| Studies have been conducted at Gravelines (France) to estimate the effects of construction and then, the operation of a nuclear power plant. These studies take into account diverse sources of stress: the thermal impact ( Delta T = +11 degree C), the chlorination procedures (0.8 ppm) and the mechanical effects (flow rate 240 m super(3)/s). Distinction has been made between impacts occurring within the cooling system and impacts within the thermal plume. The ecological monitoring has been particularly concerned with water, sediment and organic matter, benthic and pelagic organisms. Results of these field studies include a baseline information in terms of physical, chemical and biological measurements and describe a "reference state" with chronological series. |
