Ecological effects of nuclear steam electric station operations on estuarine systems. Final report
This report summarizes the findings of studies of the impact of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant on the aquatic biota of Chesapeake Bay. Physical findings show that the typical radial extent of influence of the discharge on the physical and chemical environment of the Bay is rather limited (< 2 km). This suggestion is bolstered by findings of phytoplankton and zooplankton studies: when effects were noted at all, they only appeared at sampling stations nearest (within 2 km of) the discharge. Also, direct entrainment effects on these groups were either small (in the case of phytoplankton) or species-specific (in the case of zooplankton). Benthos showed mixed responses to plant operations - the populations of some species were enhanced, one species was adversely affected, and others were unaffected. The major plant effect on the benthos was due to habitat resource enrichment, and the consequence was higher standing stocks (e.g., more food for fish) in the affected area. Direct plant effects on finfish are dominated by impingement. Mortality as a result of impingement, for many species, tends to be moderate to slight. Effects as a result of entrainment of eggs and larvae are limited because the Calvert Cliffs area is not a major spawning location for any species. In sum, the Calvert Cliffs plant appears to have a limited effect on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. 180 references, 6 figures, 18 tables. (ACR)
- Research Organization:
- Maryland Univ., Cambridge (USA). Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS05-76EV04328
- OSTI ID:
- 5273392
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/04328-T1; ON: DE84005794
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Calvert cliffs acoustic finfish surveys, 1977. Final report
Summary of findings: Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant aquatic monitoring program. Volume II, appendices a-c
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BAYS
BENTHOS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CALVERT CLIFFS-1 REACTOR
CALVERT CLIFFS-2 REACTOR
CHESAPEAKE BAY
COOLING SYSTEMS
COPPER
DATA
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENTRAINMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FISHES
IMPINGEMENT
INFORMATION
METALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANKTON
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTORS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS