Quantitative estimation of sea surface temperature increases resulting from the thermal discharge of coastal power plants in China. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Jie; Zou, Xinqing; Huang, Faming; Yao, Yulong
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 164(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Thermal discharge -- MODIS -- Coastal nuclear power plants and thermal power plants -- SST; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The operation of coastal nuclear power plants and thermal power plants (CNATPPs) can cause regional sea surface temperature (SST) increases. To assess their effects on coastal ecosystems, the scope and extent of their impacts must be understood. We aimed to quantitatively assess the SST increases caused by thermal discharge under climate warming by comparing SSTs between control and test groups and among different offshore buffer zones based on daily MODIS SST data from 2002 to 2017. The results showed that (1) a good correlation occurred between the CNATPP installed capacity and SST increase in the 0–2 km offshore waters; (2) the SST increase caused by thermal discharge was the largest in summer and the smallest in winter; and (3) the effect of thermal discharge occurred within 2 km offshore when the installed capacity exceeded 2000 MW and extended to 5 km when it reaches more than 4000 MW. Highlights: Installed capacity of coastal plant is correlated with SST increment in 2 km offshore. For an installed capacity below 2000 MW, the affected area is less than 2 km offshore. For an installed capacity over 4000 MW, the affected area extends to 5 km offshore. The SST increase caused was the largest in summer and the smallest in winter. Thermal discharge can amplify the global warming effect in local sea area affected.