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Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control

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By Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center January 16, 2020

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 abundances of invasive carps are present.

Media
USGS scientist injecting a PIT tag into an Asian carp for identification during CO2 trials.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS scientist injecting a PIT tag into an invasive carp for identification during CO2 trials.

Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide

 

The goal of this project is to determine the efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) as an under-ice lethal control. Ice cover provides a temporary boundary between water and the atmosphere which is beneficial to hold CO2 in solution and sustain a lethal exposure. Studies have been conducted in laboratory and pond settings to quantify lethal concentrations across species and life stages. Results are intended to inform natural resource management decisions regarding the potential utility of CO2 for invasive carp population control.

Media
Liquid CO2 supply tanks for field testing.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Liquid CO2 supply tanks for field testing.

 

Media
Injecting CO2 under ice to evaluate its use as a lethal control method.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Injecting CO2 under ice to evaluate its use as a lethal control method.

 

Media
Using a Van Dorn sampler to collect eDNA water samples during a lethal control CO2 trial.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Using a Van Dorn sampler to collect eDNA water samples during a lethal control CO2 trial.
2019 Invasive Carp Action Plan
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
Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp

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
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
Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms

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
Rusty crayfish used in lab CO2 deterrent trials.

Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

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.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Mississippi River
Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

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.
Learn More
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
Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems

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
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
Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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 publications associated with this project.

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

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

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

Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments

Few chemicals are approved to control or eradicate nuisance fish populations in the United States. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is currently being developed and studied as a new piscicide option for nonselective population control. This study evaluated dry ice (solid state CO2) as a simple CO2 delivery method during winter piscicide applications. Nonnative Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Justin Smerud, John Tix, Jose Rivera, Stacie Kageyama, Christopher Merkes, Richard Erickson, Jon Amberg, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Carbon dioxide as an under-ice lethal control for invasive fishes Carbon dioxide as an under-ice lethal control for invasive fishes

Resource managers need effective tools to control invasive fish populations. In this study, we tested under-ice carbon dioxide (CO2) injection as a novel piscicide method for non-native Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and native Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus)...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Zebadiah Woiak, Richard Erickson, Jon Amberg, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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 abundances of invasive carps are present.

Media
USGS scientist injecting a PIT tag into an Asian carp for identification during CO2 trials.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
USGS scientist injecting a PIT tag into an invasive carp for identification during CO2 trials.

Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide

 

The goal of this project is to determine the efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO2) as an under-ice lethal control. Ice cover provides a temporary boundary between water and the atmosphere which is beneficial to hold CO2 in solution and sustain a lethal exposure. Studies have been conducted in laboratory and pond settings to quantify lethal concentrations across species and life stages. Results are intended to inform natural resource management decisions regarding the potential utility of CO2 for invasive carp population control.

Media
Liquid CO2 supply tanks for field testing.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Liquid CO2 supply tanks for field testing.

 

Media
Injecting CO2 under ice to evaluate its use as a lethal control method.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Injecting CO2 under ice to evaluate its use as a lethal control method.

 

Media
Using a Van Dorn sampler to collect eDNA water samples during a lethal control CO2 trial.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Using a Van Dorn sampler to collect eDNA water samples during a lethal control CO2 trial.
2019 Invasive Carp Action Plan
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
Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp

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
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
Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms

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
Rusty crayfish used in lab CO2 deterrent trials.

Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

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.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Mississippi River
Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control

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.
Learn More
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
Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems

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
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
Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent

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 publications associated with this project.

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

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

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

Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments Assessment of carbon dioxide piscicide treatments

Few chemicals are approved to control or eradicate nuisance fish populations in the United States. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is currently being developed and studied as a new piscicide option for nonselective population control. This study evaluated dry ice (solid state CO2) as a simple CO2 delivery method during winter piscicide applications. Nonnative Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Justin Smerud, John Tix, Jose Rivera, Stacie Kageyama, Christopher Merkes, Richard Erickson, Jon Amberg, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Carbon dioxide as an under-ice lethal control for invasive fishes Carbon dioxide as an under-ice lethal control for invasive fishes

Resource managers need effective tools to control invasive fish populations. In this study, we tested under-ice carbon dioxide (CO2) injection as a novel piscicide method for non-native Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and native Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus)...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Zebadiah Woiak, Richard Erickson, Jon Amberg, Mark P. Gaikowski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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