<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">JWARP</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Journal of Water Resource and Protection</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">1945-3094</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/jwarp.2023.152002</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">JWARP-123005</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Nitrogen Gas Saturation in Karst Springs Varies Throughout the Day
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Molly</surname><given-names>A. Gross</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Jill</surname><given-names>M. Voorhees</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Abigail</surname><given-names>Semple Domagall</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Michael</surname><given-names>E. Barnes</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>School of Natural Sciences, Environmental Physical Science, Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota, USA</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Department of Game, Fish and Parks, McNenny State Fish Hatchery, Spearfish, South Dakota, USA</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>10</day><month>02</month><year>2023</year></pub-date><volume>15</volume><issue>02</issue><fpage>23</fpage><lpage>32</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>7,</day>	<month>January</month>	<year>2023</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>10,</day>	<month>February</month>	<year>2023</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>13,</day>	<month>February</month>	<year>2023</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  This experiment examined the fluctuations in nitrogen gas supersaturation throughout the day in three karst springs (upper, side, and lower) at McNenny State Fish Hatchery, rural Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA. Total gas pressures, oxygen percent saturation, and nitrogen percent saturation were recorded six times/day on eight days over a 26-day period in each of the three springs. Total gas pressure did not vary significantly throughout the day in any of the springs. However, percent oxygen and nitrogen saturation were significantly different throughout the day in all three springs. The highest mean (SE) nitrogen supersaturation value of 118.5 (1.1)% was observed in the lower spring at 07:00. The lowest mean nitrogen supersaturation values were 114.5 (1.1)% at 13:00 in the upper spring, and 114.2 (0.2)% and 113.1 (0.7)% at 15:00 in the side and lower spring, respectively. At 118% nitrogen supersaturation, gas bubble disease is likely to occur in fish, resulting in potentially high levels of mortality if untreated spring water was used for fish production. The results of this study indicate the importance of recording nitrogen gas levels at sunrise or early in the morning, when nitrogen is highest and oxygen is lowest, to obtain accurate and reproducible data.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Karst Springs</kwd><kwd> Aquifer</kwd><kwd> Gas Supersaturation</kwd><kwd> Nitrogen</kwd><kwd> Aquaculture</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Karst landscapes form from the dissolution of soluble bedrock by surface and groundwater [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] . These landscapes are characterized by disappearing streams, springs, underground caves, and sinkholes [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref2">2</xref>] . Karst forms in soluble sedimentary rock layers such as carbonates, limestone (CaCO<sub>3</sub>), gypsum (CaSO<sub>4</sub>&#183;2H<sub>2</sub>O) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>), and dolomite (MgCO<sub>3</sub>&#183;CaCO<sub>3</sub>) and in evaporites, gypsum (CaSO<sub>4</sub>&#183;2H<sub>2</sub>O), and anhydrite (CaSO<sub>4</sub>) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref2">2</xref>] .</p><p>Limestone, gypsum, and anhydrite are common in the sedimentary formations of the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA, and these formations often display several karstic features. McNenny State Fish Hatchery, rural Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA is located on the Spearfish formation, which is primarily non-soluble red shale, siltstone, and fine-grained sandstone with soluble gypsum lenses [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref2">2</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref3">3</xref>] . Underlying the hatchery are a range of sedimentary rock layers including mostly limestone of the Madison and Minnelusa formations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref2">2</xref>] .</p><p>The Madison and Minnelusa formations are both major aquifers in the northern Black Hills [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] . These aquifer units have created numerous sinkholes around the Black Hills and are the likely water source for the natural springs at McNenny State Fish Hatchery [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref4">4</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref5">5</xref>] . The water in these springs is supersaturated with dissolved nitrogen, which is a common occurrence in ground water [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref6">6</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref7">7</xref>] . This supersaturation likely occurs because of high pressure in the confined aquifers [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref7">7</xref>] .</p><p>Nitrogen supersaturation in springs is of particular interest because of its well-documented negative effects on fish [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref8">8</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref12">12</xref>] . Aeration and degassing structures are used to reduce nitrogen gas levels and increase dissolved oxygen levels in spring water at McNenny Hatchery [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref14">14</xref>] . Although nitrogen saturation is decreased with these structures, it still persists. Therefore, nitrogen levels in springs at the hatchery are still monitored at different times of the year and varying hours of the day. However, the hourly variation of nitrogen supersaturation, if it occurs, is unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to document gas supersaturation levels from multiple karst springs located at McNenny State Fish Hatchery throughout the day.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Methods</title><sec id="s2_1"><title>2.1. Study Area</title><p>McNenny State Fish Hatchery, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA is greatly influences by its local geology. At the surface there is siltstone, red shales, and sandstone, of the Spearfish Formation (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>) and at a depth there is a range of sedimentary layer, some of which are easily dissolved such as limestones of the Madison and Minnelusa formations and some of which are fine-grained and do not allow water to pass through them (confining layers) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref2">2</xref>] . The confining layers mean that the limestone aquifers (Madison and Minnelusa) are under pressure and only recharged at higher elevations in the Black Hills. The numerous springs at and near the hatchery are the results of karstic collapse of the underlying limestone rock units allowing deep groundwater to rise to the surface [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref2">2</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s2_2"><title>2.2. Data Collection</title><p>Data collection occurred in three springs at McNenny Hatchery (approximate latitude 44˚33'32&quot;N, longitude 104˚00'40&quot;W, <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>). The springs were designated as upper, side, and lower, although this does not depict actual spring elevations (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>). Approximate flows from the upper, side, and lower springs are 0.02, 0.01, and 0.03 m<sup>3</sup>/sec, respectively [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref15">15</xref>] . Water chemistry for the springs is similar, with approximate total hardness as CaCO<sub>3</sub> of 360 mg/L, alkalinity as CaCO<sub>3</sub> at 210 mg/L, pH of 7.6, and total dissolved solids of 390 mg/L [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref16">16</xref>] .