1-19 



crop, composition or relative abundance (EPA, 1977b) , or in harbor util- 

 ization patterns are observed, extent of changes, limitations on the 

 analytical methods and implications of the impacts are discussed in 

 detail. 



The discharge from the plant cooling system was designed for 

 rapid mixing of the heated effluent with harbor waters. Maximum obser- 

 vable temperature increase predicted by the University of Florida physical 

 model (University of Florida, 1972) when the buoyant plume intersected 

 the surface was small 2.2°C (4°F) . Further, since the plume discharges 

 at the edge of the shipping channel, an area characterized by strong 

 surface currents, little buildup of heated waters was anticipated; thus, 

 the plume would be difficult for any fish to "follow". This discharge 

 was also expected to minimize the likelihood of any problem with cold 

 shock of fish or epibenthic invertebrates whose presence depended on the 

 elevated temperature of the thermal plume. Plume entrainment of plank- 

 tonic organisms was also expected to have negligible impact because 

 there would be a minimal temperature elevation of short duration. 

 Similarly, contact of the thermal plume with any shoreline or benthic 

 habitat was expected to be minimal if it occurred at all. If the plume 

 should impinge upon the shoreline, temperature elevations were expected 

 to be low and duration brief. 



Sample stations utilized for the studies are shown in Figure 

 1-1. Sampling frequencies, stations, and techniques for both the bio- 

 logical and water quality parameters are summarized in Table 1-1. Phys- 

 ical-chemical water-quality parameters were monitored on a monthly basis 

 at 17 stations. Those parameters measured were depth-related tempera- 

 ture, salinity, dissolved oxygen, hydrogen ion concentration (pH) , and 

 water transparency. Eight biological programs were conducted in con- 

 junction with the water-quality sampling. Sampling frequency, number of 

 stations, and station locations varied with each parameter for the 

 biological program. Monthly year-round sampling was established to 

 monitor chlorophyll a, phytoplankton, zooplankton, ichthyoplankton, 

 exposure panel biota, oyster growth, avian composition, and finfish 



