Bioenvironmental impact of a coal-fired power plant. Second interim report, Colstrip, Montana, June 1975

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7238752· OSTI ID:7238752

Lewis, R. A.; Glass, N. R.; Lefohn, A. S. ^[1]

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1. eds.

Progress of an investigation that attempts to characterize the impact of air pollutants on a total (grassland) ecosystem is described. More importantly, this is the first to attempt to generate methods to predict bioenvironmental effects of air pollution before damage is sustained. Complex changes in ecosystem dynamics as a function of relatively long term, chronic pollution challenge are expected to be observed. By studying a rather broad range of interacting variables, it is anticipated that some as sensitive and reliable measures of air pollution impact can be isolated. The approach employed requires: the use of reasonably comprehensive models of component populations of the ecosystem; the use of appropriately structured field and laboratory experiments; and evaluation of physiological and biochemical functions that may serve as specific indicators of air pollution stress. The study will establish one part of the cost/benefit matrix that will provide for the normalization of environmental impact information. Included in the study are the characterization of the effects of coal-fired power plant emissions upon plant and animal community structure; primary production, invertebrate animal consumers, and decomposers; plant and animal diseases; both beneficial and harmful insects; indicators and predictors of pollution (e.g., lichens and honeybees); physiological responses of plants and vertebrate animals; insect behavior (mainly of honeybees) and production; the behavior, reproduction and development, population biology, health and condition of vertebrate animals. Supportive and integrative components include field experimental studies; mathematical modeling; remote sensing; micrometeorological investigation; chemical analyses (e.g., sulfur, fluoride) of biological specimens; and air quality monitoring that includes integrated aerosol characterization.

• Research Organization: National Ecological Research Lab., Corvallis, Oreg. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7238752
• Report Number(s): EPA-600/3-76-013
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200200 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
500200* -- Environment
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530000 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BIOMASS
BIOSPHERE
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FLUE GAS
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
MANAGEMENT
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
STACK DISPOSAL
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES