The Relationship between Fish Size and Their Response to Underwater Blast

Abstract : Fish were exposed to underwater blasts in an artificial pond, 220 x 150 ft, that was 30 ft deep. The underwater-blast impulse levels required for 50-percent mortality, 1% mortality, and no-injuries were determined for eight species of fish. There was good correlation between the LD sub 50 impulse and the body weight of the fish. These ranged from 1.7 psi.msec for 0.02-g guppy fry to 49.5 psi.msec for 744-g carp. No difference was detectable in the underwater blast response of fish that had ducted swimbladders and those that had nonducted swimbladders. Application of the results of this study to predicting the response of fish to underwater explosions was discussed.