Pulse‐dose application of chelated copper to a river for Didymosphenia geminata control: Effects on macroinvertebrates and fish

Abstract

A 1-h pulse-dose of a chelated Cu formulation (Gemex™; New Zealand) was applied to a river to test efficacy against the invasive mat-forming diatom Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) and to provide information on nontarget species effects that could not be adequately predicted from laboratory and experimental mesocosm studies. Intensive sampling allowed characterization of doses achieved at multiple downstream locations, and concurrent application of rhodamine dye allowed quantification of dispersion, adsorption, and dilution processes. The target dose of 10 to 20 mg Cu/L for 60 min was achieved at least 0.9 km downstream at sites with contrasting levels of didymo mat development. Adsorptive losses of Gemex were 12%/km where didymo was mostly nonvisible and approximately 36%/km where substantial didymo mats were present. At 0.9 km downstream, Cu concentrations peaked at 12 mg/L, and didymo was <5% viable (down from 65-72%) for ≥21 d posttreatment. Viability data indicate that elimination of nonvisible infestations is possible and that suppression of early-stage infestations (≤40% cover, ≤4.5 mm thick) could be achieved after repeated applications. After a single Gemex application, no significant accumulation of Cu was noted in the sediments six weeks posttreatment, but Cu concentrations remained high in algal mats (109-367 mg/kg dry wt). Long-term effects on the nontarget algal, invertebrate, or fish communities were minimal, although significant localized trout mortalities, not predicted by prior laboratory exposures, occurred on the treatment day. Extended Gemex exposure in low-hardness waters might have caused the mortalities, although changes in chelated Cu speciation also possibly contributed. The present study integrates effects on resident biota with dosage data, including changes in pH, in a natural waterway.