The effect of total dissolved gas supersaturation on gas bubble trauma in juvenile rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>), juvenile kokanee (<i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>), and two age classes of white sturgeon (<i>Acipenser transmontanus</i>)

Hydroelectric dams are an important source of electricity globally, but they can also cause total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation in rivers. TDG harm fish through a condition called bubble trauma (GBT), which has been studied primarily salmonids, such as rainbow trout and steelhead salmon (Oncorhynchus mykiss), seldomly non-salmonids like white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). We assessed the vulnerability juvenile (&lt;1 year old), kokanee nerka) two ages old 3+ years old) to GBT. Bubble formation time 50% loss equilibrium (LOE) was quantified during exposure nominal levels 100%, 115%, 120%, 130% TDG. predicted that all three species would show similar times LOE at given level. However, longer, proportion with external symptoms GBT lower, bubbles gills higher or lower (dependant on age) relative The physiological basis for difference is not known. it consider species-specific differences sensitivity conservation vulnerable species.