Supersaturation of Nitrogen in Water During Passage Through Hydroelectric Turbines at Mactaquac Dam

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Macdonald, J. Rod, Hyatt, R. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1973
• Subjects: General Medicine; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f73-226; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f73-226

Two fish kills occurred at the Saint John River, New Brunswick, below the Mactaquac Hydroelectric Station in the summer of 1968. Gas bubbles, commonly associated with nitrogen supersaturation, were observed on dead and dying salmon (Salmo salar) and eels (Anguilla rostrata). Tests showed that the concentrations of dissolved oxygen and nitrogen gases were substantially increased when water passed through the turbine generating system at low generating levels. Concentrations of dissolved nitrogen gas increased by as much as 20% above atmospheric equilibrium.