</p><p>Water sampling at each of the three springs occurred six times a day at two-hour intervals, beginning at 07:00 and concluding at 17:00 (approximately sunrise and sunset).</p><p>Sampling occurred on eight days in 2021: 21, 26, 28 January and 4, 9, 18, 23, 25 February. At each sampling event, total gas pressure, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature were measured using a total gas pressure meter (Handy Polaris, OxyGuard, Farum, Denmark). Barometric pressure at every sampling event was also recorded, using measurements obtained from wunderground.com for Beulah, Wyoming, USA.</p><p>Total gas pressure was determined by taking total gas pressure percent saturation divided by 100 and multiplied by overall barometric pressure [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref18">18</xref>] .</p><p>Where:</p><p>P T O T A L = P S A T 100 &#215; P B A R (1)</p><p>Delta P was determined by taking total gas pressure minus barometric pressure [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref18">18</xref>] .</p><p>Where:</p><p>Δ P = P T O T A L − P B A R (2)</p><p>Nitrogen saturation was determined using the following formula described by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref18">18</xref>] :</p><p>N 2 ( % ) = [ B P + Δ P − ( ( O 2 / b O 2 ) &#215; 0.5318 − P H 2 O ) / ( ( B P − P H 2 O ) &#215; 0.7902 ) ] &#215; 100 (3)</p><p>Where:</p><p>N<sub>2</sub> = partial pressure of nitrogen gas in the water (percentage nitrogen saturation);</p><p>BP = local barometric pressure (mmHg);</p><p>O<sub>2</sub> = oxygen concentration (mg/L);</p><p>b<sub>O</sub><sub>2</sub> = Bunsen’s coefficient for oxygen;</p><p>P<sub>H2O</sub> = partial pressure of the water vapor (mmHg).</p></sec><sec id="s2_3"><title>2.3. Data Analysis</title><p>Data were analyzed using SPSS (24.0) statistical program (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). Significance was predetermined at p &lt; 0.05. A two-way analysis of variance was performed. If there was an interaction, then a one-way analysis of variance was performed with post hoc means separation test using Tukey HSD.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results</title><p>Nitrogen gas saturation was not significantly different among the sampling dates (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>). However, total gas pressure in the side spring was significantly different among the sampling dates, with the lowest mean (&#177;SE) percentages recorded on 21 January at 100.9 (0.1)% and the highest on 09 February at 101.7 (0.1)%. Mean (SE) total gas pressure ranged from 104.5 (0.2)% in the lower spring to 101.4 (0.1)% in the side spring. Percent oxygen saturation was not significantly different among the days in any of the springs.</p><p>Nitrogen supersaturation was significantly higher early in the morning at 07:00 and 09:00 compared to the sampling times later in the day (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>). The</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Mean (SE) percent saturation of total gas pressure, oxygen, and nitrogen at each sampling date (all sampling times each day combined) for three (upper, side, and lower) karst springs located at McNenny State Fish Hatchery, rural Spearfish, South Dakota, USA. Means followed by different letters across a row are significantly different (n = 6, p &lt; 0.05)</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Gas</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Spring</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Jan-21</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Jan-26</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Jan-28</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Feb-04</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Feb-09</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Feb-18</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Feb-23</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Feb-25</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Overall</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >Total Gas Pressure</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Upper</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.9 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.3 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.3 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.4 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.3 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.9 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.0)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Side</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >100.9 (0.1) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.4 (0.2) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.1 (0.1) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.5 (0.1) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.7 (0.1) y</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.6 (0.2) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.5 (0.1) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.6 (0.1) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.4 (0.1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lower</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.5 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.1 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >103.8 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.7 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.1 (0.5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >105.8 (0.6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.5 (0.6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.4 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.5 (0.2)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >Oxygen</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Upper</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.1 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >73.9 (0.8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.0 (1.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >76.3 (1.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.8 (1.0)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >75.0 (1.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >75.2 (1.8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.0 (0.9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.7 (0.4)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Side</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >70.6 (0.5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >70.6 (0.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >69.2 (0.9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.9 (4.