Fine-Scale Ecological and Genetic Population Structure of Two Whitefish (Coregoninae) Species in the Vicinity of Industrial Thermal Emissions.

Carly F Graham,Rebecca L Eberts,Joanna Y Wilson,Richard G Manzon,Jessica A Martino,Christopher M Somers,Sean M Rogers,Douglas R Boreham,Stacey L Lance,Thomas D Morgan,Robert Britton

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146656

Abstract

Thermal pollution from industrial processes can have negative impacts on the spawning and development of cold-water fish. Point sources of thermal effluent may need to be managed to avoid affecting discrete populations. Correspondingly, we examined fine-scale ecological and genetic population structure of two whitefish species (Coregonus clupeaformis and Prosopium cylindraceum) on Lake Huron, Canada, in the immediate vicinity of thermal effluent from nuclear power generation. Niche metrics using δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes showed high levels of overlap (48.6 to 94.5%) in resource use by adult fish captured in areas affected by thermal effluent compared to nearby reference locations. Isotopic niche size, a metric of resource use diversity, was 1.3- to 2.8-fold higher than reference values in some thermally affected areas, indicative of fish mixing. Microsatellite analyses of genetic population structure (Fst, STRUCTURE and DAPC) indicated that fish captured at all locations in the vicinity of the power plant were part of a larger population extending beyond the study area. In concert, ecological and genetic markers do not support the presence of an evolutionarily significant unit in the vicinity of the power plant. Thus, future research should focus on the potential impacts of thermal emissions on development and recruitment.

Highlights

Worldwide a variety of energy generating stations use natural lake or river water as an industrial coolant, which may be released as warmed effluent into the environment
Whitefish Population Structure near Thermal Emissions from a Nuclear Power Plant awarded in Genes &Environment to CMS; University of Regina: funds awarded to CMS as part of Canada Research Chair support; McMaster University: overhead funds reinvested in program; Northern Ontario School of Medicine: overhead funds reinvested in program; Canada Foundation for Innovation: infrastructure grant awarded to CMS as part of Canada Research Chair
Whitefish of the two species investigated were not ecologically or genetically distinct in areas affected by industrial thermal emissions compared to immediately adjacent reference zones

Summary

Introduction

Worldwide a variety of energy generating stations use natural lake or river water as an industrial coolant, which may be released as warmed effluent into the environment. Thermal pollution of this nature can result in localized changes in water temperature ranging from 2 to 15°C above ambient values (e.g., [1,2,3,4,5,6]). The designation of the 8 geographic zones adjacent to the nuclear plant and the collection of fish as described in the manuscript were conducted by Bruce Power as part of their Environmental Impact Assessment Follow-up Monitoring Program (http://www.brucepower.com/ environment/environmental-policy/). The funders had no other roles in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Methods

Results

Conclusion