Abstract
An investigation into the physical effects of entrainment on suspended particles in condenser cooling water at three Great Lakes electric power generating stations was attempted, using mostly electronic particle sensing methods. Particles in the waste heat effluent analysed with a Coulter Counter indicated an increase in total number and volume by 11% and 5%, respectively and a decrease in mean size of 3% ( p < 0·01) relative to particles in intake cooling water. These changes were most evident in the smallest sized particles. Image analysis of some of the samples detected a significant ( p < 0·05) 18% increase in the number of discharge particles. Although mean particle surface area, size and phytoplankton biomass were reduced, while phytoplankton numbers were higher in discharge samples, these differences were not statistically significant. Based on actual differences in counts of companion intake and discharge samples, a ±5% change in particle number would necessitate 2839 samples for the Coulter Counter, 1541 for the image analyser and 7021 for the inverted microscope counting technique. The detection with certainty of small changes in some physical characteristics of suspended particles was frustrated by problems with analyses and an impotent sampling programme.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Environmental Pollution. Series A, Ecological and Biological
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
