Information Notice 1989-76, Biofouling Agent: Zebra Mussel
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON* D.C. 20555
'November 21, 1989, NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-76: BIOFOULING AGENT: ZEBRA MUSSEL
Addressees
All holders'of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power
reactors.
Purpose
This information notice is intended to alert addressees to potential problems
related to biofouling of service water and cooling water systems that may
result from a recently identified biofouling agent, Dreissena polymompha
(zebra mussel). It is expected that recipients will review the ifnformation
for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as this appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in information
notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or
written-response is required.-
Discussion:
The potential for biofouling has been of concern to the NRC since 1980heat because
sink.
biofouling can compromise the vital transfer of heat to the ultimate Af- The NRC issued Generic Letter (GL) 89-13, "Service Water System Problems
fecting Safety-Related Equipment," on July 18, 1989, requesting licensees to
adopt either the specific recommended surveillance and control procedures course
delineated in the generic letter or an equally effective alternativesystems.
of action for preventing biofouling of their nuclear service water
This aspect of the generic letter presents the results and recommendations were
from an NRC research program initiated in 1982 when biofouling agents
noted to clog service water systems. The principal biofouling agents noted
in the generic letter were Corbicula fluminea (Asiatic clam) Crassostrea 1986,Tthe
virginica (American oyster)', and14ytius edulis (blue mussel5.lIn was small,
'nmbr fT nuclear power plants directlyaffected by these agents
but by 1984 the infestation by these aquatic bivalves had spread to a large
portion of the United States.
of a
The following information about the zebra mussel is taken from the abstractRelia- System
paper given at the Electric Power Research Institute Service Water 6-8, 1989.
bility Improvement Seminar at Charlotte, North Carolina, on November
The paper is entitled, "The Zebra Mussel, Dreissena Polymorpha (Pallas, 1771),
in North America: Impact on Raw Water Users." The authors are R. W. Griffiths, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontario, Canada; W. P. Kovalak, Detroit
Ed a ayimndD. W. Schloesser, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
911150012 ZXP
IN 89-76 November 21, 1989 "The zebra mussel, Dreissena pokmorpha (Pallas), is a small mollusc native
to the Black, Caspin, and Azov Seas that was discovered in Lake Erie of the
Laurentian Great Lakes of North America in 1988. The mussel raises immediate
concerns for raw water users because it can obstruct the flow of water through
pipes, hoses, screens, and condensers when it occurs in substantial numbers.
Biofouling attributed to this mussel was observed at several power plants, water treatment plants, and processing and industrial facilities along Lake
Erie in 1989. At one power plant, densities as high as 700,000 per m2 were
observed in the intake canal in August. In addition, large numbers were found
in main steam condensers and in the service water system threatening operation
of cooling, fire protection, and dust suppression systems. Intakes of munici- pal water supplies along the Canadian and the United States shorelines have
also been impaired. In one southeast Michigan city, drinking water withdrawal
from Lake Erie was reduced 45% by the mussel."
The geographical area of immediate concern for this source of potential bio- fouling is along the Great Lakes and major tributaries and canals. This
potential is the subject of an international conference at Rochester, New York, on November 28 and 29, 1989. Additional information on the meeting may be
obtained from Charles R. O'Neill, Jr., of New York SeaGrant at (716) 395-2638 or Don W. Schloesser of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (313) 994-3331.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
you have any questions about the information tn-this nottce,--please contact--
the technical contact listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contact:
C. Vernon Hodge, NRR
(301) 492-1169 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
I 4 -
Attachment
IN 89-76 S November 21, 1989 -
LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
,. .
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
89-75 Falsification of Welder -11/20/89 All holders of OLs
Qualifications for or CPs for nuclear
Contractor Employees power reactors.
89-74 Clarification of Trans- 11/7/89 All manufacturers
-portation Requirements and distributors of
Applicable to Return of radiopharmaceuticals
Spent Radiopharmacy Dosages for medical use, from Users to Suppliers nuclear pharmacies, and medical licensees.
89-73 Potential Overpressurization 11/1/89 All holders of OLs
of Low Pressure Systems or CPs for nuclear
power reactors.
89-72 Failure of Licensed Senior 10/24/89 All holders of OLs
Operators to Classify or CPs for nuclear
- 4*..a a _ -.
-Emergency-Events Properly power reactors.
89-71 Diversion of the Residual 10/19/89 All holders of OLs
Heat Removal Pump Seal or CPs for nuclear
Cooling Water Flow During power reactors.
Recirculation Operation
Following a Loss-of- Coolant Accident
89-70 Possible Indications of 10/11/89 All holders of OLs
Misrepresented Vendor or CPs for nuclear
Products power reactors.
89-69 Loss of Thermal Margin 9/29/89 All holders of OLs
Caused by Channel Box or CPs for BWRS.
Bow
89-68 Evaluation of Instrument 9/25/89 All holders of OLs
Setpoints During or CPs for nuclear
Modifications power reactors.
89-67 Loss of Residual Heat 9/13/89 All holders of OLs
Removal Caused by or CPs for PWRs.
Injection
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
- , , - 'WN
k , %
IN 89-76 November 21, 1989 "The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas), is a small mollusc native
to the Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas that was discovered in Lake Erie of the
Laurentian Great Lakes of North America in 1988. The mussel raises immediate
concerns for raw water users because it can obstruct the flow of water through
pipes, hoses, screens, and condensers when it occurs in substantial numbers.
