Author(s): L Meng; N Z Xue; C L Liao; L C Zhao; W P Wang; T Y Li

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Barotrauma; Crucian carp; Rapid decompression; Hydropower turbines; Fish mortality

Abstract: Knowledge of barotrauma injury mechanisms is required in the fish-friendly turbine design. Rapid decreases in pressure is one of the main reasons that cause injury and mortality to fish that pass through hydropower machines. A steel tank and related pressure regulation components were designed to study the barotrauma injury thresholds of crucian carps. Decompression from 700 kPa to 6 kPa in 0.3 s was implemented in this system with dozens of yearling and subyearling crucian carps. The fish swim bladder and other organs were observed to find the main reason for injury after the rapid decompression. The tested fish were kept for at least 48 hours to study the physiological status in different observation periods. The direct and indirect decompression induced mortality after the test was observed and analyzed.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/163/1/012075

Year: 2017