Experimental and field study on dissipation coefficient of supersaturated total dissolved gas

The elevated supersaturation of total dissolved gas （TDG） downstream of a high-dam spill has deleterious effects on fish in a large range. A one-dimensional （l-D） longitudinal model is optimal for the prediction of supersaturated TDG dissipation over a long distance. The key issue of the model is to determine the dissipation coefficient accurately. In agreement with field observations and experiment data, dimensional analysis and regression were performed to propose a formula for estimating the dissipation coefficient of supersaturated TDG in various rivers and reservoirs, and it involves the effects of the turbulence intensity, the hydro-pressure and the solid-liquid interface. The friction velocity, water depth, hydraulic radius and Froude number are independent variables in the formula which are easy to determine in practical applications. The 1-D longitudinal model is implemented to calculate the dissipation of TDG in a reach of the Jinsha River. Good agreement is found between the calculated results and field data for both the dissipation coefficient and the dissipation process.

Experimental study on total dissolved gas supersaturation in water

More and more high dams have been constructed and operated in China. The total dissolved gas （TDG） supersaturation caused by dam discharge leads to gas bubble disease or even death of fish, Through a series of experiments, the conditions and requirements of supersaturated TDG generation were examined in this study. The results show that pressure （water depth）, aeration, and bubble dissolution time are required for supersaturated TDG generation, and the air-water contact area and turbulence intensity are the main factors that affect the generation rate of supersaturated TDG. The TDG supersaturation levels can be reduced by discharging water to shallow shoals downstream of the dam or using negative pressure pipelines. Furthermore, the TDG supersaturation levels in stilling basins have no direct relationship with those in reservoirs. These results are of great importance for further research on the prediction of supersaturated TDG generation caused by dam discharge and aquatic protection.

Field observation of total dissolved gas supersaturation of high-dams

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.

Growth rate,catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in rock carp(Procypris rabaudi Tchang) exposed to supersaturated total dissolved gas

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.

Effects of total dissolved gas supersaturated water on lethality and catalase activity of Chinese sucker(Myxocyprinus asiaticus Bleeker)

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).

A laterally averaged two-dimensional simulation of unsteady supersaturated total dissolved gas in deep reservoir

Elevated levels of the Total Dissolved Gas （TDG） may be reached downstream of dams, leading to increased incidences of gas bubble diseases in fish. The supersaturated TDG dissipates and transports more slowly in reservoirs than in natural rivers because of the greater depth and the lower turbulence, which endangers the fish more seriously. With consideration of the topographical cha- racteristics of a deep reservoir, a laterally averaged two-dimensional unsteady TDG model for deep reservoir is proposed. The dissi- pation process of the TDG inside the waterbody and the mass transfer through the flee surface are separately modeled with different functions in the model. Hydrodynamics equations are solved coupling with those of water temperature and density. The TDG con- centration is calculated based on the density current field. A good agreement is found in the simulation of the Dachaoshan Reservoir between the simulation results and the field data of the hydrodynamics parameters and the TDG distribution in the vertical direction and their unsteady evolution with time. The hydrodynamics parameters, the temperature and the TDG concentration are analyzed based on the simulation results. This study demonstrates that the model can be used to predict the evolutions of hydrodynamics para- meters, the temperature and the TDG distribution in a deep reservoir with unsteady inflow and outflow. The results can be used in the study of the mitigation measures of the supersaturated TDG.

Effect of total dissolved gas supersaturated water on early life of David's schizothoracin (Schizothorax davidi)

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 （LTs0） 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.

Experimental study on the impact of temperature on the dissipation process of supersaturated total dissolved gas

Water temperature not only affects the solubility of gas in water but can also be an important factor in the dissipation process of supersaturated total dissolved gas （TDG）. The quantitative relationship between the dissipation process and temperature has not been previously described. This relationship affects the accurate evaluation of the dissipation process and the subsequent biological effects. This article experimentally investigates the impact of temperature on supersaturated TDG dissipation in static and turbulent conditions. The results show that the supersaturated TDG dissipation coefficient increases with the temperature and turbulence intensity. The quantitative relationship was verified by straight flume experiments. This study enhances our understanding of the dissipation of supersaturated TDG. Furthermore, it provides a scientific foundation for the accurate prediction of the dissipation process of supersaturated TDG in the downstream area and the negative imp）acts of high dam projects on aquatic ecosystems.

Microanalysis of supersaturated gas release based on wall-attached bubbles

Supersaturation of dissolved gases in natural water,due to spillage from high dams and other factors,may cause fish mortality.In previous experiments,the dissipation coefficient has been used to denote the degassing process of total dissolved gas(TDG)saturation.These experiments mainly analyzed supersaturated TDG dissipation from a macroscopic view.To precisely clarify the mechanism of supersaturated TDG release,this study investigated bubble adsorption at a wall surface from a microscopic view.The experiment was conducted in a Plexiglas-wall container filled with supersaturated TDG water.A model that calculates the adsorption flux of supersaturated TDG by a solid wall,and helps describe construction for a contact angle at a three-phase intersection,was developed according to Young's equation.This model was used to investigate the formation process of bubbles adsorbed on a solid polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA)surface in supersaturated TDG water.The adsorption effect of a solid wall on TDG release was analyzed based on the experimental data.The modeling results were compared with observations under different wall area conditions,and it was found that TDG release tended to increase with wall area.This study helps improve our understanding of the mechanisms of supersaturated TDG release and provides an important theoretical method for accurate calculation of the release process.The adsorption flux model of the solid wall provides mitigation measures to combat the adverse effects of TDG supersaturation,which will be beneficial to the protection of aquatic organisms in hydropower-regulated rivers.