Total dissolved gas(TDG) supersaturation caused by dam sluicing can result in gas bubble trauma(GBT) in fish and threaten their survival.In the present study,Chinese suckers(Myxocyprinus asiaticus Bleeker) were exposed to TDG supersaturated water at levels ranging from 120% to 145% for 48 h.The median lethal concentration(LC 50) and the median lethal time(LT 50) were determined to evaluate acute lethal effects on Chinese suckers.The results showed that the LC 50 values of 4,6,8,and 10 h were 142%,137%,135%,and 130%,respectively.The LT 50 values were 3.2,4.7,7.8,9.2,and 43.4 h,respectively,when TDG supersaturated levels were 145%,140%,135%,130%,and 125%.Furthermore,the biological responses in Chinese suckers were studied by assaying the catalase(CAT) activities in gills and muscles at the supersaturation level of 140% within LT 50.The CAT activities in the gills and muscle tissues exhibited a regularity of a decrease after an increase.CAT activities in the muscles were increased significantly at 3/5LT 50(P<0.05) and then came back to the normal level.However,there were no significant differences between the treatment group(TDG level of 140%) and the control group(TDG level of 100%) on CAT activities in the gills before 3/5LT 50(P>0.05),but the activities were significantly lower than the normal level at 4/5LT 50 and LT 50(P<0.05).
Shi-chao CHENXiao-qing LIUWen JIANGKe-feng LIJun DUDan-zhou SHENQuan GONG
The effect of total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation on fish living downstream of dams is one of the main ecological risks of high dam construction. A strategy for mitigating the negative effects is needed urgently since many high dams are under construction in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. Experiments on the hatching process of David's schizothoracin were carried out and the results show that the hatching rate decreased with increasing TDG levels, and that most eggs hatched within a very short time in the higher TDG saturation groups. By using a stereomicroscope, damages to the head, yolk sac, body, anus, etc. were found in larvae which hatched in TDG supersaturated water. Results show that the lesion rate increased with increasing TDG levels. Furthermore, 7-d-old David's schizothoracin were exposed to TDG supersaturated water levels of 100%, 105%, 110%, 115%, 120%, 125%, 130%, 135%, and 140% for testing their tolerance to TDG supersaturation. We found that the median lethal concentrations (LC50 ) for 13, 14, 20, 35, 52, 73, and 96 h exposure were 138%, 138%, 134%, 130%, 129%, 128%, and 126%, respectively. The median lethal times (LT50 ) were 7.49, 11.04, 19.25, and 35.38 h for exposure to water with TDG levels of 145%, 140%, 135%, and 130%, respectively.
Total dissolved gas supersaturation(TDGS) appears when the pressures of gases in a solution exceed the barometric pressures.TDGS is often caused by flood discharge at dams.It may lead to gas bubble disease(GBD) for fish and biochemical responses of selected fish and other aquatic organisms.The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of long-term TDGS levels on the growth and biochemical responses of rock carp(Procypris rabaudi Tchang) dwelling in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.Three-year-old rock carp were exposed to TDGS levels at 100%,104%,108%,112%,and 116% for 42 d.Samples were taken every 7 d after the start of the trial in order to determine catalase(CAT) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in gill and muscle tissues.Samples were taken at Days 0 and 42 of exposure to determine growth rate.Little effect was found on growth rate in all treatment groups.SOD and CAT activities varied in different tissues,according to time of exposure and TDGS levels.The biochemical response of fish exposed to TDGS was more obvious in gill tissue than in muscle tissue.Surveys of SOD and CAT activities in different tissues offer important information about the effect of TDGS on the rare fish in the Yangtze River,and may help evaluate the risk to the aquatic eco-environment and aquatic ecosystem in the downstream of the Yangtze River.
One of the possible negative environmental effects of hydropower stations is the supersaturation of total dissolved gas (TDG) downstream of high-dams,which can lead to gas bubble disease or even death of fish. By taking the TDG as the main study object,the paper launched the TDG field observations on Zipingpu,Three Gorges,Ertan,Manwan,Dachaoshan,Gongzui and Ertan dams in China. The factors affecting TDG generation and dissipation were explored. Energy dissipation structures,spill rates and operation patterns were the main factors causing TDG supersaturation. TDG saturations are essentially the same in the hydro-electric tail water and in the upper reaches,so hydro-electric tail water can be less TDG supersaturated through mixing downstream. The main factors affecting the dissipation process of the supersaturated TDG were tributary convergence,water depth and turbulence. TDG supersaturation was unevenly distributed in both the vertical and transverse directions. This study is important because it adds to the accumulating experience of TDG field observations of dam projects in China,and because it objectively and impartially evaluates the impacts of supersaturated TDG. The study also provides field data and references for future studies of TDG supersaturation caused by high-dams.
