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 bloomsCarol Stepien: fish entrainment geneticsThomas Bridgeman: algal blooms

Ohio DNR, Division of WildlifeJeff Tyson: fish entrainment

U.S. Geological SurveyPatrick Kocovsky: fish entrainment

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research LaboratoryCraig Stow: fish entrainment uncertainty analysis

GoalTo 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 perch2.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

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.epa.gov/med/research_summaries/images/hoffman_walleye_yolksac.gif

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

Fish Entrainment

9 mm walleye

Cause for concern to local environmental groups and fishermen

Regulated by section 316b of Clean Water Act

http://www.toledoblade.com/article/20101120/NEWS16/11190362

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

“Environmentalist” 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

Power company view

Approach: Combine net collections for species composition hydro-acoustic visualization for counts

What percent of larval fish exiting the Maumee River during the spring are entrained in the plant?

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

boat

25m

June 2009

time

In field short time

In field long 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

??

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

Algal Blooms

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)

Early summer Mid-summerRed = Lyngbya absent; Blue = Lyngbya present.

Lyngbya sampling 2009

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

X1

Y(X

2)

X1

Y(X

2)

positive negative

Mayfly larvae

Lyngbya

Biota may interact with Algae