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >73.2 (1.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >72.1 (1.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >70.7 (1.0)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >71.7 (1.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >71.6 (0.6)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lower</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >79.9 (3.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >78.3 (2.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >81.8 (4.0)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >83.6 (4.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >84.8 (4.5)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >87.3 (5.9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >79.3 (3.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >85.3 (5.8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >82.5 (1.5)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >Nitrogen</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Upper</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.7 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.1 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.3 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.8 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.4 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.2 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Side</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.1 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.8 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.8 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.4 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.6 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.0 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.7 (0.1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lower</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >116.4 (0.8)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.9 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.1 (0.6)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.7 (0.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.2 (0.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >116.0 (2.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >116.7 (0.9)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (1.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.6 (0.4)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Mean (SE) percent saturation of total gas pressure, oxygen, and nitrogen at two-hour intervals during the day (all sampling days combined) for three (upper, side, and lower) karst springs located at McNenny State Fish Hatchery, rural Spearfish, South Dakota, USA. Means followed by different letters across a row are significantly different (n = 8, p &lt; 0.05)</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Gas</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Spring</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >7:00</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >9:00</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >11:00</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >13:00</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >15:00</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >17:00</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Overall</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >Total Gas Pressure</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Upper</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.0 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.3 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.3 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >102.2 (0.0)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Side</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.1 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.5 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.4 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.5 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.5 (0.1)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.5 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >101.4 (0.1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lower</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.2 (0.7)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.0 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.1 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >105.2 (0.4)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.4 (0.3)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >105.0 (0.2)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >104.5 (0.2)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >Oxygen</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Upper</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >71.1 (0.5) x</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >73.3 (0.8) yx</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >75.9 (0.6) wzy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >77.1 (0.7) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >76.4 (0.7) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.2 (0.6) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >74.7 (0.4)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Side</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >68.0 (0.4) z</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >69.3 (0.7) z</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >70.9 (0.7) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >72.6 (0.6) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >76.3 (2.9) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >72.6 (0.5) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >71.6 (0.6)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lower</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >68.6 (1.3) y</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >72.4 (1.2) y</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >82.9 (1.9) z</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >90.1 (1.8) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >93.5 (2.1) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >87.8 (1.9) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >82.5 (1.5)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="3"  >Nitrogen</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Upper</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.5 (0.2) z</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.1 (0.2) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.7 (0.2) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.5 (0.1) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.6 (0.2) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.1 (0.1) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Side</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.0 (0.1) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.2 (0.2) y</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.7 (0.2) wzy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.4 (0.1) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.2 (0.2) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.5 (0.1) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.7 (0.1)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Lower</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >118.5 (1.1) y</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >117.2 (0.3) zy</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.0 (0.4) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.8 (0.7) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >113.1 (0.7) w</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.9 (0.6) wz</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >115.6 (0.4)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>highest mean (SE) value of 118.5 (1.1)% was observed in the lower spring at 07:00. The lowest mean nitrogen percentages were 114.5 (1.1)% at 13:00 in the upper spring, and 114.2 (0.2)% and 113.1 (0.7)% at 15:00 in the side and lower spring respectively. Total gas pressure was not significantly different throughout the day in any of the springs. However, percent oxygen saturation was significantly lower earlier in the day (07:00 and 09:00) for all three springs, compared to the highest readings at 13:00 and 15:00.