Water was recirculated in this incubation system to test the effects of water hardness on the size and hatching success of silver carp eggs. Photo credit: U.S. Geological Survey.

Water hardness, which varies widely across the country, may influence the hatching success of silver carp eggs and the distribution of this invasive species. Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey.

At the request of Dr. David Kennedy, Quality Assurance officer at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC), La Crosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office fishery biologist Mark Steingraeber recently completed the peer-review of a manuscript prepared by UMESC colleagues that reported results of recent tests to evaluate the effects of water hardness on the size and hatching success of silver carp eggs.  As a consequence of this review, several editorial changes were recommended to improve the organization and presentation of these important test findings before a final draft of the manuscript is submitted to a science journal for additional peer-review.  Future publication of these test findings in a clear and concise journal article will provide a better understanding of how this water quality characteristic influences the embryonic development of silver carp and may be used, in part, to help predict the potential distribution of this invasive species in the United States.