In situ study on the impact of total dissolved gas supersaturation on endemic fish in the Upper Yangtze River

AbstractTotal dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation in the upper Yangtze River caused by high spill rates upstream of hydroelectric dams has become a serious environmental problem in recent years. TDG supersaturation downstream of the Xiangjiaba Dam was investigated during flood periods in 2014 and 2015. Alongside this, an in situ study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of TDG supersaturation on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and rock carp (Procypris rabaudi). TDG supersaturation levels ranged from 115% to 131% in 2014 and from 118% to 128% in 2015. During 2014, TDG supersaturation first decreased and then increased and finally remained relatively stable. In contrast, the TDG supersaturation level remained between 122–126% for a relatively long time in the 2015 study period. During 2014, grass carp confined to water depths of 0–1 and 1–2 m began to die after 45 hr of exposure, and most grass carp died between 90 and 130 hr when TDG supersaturation level was greater than 127%. The first observed death during 2015 occurred after 30‐hr exposure. The survival of rock carp was greater than 50% when they were restricted to water depths of 0–1 m. Only three rock carp died when they were confined to water depths of 0–2 m, and no dead fish were recorded at water depths of 0–3 m.