Environmental effects of tidal power generating schemes

Summary The Severn Estuary has been proposed as a site for a tidal power generating barrage. The character of the existing environment would be changed but, if the risks of accumulating pollutants and eutrophication can be avoided, the reduction in turbidity and tidal scour could increase species diversity and productivity. The interests of wading birds and wildfowl could be accommodated by special reserve areas. The main unknowns are the hydrographic and sedimentological regimes that would follow construction of a barrage, and prediction of biological changes depends on knowing the physical and chemical nature of the altered environment.     

Tidal Barrages and Birds

This paper reviews the main effects that building tidal power barrages would have on the bird populations using Britain's estuaries. The changes in the tidal prism that would occur after a tidal power barrage is built are discussed in the context of their effect on the ecology of the estuary. Three main issues are discussed; the effect of changes in size and nature of the intertidal areas of the estuary, effects on saltmarshes, and the displacement of birds at closure. Recently, tidal stream technologies have been developed which are individually likely to have small effects on birds. However the cumulative effects of large scale tidal stream arrays need to be investigated. Finally, the effects of tidal barrages are put in the context of Britain's energy policy and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Should tidal power barrages be considered in the future, there will be a need for strategic assessments to be used to select sites that maximize the energy produced while minimizing the impacts on bird populations.     

Rocky shore zonation in the Ranee tidal power basin

Data from a series of rocky shore transects, within the enclosed basin of the Ranee estuary and immediately outside the barrage, describe the distribution and zonation patterns of the intertidal biota, after more than a decade of its regular operation as a tidal power station. In the absence of quantitative pre-barrage information, the distribution of species has been compared with published information on their former extent of penetration into the estuary.     

The biology of the twaite shad, Alosa fallax fallax (Lacépède), in the Severn Estuary

The estuarine biology of the twaite shad was studied in the Severn Estuary. Adults enter the estuary at the start of the freshwater phase of their spawning migration between April and June. Peak immigration generally occurs in May and is associated with temperatures in the range 10.6–12.3°C. The mean (± s.d. ) instantaneous mortality rate for the mature population was 0.53±0.18. The effect of additional mortality on the spawning population was modelled assuming constant recruitment and no density-dependent effects.
Juvenile twaite shad are present in the estuary from July until they emigrate seaward during the autumn. A portion of these fish re-enter the estuary the following April–May and remain until late summer/early autumn before once more migrating seaward.
The 0 + age group feed mainly on harpacticoid and calanoid copepods and mysids, the relative preponderance of these in the diet being apparently related to tidal conditions. The possible implications of the proposed tidal power barrage in the Severn Estuary on the twaite shad population are discussed in relation to movement, diet and additional mortality of the mature population.     

Changes of fish assemblages after construction of an estuary barrage in the lower Nakdong River,South Korea

In the Nakdong River, an estuary barrage was constructed in 1987, and it divided the freshwater and the seawater, resulting in a change in the ecosystem. To estimate the impact of barrage construction on fish assemblages, we evaluated 20 years of monitoring data before and after the construction of the estuary barrage, and evaluated the role of fishways. The barrage construction generated entire changes of fish assemblages. After construction, the number of fish species dropped sharply, and 36 species disappeared. Conversely, 18 species appeared at this site, including eight freshwater species, seven of which were exotic or translocated species. Barrage construction affected freshwater fish more severely than it did estuarine and marine species because of the existence of an estuarine environment below the barrage. We did not detect any evidence of recovery of fish assemblages. A total of 31 species were collected at fishways, and the number of individuals collected at each fishway was positively correlated with the amount of discharge from the estuary barrage, mean daily tide level, and water temperature. Migratory fish using a fishway had obvious occurrence periods. Therefore, the efficiency of fishway use can be increased if an appropriate management plan is prepared and implemented.     

中国栽培糙皮侧耳品种体细胞不亲和性实验与RAPD分析结果的比较

对收集的糙皮侧耳Pleurotus ostreatus19个栽培菌株在贫营养的半PDA培养基中配对进行拮抗线实验,考察其相互间体细胞不亲和性。结果表明,此19个菌株间出现拮抗线的比率是100%,形成的拮抗线类型可分为菌丝集结型(A型)、隔离带型(B型)和暗线型(D型)三类,出现的比例分别是24.9%、23.7%和51.4%。显微观察暗线型拮抗线区域有菌丝自融形成的溶菌沟,另2种拮抗线中没有菌丝自溶。以拮抗线类型分别作为变量进行NTSYS-PC聚类分析,从相似性系数0.48处截断可将其分为3大类,第一类包括802和黑平王等9个菌株;第二类包括苏引6号和江都71等6个菌株;第三类包括夏王40和早秋高丰等4个菌株。应用13条随机引物扩增此19株糙皮侧耳菌株总DNA,共扩增出917条不同分子量的DNA条带。RAPD聚类分析表明,这些菌株的遗传相似性高达85%以上。从相似性系数0.86处截断,也可将这些菌株分为3大类,第一类包括了802和黑平王等17个菌株;第二类仅包括推广一号和夏王40两个菌株;第三类只有831一个菌株。两种方法的聚类分析结果没有相关性。因此,拮抗反应可以作为评价糙皮侧耳栽培菌株之间遗传多样性的方法之一,但与基因组DNA指纹多样性分析结果并不完全吻合,更不能代替分子指纹分析。     

Assessment of a vertical slot fishway in south‐eastern Australia designed to pass numerous species and size classes of fish

In the Barwon River, Australia, a tidal barrage formed a major impediment to fish movement so in 2013 a vertical slot fishway was installed. The assessment of fishways on tidal barriers is rare in Australia so to ensure the fishway was achieving its ecological objective (i.e. successfully passing the target size range of fish of 20–400 mm total length), fish were trapped at the entrance and exit on 12 occasions and the species composition, abundance and length of fish at the two locations were compared. Additionally, a section of the river downstream of the fishway was sampled to ensure fishway trapping accurately reflected the species composition wanting to use the fishway to move upstream. Eighteen species and 69,246 individual fish were caught in the fishway traps. Catch rates between locations did not differ for Common Galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) or Australian Smelt (Retropinna semoni), although species‐specific catch rates were lower at the exit for Flat‐headed Gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps), Tupong (Pseudaphritis urvillii) and Yellow‐eye Mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri). Length distribution between locations only differed for Australian Smelt with small fish under‐represented at the exit location (<25 mm total length). Eight species of fish were collected downstream of the fishway that were not collected in it; however, all of these were estuarine dependent except the non‐native Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio). Our results indicate that vertical slot fishways are a suitable design for improving river connectivity at a low head, tidal barrages in south‐eastern Australia. The study reiterates the importance of reinstating connectivity for species with obligate marine/freshwater migratory life history traits, and the indirect benefits of increased productivity made available to upstream areas.     

Availability of and access to critical habitats in regulated rivers: effects of low-head barriers on threatened lampreys

1.  Conservation of freshwater animal populations requires their access to, as well as sufficient availability of, critical habitats, such as those for reproduction. Abundant small-scale barriers may cause extensive fragmentation of freshwater habitat but, by comparison to larger structures their effects are rarely considered by catchment managers. The relationship between the distribution of, and access to, spawning habitat in a regulated river, characterized by abundant small barriers, was examined for river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis , a threatened migratory fish.
2.  Telemetry of adult lamprey in the River Derwent, North East England was used to quantify upriver migration and access to spawning habitat, together with surveys of spawning habitat availability and spawning activity between 2002 and 2007.
3.  Access in to the Derwent appeared severely restricted by a tidal barrage, beyond which lamprey migrated rapidly in unobstructed reaches. Of all lamprey tagged in the lower 4 km of river, or ascending the barrage, 64% and 17% passed the first and second weirs respectively, with high flows crucial for this. Although over 98% of lamprey spawning habitat occurred more than 51 km upstream, on average just 1.8% of river lamprey spawners were recorded there.
4.  In order to protect or rehabilitate species or species assemblages, greater attention needs to be paid to the relative spatial distribution of low-head barriers and the resultant availability of key habitats within individual catchments. This is particularly important given the renewed emphasis internationally on low-head hydropower solutions as a source of renewable energy, and the rapid growth in numbers of low-head barriers in many catchments.     

Vegetation development on salt-marsh flats after disappearance of the tidal factor

Summary Vegetation succession on the tidal flats of the Middelplaten, isolated from tidal action after the construction of a barrage in 1961, has been studied with cluster analysis. Data of yearly cover-abundance estimates of species over 1963–73 produced from the Big Island have been partitioned at two levels yielding 7 and 17 clusters respectively. Mapping the 17 clusters for the successive years showed pathways in cluster distribution related with the desalinization rate and water relations in the soil. From the cluster transitions three successional lines could be recognized. They represent developments under different environmental conditions in which differences in desalinization rate, water relations and availability of nutrients are deciding.In the whole area of investigation two invasions could be recognized in the period of colonization, one of halophytes, and the other of glycophytes. In the early years the vegetational pattern is mainly temporal, probably related with unidirectional environmental processes and strategies of species. In later years the pattern is mainly spatial, partly due to fossilization of earlier stages of succession for which reduction in availability of mineral nutrients may be responsible.Vegetational diversity expressed in numbers of clusters reaches a maximum about 10 years after the barrage had been constructed. It is suggested that a second period of succession will be initiated by long-term ecological processes, such as humification, decalcification and acidification, in which the vegetation will participate.Nomenclature of vascular plants follows Heukels-van Ooststroom, Flora van Nederland, 19th Ed. Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen, 1977.Contribution to the Symposium of the Working Group for Succession Research on Permanent Plots, held at Yerseke, The Netherlands, October 1975.The authors would like to thank Dr. K. F. Vaas and Dr. A.H.L. Huiskes (Yerseke) for reviewing the English text, and Mr. M.C. Daane and Mr. W. de Munck (Yerseke) for their help in producing the data.Communication Nr. 172.     

Climate change and the green energy paradox: the consequences for twaite shad Alosa fallax from the River Severn, U.K

A stock-recruitment model with a temperature component was used to estimate the effect of an increase in temperature predicted by climate change projections on population persistence and distribution of twaite shad Alosa fallax. An increase of 1 and 2° C above the current mean summer (June to August) water temperature of 17·8° C was estimated to result in a three and six-fold increase in the population, respectively. Climate change is also predicted to result in an earlier commencement to their spawning migration into fresh water. The model was expanded to investigate the effect of any additional mortality that might arise from a tidal power barrage across the Severn Estuary. Turbine mortality was separated into two components: (1) juvenile (pre-maturation) on their out migration during their first year and on their first return to the river to spawn and (2) post-maturation mortality on adults on the repeat spawning component of the population. Under current conditions, decreasing pre-maturation and post-maturation survival by 8% is estimated to result in the stock becoming extinct. It is estimated that an increase in mean summer water temperature of 1° C would mean that survival pre and post-maturation would need to be reduced by c. 10% before the stock becomes extinct. Therefore, climate change is likely to be beneficial to populations of A. fallax within U.K. rivers, increasing survival and thus, population persistence.     

The tidal freshwater reach of the Weser estuary: Riverine or estuarine?

The tidal freshwater reaches of estuaries have received little attention in ecological research although they are often heavily stressed by environmental impacts. We have thus compiled published and previously unpublished data from the Weser Estuary, Germany. Physical, chemical and biological properties are described within the tidal freshwater reach and compared with the upstream (riverine) and downstream (mixohaline) habitats. The tidal freshwater region is different from riverine sites, mainly due to tidally induced physical processes such as prolonged residence time of the water, oscillating water levels and changing current velocities and directions. Distinctions from the mixohaline situation are mainly due to differences in salinity and particulate suspended matter concentration. It is thus possible to define the tidal freshwater reach of the Weser Estuary as a separate biotope with a specific community structure. The phyto- and zooplankton is a mixture of riverine and autochthonous species whereas marine species are almost completely lacking. In the macroinvertebrate component, as well as in the fish community, marine and riverine species are combined with autochthonous species. This is probably typical for the tidal freshwater reaches of many river dominated coastal plain estuaries. We conclude that the tidal freshwater reaches are an important site of physical, chemical and biological processes which may alter riverine input considerably before it reaches the freshwater-seawater interface. For a better understanding of the ecological functioning of estuaries, it is essential to include these areas within estuarine research programmes.     

On the independence of barrage formation and heterokaryon incompatibility in Neurospora crassa

A barrage is a line or zone of demarcation that may develop at the interface where genetically different fungi meet. Barrage formation represents a type of nonself recognition that has often been attributed to the heterokaryon incompatibility system, which limits the co-occurrence of genetically different nuclei in the same cytoplasm during the asexual phase of the life cycle. While the genetic basis of the heterokaryon incompatibility system is well characterized in Neurospora crassa, barrage formation has not been thoroughly investigated. In addition to the previously described Standard Mating Reaction barrage, we identified at least three types of barrage in N. crassa; dark line, clear zone, and raised aggregate of hyphae. Barrage formation in N. crassa was evident only when paired mycelia were genetically different and only when confrontations were carried out on low nutrient growth media. Barrages were observed to occur in some cases between strains that were identical at all major heterokaryon incompatibility (het) loci and the mating-type locus, mat, which acts as a heterokaryon incompatibility locus during the vegetative phase of N. crassa. We also found examples where barrages did not form between strains that had genetic differences at het-6, het-c, and/or mat. Taken together, these results suggest that the genetic control of barrage formation in N. crassa can operate independently from that of heterokaryon incompatibility and mating type. Surprisingly, barrages were not observed to form when wild-collected strains of N. crassa were paired. However, an increase in the frequency of pairings that produced barrages was observed among strains obtained by back-crossing wild strains to laboratory strains, or through successive rounds of inbreeding of wild-derived strains, suggesting the presence in wild strains of genes that suppress barrage.     

Influence of fresh water discharge on nutrient distribution in a macrotidal lagoon,West Sussex,UK

Results of nitrate and phosphate concentrations measured using hand-held ‘Hach’ monitors are presented, both over individual tidal cycles and over longer term deployments at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex, UK. This macrotidal lagoon (offshore tidal range 3.0 m neaps–6.5 m springs) is a site of key importance as a nature reserve and a home for several rare species of plants and animals. In particular, the effects of fresh water-salt water stratification over 4 tidal cycles at two tidal-fresh water boundaries is presented. It is shown that obtaining periodic vertical profile measurements during individual tidal cycles helps to quantify the transport mechanisms of nutrients from the tidal limits into the main body of the lagoon. Of key interest is the interaction between sediment-bound nutrients with the surrounding water in which the sediment is suspended during parts of the tidal cycle. Synthesis of these results with existing knowledge about sediment-water-nutrient interactions reveals how it is possible for nutrients to become trapped at the muddy tidal limits of the lagoon. In certain cases it is shown that nutrient-rich water from fresh water streams only gradually mixes with the denser, salt water of the incoming tide. Whilst a degree of salinity-induced stratification may be expected during the flood tide, these observations suggest that the water column is stratified with respect to both N and P, even well into the ebb tide. Thus at sites where stratification is important, there is a tendency for nutrients to remain preferentially near the water surface, and thus come into contact with fine, less mobile sediments near the surface of inter-tidal zones, which are themselves, in general, accreting. Since the overlying water is generally slow-moving during high water, it is postulated that saline-induced vertical stratification of estuarine water is an important mechanism in promoting nutrient build-up in muddy inter-tidal areas of this kind.     

A Monitoring Protocol to Assess Tidal Restoration of Salt Marshes on Local and Regional Scales

Assessing the response of salt marshes to tidal restoration relies on comparisons of ecosystem attributes between restored and reference marshes. Although this approach provides an objective basis for judging project success, inferences can be constrained if the high variability of natural marshes masks differences in sampled attributes between restored and reference sites. Furthermore, such assessments are usually focused on a small number of restoration projects in a local area, limiting the ability to address questions regarding the effectiveness of restoration within a broad region. We developed a hierarchical approach to evaluate the performance of tidal restorations at local and regional scales throughout the Gulf of Maine. The cornerstone of the approach is a standard protocol for monitoring restored and reference salt marshes throughout the region. The monitoring protocol was developed by consensus among nearly 50 restoration scientists and practitioners. The protocol is based on a suite of core structural measures that can be applied to any tidal restoration project. The protocol also includes additional functional measures for application to specific projects. Consistent use of the standard protocol to monitor local projects will enable pooling information for regional assessments. Ultimately, it will be possible to establish a range of reference conditions characterizing natural tidal wetlands in the region and to compare performance curves between populations of restored and reference marshes for assessing regional restoration effectiveness.     

Low tide distribution of wintering waders and shelduck on the Severn Estuary in relation to the proposed tidal barrage

Waders and shelduck were counted at low tide on 162 sectors comprising 85% of the intertidal area (21 467 ha) of the Severn Estuary on 12 occasions during winter 1987/88. On average, 50% of birds present at low tide utilized just 13 sectors (12% of the area); 90% of birds occurred on only 56 sectors, leaving large expanses of intertidal sand virtually devoid of birdlife. Dunlin, the numerically dominant species, occurred widely on the middle and outer estuary, whereas shelduck predominantly occurred on the outer estuary and redshank around many tributary river mouths. Curlew, the most ubiquitous species, was the only one concentrated on the inner estuary. Severe gales in both late December and mid-January concentrated all main species within fewer sectors, probably by the short-term removal of surface sediment from substantial areas. It is estimated that the proposed tidal barrage would eliminate intertidal areas accounting for between c. 40% (for shelduck and curlew) and 80% (for redshank) of current total low tide usage by the internationally important populations present.     

