Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River
When water is spilled over dams, atmospheric gases can become entrained, resulting in supersaturated water. Total dissolved gas (TDG) > 110% saturation can cause gas bubble trauma (GBT) in fish. The negative effects of GBT include increased buoyancy, decreased swimming performance, and possible m...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| author | Paul C. Kusnierz |
| author_facet | Paul C. Kusnierz |
| author_sort | Paul C. Kusnierz |
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| description | When water is spilled over dams, atmospheric gases can become entrained, resulting in supersaturated water. Total dissolved gas (TDG) > 110% saturation can cause gas bubble trauma (GBT) in fish. The negative effects of GBT include increased buoyancy, decreased swimming performance, and possible mortality. The lower Clark Fork River (LCFR) in Idaho frequently has TDG > 110% saturation due to the spill at Cabinet Gorge Dam as well as from upstream facilities. Spillway crests on Cabinet Gorge Dam were modified to reduce TDG production and the potential harm from GBT. To evaluate the effectiveness of spillway crest modifications, relationships between river discharge and measured TDG were developed pre- and post-modification and used to calculate the predicted TDG in the LCFR pre- and post-modification under two spill season discharge scenarios. The predicted TDG for the scenarios was used with an established TDG-GBT relationship for the LCFR to estimate the expected GBT incidence. Generally, TDG was lower post-modification, and the discharge at which 110% and 120% saturation were exceeded increased by about 198 m<sup>3</sup>/s. Modification also reduced the number of days with elevated TDG. The lower TDG post-modification resulted in significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reductions in the probability of observing GBT. The modification of Cabinet Gorge Dam spillway crests reduced TDG production over a range of discharges and has resulted in improved conditions for fish downstream of the dam. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c46208489b404da9a4f676e46858f549 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2410-3888 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Fishes |
| spelling | doaj-art-c46208489b404da9a4f676e46858f5492024-11-26T18:03:54ZengMDPI AGFishes2410-38882024-10-0191142710.3390/fishes9110427Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated RiverPaul C. Kusnierz0Avista Corporation, Spokane, WA 99252, USAWhen water is spilled over dams, atmospheric gases can become entrained, resulting in supersaturated water. Total dissolved gas (TDG) > 110% saturation can cause gas bubble trauma (GBT) in fish. The negative effects of GBT include increased buoyancy, decreased swimming performance, and possible mortality. The lower Clark Fork River (LCFR) in Idaho frequently has TDG > 110% saturation due to the spill at Cabinet Gorge Dam as well as from upstream facilities. Spillway crests on Cabinet Gorge Dam were modified to reduce TDG production and the potential harm from GBT. To evaluate the effectiveness of spillway crest modifications, relationships between river discharge and measured TDG were developed pre- and post-modification and used to calculate the predicted TDG in the LCFR pre- and post-modification under two spill season discharge scenarios. The predicted TDG for the scenarios was used with an established TDG-GBT relationship for the LCFR to estimate the expected GBT incidence. Generally, TDG was lower post-modification, and the discharge at which 110% and 120% saturation were exceeded increased by about 198 m<sup>3</sup>/s. Modification also reduced the number of days with elevated TDG. The lower TDG post-modification resulted in significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reductions in the probability of observing GBT. The modification of Cabinet Gorge Dam spillway crests reduced TDG production over a range of discharges and has resulted in improved conditions for fish downstream of the dam.https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/9/11/427gas saturationspillway crest modificationriverswater qualityfish community |
| spellingShingle | Paul C. Kusnierz Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River Fishes gas saturation spillway crest modification rivers water quality fish community |
| title | Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River |
| title_full | Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River |
| title_fullStr | Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River |
| title_short | Reducing Total Dissolved Gas and Gas Bubble Trauma in a Regulated River |
| title_sort | reducing total dissolved gas and gas bubble trauma in a regulated river |
| topic | gas saturation spillway crest modification rivers water quality fish community |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2410-3888/9/11/427 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT paulckusnierz reducingtotaldissolvedgasandgasbubbletraumainaregulatedriver |