Theoretical consideration of the cause of gas-bubble disease in fish in a heated effluent
The occurrence of gas-bubble disease in fish in the heated effluents from power plants has been well documented. The cause of the disease has been ascribed to oxygen and nitrogen supersaturation of the heated discharge (Adair and Hains, 1974; Miller, 1974). It is the author's hypothesis that gas supersaturation is a necessary condition but that the disease is triggered by cold stress. Osmoregulatory failure occurs in cold-stressed fish (Block, 1974). Variations in plasma proteins, osmolarity, glucose, chloride, and hematocrit values in fish after exposure to acute cold stress should be sufficient to release dissolved gases in the blood from solution. All reported incidents of gas-bubble disease at thermal-electric stations have occurred in the winter when the possibility of cold stress existed. Field observations (Miller, 1974; Demont and Miller, 1971) have indicated that the frequency of gas-bubble disease varies greatly. A possible cause of this wide range of occurrence is the relationship of natural fluctuations in ambient winter water temperatures to the operating regime of the associated thermal-electric stations. These variations in water temperature affect the probability of an organism, acclimated to temperatures of the discharge plume, leaving the plume long enough to become cold stressed. Observation of apparently healthy tiger barbs (Barbus spp.) subjected to cold stress showed a high incidence of pop-eye, a symptom of gas-bubble disease. Experimentation is needed to determine which physiological response actually results in the release of gas from solution. Without this basic knowledge, attempts to alleviate the problem may be unnecessarily expensive; Entire note, except citations.
- OSTI ID:
- 7323737
- Journal Information:
- N.Y. Fish Game J.; (United States), Vol. 24:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
FISHES
GAS BUBBLE DISEASE
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
DISEASES
KINETICS
POWER PLANTS
REACTION KINETICS
VERTEBRATES
560205* - Thermal Effects- Vertebrates- (-1987)
200201 - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Waste Management- Thermal Effluents