Carbon dioxide (CO2) injected under-ice to enhance winterkill of invasive carps
Invasive carps, primarily silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitirx), bighead carp (H. nobilis), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), have caused considerable ecological and economic damage in the United States. Resource managers need tools to control populations and limit range expansion of these undesired fish. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one approach being evaluated as a potential non-selective lethal control. Ongoing research at UMESC is assessing the efficacy of CO2 injected under-ice to reduce the overwinter survival of invasive carps. If effective, CO2 may provide managers with an inexpensive and safe tool to mitigate Asian carp populations in areas of concern.
![Van Dorn water sampler being used to collect environmental DNA for under ice winterkill project.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Van_Dorn_water_sampler.jpg?itok=397ymUsW)
Objectives
Determine the efficacy of CO2 injected under ice to reduce the overwinter survival of silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp and common carp in outdoor ponds
Determine the efficient methods for delivering CO2 into solution under-ice
Invasive carps, primarily silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitirx), bighead carp (H. nobilis), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), have caused considerable ecological and economic damage in the United States. Resource managers need tools to control populations and limit range expansion of these undesired fish. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one approach being evaluated as a potential non-selective lethal control. Ongoing research at UMESC is assessing the efficacy of CO2 injected under-ice to reduce the overwinter survival of invasive carps. If effective, CO2 may provide managers with an inexpensive and safe tool to mitigate Asian carp populations in areas of concern.
![Van Dorn water sampler being used to collect environmental DNA for under ice winterkill project.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Van_Dorn_water_sampler.jpg?itok=397ymUsW)
Objectives
Determine the efficacy of CO2 injected under ice to reduce the overwinter survival of silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp and common carp in outdoor ponds
Determine the efficient methods for delivering CO2 into solution under-ice