Responses of selected aquatic biota to thermal discharges from Cumberland Steam-Electric Plant: Barkley Reservoir, Tennessee, 1978 and 1979
The extent and degree of exposure of aquatic biota to the thermal plume from Cumberland Steam-Electric Plant (CUF) depends upon several factors, including temperature and volume of water discharged from the plant into the Cumberland River and river flow rates. During periods of discharging large volumes of heated water (maximum plant operation) to the Cumberland River under low flow conditions, maximum exposure would occur, influencing aquatic biota both up- and downstream of the plant. Results of this study, made during periods of maximum potential thermal stress (July to September) under varying flow and reservoir conditions, show thermal discharges from TVA's Cumberland Plant are not adversely impacting local aquatic communities studied. Differences in population structures and standing crops of plankton and macroinvertebrates were more related to reservoir conditions (i.e., suspended solids) than to operation of the plant. Community numbers and indices of health (as measured) downstream of the plant were usually as high as or higher than in upstream (unaffected) areas. Although several isolated effects occurred immediately downstream of the thermal discharge, no permanent alterations were documented on the local Cumberland River floral and faunal communities. 101 references, 25 figures, 24 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville (USA). Office of Natural Resources
- OSTI ID:
- 5478359
- Report Number(s):
- TVA/ONR/WRF-83/15(a); ON: DE84900349
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
316(a) and 316(b) demonstration, Cumberland Steam Plant. Volume 4. Effects of thermal discharges from Cumberland Steam Plant on the fish populations of Barkley Reservoir
Responses of selected aquatic biota in Watts Bar Reservoir to thermal discharges from Kingston Steam-Electric Plant in 1978 and 1979
Related Subjects
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
POPULATIONS
CUMBERLAND RIVER
INVERTEBRATES
PLANKTON
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
PLUMES
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
ANIMALS
POWER PLANTS
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
520400* - Environment
Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)