix, Jose Rivera, Nicholas Swyers, Marybeth Brey, Christa Woodley, David Smith, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Using Markov chains to quantitatively assess movement patterns of invasive fishes impacted by a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds Using Markov chains to quantitatively assess movement patterns of invasive fishes impacted by a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

Natural resource managers use barriers to deter the movement of aquatic invasive species. Research and development of new invasive species barriers is often evaluated in pond and field scales using high‐resolution telemetry data. Telemetry data sets can be a rich source of data about fish movement and behavior but can be difficult to analyze due to the size of these data sets as well as...
Authors
Lauren Borland, Collin Mulcahy, Barb Bennie, Douglas Baumann, Roger Haro, Molly Van Appledorn, Kathi Jankowski, Aaron Cupp, Richard Erickson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Toxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management Toxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a new aquatic pesticide to control invasive Asian carps and other aquatic nuisance species in the United States. However, limited CO2 toxicity data could make it challenging for resource managers to characterize the potential risk to nontarget species during CO2 applications. The present study quantified...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Justin Smerud, Linnea Thomas, Diane Waller, David Smith, Richard Erickson, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

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

USACE Chicago District

USACE Engineer Research and Development Center

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources

The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

University of Illinois University of Illinois

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

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 through navigational locks while supporting continued use of the waterway by commercial and recreational navigation.

Media
USGS and USFWS personnel preparing to electro fish for common carp near Kaukauna, WI.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
 USGS and FWS personnel preparing to electro fish for common carp near Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide

 

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.

 

Media
Evaluation of CO2 as a fish deterrent at a water management structure along the Illinois River.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Evaluation of CO2 as a fish deterrent at a water management structure along the Illinois River.

 

Media
Manifold system to evaluate CO2 as a fish deterrent in Morris, Illinois
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Manifold system to evaluate CO2 as a fish deterrent in Morris, Illinois

 

Media
USGS scientist monitoring invasive round goby movements in response to CO2 using a shuttle box system.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS scientist monitoring invasive round goby movements in response to CO2 using a shuttle box system.

 

Media
Water sample collection during CO2 injection at a water management structure along the Illinois River.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Water sample collection during CO2 injection at a water management structure along the Illinois River.

 

Below are publications associated with this project.

Temperature dependent effects of carbon dioxide on avoidance behaviors in bigheaded carps

Managment of Biological Invasions, International Journal of Applied Research on Biological Invasions, Volume 9, Issue 3

Filter Total Items: 17

Evaluation of a carbon dioxide fish barrier through numerical modelling Evaluation of a carbon dioxide fish barrier through numerical modelling

The Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) is a potential route for the migration of aquatic invasive species from the Mississippi River Basin into the Great Lakes. Electric dispersal barriers were installed in the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal, within CAWS, to prevent invasive fish from reaching the Great Lakes. Despite the high efficiency of these barriers, occasional maintenance events...
Authors
Marcela Politano, Aaron Cupp, David Smith, Avery Schemmel, P. Jackson, Jeff Zuercher
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations

Behavioral deterrents of among-pool movement represent a promising tool for controlling invasive fish populations. To date, much of the research in this area has been focused on the direct effectiveness of different methods of deterrence. However, the effect of these structures on populations in spatially complex habitats is unknown. We combine a metacommunity model with movement data of...
Authors
Donald Schoolmaster, Aaron Cupp, Alison Coulter, Richard Erickson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Upstream experience and experimental translocation of invasive bigheaded carps results in increased upstream passage success at a navigation lock in a large river Upstream experience and experimental translocation of invasive bigheaded carps results in increased upstream passage success at a navigation lock in a large river

Fish movements in regulated rivers can be challenging to study because anthropogenic modifications, such as locks and dams, can influence animal behavior. Upper Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19 (LD 19), for example, is an invasive carp movement bottleneck due to an impassable dam. Upstream fish passage at LD19 is restricted to the lock chamber, making it an optimal location to test...
Authors
Andrea Fritts, Daniel Gibson-Reinemer, Brent Knights, Amanda Milde, Jessica Stanton, Marybeth Brey, Douglas Appel, Aaron Cupp, Sarah Tripp, James Lamer, Mark Fritts
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Application of the technology readiness levels framework to natural resource management tools Application of the technology readiness levels framework to natural resource management tools

