Comparative tolerance to gas supersaturated water of carp, Cyprinus carpio, and black bullhead, Ictalurus melas, from the U.S.A. and Italy

Abstract

Supersaturation of surface water with atmospheric gases may result from hydroelectric or thermoelectric power generation and adversely affect aquatic biota. Although the phenomenon has been extensively studied in the northwestern United States, its occurrence is less well documented in Europe. We evaluated the tolerance of carp, Cyprinus carpio, and black bullhead, Ictalurus melas, from Italy to gas supersaturated water and compared our results to data reported in the literature for the same species from the Columbia River, U.S.A. Carp and black bullhead from Italy were more susceptible to gas supersaturation than those from the Columbia River. This may reflect greater adaptation of Columbia River fish due to their historical exposure to supersaturated water resulting from numerous hydroelectric dams.