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Sublethal effects of a chlorinated and heated effluent on the physiology of the mussel, Mytilus edulis L.: A reduction in fitness for survival?

Mazik, Krysia; Hitchman, Natasha; Quintino, Victor; Taylor, Colin J L; Butterfield, Jonathan; Elliott, Michael

Authors

Natasha Hitchman

Victor Quintino

Colin J L Taylor

Jonathan Butterfield

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Professor Mike Elliott Mike.Elliott@hull.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor of Estuarine and Coastal Sciences/ Research Professor, Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies



Abstract

Coastal power stations entrain large volumes of cooling water, requiring biocidal treatment to prevent biological fouling. Discharged effluent is both heated and contaminated with residual traces of biocide and so it is necessary to quantify the impacts of this discharge. Cooling water from Heysham 2 nuclear power station, NW England, UK, is discharged to the intertidal area, via a culvert (to minimise erosion and maximise dilution and dispersion by directing the effluent into the receiving water at all states of the tide) within which the effluent is contained at low water. The culvert and surrounding coastal area support a population of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Mussel health was determined along a gradient of exposure, using three physiological indices: Scope for Growth, Gonad Mantle Index and Somatic Condition Index (K Factor). The Mussels within the culvert exhibited reduced physiological index values compared to an external site. A trend was identified down the length of the culvert, representing a gradient of exposure and indicating a potential negative effect on growth and reproductive output. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Citation

Mazik, K., Hitchman, N., Quintino, V., Taylor, C. J. L., Butterfield, J., & Elliott, M. (2013). Sublethal effects of a chlorinated and heated effluent on the physiology of the mussel, Mytilus edulis L.: A reduction in fitness for survival?. Marine pollution bulletin, 77(1-2), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.020

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Nov 7, 2013
Publication Date Dec 15, 2013
Deposit Date Apr 1, 2022
Journal Marine Pollution Bulletin
Print ISSN 0025-326X
Electronic ISSN 1879-3363
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 77
Issue 1-2
Pages 123-131
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.020
Keywords Mytilus edulis; Macrofouling; Chlorination; Scope for Growth; Somatic condition indices
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/532375


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