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EFFECTS OF THERMAL DISCHARGE ON AQUATIC INSECTS IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY
Citation:
Tennessen, K. AND J. Miller. EFFECTS OF THERMAL DISCHARGE ON AQUATIC INSECTS IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-78/128 (NTIS PB295415), 1978.
Description:
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) conducted studies to (1) determine the thermal tolerances of selected aquatic insects and (2) investigate growth and emergence of those insects in the vicinity of TVA electric generating plants. Results of the study will be used to help establish thermal effluent limits to protect the aquatic ecosystem. Tolerance of the immature stages of Hexagenia bilineata and Coelotanypus sp. to thermal shocks of up to 20C was found to be great. However, eggs subjected to a shock of 15C resulted in a greatly reduced mean percentage of hatching. No difference in fecundity of adult females was found between ambient and thermal plume stations. Adult males from the heated discharge channel were significantly larger on the average than adult males from the ambient station.