ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Page Count: 6

A Twelve-Year Macroinvertebrate Study in the Vicinity of Two Thermal Discharges to the Susquehanna River Near York Haven, PA

Wurtz, CB
Consulting biologist, Philadelphia, PA

Skinner, WF
Project scientist, Pennsylvania Power and Light Company, Ecological Studies Laboratory, Allentown, PA

Abstract

The macroinvertebrate fauna of a 14.5-km segment of the Susquehanna River in the vicinity of York Haven, PA was sampled each August for twelve successive years (1967 through 1978) in relation to two power plant thermal discharges. A total of 223 species was collected. Of these, 19 species commonly occurred and were considered to form the basic macroinvertebrate community. Discharges from the power plant with natural draft cooling towers (Three Mile Island Nuclear Station) had no significant effect on the downstream community. Discharges from the once-through cooling plant (Brunner Island Steam Electric Station) reduced the number of macroinvertebrate species in the plume of the discharge.

Keywords:
water, ecology, nuclear power plants, fossil power plants, thermal impact, macroinvertebrates, Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Brunner Island Steam Electric Station, Susquehanna River

Paper ID: JTE11068J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11068J
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