Botanical studies in the vicinity of Watts Bar Steam Plant: results of surveys conducted in 1978 and a review of surveys conducted from 1973 through 1977. [Pines, oak, hickory, shrubs, weeds, grasses]
No foliar effects attributable to sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/) emissions from Watts Bar Steam Plant were observed on vegetation during the 1978 growing season. However, SO/sub 2/ effects were observed on vegetation in the Watts Bar area during the 1973, 1975, and 1976 growing seasons. Foliar injury was observed on eight species of vegetation in five areas, almost 4200 acres. Four of the affected species-loblolly, shortleaf, Virginia, and white pine - were economically important. However, the effects observed on these species were not economically significant. The mean sulfur content of coal fired during the 1978 growing season was significantly less than during any growing season since 1973 (2.0 vs 2.4 to 3.8 percent). Average daily SO/sub 2/ emissions during the 1978 growing season were about one-third lower than the mean for the five previous growing seasons (64 vs 98 t/d/mo). The level of the National Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standard (3-h avg of 0.50 p/m) has never been exceeded at any SO/sub 2/ monitor in the vicinity of Watts Bar Steam Plant during daylight hours of a growing season (time period when most vegetation is sensitive to SO/sub 2/ exposure). Also, the compliance emission rate (4.0 lbs SO/sub 2//10/sup 6/ Btu) was not exceeded during the 1978 growing season. Botanical survey results and SO/sub 2/ emission data indicate that significant SO/sub 2/ injury to vegetation is unlikely as long as the emission rate at Watts Bar Steam Plant does not exceed the compliance level. Consequently, it is recommended that routine botanical surveys be discontinued in the Watts Bar area. However, partial surveys will be conducted as required in any area surrounding a monitor where the level of the National Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standard is exceeded during daylight hours of the growing season or in the area surrounding vegetation associated with a complaint.
- Research Organization:
- Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL (USA). Office of Natural Resources
- OSTI ID:
- 5318585
- Report Number(s):
- TVA/ARP-I-80/23; ON: DE82903617
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
PLANTS
INJURIES
SURVEYS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
MONITORING
AIR POLLUTION
COAL
COMPLIANCE
CONTAMINATION
EVALUATION
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVEL
PINES
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
SULFUR CONTENT
TENNESSEE
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CONIFERS
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FEDERAL REGION IV
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TREES
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
010900* - Coal
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500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
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