ML20151Z777
| ML20151Z777 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Fermi  |
| Issue date: | 12/31/1987 |
| From: | NORMANDEAU ASSOCIATES, INC. |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20151Z605 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8805050361 | |
| Download: ML20151Z777 (45) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:_ 4 FERMI 2 POWER PLAKr-
. REMOTE SENSING AND VEGETATION GROUND TRUTH PROGRAM 1987 REPORT' Prepared for DETROIT EDISON COMPANY 2000 Second Avenue Detroit, Michigan t
Prepared by NORMANDEAU ASSOCIATES INC. 25 Nashua Road Bedford, New Hampshire R-1130 11 April 1988 8805050361 880430 j PDR ADOCK 05000341
.R DCD.._ .
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . iv LIST OF TABLES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v1 FOREWORD. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . vii
SUMMARY
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1.0 INTRODUCTION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 PROGRAM HISTORY AND OBJECTIVE. . . . . . . . . . 1 2.0 METHOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
~ 2.1 AERIAL CIR PHOTOGRAPHY , . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.2 VEGETATION COVER TYPE MAPPING. .. . . . . . . . 2 2.3 VEGETATION STRESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2.4 CROP TYPE MAPPING. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 5 2.5 SOIL SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.6 PROGRAM SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 6 3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3.1 COVER TYPE AND naND USE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3.2 VEGETATION STRESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3.2.1 Physical Factors. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3.2.2 Biotic Factors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 3.3 CROP SURVEY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 3.4 SOIL DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYTIC RESULTS . . . . . 28 3.5 SIGNIFICANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 i
4.0 REFERENCES
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 34 111
LIST OF FIGURES PAGE 2-1. Fermi 2 Site, survey area, and flight line map of color infrared photograph coverage, August 1987. . . . 3 2-2. Fermi 2 Site, projected dissolved solids deposition isopleths, and soil sampling stations. . . . . . . . . 7 3-1. (folded map, back pocket) Vegetation cover types in the vicinity of the Fermi 2 power plant 3-2. Mean annual water level of Lake Erie at Stony Point, Michigan for the period 1981-1987, compared with the 78-year mean for 1900-1978 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3-3. Color infrared photograph of the Enrico Fermi energy center including the Fermi 2 power plant . . . . . . . 13 3-4. Soy bean cultivation showing stress, east of North Dixie Highway near Fermi Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3-5. Soy bean cultivation in good condition, west of North Dixie Highway near Fermi Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3-6. Swamp white oak showir.; drought stress symptoms. . . . 20 3-7. Slight leaf scorch in lotus following six-inch seasonal decline of lake level, Stony Point. . . . . . 21 3-8. Early autumn color in red and silver maples under stress from long-term rise in lake level, Stony Point. 22 3-9. Natural-color close-up view of the same green ash specimen shown in Figure 3-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 3-10. Green ash under stress from long-term rise in lake level. Color infrared aerial view . . . . . . . . . . 23 3-11. Lowland forest under stress from long-term rise in lake level. Color infrared aerial view. . . . . . . . 25 3-12. Fall webworm infestation on willow, Stony Point. . . 26 3-13. (folded map, back pocket) Crop cover types in the vicinity of the Fermi 2 power plant iv
PAGE r. ! 3-14. Relation of.the percent salt in the soil to the i electrical conductivity of the saturation extract and to crop response . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 3.15. Number of days per month during which measurable amounts of drift were emitted from the Fermi 2 power plant cooling towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 l r b E l' + s V k
l LIST OF TABLES PAGE 3-1. Estimated Horizontal Acreage for Each Cover Type in Fermi 2 Survey Area, August 1987 . . . . . . . . . .. 9 3-2. Estimated Horizontal Acreage for Each Cover Type in , Fermi 2 Site Area, August 1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 1 3-3. Summary of Vegetation Stress Areas Observed Within the Fermi 2 Survey Area, August 1987 . . . . . . . . . .. 15 3-4. Summary of 1987 Crop Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 3-5. Mean Values for Soil Parameters from Each Sampling Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29 vi
FOREWORD Normandeau Associates Inc. (NAI) is pleased to submit this report for 1987 summarizing the method and results of the most recent remote-sensing and vegetation ground-truth exercise conducted within the prescribed survey area in the vicinity of the Fermi 2 power plant, Enrico Fermi Energy Center, Monroe County, Michigan. Four pre-operational reports were prepared as part of this program, the first three by the Ecological Services Group of Texas Instruments Incorporated, the last by NAI. These reports are cited as TI 1978, TI 1979, TI 1980 and NAI 1983, respectively. Their findings were described and discussed in a report (NAI 1984) that served as a pre-operational baseline summary of all work done up to that point. Q t vil o
SUMMARY
Color infrared aerial photographs were used in 1987 to delineate cover types, vegetation stress patterns, and crop land-use in the 39 mile 8 Fermi 2 Survey Area. Soll samples were collected and analyzed from areas expected to receive a wide range of cooling-tower salt deposition. These analyses provided the first opportunity since the plant began operation to evaluate the effect of cooling-tower salt drift on soils, and to evaluate vegetation stress that could be attributable to plant operation. Results showed moderate changes in cover types since 1983. Land-use patterns resemble those described in the 1984 NAI report; however, there was a continuing decline in the cropland under active cultivation. Areas of str3ssed nr..ral vegetation were less extensive than in previous years, despite a period of midsummer drought. Lake-level fluctuations continued to strongly influence the distribution of vegetation cover types and patterns of vegetation stress. Rising water levels were implicated as the cause of: stressed and dying forest cover, lake shoreline erosion, and the widely observed encroachment of wetland cover types into previously upland areas. The only other major stress-causing agent was prolonged heat and drought in midsummer. Insect infestations were well below pest proportions. Other than rising lake levels and the gradual encroachment of urban land use, no stress-producing factors were considered pervasive enough to contribute significantly to future shifts in cover-type boundaries or changes in plant species composition. No positive correlation could be detected between vegetation stress and the predicted pattern of salt drift deposition. l viii I
Over 13,000 acres of croplands were mapped. The major crops in descending order of importance were: . hay, pasture and fallow; soybeans; corn; and recent tillage. Soil sampling indicated no significant changes from the 1903 data. The pH and conductivity of the samples were consistent with good fertility and low lonic stress. 6 IX
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROGRAM HISTORY AND OBJECTIVE From 1978 to 1980 the condition of natural vegetation was annually surveyed within a five-mile radius of the Fermi 2 cooling
' towers. Maps of vegetation cover types were prepared, including delineation of all areas under apparent stress. Where possible, causes of stress were identified. This baseline study was resumed in 1983, when two new objectives were added: a crop cover-type survey and soils analysis. Taken together, all of these data provided the background information against which to measure the effects of dissolved-solids deposition resulting from plant operation (NAI 1984).
Following commencement of limited plant operation in 1985, a repeat was made in 1987 of the 1983 survey. This survey affords the first opportunity to observe changes in selected parameters that may be attributable to plant operation. l l 1 1 [
2.0 METHOD Aerial color infrared photography provided the data base for delineating vegetation cover type, vegetation stress, and crop type. Interpretation of the photographs was checked in the field, and necessary adjustments were made to the original base map. Soil samples were collected at the same time. 2.1 AERIAL CIR PHOTOGRAPHY Aerial color .nzrarsi (CIR) photographs used in this survey of the 39-square-mile study area (5-cile radius) surrounding the Fermi 2 Power Plant were taken 20 August 198' (10:23-11:15 hours) and 4 September 1987 (9:13-9:37 hours). In:lement weather accounted for the lag in completion. Specifications included a 30-percent side overlap and a 60-percent forward overlap to provide optimum stereoscopic viewing resolution. Seven flight lines were required to cover the designated study area at the desired degree of overlap (Figure 2-1). Kodak 2443 Color Infrared Ektachrome film was used to take the photographs, which were processed as positive transparencies from a 9-inch roll. The photographs were taken with a Zeiss Camera, with 6-inch focal length lens from a local altitude of 5,000 feet, assuring a working scale of 1:10,000 (1 inch = 833 feet). Additional CIR photographs were taken of the immediate power plant area at an altitude of 8,000 feet, as a special record of the operational zone. l l 2.2 VEGETATION COVER TYPE HAPPING Each Ektschrome transparency was separated from the others on the roll, placed in a protective acetate sleeve, and labelled with flight line and exposure number. A mirror stereoscope was used, as 2 1
i I L 3_l' , j W ' \f[L 4'-N-e-W ' T ~
'$ (. -
S [-Q1/ IF h* .r Y hW.L.
. , i
./j
, s_ -
f. d; M.r / _,f' a.)' s. . .f/(jk, h--._
.i .
t L. Q
,i f. -lg(/
!' ~7 %,>, d./ [ It'~ Y%e h.h ~_: h' k,
*- /~a j 1, kI '. I / ,, - p ~
I
;,i 6 . .
~
s <
* ?, '
"f. * ',
--/
,A ,/ \
.l h ,l.. _ 3' 3,
- I - 1 f
. + , y., g .. / /
.R _e 3. . :- .'
/
i j/ "_'_7 : _ ,_
,Q, , q'f g .\
f
/
, i M ' (dr 6, .':. ; .:/w,:_. 5,* ,/
r.. / B < f 3-r;,, pg}' u t N.I
/
. y/
,V s.
a , 3
E 4h(b .. Y. , . ,-'-(, -.,L ., . 5.I< ' '' -
/
_c ' LE /
.r(.,j' r zg fi.t ,. . .s.
i
':}r.~.l. ) ,<? 3
$ a ey{ / i
$- l:i '
, , ,/
e f 'l
- c' :) .
lI
. . ',Y-0 .
$ qs 'lf'y ,/'
fp ,*qs. qt .
.- .* y' - - --
Y-. ,h 7--
+-
- ' $ +, #$ -
"i $ ~-_.g l
Figure 2-1. Fermi 2 Site, Survey Area, and Flight Line Map of Color Infrared Pho:ograph Coverage, Augus: 1937. 3
described in the 1978 report (TI 1978), to establish each type boundary. Land use and vegetation cover types were as defined in Texas Instruments (1978). The 1987 cover type map and base map were prepared from optically reduced and corrected composites of the August CIR photo-graphs, using the methods described previously (TI 1978). Areas of each cover type were measured by dot count method or digital planimeter from the 1:24,000 scale map (1 inch = 2,000 feet; 1 square inch = 91.82736 acres). 2.3 VEGETATION STRESS i Areas lacking infrared reflectance on the CIR photographs were interpreted as containing stressed vegetation. Due to increasing stress to green leaves, the reddish photographic appearance, characteristic of healthy vegetation, grades to magenta, purple, green, and yellow as infrared reflectance is progressively lost. Areas with more than 50 percent of the plants under stress were delineated by the photointerpreter on the even-numbered acetate sleeves with fine-tipped indelible marker. Where accessible, areas so delineated were checked during ground truthing to determine the species affected and the most probabic causal ep..'fn). To further document vegetation stress, color photographs were t uer + typical examples of stressed species and of conspicuous causal alenta ( (e.g. disease or parasitism). Where identification of plants or agents was questionable, specimens were collected using methods previously described (TI 1980). Stressed areas delineated in the ground-truthed aerial j photographs were optically transferred to the cover type map, and the l affected area measured by dot count method or digital planimeter. l l l 4
L 2.4 CROP TYPE MAPPING l-The CIR photographs were also used to delineate crop types in the survey area. Within 20 days of the overflight, approximately 30% of the land supporting crops was field checked. Aerial photographs cannot be used to differentiate among crops of the same morphology, such as various grains, hay, and other narrow-leaved members of the grass family (Gramineae). Consequently, cover-type categories were used which represented the greatest degree of differentiation practical for the study area. A change in cover-typing was found to be necessary as a result of the federal government's Set-Aside Program, effective from 1985 with the passage of the f arm bill of that year. Since then, up to 5% of each farmer's crop acreage has lain fallow each year, as a means of controlling surplus production. In many cases it proved difficult to distinguish between a late-season field in which a small crop species like alfalfa was being overgrown with robust weeds, and a fallow field grown up to a mixture of about equal parts corn, hay, soy and pioneer weed species. On the assumption that much of this heterogeneous growth represented potential fodder, it was collectively assigned to the crop
- ype redesignated as "Hay, other grass crops, pasture and fallow".
Never a crop with large acreage in the region, alfalfa shows no sign of an increase from its insignificant 1983 proportion (1.7% of all cropland). It has therefore been placed in this new, more general l fodder and fallow category. All plots greater than five acres and many , i of the smaller plots were delineated on the odd-numbered aerial photographs and assigned to type. These areas were then optically transferred to the same base map used for cover types, at a 1" = 2,000 ft scale (1:24,000). Acreage of each plot was determined by dot
- counting (for plots less than 25 ac es) and by digital planimeter (for
! larger plots). The two methods were cross checked and calibrated against areas of known acreage for accuracy and precision. Errors in the dot counts were fcund not to exceed five acres; errors in the digital planimeter were less than five acres for small parcels and less than 1% for larger plots. l l 5 l t - . ._. ._ _ _ _ - , - __ .- ..
