Comprehensive cooling water study annual report. Volume XI: ecology of Par Pond, Savannah River Plant

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6529151

Gladden, J B; Lower, M W; Mackey, H E; Specht, W L; Wilde, E W

Par Pond is a 1012 hectare (2500 acre) reservoir constructed in 1958 to provide cooling water for SRP nuclear reactors. The recirculating cooling system utilizing Par Pond also contains a series of manmade canals and precooler ponds that collectively result in the dissipation of up to 70% of the heat in the effluent cooling water before it reaches Par Pond after leaving the reactor heat exchangers. During reactor operation, thermal effluent causes surface temperatures to be approximately 5/sup 0/C higher in the immediate discharge area of Par Pond than in areas distant from the discharge. Reactor operation with its accompanying pumping of Savannah River makeup water and recycled Par Pond water reduces retention time by a factor of approximately ten compared to what would be estimated on the basis of natural drainage alone. The addition of Savahhah River makeup water to Par Pond results in nutrient enrichment because natural drainage to the pond is considerably lower in nutrients than Savannah River water in the vicinity of SRP. Impingment effects at the Par Pond pumphouse are negligible because of large mesh screening (2 in. x 2 in.) and low current velocities (< 0.4 ft/sec) in front of the screens. The increased temperature of Par Pond resulting from reactor operation appears to have an inconsequential influence on phytoplankton community structure. A well developed macrophyte community occurs in Par Pond. The diversity, species composition, and abundance of zooplankton varies seasonally and spatially and is influenced by flow patterns and water temperatures. The thermal effluent appears to have a minor overall effect on benthic invertebrate community structure in Par Pond. 50 figs., 62 tabs.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 6529151
• Report Number(s): DP-1697-11; ON: DE86003113
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520400* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Thermal Effluents Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
COOLING SYSTEMS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
P REACTOR
PONDS
PRODUCTION REACTORS
R REACTOR
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SPECIAL PRODUCTION REACTORS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS