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

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
• 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