L j 2.5 SOIL SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS Soil samples were taken from the same stations as in 1983 (see Figure 2-2). The same methods of sampling and analysis were used (NAI 1983). As before, two locations were sampled in each of the three zones of predicted impact: .01 .1 pounds of dissolved solids per acre per year, .1 .5 lb/ac/yr, and greater than .5 ib/ac/yr. Dissolved solids from cooling-tower emissions could be expected to accumulate here, if anywhere, in concentrations roughly proportional to this theoretical zonation. 2.6 PROGRAM SCHEDULE The completion dates for each major task of the 1987 program were: Aerial CIR Photography 4 September 1987 Photointerpretation 30 November 1987 Ground Truth and Soil Sampling 5 September 1987 Analysis of Soils 25 September 1987 Reports Draft 23 March 1988 Final 11 April 1988 Using the previous experience of 1983 and a team of two, NAI field work was accomplished in less than half the time of the previous effort. Aerial photointerpretation, however, was complicated by the need to rephotograph about one-third of the study area, with the resulting duplication, difference in imagery and occasionally irregular frame overlap. Completion of photography of the entire study area was delayed until early September owing to bad weather. All of the important photography (including the cooling towers and immediate vicinity to a three-mile radius) was interpreted in time for the ground-truthing exercise. Ground truthing included cover typing, crop typing and vegetation stress evaluation. Soil sampling ard further photographic documentation by hand camera were also completed during this time. 6
[ k i a e a e , e l a , e ,
- O .. k
-- ) ,
.. , . /. . .... . .. .
'l:7; !!~V.~f i As ..s d6i gji@W, ~-
.M ~i L ' -
y
., . -.3 y y7 i, s. . % +,
~% .h. . . j 4+ , ,\
r
- p. [
;. - f. ,
( 's.-='
>.y'- m- !
s- n . ~. . . .
.y L ~! )
e 3
. Y 'r~!< ..' _k
.01' {
2
-[ ~ /ff,%g 3.jg j ,' ,
7*Wy/ ,gf ,f
'r y, g;
.01, ,.
j .... . ,. i L .7 .t,_,, r ' s g _ ,. 7.L,_. g gj, i i [~~~* .? W h. . .
' 3 Q ,Z M:1 gww% s ,;
l/ y,
. ,t ,l
~..'
s j'; ,, ' g q . ky \[J1' .', 5,_ ..)h l - }l .k, I g l
'4Ils
~~'
~
~ .. ~
') ,& ' ' \ < / '
filr'01.f.._ .)- l - N
-) .'# l
, .'} ,7.f .'h M 7' 0.1 I
. .,' ,41 W;.
.. .l a
. t .s . . .; .
- , . v. - 1
. c-o.
.N,.
(' . /..- -; E _.~
~
c l x ;',
,,, 0 .1,
~ : <.
n
., ~
0.5
]
l b.. . l xo
.y ,- .-
. , ~ ; ,-7. :p t-- - c,r k - PLUME Q,v ~
"r h', ,T . ?'i[f - , - ,
, SUMMER
-{!'/s,N hb .
y
- 0.1.-' , J > - -. -
DRIFT. j,%. -
,' , .j ,J M~^ s
.j p. ' 3 ' ,
- , .4.
- l , h,,i- ) . ,
.s ;
e.g ,. '/ 5^ ..
' ,0 .
l 9,. , 5 A \ ~ N '
/ )
,,*, f Q.01,M g.:. Nl g..t ~
', f'A 3 .
't . l R; < ,v .; ,s-..- c. . ._ i .
. . .,e u s
'- .c %, _
s y
' Q./7%pb ~ ~ 0.1u
- N:
,. j ._
WINTER '01
~y' -'</..~ i '-
. /
~~ PLUME .
N
't r.. DRlFT
' -)i;/d,,' - r
)
. '/ .
[~ m
,c r 1 p- , b
'la .-
j.
@ = S0IL SAMPLING STATION
;f. , ,li /
A. . r,. . . 0 1/2 1 PROJECTED DISSOLVED SOLIOS
'i ,
r '
/ , , -
O.5 = DEPOSITION ISOPLETHS MILES
\>- - -
/ (lb/ acre - year)
Figure 2-2. Tc- . 2 Site, Projected Dissolved Solids Deposition Isopleths, and soil Sa: pling Stations. 7
l L I ( j 3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
-3.1 COVER TYPE AND LAND USE Results of the 1987 cover-type survey are recorded in Figure 3-1 (see the folded 1:24,000 scale map in the back pocket) and Table 3-1. Since the enclosure or quasi-enclosure of an estimated additional 1,400 acres of water was noted in the 1983 NAI report, no further change in total survey area has occurred. The difference of 524 acres between the 1983 total and that of 1987 represents a reduction of 2%, small enough to be attributed to cumulative variation in approach and execution from one survey to the next.
The nine-year upward trend in the total acreage of open water confirms expectations based on the data for mean annual lake levels during the same period (1978-1987). Figure 3-2 shows the most recent data for Stony Point, from 1981 to 1987. Despite a decline in 1987, Lake Erie that year still averaged approximately six inches above the 1983 level. A vertical difference of that size along such a gently sloping shoreline would have undoubtedly led to measurable expansion of the open water type. Since 1983, encroaching lake water has not significantly affected the total acreage of lowland or riparian hardwoods, or the total acreage of wetland. Trees may survive years of protracted flooding during the growing season before they die completely. In the case of wetlands, there does appear to be a shift toward proportionally more of the "wettest" type, deep marsh (20). The transition from a cover type dominated by emergents or meadow species to one of submergent and floating plants is probably quicker to effect than that from woody to herbaceous life forms. The biggest change is in the acreage recorded as cropland (cover type 5), down some 1,237 acres to 14,902. There are several possible explanations for this. One is that acreage in cropland has 8 9
TABLE 3-1. ESTIMATED HORIZONTAL ACREAGE FOR EACH COVER TYPE IN FERMI 2 SURVEY AREA, AUGUST 1987. CODE LAND USE/ COVER TYPE 1978 1980 1983 1987 1 Deciduous Forest 1A Upland Hardwoods 468 462 465 372 IB Riparian Hardwoods 258 257 347 345 1C Lowland Hardwoods 360 354 477 498 1,086 1,073 1,289 1,215 2 Wetlands 2A Marshland Headow 331 268 517 427 2B Shallow Marsh 694 361 563 520 2C Deep Marsh 413 237 10 148 1,438 866 1,090 1,095 3 Inactive 3A Early Successional 333 351 329 531 3B Advanced Successional 305 280 86 109 3C Transitional 250 248 192 241 3D Abandoned Orchard 10 10 0 0 898 889 607 881 4 Water 606 1,208 2,697 2,730 5 Maintained Pasture and Crop 16,858 16,713 16,139 14,902 6 Transportation Rights of Way 422 422 422 618 7 Recreational 160 160 168 170 8 Industrial 193 193 244 175 9 Residential / Commercial 1,819 2,005 2,181 2,544 10 Barren Land 153 104 248 230 TOTAL 23,633 23,633 25,085 24,560 9 D - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
l l s a
= 7
- 8 M 9 l
a 1 u a a A j s 6 o w-7 d o 8 r us 1 i
- 9 no 1 e 0
0 p um t 0 1 n eaA ht a t e
. rDd o n u f . a n8c a7i 5 g9n i 1 a - 8 9 h c - a 1 i 0O M,9 a 0 l r.
e t 1 nt i nronoi e F af t aC ya nNa 4 ne et a 8 tomh D t L 9 St anird c E V 1 aeaa cy s m t E ir- r eil L A E8eC e 7n E k eilga S aht nn L h Eo i 3 N 8 f oio t f t A w a E 9 1 l eips v mr n N, M e
- E V
O l r e a om t i, y C i oo c
- r. r.
, B w c,r.r r:cr A l a7Ai m E T 2 8 u8 S! <
I E n9 R E 9 n1UA a E F 1 n1 eic-h r N a E e8t e M19foph I K L E A V 2-L E 3 L 1 u _ 8 9 - 1 is F 4 3 2 1 0 2 7 7 7 7 7 c 5 5 5 5 5 S
~
- ll
registered a continuous decline every survey year since 1978. Another is that cropland being rested as part of the Federal Set-Aside Program may have been classified as Early Successioni active Land (cover type 3A), of which a large increase (61%) was recosded for 1987. Further-more, the 1987 photointerpretation aimed at greater precision in identifying small, scattered examples of the Residential / Commercial type. These would formerly have been counted as part of the cropland type, for the sake of convenience. Finally, this same Residential / Commercial type has experienced new growth since 1983, eliminating some cropland entirely. Tha method of listing acreage causes a slight exaggeration in cropland acteage. Since cropland is by far the predominant type, all other types are identified and enumerated first. The difference in area between the;a and the total survey area gives the cropland area. However, this remainder includes all areas of such a size or shape as to make their separate delineation impractical: secondary roads, roadside verges, small fields, etc. Thu actual cropland acreage is consequently a good deal smaller than the tabulated value. Its lower limit is indicated by the figure given in Table 3 13,607 - which results from a direct count of all cropland delineated (in general, all tracts five acres or more in size). The recorded decline in industrial land has also to do uith photeinterpretation method, rather than decreasing industry. Following development of an industrial site, the fr.nge often reverts to vegetation, some of which was included in one or another category describing successional stage. The only other noteworthy cnange is that recor< for tranaportation Rights of Way (ccver type 6). Since the uajor rights of way have not been alteced perceptibly since 1983, there is no clear explanation for the increase in arec from 422 to 618 acres. The most 2 11
I: likely reason is that the lower value may represent automatic perpetuation of the acreage from 1980, prior to construction of big new interchanges on Routes 75 and 275. The immediate environs of the Fermi 2 site are illustrated in color infrared in Figure 3-3. Cover types delineated for this specific area are matched with the imagery on overlay and described in Table 3-2. 3.2 _ VEGETATION STRESS Forty-six discrete areas of apparent vegetation stress were recorded during 1987, totalling 176 acres or about 0.7 per cent of the Fermi 2 survey area (Table 3-3). The comparable figures for 1983 and k -1980, the two most recent years of record, are 198 and 335 acres tespectively. The stressed areas for all three years are shown on the cover-type map (Figurc 3-1, see back pocket). For the same reason that soil samples were taken where the environment showed least sign of recent disturbance, notice of stress symptoms, was confined to naturally vegetated areas. The difficulty of f determining causes of stress in cultivated vegetation can be seen in Figures 3-4 and 3-5, which illustrate contrasting states of poor and ( good health respectively in two soy fields, with nothing more to separate tha crops than a secondary road, and no apparet reason for the difference. In addition to natursi variables like soil and microclimate, consideratice of crop stress requires knowledge of the seed stock, time of planting, cultivation schedule, fertilizer and blocido applications etc. A further reason for disregarding crop stress is that soy and corn are species whose growth habits frustrate accurate photointerpreta-rion (Shipley 1979). In soy, stress effects show up first in the lower, older leaves, which are hidA n from above by a comparatively healthy, 12 f
j
~
-.h 6$# : ( M mare ' ~'
?$M '
- 2A' , ,; ,S'-[ '
f
^
*' .a *
- 4 i
- g. - 2 f - ,
~,e
~
s
, 1
\~.
- sf' 4 g- .
g .. .
' . . . s ,
" 4' '},.
4 . -h g % .
' ^ *
>f
_ .!j'
~
e .4
,- . -,;; }' Air, ,_- ; + v k ,
f , i,; !. l f '
.' r t{bf. .. -'sf ]a ',
. g
. . , ,* , ql' .- , f :p e.p e :
l , .. ),. . d ' l .' : s f' :c. D,[ :: ; v S *- s h,- -
; g)
..- - . . p, ,
%, , [4 a y
.# }' yl:' ' }
i p-
. $0 -i
(< , J
- ' .1' <
; M- l g .
*e .
.s
-- l w.
.N
\ . ' .. . . .
. ; ;;,v Q *:i'* .,, y . g'
' +'j 'y y (? l i . ,
+ . .
- [, ,?. ./ '.1- ,
, . h,' '
\
e' -
) .
4 .. , l l Figure 3-3. Color infrared photograph of the Feeni 2 Site, showing generating station, cooling towers, and cover typ: areas, August 1987. (See Figure 31 or Table 31 for explanation of cover types). 13
TABLE.3-2. ESTIMATED HORIZONTAL ACREAGE FO?. EACH COVER TYPE IN FE'JfI 2 SITE AREA, AUGUST 1987. CODE LAND USE/ LAND COVER TYPE 1983 (acres) 1 Deciduous Forest 10 Lowland Hardwoods 153 TOTAL 153-l 2 Wetlands t 2A Marshland Meadow 8 l 2B Shallow Marsh 44 2C Deep Marsh 8 TOTAL 60 3 Inactive Land 3A Early Successional 100 3B Advanced Successional 32 3C Transitional 29 TOTAL 161 4 Water 344 8 Industrial 190 10 Barren Land 38 TOTAL 946 14
~
n - - TABLE 3-3.
SUMMARY
T YEGETATION STRESS AREAS TRRYfD WITHIN 2 EERMI 2 SURYEY AREA.1125T 1987. l COVER NUMEER TCTAL STRESSED IDCATION TYPE & AREAS ACRES PLAFIS SYMP H S P20BABLE CAUSES & STRESS IE 1A 2 4 Eardwoods Early color Midsummer drought, road salt contamination 2C 35 2 3 Eardwoods Early color Hidsummer drought 2C 3B 1 1 Hardwoods Early color Hidsummer drought, road salt contamination 2H IC 4 24 Hardvou's Early color Long-tern late-level rise 2H IC 1 1 Eardwoods Early color, leaf loss Long-tera lake-level rise l 3B 3C 1 1 Eardutxxis Early co?or Midsummer drought 3B 1A.3A 1 5 Hardwoods Early color Hidsummer drought l 3C IB 2 2 Eardwoods Early color ."icsummerdrought
" IB 3D + 7 Hardwoods Early color Midsummer drought 3! IB 1 1 Hardwoods Early color Midsummer drought aggravated by exposure 3G IC.2B 1 7 Hardvoc45 Early color, leaf loss 'eng-term lake-level rise 3H 2B 1 6 Dockweed Chlorosis Ss.ner lake-level fall 3H 2B 1 27 Duckveed Chlorosis Summer lake-level fall I Hardwoods Early color Long-tern lake-level rise 4A 1A 1 1 Eardwoods Early color Midsummer drought aggravated by ex;osure 4B 1A 1 2 Hardwoods Early color Midsumsk.r drought. road salt contamination 4F IC 2 21 Bardwoods Early color Long-term lake-level rise
- - n . - -
TABLE 3-3. Continued. CDVER NtMBER TOTAL . M, IllCATION TYPE T AREF.T ACRES FIJ.MTS SYMMutS PRGIABLE CA!!SES & STRESS 4G IC 2 4 Hardwoods Early color Midsm eer drought inc. Cotton-vood 4G IC 1 3 Bardvoeds Early mlor Long-ters lake-level rise 4G 1A 1 2 Bardwoods Early color Midiar drought 4G 9 1 1 Eardwoods Early color Mid:aaser drought 5A 1A 1 1 Hardwoods Early color Midr4 er drought aggravated by exposure SB 1A 1 2 Hardwods Early color Midsummer drought, road salt contamination SE IC 4 16 Rardva t Early color Imag-ters lake-level rise EE IC 2 6 Harduoods Early mlor Impeded drainage 6E IC 2 10 Hardwoods Early color Long-tern lake-level ri:e 7A 3C 1 1 Bardwoods Early color Midsummer drought 7B IA 1 6 Eardwoods Early color Midsummer drought 7D IC 1 2 Silver saple Early color Long-tern I de-level rise 7E IC 1 5 Hardwoods Early color Imag-tern lake-luel rise 8B 9 1 2 Bardwaads Early color, leaf loss leng-ters lake-level rise TOTAL 45 176
)
l i O
_. . . - - . _ - . . . .- . - _ ~ _ _ . . _ . - . . - . _ . . . . - . - . _ - _ - _. _.. . _. - .- .. Y ' ,, - /
/ / ~
,Y
- ?
. - +f f' 4 i
N . s
- ~
9 -- , _ {.
'il
;N -
gg - . .. . ,- n,.- . g W --**t*'" " 2 . f l l
' ' w.
&? ,..
. hEMINMf-t .~
l Figure 3-4. Soy bean cultivation showin ' stress, east of North Dixle Ili hway near Femil Drive. l i i i l . l . i
~ . . .
w -e s. .
.5 . . , .,. ' .. . . . ,
~ '
l I" : ~ .5? -
~"
- .s - . . . . -i
.' ^
. . . c N . . > . -
4 < - . . . ,
* .......;- .5
'( .tk ! h.l..',.' '9y , - ..
e* r' '
, a .
.. ), [
3
. , ; =
,.-. .,..,g p.
.,'.c
. 9L ,.,.,
.. , .. s
.,e,
' ,;;pff '/ Q' h'.(' ,
?.,. .'
..# :". _'- s 2 . 7.,l,: . j ". ..,
- x. .' ., ., '
W - W % r* A t. $ i .
, 'h. 4J'.+: 1[ .
Figure 3-5. Soy bean cultivation in good condition, west of North Dixic liighway near Fenni Drive. 17
L-overspreading crown. In corn, stress effects become increasingly pronounced as they accumulate towards the end of the growing season. Howevtr, this is also the time when the tassels ripen and change from green to brown, thus causing the photointerpreter to confuse their natural senescence with the untimely yellowing and browning of the leaves. 3.2.1 Physical Factors At least some of the crops, especially the corn, did appear badly stressed, presumably :.ne result of the severe midsummer drought. The overall yield of crops for Monroe County was 25%-30% below average in 1987, although worst in the central and westtrn parts of the county (Marks 1988). Precipitation during July, the hottest month, was below the proximal 10-year mean by 31% in Detroit, by 49% in Toledo (National Climatic Data Center 1987). Moderate precipitation was recorded throughout the summer at Monroe just south of the survey area, but away from the immediate lake shore drought conditions prevailed. Em pite the relief of above-average rainfall in August, some damage had evidently been done. This was indicated by the extent of early autumn color and leaf scorch in various woody species. These drought-related stress effects were widely distributed, with no pattern that could be associated with cooling tower emissions. The most f pronounced effects appeared where plants were already predisposed to stress by virtue of location or age. Examples include roadside trees and shrubs with maximum exposure to wind and sun, and in sorae cases salt-laden runoff; hedgerows with similar exposure amid open fields; and densely grown saplings and pole-size trees competing for soil space i primarily in the upper (drier) portion of the root zone. Two dogwood species (Cornus anomum ob1/qua and C. racemosa) were everywhere turning k crimson in exposed sites, and with them, to a lesser extent, hawthorn (Crecaegus spp.) was yellowing. Among mature trees cottonwood (Populus deltoldes) had yellowed and even lost some leaves in relatively dry ( 18
( locations. Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) showed occasionally severe leaf l necrosis in a pattern typical of drought stress (Figure 3-6). On the water, a lake-level decline of about six inches during the 1987 growing season caused svme leaf scorch to lotus (Nelumbo lutea) as the stiff-stemmed leaves became expM ed (Figure 3-7). The floating duckweed mat (Lemnaceae) was adversely affected also, wherever the recession of water left it stranded and bleaching. Separate from the stress effects of the 1987 midsummer drought are the long-term stress effects associated with more than a decade of generally rising lake water. This trend affects woody species most noticeably. As relatively long-lived perennials they cannot shift populations fast enough to keep pace with the shifting water level, as the herbaceous wetland communities do. One of the major constituents or' secondary-growth lowland forest bordering the lake is burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa). Very few members of this species can survive longer than two years of continuous root submersion (Teskey and Hinckley 1978). Another member of this community, swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), dies out after three years of such treatment. Even the flood-tolerant green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) can survive no more than four years (Ibid.). C.'carly, as the lake rises trees around its edge have experi-enced stress that varies with the duration and frequency of flooding. Since the rise is gradual and seasonally fluctuating, trees may experience many years of slow decline. One of the principal manifestations of this f decline (before actual death occurs) is early leaf color. Red and silver maples (Acer rubrun and A. saccharinum) turn bright red and gold (Figure 3-8), white and green ash (Fra inus americano and F. pennsylvanica) purple and yellow-green respectively. To illustrate the effectiveness of color infrared imagery in identifying stress, an individual tree was photographed on the ground as well as from the air. The two images may be compared in Figures 3-9 and 3-10. The loss of green pigment corresponds with a commensurate reduction s
_.._..._-_____..____7______________..__ , l l l l I l i l {k -
,,.}
f g' ' g A e
.. f/ N .
. .- . .x ; ~
~ ..
,y
\ Yr. ~ , *
]* +
4-. i j , ,
- l 4
( \
~.
A 'M ...s - g l l l Figure 3 6, Swamp White Oak showing drought stress symptoms: Necrosis spreading from leaf tip and margin, secondary vein chlorosis; located about 3 miles , nonheast of Fermi 2. l i 1 ' I 20 l l
- l i
l l l l i !, -
, s t I .? [ [ .- - d'tj j
- .m.1
$k,t, . , , , -w -W- *cru._ww
,-s. .,
w,w .m. .
=- .:FM
&G= 1 un ,
I s 1 l i l l 1 I Figure 3 7. Slight le.if scorch in Lotus following six inch decline oflake level, , located at Stony Point, ! 21 r
i i 1 l 1 1 i l ! s' .m
^-
?
*g;.eg; ; . 5 ,; < ,
g
.tp.'p.'gi;,'iri g .
~.
3.tu;f '~;-y ( l,: .,j'y I
, - ( ,s,; ' { ,; . ; ~
! S-
'. I ' .
s > j
>'9
. ),
y .. %c.' ;- - - , -
,s 5 ' '. 1 s . ' . 'z '\.
L ( .. a 3~ . t l v
~
,s ) ); , ~.k: %
.s-3.s
~ -
.. \ .
\
.. \
l l 1 I i I l Figure 3 8. Early autumn color in Red and Silver Maples under stress from long term rise in lake level, loated at Stony Point. i I 22
j*.h -
/ T* .hN j '
.- 7:'?'yt . , \ - f f.' v .' . , . & '
Q f ',[.$;d-{f.f ., L
&'.! N k .
x , . N4b T4
. K 3.V . % mg , , ..
'f:,',.f. h ? _ Kl$t;.y y [; g p . -
.g .1 .. y -
py 7.n.f%y.77. 4.y... sn n.
- N.p.y , . .es,,. .
g N. s -hkU) . -ryI',
%.h" . . $ ^*).%y. J N $,4 k
': .5 $
k ? 44 s v.%Q V R y, g.g 3.&j4
?:$,; g- g -;., ;j. j q ~ q A.?W1,@g;. ,.%*y .; . ~-
.*. r,,f j:.I (, g
;Kp.N :s . y i.; L
.- -y;-
- L, w w.
;l ... %. l: Y -?,.. . k..:~. f.h h. ?.f.
-. +
ff,.l {L$ pas.. f g~fllkji Q , .l'; $ ' :.-l 4 ,
.y,-}&.....h5W *f
^
., .. . . ~ - . .
....: su
- . -. e ,..mmah.
Figure 3-9. Natural-color close-up view of the same Green Ash specimen shown in Figure 3-10. g.-
' ' R .$ . ..; if . yp.,
j: j [gg .,
.. g.l3 qg w: ,g. yl 3 ..e 17 7 y _ j ~,
.s s -
- k. . , , ;. s. ., .
'w. ~.. ; . 3..g.. . , e .
o .. u,g.b.. %k .g. f.. 9 .+ n-o q, t h .. >+ . .. - . wer , g. e
. .s..
,e-
-1 ' '
l
% f f.ff w
.'.Y 3., -
- .2. .
F _{ w N 3l l d f k ..77
.;. 7'.'-> 4 .
. ; _*;L
. s
'% 3
_b-
~,,'s., -
p m \x +1., g g -$"'. . M ' g.
'. .):;
; . , . . . , . .. , y"r.n g, *
,%.,,. '_-). ,/ &r,.,.Q .o. - ,, y 1f,c ey; , .y . .
44 %
- . 19.>
f./. L , :tw. s.
, ,,Lg - 4 .-
.- c
+
4 f ' ,,j, .,%, .
.g ,, -J.m - ..
.. s ; 4* . v. ' . . ,
. q 9 y; i.
i f. g). . L, 3~9:, ;?', s.. (,$, % , ,._. ,g uLg_yc :o& . Figure 3-10 Infrared aerial siew, of Green Ash under stress from lon; term nse in lake level, located at Mouillec Creek, West Jefferson As enue. (White arrow locates l specimen, on island at w aters edge) 23
in infrared reflectance. *the result on color infrared film is a fading of the bright red hue to a "washed-out" pink. More extensive effects of the same nature may be noted in Figure 3-11. Entire acres of woodland are ri.owing stress from the incursion of lake water. Color infrared tones range here from the relatively slight symptoms betokened by pink through orange, magenta and the ultimate whiteness of death. These effects were recorded over five miles to the northeast of the cooling towers. Similar effects are to be observed along the shore within the site boundary, as well as an equal distance of shoreline to the south. 3.2.2 Biotic Factors Although the mild winter did encourage an increase in crop pests (Marks 1988), biotic factors appear not to have caused noteworthy stress in natural vegetation during the 1987 growing season. Undoubtedly such chronic ailments as Dutch Elm Disease remained active in the area as hitherto reported (TI 1980). However, organisms capable of significant irruptions, like the fall wetworm moth (#yphantria cunea), were conspicuous by their absence. The only incidence of webworm noted was photographed (Figure 3-12). 3.3 CROP SURVEY The mapped results of the 1987 crop survey are shown in Figure 3-13 (see map in second back pocket). Acreage figures by crop type are given in Table 3-4. As expected following implementation of the Set-l Aside Program, the type that includes fallow increased both proportionally and in absolute size from its 1983 level. Compared with the 1983 survey, I there is a relatively small discrepancy between the figure given here (13,607) for total cropland measured directly and that for total cropland plus unidentified residual acreage (14,902) described in Section 3.2. 24
a --wa,_m-a m._-^sm,a nsma e Lm---+-mmmm. mm&a--m-v-41mam,*-Ase rk--A=4mm nJmm-. W "=A=== Amu kaman=1--mA%= nas ala b m.-3 4AJ.l.-uA.A sakun -'L----Lm m-M.mSI-l.A54 -m1- ==-Ama- anA a 4 4 4 Q s ,,
/ ,
4 s gy n
% gy 1 , .
as ' 3
/) .
- t. . 4 l 5 <-
en
'. ' 8a
- ' > - n.
na s e,*e t. 4 e se g-Z
, s .
l :. >f '., . " .k , :- -
;
- g p5:
B .g y ' h _ .,;, .,f \ r ~4 $9%'%t ' , ., 1 ' 2m
' U v . ,.-._
fc. $o- s.M t S. ~8 '
- y. g 4. , g .8 6
. ,_ e = .8 E,d{
4, ,\ .. .. .
- M- . os '
- x. -
.h> dw 3 h- i <-
s U S't; . .. 0 l.t H: N:r .c
\, r
. . 5.
r L T ev c2n
.- uH
, [
k' g - % * - s, e er > %.
- s. .5 U 8".E a
. .- ..y ,.e "5 .
e a
-A w y
; '}
44
+' , !
y '
., - - s . .
, , -. N
- 9
. ,' N. - - ,
l s,'
. s r ,
s .
4 , - . E , b l 25 f f
I
\
'}\
I\--L f
\;..v_.. * .s
'
- 1L 4
h fI 7 7
",' ' 1,! .%, g.t:f,, J.JIg o f' . .;N\\% \ ~
.~ !
2 , 2
. i..
, f s ,. <
Y' l e I
', i
.* kl:1: k lM r. 1s.:tp:$*h'ir).- ..
,h,
' . .:. . - w, c
>>,e. p-t .. \ m' .' f..,h..+ . . -
-n4 4' , *>
,. g.;
. , = wf k-a l ; h.f*'
.f, Nk '
f ll]k /> F'j;l li}hq ~~, 3 ' ? " h .' '
- y . >;, - ..
1 I l t i i ( Figure 3-12. Fall Webwonn infestation of willow,lo:ated at Stony Paint. i a l___ _ _ _ _ - - - - . - - _ _
TABLE 3-4.
SUMMARY
OF 1987 CROP SURVEY. CROP TYPE TOTAL ACRELGE PERCENT OF TOTAL i Hay, other grass crops,. 5,143 37.8 pasture and fallow 1 Soybean 4,997 36.7 Corn, all varieties 2,002 14.7 Earth, plowed or bare 1,465 10.8 l 1 TOTAL 13,607 100.0 i
}
t 27
t 3.4 SOIL DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYTIC RESULTS i Soils selected for sampling belong to the Lenawee and the Toledo series, both silty clay loams with reduced drainage. These two soil series have many properties in common (NAI 1983). Both soils are very fine grained, level, and quite wet, with r;ottles in the subsoils. The land capability classification of Lenawee soils is IIW; that of Toledo soils IIIW. These correspond to moderate and severe limitations, respectively, that reduce the choice of crop plants due to wetness, or that require conservation practices. They are derived from lacustrine deposits of meltwater from the Wisconsin glaciation (SCS 1981). The soils were formed when fine particles, carried by the-continental glacier, settled in still, ponded water. These soils are typically aderlain by bedrock of limestone, dolomite, and gypsum, which helps to buffer the soils and provide dissolved ions of calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Hg 2), bicarbonate (HCO3 ) and sulfate (SO 4 ' ) in the surface and groundwater (NUS Corporation 1974). J Results from the sample analyses varied little from those of 1983 (Table 3-5). The pH values ranged from 6.4 to 7.95, or slightly acidic to slightly basic. These values conform with typical pH levels - in soils derived from limestone (7.5 to 8.0) and gypsum (6.0 to 7.0). Five of the six values for conductivity showed an increase l over those of 1983. The one decreased value was insignificant (262 to 240), in the zone of least expected impact, while the biggest increase was almost twofold (394 to 710) in the zone of expected intermediate impact. However, all these values aro nell below the level (2,000 to 4,000 pmho/cm) where stress may become apparent in the most sensitive crops durl'ng a drought year (Figure 3-14). The widely recognized threshold of salinity is 4,000 pahos/cm (Richards 1954). 28 j
TABLE 3-5. EAN YALI!ES* FOR SOIL PARAETERS FRON EACE SAELIE STATION. 1983 DATA IX F41ErfMESES. FilnTECTE3 DISS(LYED SOLIDS PERCENT WATER-TM.F rnrFlffRATIONS IN ag/kg DEPOSITION ORGANIC SAMPLE RATE (lh/aclyr) C0EUCTIVITT IIISS W CE[lEtIDE
- 10. DURIIC FLArf OPERATION SOIL Tff; pH umbo /cm IGNITION CALCJgM Ca SWE@
SO CL 4 1 less than .1 Toledo 7.6 240 12.8 21.2 16 3.4 (7.33 (262) (13.0) (4.7) (35.5) (15.4) 2 Less than .1 Toledo 6.9 339 15.25 31.6 .9 5.1 (6.8) (170) (14.5) (3.3) (9.7) (4.9) 3 Cr. thaa .5 Lenawee 6.5 325 13.95 46.55 102 4.1 m (7.1) (227) (16.1) (4.3) (E) (4.3) 5 .1 to .5 Lenavee 7.95 710 7.25 63.1 72.5 8.05 (7.7) (394) (8.4) (8.0) (5.2) (3.8) 7 Cr. than .5 Toledo 6.95 297.5 14.05 36.0 45.5 3.6 (6.9) (244) (15.1) (4.5) (23.5) (4.6) 8 .1 to .5 Toledo 6.4 222.5 13.7 12.35 41 2.65 (6.6) (216) (14.1) (3.8) (7.3) (4.9)
*Mean based on two replicates per station. Soil types based on SCS mapping. .
Sampling stations 4 and 6 were not used. E - none detected (less than 0.5 mg/kg).
CROP PLANT RESPONSE TO SALINITY
- A B C D E,
/ _
b v) o.s I - ! 100 SAYURATX)N PERCENTAGE Y _ a , <
~
l . h, u
/ -
, $ / _ h c.2 0'1
/ s _
o 4 000 s.000 12.000 16.000 > 16.000 CONDUCTIVITY OF SATURATION EXTRACT (Micrombos/cm at 25'C)
*A. Negligible Effects on Yields B. Restricted Yields of Only Very Sensitive Crops C. Restricted Yields of Many Crops D. Restricted Yields of All but Tolerant Crops E. Satisfactory Yield of Only a Few very Tolerant Crops I
l l i Figure 314. Relation of the percent salt in the soil to the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract and to crop response (in the conductivity ranges designated by letters A, B, C, D, E), (These ranges are related to crop response by salinity scale, after Richards,1954, p. 9). 30
Results for percent organic content agreed closely with the corresponding 1983 values for each sample station. Four were within one percent of their 1983 counterparts. The biggest variation, a decrease of 2.15% organic matter, occurred in the zone of highest expected impact. Of the three water-extractable inorganic ions analyzed (calcium, sulfate and chloride), the last is most stressful to plant life and demands the closest watching. No significant change in chloride levels is indicated by the data for 1987. In fact, four of the six mean chloride values (mg/kg) fell, the highest in 1983 (15.4) to the next-to-lowest in 1987 (3.4). Overall variability was less in 1987, with a range of 2.65 to 8.05. Samples from the predicted zone of maximum impact were lower in 1987. Sulfate values varied widely in 1987, as they had in 1983, probably owing to the inclusion of poorly distributed gypsum fragments in the mineral soil. Calcium varied more than it had in 1983 (a range of 50.75 versus 4.7), and the values were consistently higher by a magnitude cf 10. The possibility of experimental error cannot be ruled out, especially in the absence of correlative changes in conductivity
, and pli.
The above soil analysis is intended as a largely qualitative i adjunct to the primary evidence of plant stress. For rigorous statistical validation of soils data, as many as 80 samples, each in triplicate, have been required to show significance for one parameter at the 5% confidence level in one 1/40-acre plot (Temple et al. 1979). The present method permits efficient scanning of a relatively large area in sufficient detail to detect environmental trends over several years. Considerable variations in one or another parameter in any one year are to be expected, and must be cross-checked against the data for all parameters in other years in order to determine the possible significance. 31
-b
!.5 SIGNIFICANCE 1
An exercise of this nature needs to be kept in perspective. In this' survey, the majority of stress symptoms consisted of relatively slight changes in infrared reflectance (red to pink). These occurred in no pattern that could indicate cooling-tower emissions to be the cause. 1 Other explanations appeared more probable. Figure 3-15 shows the Fermi 2 power plant record of operation. It is evident that prior to the August-September 1987 survey, power was being generated at levels far short of full capacity. The predicted maximum impact of dissolved-solids deposition from the cooling towers has been estimated at about .5 lb/ac/yr. Shipley et al. (1979) estimate i that stress effects on vegetation are not readily discernihie by the best remote-sensing imagery (color infrared) at a deposition rate of less than .9 kg/ha/ day. This figure is the equivalent of about 293 Ib/ac/yr, or nearly 600 times higher than the maximum rate of deposition 1 predicted for Fermi 2. i At the Chalk Point, Maryland power plant, which uses brackish cooling water, no changes in Na and C1 deposition rates above baseline 1 values were detectable beyond about 1.6 km from the drift emission
- source (Mulchi et al. 1982). Other studies indicate that cooling tower drift from saltwater cooling towers apparently does not have a f
- significant environmental impact (Hu et al. 1981). It may be inferred that freshwater drift from Fermi 2, with its burden of relatively 4
innocuous Ca, carbonate and sulfate, would have even less impact. l i The absence of conclusive data is acknowledged in both the above studies. The chronic effects of long-term cooling-tower operation ll are not known (Talbot 1979). Since salts can accumulate in the soil and I affect vegetation over several years, periodic monitoring still may be necessary during the time the power plant runs at full operation levels. f i s l, 32 ~~ - .
ll ll O ., O
= , ' , '
8 1 . > ;_ A , . j. 8 3 - - , ' , 1 1S ., -,. h ;blI 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 o t e l b2 a ri 9 um sr ae eF t m 2 e 2 8 hh ct i hm 6 wo 2 7 r
- gf n
. id re.
ut 6 dts h ir f hme tew E n o oet 5 T A mreg D rwn e i ptl 3 4 fo 1 sio yrc ad d t fn 6 3 foa 2 o l sP rt enr bue 2 mow umo nap
].
7 8 . 1 5 Ui 1 1 3 2 - 1 e r u g i 1 1 F C 8
/
0 1 6 8
/
9 5 8
/
5
- - - - ~ -
5 0 5 0 0 o 3 3 2 2 1 wh J T o$ E o g
~
4.0 REFERENCES
Hu, M.C., Pavlenco, G.F., Englerson, G.A. 1981. Executive summary for power plant cooling system water consumption and nonwater impact reports. United Engineers and Constructors, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Marks, Paul. 1988. pers. com., Agricultural Agent's Office, Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service, Raisinville Township, MI. Mulchi, Charles L. , Armbruster, J. A. , Wolf, D.C. 1982. Chalk Point: a case study of the impact of brackish-water cooling towers on an agricultural environment. J. Environ. Quality 11:(2)212-220. NAI. 1983. Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit II (Fermi 2) Remote Sensing and Vegetation Ground Truth Program 1983 Final Report. Normandeau Associates Inc., Bedford, NH.
. 1984. Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit II (Fermi 2)
Remote Sensing and Vegetation Ground Truth Program -- Four-year Summary Report. Normandeau Associates Inc., Bedford, NH. National Climatic Data Center. 1987. Local Climatolo31 cal data for Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Toledo Express Airport and Raisin River, Monroe. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. NUS. 1974. The 1973-1974 Annual Report of the terrestrial ecological studies at the Fermi site. Prepared for Detroit Edison Co., Detroit, MI. NUS Corporation, 1910 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA. Richards, L.A. ed. 1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. USDA Handbook, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. SCS. 1981. Soil Survey of Monroe County, Michigan. U.S. Department of - Agriculture and Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. Shipley, B.L., Pahwa, S.B., Thompson, M.D., Lantz, R.B. 1979. Remote sensing for detection and monitoring of salt stress on vegetation: evaluation and guidelines. Final Report prepared for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission by INTERA Environmental Consultants, Ir.c. Houston, TX. Talbot, J.J. 1979. A review of potential biological impacts of cooling tower salt drift. NAS, 2101 Constitution Ave., Washington, D.C. Atmospheric Environment 13(3):395-405 34
I Temple, Patrick J. and Wills, Roneld. 1979.' Sampling and analysis of plants and soils. In Methodology for the Assessment of Air Pollution Effects on Vegetation, ed. W.W. Heck et al., Air Pollution Control Association. Teskey, Robert O. and Hinckley, Thomas M. 1978. Impact of water level changes on wood, riparion and wetland communities, Vol. IV: Eastern Deciduous Forest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harpers Ferry, West VA. TI. 1978. Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit 2 (Fermi 2) Remote Sensing and Vegetation Ground Truth Program. Final Report, March 1979. Texas Instruments, Inc., Ecolog ;al Services, Dallas, TX.
. 1980. Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit 2 (Fermi 2)
Remote Sensing and Vegetation Ground Truth Program. Draft Report, November 1980. Texas Instruments, Inc., Ecological Services, Dallas, TX. 35 J
) - r OVERSIZE DOCUMENT .
PAGE PULLED - ! SEE APERTbRECARDS NUMEER OF OVERSIZE PAGES FILMED O A ERTURE CARDS i - E o r APERTURE CARD /HARD COPY AVAILABLE FROM RECORD SERVK:ES BRANCH,TIDC
}- FTs 432-sess l"
L - [ r
!}}