Response of growth and development of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to thermal discharge from a nuclear power plant

Zhi-Guo Dong,Hua Che,Zhe Hu,Hong-Xing Ge,Yi-Hua Chen,Yang-Jian Wu,Chen-He Wang,Guang-Hui Fu,Ji-Kun Lu,Hai-Long Wu,Xiao-Ying Li

doi:10.1186/s12898-018-0191-y

Abstract

BackgroundDuring electricity generation of nuclear power plant, heat energy cannot be completely converted into electrical energy, and a part of it is lost in the form of thermal discharge into the environment. The thermal discharge is harmful to flora and fauna leading to environmental deterioration, biological diversity decline, and even biological extinction.ResultsThe present study investigated the influence of thermal discharge from a nuclear power plant on the growth and development of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas which is widely used as bio indicator to monitor environmental changes. The growth of soft part and the gonad development of oysters were inhibited due to thermal discharge. During winter season, temperature elevation caused by thermal discharge promoted the growth of oyster shells. During summer season, the growth rate of oysters in thermal discharge area was significantly lower than that of the natural sea area.ConclusionsThe results of this study provided a better understanding of assessing the impact of thermal discharge on the marine ecological environment and mariculture industry. It also provided a scientific basis for defining a safe zone for aquaculture in the vicinity of nuclear power plants.

Highlights

During electricity generation of nuclear power plant, heat energy cannot be completely converted into electrical energy, and a part of it is lost in the form of thermal discharge into the environment
S3 was taken as control area for it is far from the nuclear power plant and the seawater temperature was not affected by thermal discharge
Variation of temperature at sample stations Temperature at S1, S2 and S3 were in the following ranges: 5.8–22.4, 4.4–19.6, and 3.8–18.3 °C, respectively

Summary

Introduction

During electricity generation of nuclear power plant, heat energy cannot be completely converted into electrical energy, and a part of it is lost in the form of thermal discharge into the environment. The thermal discharge is harmful to flora and fauna leading to environmental deterioration, biological diversity decline, and even biological extinction. China is one of the fastest growing countries in nuclear power industry in the world. China has a total installed nuclear power capacity of 53, 613 MW (e) as of July, 2017 [1]. Thermal pollution will increase the temperature of the seawater, and change the physical and chemical properties. The rise in temperature will lead to reduction in dissolved oxygen [7, 8] and increase. Change in temperature is an important factor that results in decline of marine population and habitat destruction [14]

Methods

Results

Conclusion