Effects of a thermal discharge from a nuclear power plant on phytoplankton and periphyton in subtropical coastal waters

Abstract

Effects of elevated water temperatures and residual chlorine from a thermal discharge at a coastal nuclear power plant on the biomass and productivity of periphyton and phytoplankton were determined in subtropical Taiwan. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a, but not productivity, was significantly lower in the outlet region than in the intake region. Periphyton chlorophyll a was significantly greater in the outlet region than in the intake region. Nevertheless, periphyton productivity was negatively correlated with water temperature in the outlet region. A distinct difference in periphyton community composition was also detected between the two regions. Chlorination experiments showed that a chlorine concentration of 0.2 ppm greatly suppressed phytoplankton productivity, regardless of whether the water temperature was elevated or not. However, periphyton productivity was little influenced by a chlorine concentration of < 0.5 ppm. Our results suggest that phytoplankton productivity was greatly affected by residual chlorine, but periphyton productivity was more affected by elevated water temperatures.