Effects of dissolved carbon dioxide on the physiology and behavior of fish in artificial streams

Abstract

A new technology for treating waters contaminated with acid mine drainage involves the dissolution of limestone particles using carbon dioxide at pressures above ambient. Because of the fish health risks associated with episodes of high carbon dioxide levels in treated waters, we subjected three species of fish, brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), and blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), to 24 h exposures of elevated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) at three levels, ranging from 1.0 (low) to 6.3 (high)%, under laboratory conditions. We measured blood physiological variables as well as behavior, including feeding responses, before, during, and after exposure. Physiological responses differed by species, but all species had elevated hematocrits after 1 h of exposure. Brook trout hematocritis were higher at medium and high levels of CO2 than in a control group (0.0% CO2) after 24 h of exposure. Slimy sculpin hematocrits were higher in medium- and high-level exposure groups than in controls after 1 h, but not after 24 h, of exposure. Blacknose dace hematocrits were higher in all three exposure groups than in controls after 1 h but only in medium-level exposure groups after 24 h. Brook trout plasma glucose was significantly higher in medium- and high-level exposure groups after 1 h, and in the high-level group after 24 h, than in controls. Slimy sculpin plasma glucose was not significantly different in elevated CO2 exposure groups from that of controls throughout exposure. Branchial ventilation was significantly greater in all species at elevated CO2 during exposure, indicating stress; however, no difference was observed between treatment and control groups of blacknose dace after 24 h, indicating acclimation. Pectoral fin beats and cough rates were not consistently related to CO2 exposure throughout the study. Brook trout had the longest lasting reaction to stress at lower levels of CO2 among the three species tested. Many of the 11 observed behavioral variables, related to swimming, feeding, social, and illness factors, were affected by elevations of dissolved CO2. Two to seven behavioral variables (18-64% of those measured) were affected by treatment level of dissolved CO2 with a trend by species for the number of variables affected: brook trout > blacknose dace > slimy sculpin. However, behavioral sensitivity to treatment level was greatest in blacknose dace. Recovery to pre-treatment activity rates for most behavior patterns (including feeding) was observed 24 h after cessation of exposure in all three species. Recovery was independent of treatment level, was most rapid in blacknose dace, and was slowest in brook trout. Overall, slimy sculpin was least affected behaviorally by elevated CO2. Although all three species showed stress response and changes in behavior at moderate levels of CO2 (> or = 2%), brook trout and blacknose dace showed evidence of ability to avoid harmful CO2 levels by swimming out of affected waters, whereas the slimy sculpin showed minimal behavioral change...

Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

“…A similar D r a f t approach was conducted by Kates et al (2012), where avoidance responses were documented from silver carp, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) at concentrations ≥ 100 mg/L CO 2 . Further, blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) exhibited avoidance behavior when exposed to 120 mg/L CO 2 in small laboratory tanks (Ross et al 2001). When in our outdoor pond, we observed similar avoidance behavior of silver and bighead carp at concentrations around 70 mg/L CO 2 and found that this technique could potentially be used to deter upstream movement.…”

Physiological effects on fishes in a high‐CO2 world

“…Since a similar level of P CO 2 was used in these studies, the relationship of growth suppression and ambient CO 2 levels cannot be determined. High CO 2 appears to reduce foraging activity, thereby decreasing growth [ Crocker and Cech , 1996; Ross et al , 2001; Foss et al , 2003]. There are also some indications that CO 2 suppresses taste nerve responses to taste stimulants in Japanese eel [ Yoshii and Yotsui , 1997].…”

Effects of Stocking Transport Duration on Age-0 Walleye

“…Additionally, prior experimental evaluations have assessed the effects of fish density in nets and holding containers and their association with increases in glucose and cortisol concentrations (Wedemeyer 1976;Gomes et al 2003). Changes in water quality parameters during transportation, such as dissolved oxygen (Caldwell and Hinshaw 1994;Evans et al 2003), ammonia (Randall and Tsui 2002;Wicks and Randall 2002;Barbieri and Bondioli 2015), carbon dioxide (Ross et al 2001), and salinity (Bosisio et al 2017) can lead to increased fish glucose and cortisol concentrations, and in some instances, mortality. However, to understand the effects of transportation practices on fish, simultaneous monitoring of changes in water chemistry, fish physiology, and handling techniques are necessary (Barton et al 1985;Evans et al 2003;Gomes et al 2003).…”