Biofouling attributed to this mussel was observed at several power plants, water treatment plants, and processing and industrial facilities along2 Lake
Erie in 1989. At one power plant, densities as high as 700,000 per m were
observed in the intake canal in August. In addition, large numbers were found
in main steam condensers and in the service water system threatening operation
of cooling, fire protection, and dust suppression systems. Intakes of munici- pal water supplies along the Canadian and the United States shorelines have
also been impaired. In one southeast Michigan city, drinking water withdrawal
from Lake Erie was reduced 45% by the mussel."
The geographical area of immediate concern for this source of potential bio- fouling is along the Great Lakes and major tributaries and canals. This
potential is the subject of an international conference at Rochester, New York, on November 28 and 29, 1989. Additional information on the meeting may be
obtained from Charles R. O'Neill, Jr., of New York Sea Grant at (716) 395-2638 or Don W. Schloesser of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (313) 994-3331.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact
the technical contact listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contact:
C. Vernon Hodge, NRR
(301) 492-1169 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
- SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR CONCURRENCE
- OGCB: DOEA:NRR *RPB:ARM *C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR *SPLB:NRR . <
CVHodge TechEd CHBerlinger JWermeit o -0
11/09/89 11/09/89 11/09/89 11/14/89 11/j5789
-
IN 89-XX
November xx, 1989 plants, and processing and industrial facilities along Lake Erie in 1989. At
one power plant, densities as high as 700,000 per m2 were observed in the intake
canal in August. In addition, large numbers were found in main steam condensers
and in the service water system threatening operation of cooling, fire protection, and dust suppression systems. Intakes of municipal water supplies along the
Canadian and the United States shorelines have also been impaired. In one south- east Michigan city, drinking water withdrawal from Lake Erie was reduced 45% by
the mussel (Griffiths, R. W., Kovalak, W. P., and Schloesser, D. W., "The Zebra
Mussel, Dreissena Polymorpha (Pallas, 1771), in North America: Impact on Raw
Water Users," Electric Power Research Institute Service Water System Reliability
Improvement Seminar, November 6-8, 1989).
Of major immediate concern is the potential fouling of water intake structures
in municipal, industrial, and power generation facilities. Fouling can result
in major flow restrictions. The geographical area of immediate concern is along
the Great Lakes and major tributaries and canals. This potential is the subject
of an international conference at Rochester, New York, on November 28 and 29, 1989.
Additional information on the meeting may be obtained from Charles R. O'Neill, Jr.,
of New York Sea Grant at (716) 395-2638 or Don W. Schloesser of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service at (313) 994-3331.
The NRC issued GL 89-13 to resolve service water system problems affecting
safety-related equipment. GL 89-13 includes resolution of Generic Issue 51, Improving the Reliability of Open-Cycle Service Water Systems." Modes of
failure of the service water system addressed in the generic letter include
flow blockage from biofouling, sedimentation, and corrosion agents. To deter- mine appropriate surveillance and control measures for biofouling agents, all
species that may potentially cause flow blockage problems were included in the
scope of GL 89-13, which was not restricted to certain biospecies. The surveil- lance and control programs established in response to GL 89-13 are expected to
be sufficient to keep any blofouling agent, including Dreissena polymorpha, from
becoming a safety concern.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact the
technical contact listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contact:
C. Vernon Hodge, NRR
(301) 492-1169 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
- SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR CONCURRENCE
- OGCB:DOEA:NRR *RPB:ARM *C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR SPLB:NRR D/DOEA:NRR
CVHodge TechEd CHBerlinger JWermeil CERossi
11/ /89 11/ /89 11/ /89 11/14/89 I1/ /89
IN 89-XX
November xx, 1989 industrial, and power generation facilities. Fouling can result in major flow
restrictions. The geographical area of immediate concern is along the Great
Lakes and major tributaries and canals. This potential is the subject of an
international conference at Rochester, New York, on November 28 and 29, 1989.
Additional information on the meeting may be obtained from Charles R. O'Neill, Jr.,
of New York Sea Grant at (716) 395-2638 or Don W. Schloesser of the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service at (313) 994-3331.
The NRC issued GL 89-13 to resolve service water system problems affecting
safety-related equipment. GL 89-13 includes resolution of Generic Issue 51,
"Improving the Reliability of Open-Cycle Service Water Systems." Modes of
failure of the service water system addressed in the generic letter include
flow blockage from biofouling, sedimentation, and corrosion agents. To deter- mine appropriate surveillance and control measures for biofouling agents, all
Mollusca species that may potentially cause flow blockage problems were includ- ed in the scope of GL 89-13, which was not restricted to certain biospecies.
The surveillance and control programs established in response to GL 89-13 are
expected to be sufficient to keep any biofouling agent, including Dreissena
polymorpha, from becoming a safety concern.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact the
technical contact listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contact:
C. Vernon Hodge, NRR
(301) 492-1169 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
OGCB:DOEA:NRR RPB:ARMfmv C/O 'B:DOE:R D/DOEA:NRR
CVHodge TechEd CHBerlinger CERossi
11/Oi/89 11/01/89 11// /89 11/ /89