</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Discussion</title><p>This study is the first to examine the possible effects of time-of-day on nitrogen gas supersaturation in karst springs. The results of this study, whereby percent nitrogen was highest in the morning and lowest at mid-day, with percent oxygen saturation following an opposite pattern, and total gas pressure remaining relatively constant throughout the day, are similar to those described by Mahler and Bourgeais [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref19">19</xref>] in karst springs in Texas, USA. Kutty [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref20">20</xref>] and Francis-Floyd [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref21">21</xref>] reported similar results in aquaculture ponds, with the highest nitrogen and lowest oxygen levels at dawn. In contrast, Boyd et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref22">22</xref>] , monitoring gas pressures throughout the day in ponds fertilized and used to grow catfish, reported total gas pressure, percent nitrogen, and percent oxygen were all higher in the afternoon compared to morning.</p><p>In the springs at McNenny State Fish Hatchery the lowest oxygen levels were 69%, which is much higher than that reported in other springs or groundwater sampling locations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref23">23</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref24">24</xref>] . At the highest concentration of 116%, nitrogen supersaturation exceeds the general criteria of less than 110% as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref25">25</xref>] . At these levels of nitrogen supersaturation, gas bubble disease can occur, which can lead to fish mortality [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref23">23</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref24">24</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref26">26</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref27">27</xref>] . This makes the nitrogen gas-reducing structures [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref14">14</xref>] used at McNenny Hatchery indispensable for fish production.</p><p>The supersaturation of nitrogen observed in the spring water in this study is not surprising. Supersaturation of nitrogen in ground and spring water is common [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref23">23</xref>] , because when water is drawn downward into aquifers, atmospheric air is mixed with it under pressure and the gases become supersaturated [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref24">24</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref25">25</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref28">28</xref>] . Specific to confined aquifer-fed karstic springs, the high nitrogen levels could be due to the short residence time of water in karst aquifers [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref27">27</xref>] . While it is possible that the high nitrogen gas levels observed in this study could be from the denitrification of nitrogen from fertilizers, septic tanks, agricultural, and municipality waste [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref29">29</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref30">30</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref31">31</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref32">32</xref>] , it is unlikely for the karst springs at McNenny State Fish Hatchery. The springs are near (&lt;10 miles) their recharge area [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref16">16</xref>] , which is mostly publicly-owned coniferous forest used primarily for logging, along with light grazing, and less than 4% crop land [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref33">33</xref>] . Although there is likely some septic tank leakage, it is a probably a minor issue [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref34">34</xref>] .</p><p>While significantly different among the sampling days, the difference in total gas pressure in the side spring from 100.9% to 101.7% is minimal and likely not physically significant. Neither percent oxygen and nor percent nitrogen differed among the days sampled.</p><p>Gas pressure can change in karst springs during periods of high runoff and rapid recharge due to a higher water table, creating a need for longer-term studies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref19">19</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref35">35</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref36">36</xref>] . This study examined only three springs at McNenny Hatchery, and these results may not be typical for the numerous other springs in the Black Hills or elsewhere. The springs at McNenny are mostly from the Madison aquifer [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref16">16</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref34">34</xref>] . However, a karst spring less than one kilometer away releases water, half of which comes from the Madison aquifer and half from the Minnelusa [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref16">16</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref34">34</xref>] . Thus, the results of this study may be site-specific. Also, with further monitoring it may be possible to formulate a model similar to Kamar and Sheng [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.123005-ref37">37</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Conclusion</title><p>In conclusion, this study indicates the necessity of recording gas saturation levels early in the day to obtain accurate and repeatable measurements and minimize the possible effects of sunlight, photosynthesis, and respiration. The results of this study have sampling time implications for future studies examining long-term changes throughout the year or multiple years in karst spring gas saturation levels. In addition, these results can be used to designate sampling times for nitrogen supersaturation in fish hatcheries or other applications where accurate data collection is essential.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>We thank Nathan Huysman, Eric Krebs, Thomas Mauck, and Michael Robidoux for their assistance with this study.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Gross, M.A., Voorhees, J.M., Domagall, A.S. and Barnes, M.E. (2023) Nitrogen Gas Saturation in Karst Springs Varies Throughout the Day. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 15, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2023.152002</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.123005-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Williamson, J.E. and Carter, J.M. 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