Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant
Monitoring seawater temperature changes near nuclear power plants is vital for safe operation and ecological balance. We developed a sea surface temperature (SST) retrieval model incorporating water vapor content to analyze thermal discharge from China’s Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. Through remote s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24014432 |
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| author | Xiangle Jiang Wenjin Zhu Yang Zhang Qing Xu Xiaotian Dong |
| author_facet | Xiangle Jiang Wenjin Zhu Yang Zhang Qing Xu Xiaotian Dong |
| author_sort | Xiangle Jiang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Monitoring seawater temperature changes near nuclear power plants is vital for safe operation and ecological balance. We developed a sea surface temperature (SST) retrieval model incorporating water vapor content to analyze thermal discharge from China’s Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. Through remote sensing and numerical simulation techniques, we analyzed changes and factors of thermal discharge from a unique perspective of three-dimensional, tidal, and planktonic microorganisms. Results showed: (1) The SST retrieval algorithm we modified had high accuracy and applicability; (2) Between 2013 and 2023, the increase in nuclear units had intensified thermal discharge, expanding the affected marine areas; (3) The thermal discharge in spring and summer had a more pronounced impact on the temperature rise areas; (4) Tidal dynamics and seasonal variations, especially spring tides, significantly influenced thermal discharge and mixing; (5) Tidal currents improved vertical mixing, with spring tides weakening stratification and raising bottom temperatures; (6) Planktonic microorganism diversity peaked in spring, autumn, and winter, while summer discharge reduced abundance. The study provided valuable insights into managing the environmental impacts of nuclear power plants. Further, it strengthened the understanding of the ecological consequences of thermal discharges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5226d6d4ef6340169cc1beb93febb555 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj-art-5226d6d4ef6340169cc1beb93febb5552025-01-31T05:10:22ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-01-01170112986Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plantXiangle Jiang0Wenjin Zhu1Yang Zhang2Qing Xu3Xiaotian Dong4School of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, PR ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, PR ChinaSchool of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, PR ChinaSchool of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, PR ChinaSchool of Civil and Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, PR ChinaMonitoring seawater temperature changes near nuclear power plants is vital for safe operation and ecological balance. We developed a sea surface temperature (SST) retrieval model incorporating water vapor content to analyze thermal discharge from China’s Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. Through remote sensing and numerical simulation techniques, we analyzed changes and factors of thermal discharge from a unique perspective of three-dimensional, tidal, and planktonic microorganisms. Results showed: (1) The SST retrieval algorithm we modified had high accuracy and applicability; (2) Between 2013 and 2023, the increase in nuclear units had intensified thermal discharge, expanding the affected marine areas; (3) The thermal discharge in spring and summer had a more pronounced impact on the temperature rise areas; (4) Tidal dynamics and seasonal variations, especially spring tides, significantly influenced thermal discharge and mixing; (5) Tidal currents improved vertical mixing, with spring tides weakening stratification and raising bottom temperatures; (6) Planktonic microorganism diversity peaked in spring, autumn, and winter, while summer discharge reduced abundance. The study provided valuable insights into managing the environmental impacts of nuclear power plants. Further, it strengthened the understanding of the ecological consequences of thermal discharges.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24014432Tianwan Nuclear Power PlantThermal dischargeLong-term changesRemote sensing monitoringSea surface temperature |
| spellingShingle | Xiangle Jiang Wenjin Zhu Yang Zhang Qing Xu Xiaotian Dong Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant Ecological Indicators Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Thermal discharge Long-term changes Remote sensing monitoring Sea surface temperature |
| title | Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant |
| title_full | Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant |
| title_fullStr | Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant |
| title_short | Changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023: A case study of the Tianwan nuclear power plant |
| title_sort | changes and factors of thermal discharge from 2013 to 2023 a case study of the tianwan nuclear power plant |
| topic | Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant Thermal discharge Long-term changes Remote sensing monitoring Sea surface temperature |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24014432 |
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