Technology advancements in fisheries science can provide useful tools to support natural resource management and conservation. However, new technologies may also present challenges for decision makers due to the lack of a standardized process to assess technologies for consideration within management plans. Future technology development in fishery and water resources could benefit from a...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Andrea Fritts, Marybeth Brey, Christa M. Woodley, David Smith, Mark Cornish, Amy McGovern, Rob Simmonds, Neal Jackson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Movement and behavioral states of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in response to a behavioral deterrent in a navigational lock Movement and behavioral states of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in response to a behavioral deterrent in a navigational lock

Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most affected by biological invasions due, in part, to the introduction of invasive carp worldwide. Where carp have become established, management programs often seek to limit further range expansion into new areas by reducing their movement through interconnected rivers and waterways. Lock and dams are important locations for non-physical deterrents...
Authors
Maggie Raboin, John Plumb, Matthew Sholtis, David Smith, P. Jackson, Jose Rivera, C.D. Suski, Aaron Cupp
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Performance of a carbon dioxide injection system at a navigation lock to control the spread of aquatic invasive species Performance of a carbon dioxide injection system at a navigation lock to control the spread of aquatic invasive species

Natural resource agencies need effective strategies to control the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as invasive fish, which can expand their range using rivers as hydrological pathways to access new areas. Lock and dam structures within major rivers are prospective locations to deploy techniques, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) infusion into lock water, that could impede...
Authors
Thomas Zolper, David Smith, P. Jackson, Aaron Cupp
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps

Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Marybeth Brey, Robin Calfee, Duane Chapman, Richard Erickson, Jesse Robert Fischer, Andrea Fritts, Amy George, P. Jackson, Brent Knights, Gavin Saari, Patrick Kocovsky
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin

Controlling range expansion of invasive carp (specifically Hypophthalmichthys spp.) on the Tennessee River is important to conserve the ecological and economic benefits provided by the river. We collaborated with State and Federal agencies (the stakeholder group) to develop a decision framework and decision support model to evaluate strategies to control carp expansion in the Tennessee...
Authors
Max Post van der Burg, David Smith, Aaron Cupp, Mark Rogers, Duane Chapman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Chemical controls for an integrated pest management program Chemical controls for an integrated pest management program

Chemical controls ranging from natural products to synthesized chemicals are widely used in aquatic pest management activities. Chemicals can be used to lure organisms to traps or can cause direct mortality by altering the physiological function of an organism. Much of what is known about controlling pests with chemicals is from research done on terrestrial pesticides. This paper focuses...
Authors
Kim Fredricks, Terrance Hubert, Jon Amberg, Aaron Cupp, Verdel K. Dawson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps

Carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed into water is being explored as a possible management strategy to deter the upstream movements of invasive carps through navigation locks and other migratory pinch-points. This study used two-dimensional acoustic telemetry to assess the effectiveness of dissolved CO2 as a chemosensory deterrent to two carp species in a large U-shaped pond. Free-swimming...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Ashley Lopez, Justin Smerud, John A. Tix, Jose Rivera, Nicholas Swyers, Marybeth Brey, Christa Woodley, David Smith, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Using Markov chains to quantitatively assess movement patterns of invasive fishes impacted by a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds Using Markov chains to quantitatively assess movement patterns of invasive fishes impacted by a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

Natural resource managers use barriers to deter the movement of aquatic invasive species. Research and development of new invasive species barriers is often evaluated in pond and field scales using high‐resolution telemetry data. Telemetry data sets can be a rich source of data about fish movement and behavior but can be difficult to analyze due to the size of these data sets as well as...
Authors
Lauren Borland, Collin Mulcahy, Barb Bennie, Douglas Baumann, Roger Haro, Molly Van Appledorn, Kathi Jankowski, Aaron Cupp, Richard Erickson
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Toxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management Toxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a new aquatic pesticide to control invasive Asian carps and other aquatic nuisance species in the United States. However, limited CO2 toxicity data could make it challenging for resource managers to characterize the potential risk to nontarget species during CO2 applications. The present study quantified...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Justin Smerud, Linnea Thomas, Diane Waller, David Smith, Richard Erickson, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

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

USACE Chicago District

USACE Engineer Research and Development Center

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources

The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

University of Illinois University of Illinois

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

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