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Effects of Bay Shore power plant on ecosystem
function in Maumee Bay, western Lake Erie
Feb 23, 2009 Toledo Blade
University-Agency Collaboration
University of Toledo:
Christine Mayer: PI, fish entrainment, algal blooms
Carol Stepien: fish entrainment genetics
Thomas Bridgeman: algal blooms
Ohio DNR, Division of Wildlife
Jeff Tyson: fish entrainment
U.S. Geological Survey
Patrick Kocovsky: fish entrainment
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
Craig Stow: fish entrainment uncertainty analysis
Goal
To quantify the possible impact of the Bay Shore power
plant (Oregon, OH) on ecosystem function of Maumee
Bay, in western Lake Erie
Specific Objectives
1.Test whether and to what degree fish entrainment
affects important species such as walleye and yellow
perch
2.Determine whether heated water from the plant
promotes the growth and persistence of nuisance algae
such as Lyngbya wollei
Bay Shore power plant
water intake
discharge
Fish Entrainment
Previous estimates done by FirstEnergy show that
~2 billion larval fish pass through plant screens
(entrained) each year.
Includes walleye, freshwater drum, white perch/white
bass, and many other species
Cause for concern to local
environmental groups and
fishermen
9 mm walleye
Regulated by section 316b
of Clean Water Act
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://
www.epa.gov/med/research_summaries/images/
hoffman_walleye_yolksac.gif
http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20101120/NEWS16/11190362
“Environmentalist” view
Billions of fish lost to
Lake Erie populations
Forage fish lost to plant
would support more
sport fish
Commissioned study
showing $30 million
dollar annual cost of
lost fish
Power company view
Larval fish produced in
very high numbers,
losses to plant not
important
Plant has been
operating since the
1950s, doesn’t account
for recent declines
Altering plant with
cooling tower would
raise utility rates
What percent of larval fish exiting the Maumee River
during the spring are entrained in the plant?
Approach: Combine net collections for species
composition hydro-acoustic visualization for counts
Hydro-acoustic unit
Echogram showing fish position and size
What percent of larval fish exiting the Maumee River
during the spring are entrained in the plant?
Hydro-acoustic and net samples in main river channel and
power plant intake canal
Will provide
estimate of
proportion of larval
fish entrained
June 2009
25m
In field
long time
In field
short time
boat
time
?
What is the uncertainty in estimates of
numbers of larval fish exiting the Maumee River
and how does uncertainty affect estimates of
impact to the walleye population?
?
Numbers of larval fish and river conditions are inherently highly
variable
Dynamic Linear Models will be used to estimate the proportion of
larval fish entrained under differing sets of conditions
Bayesian statistical framework includes estimates of uncertainty
Helpful in supporting effective management decision-making
Algal Blooms
In 2006 a bluegreen algae, Lyngbya wollei , became established
in Maumee Bay forming ~1m thick mats in protected coves
This species, from the southern US, may thrive in conditions
near the plant’s warm water discharge that elevates spring water
temperature and provides an extended winter ice-free period
Ice
Open
water
What is the distribution of Lyngbya wollei in relation to the
thermal plume and a reference location?
Approach: Collect samples
near the power plant and at
reference location(s) with
rake and dredge
Possible reference
location(s)
Lyngbya sampling 2009
Early summer
Mid-summer
Red = Lyngbya absent; Blue = Lyngbya present.
What are the relationships between biomass of Lyngbya
wollei and environmental variables such as temperature,
nutrient availability and substrate type?
Approach: Examine statistical correlations between
Lyngbya and data we collect on environmental variables
negative
Y(X2)
Y(X2)
positive
X1
X1
Biota may interact with Algae
Lyngbya
Mayfly
larvae