ML19263D341

Forwards Errata Sheet to 780101-781231 Environ Operating Rept-Nonradiological Re Periphyton Density & Zooplankton

ML19263D341
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	03/23/1979
From:	Pilant J NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT
To:	Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
References
NUDOCS 7903270475
Download: ML19263D341 (4)

Text

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. 4 GeNeR AL OFFICE P. o. Box 499, CoLUM BUS. NcBR ASKA 68601 Nebraska Publ.ic Power Distr.ic t veLe~o~e i on s.4-8se March 23, 1979 Mr. Karl V. Seyfrit Of fice of Inspection & Enforcement Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Suite 1000 Arlington, TX 76012

Subject:

Annual Environmental Operating Report Volume I - Nonradiological Cooper Nuclear Station NRC Docket No. 50-298, DPR-46

Dear Mr. Seyfrit:

Subsequent to the March 19, 1979 submittal of the Cooper Nuclear Station Environmental Operating Report - Nonradiological for the period January 1, 1978 through December 31, 1978, errata concerning the Periphyton density and Zooplankton mortality were found to exist.

These errata are noted on enclosed pages II-7, II-8 and II-13 with cor-rections as indicated and should be attached to the subject report.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding this data, please contact me.

Sincerely yours, M

Jay .. Pilant Director of Licensing and Quality Assurance

/cmk Enclosures cc: Mr. John G. Davis, Director Office of Inspection & Enforcement w/20 enc 1.

Director /

Office of Management Information and Program Control w/1 encl. O

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7 9 0327 o c/7 5-

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. HAZLETON ENVIAONMENTAL SCIENCES copepodites, Brachionus spp., Conochilus spp., cyclopoid co .sodites, and Daphnia spp. (immature). Species composition of the Missouri River zooplankton community was similar in May and June.

Operational studies conducted since 1974 have indicated that Cooper Nuclear Station has had no effect on zooplankton composition, abundance, or distribution in the Missouri River.

3. Periphyton The effects of fifth year operation of Cooper Nuclear Station on downstream periphytic communities in the Missouri River were studied from June through November 1978. Samples were collected from one upstream and three downstream locations on 26 June, 15 August, 19 September, 20 October, and 20 November 1978. No samples were collected in July because of high water levels. Species and biovolume composition and biomass production were determined for each location and sampling date in accordance with the Environmental Technical Specifications. In addition to the requirements of the technical specifications samples were collected from the discharge canal and analyzed for species and biovolume composition.

Only 51 periphytic algal taxa were identified in 1978 compared to annual totals of 81 to 181 taxa during previous studies. A decrease in the number of diatom taxa accounted for most of the reduction.

This decline was not related to plant operation as it occurred at all sampling locations.

Diatoms continued to be the most abundant algal division in the periphyton of the Missouri River averaging 61.9% of the density and 63.1%

of the biovolume of periphyton collected at each location on each sampling date in 1978. Green algae averaged 11. 8% and 25. 5% of the density and II-7

HAZLETON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES biovolume, respectively; whereas blue-green algae averaged 26.5% of the density and 11.4% of the biovolume of periphyton collected at each location on each sampling date. The mean density and blevolume for diatoms, green algae, and blue-green algae were all within ranges reported luring previous studies.

Dominant taxa in 1978 were among the group that have been dominant in previous years. Navicula tripunctata var. schizonemoides was the most com=on alga based on abundance and frequency of dominance. Only in September 15 '8, as in 1977, was this alga not common. Navicula luzonensis replaced N. tjl punctata var. schizonemoides in the discharge canal during August, September, and October. In 1976 and 1977, this diatom was dominant in the discharge canal in July and August. Navicula luzonensis was rare at all sampling locations in 1978 except the discharge canal and RM 532.

Low biomass production was recorded at all locations in June and August 1978 as in 1977. However, values were within previously recorded ranges during the remainder of the year.

The shift in species composition (N. tripunctata var.

schizonemoides to N. luzonensis) in the discharge canal and immediately down-stream during midsummer has been the only noted effect that the Station's thermal effluent has had on the periphytic algal community. Navicula luzonensis is not considered a nuisance taxon and therefore this shift in species composition is not considered an adverse impact.

4. Aquatic Macroinvertebrates and Benthic Organisms In accordance with the Environmental Technical Specifications Missouri River benthic and aufwuchs communities near Cooper Nuclear Station were sampled at four locations on 26 June, 15 August, and 10 October 1978. A total II-8

HAZLETON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES was not conducted in April when the Station was shut down for refueling.

Cooper Nuclear Station was operating at 71 to 94% of rated turbine capacity during ' he entrainment study. Temperature elevations (aT) across the condenser system ranged from 8.7C (15.7F) in June to 19.4C (34.9F) in February, whereas AT values at the downstream edge of the mixing zone exceeded 3.0C (5.4F) only in January when a value of 3.6C (6.5F) was recorded.

Entcainment losses meaeared immediately following condenser passage (0 hr) ranged from 0.0 to 12.3% and averaged 2.6%. Increased zooplankton mortality observed 4 . r af ter condenser passage ranged from 0.0 to 7.2% with a mean of 2.5%. Differt'tial immotilities and mortalities for the copepods averaged 1.7 and 1.1%, respectcralv. while averages for cladocerans were 7. 8 and 14. 5%, respectively. Data collected from the down-stream edge of the mixing zone showed no discernible ef fects of thermal plume entrainment on zooplankton viability.

Based on homogeneous distribution of zooplankton in the Missouri River and percent of river flow diverted for cooling, the total effect of condenser passage on the viability of the zooplankton community was <0.2%.

B. Phytoplankton Viability The effects of condenser passage and entrainment on phytoplankton viability were studied monthly, excluding April, from January through June 1978. Phytoplankton species composition and abundance, rates of carbon fixation, and chlorophyll a concentrations were determined over a 72 hr holding period for samples collected and analyzed in accordance with the Environmental Technical Specifications.

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