Is the Variation of the Temperature in an Intertidal Pool Diel or Tidal? A Paradigm for Studying Biological Rhythms in the Tidal Zone

This article analyzes the variations of the temperature recorded in a tidal pool near the half-tide level, in a semilunadian regimen. A model of the temperature variations of the pool, based on diffusional exchange with the sea at high tide and with the air at low tide, shows good agreement with the experimental results. Fourier transform analysis of the variations of the main components of the frequency spectrum during a lunar cycle and for different values of the parameters (temperature variations of the air, level of the pool relative to the tide, exchange coefficients with the air and the ocean) reveals a complex structure. When the tidal component exists, it is stable in power and frequency, but is, in most cases, much smaller than the die! peak. Barring the situations when the tide does not reach the pool for several days, the period of the pool is equal to 24.8 h (the first subharmonic of the tidal frequency), except for the part of the lunar cycle during which the high tide corresponds approximately to the extrema of air temperature: Then the period is lower than 24 h and the power decreases. Overall, the mean period is 24 h, which is coherent with the fact that the driving force of the temperature variations is the sun, while its input in the pool is modulated by the tide. The same results can be applied, with a lesser amplitude of the temperature variations, to larger bodies of water. From these results, it is difficult to decide whether the temperature variations constitute a zeitgeber for circadian or circatidal clocks. The present conclusion is that this parameter seems to be, at best, a very unreliable synchronizer.     

Is the Variation of the Temperature in an Intertidal Pool Diel or Tidal? A Paradigm for Studying Biological Rhythms in the Tidal Zone

This article analyzes the variations of the temperature recorded in a tidal pool near the half-tide level, in a semilunadian regimen. A model of the temperature variations of the pool, based on diffusional exchange with the sea at high tide and with the air at low tide, shows good agreement with the experimental results. Fourier transform analysis of the variations of the main components of the frequency spectrum during a lunar cycle and for different values of the parameters (temperature variations of the air, level of the pool relative to the tide, exchange coefficients with the air and the ocean) reveals a complex structure. When the tidal component exists, it is stable in power and frequency, but is, in most cases, much smaller than the die! peak. Barring the situations when the tide does not reach the pool for several days, the period of the pool is equal to 24.8 h (the first subharmonic of the tidal frequency), except for the part of the lunar cycle during which the high tide corresponds approximately to the extrema of air temperature: Then the period is lower than 24 h and the power decreases. Overall, the mean period is 24 h, which is coherent with the fact that the driving force of the temperature variations is the sun, while its input in the pool is modulated by the tide. The same results can be applied, with a lesser amplitude of the temperature variations, to larger bodies of water. From these results, it is difficult to decide whether the temperature variations constitute a zeitgeber for circadian or circatidal clocks. The present conclusion is that this parameter seems to be, at best, a very unreliable synchronizer.     

The diversity of adult lung epithelial stem cells and their niche in homeostasis and regeneration

Science China Life Sciences - The adult lung, a workhorse for gas exchange, is continually subjected to a barrage of assaults from the inhaled particles and pathogens. Hence, homeostatic...     

Techniques for the objective detection of pattern in chlorophyll samples at different temporal scales: an example using data from Lough Hyne, a seasonally stratified inlet

Chlorophyll concentrations in coastal systems are frequently variable to the extent that identifying the scales where pattern occurs is very difficult. Judgements on the temporal structure of data sets are frequently rather subjective. By examining the temporal structure of chlorophyll variation in Lough Hyne with hierarchical techniques, it was possible to identify the important temporal scales objectively. Suggestions can also be made about appropriate sampling programmes for similar coastal systems. There was significant variation in measured chlorophyll concentrations between seasons and between months within seasons. High chlorophyll concentrations were more likely during spring and autumn, as would be predicted from the seasonal cycle of stratification in the lough. Seasonality could also be detected in the tidal inflow to the lough from adjacent coastal waters. More intensive sampling during the summer did not reveal any temporal structure in surface water samples. However, there were 14 day periodicities associated with measurements of depth integrated chlorophyll, oxygen, salinity, water column stability and attenuation coefficient. It is suggested that these periodicities are consistent with spring neap tidal forcing. No interannual variation in chlorophyll concentrations was detected. Examination of the power in the analysis of variance suggested that the monthly sampling frequency was unlikely to have detected differences of less than 145% between the means of pairs of years. A sampling interval of less than a week would be needed to have confidence in detecting differences of 50% between annual means.     

Simulating the Effects of Sea Level Rise on the Resilience and Migration of Tidal Wetlands along the Hudson River

Sea Level Rise (SLR) caused by climate change is impacting coastal wetlands around the globe. Due to their distinctive biophysical characteristics and unique plant communities, freshwater tidal wetlands are expected to exhibit a different response to SLR as compared with the better studied salt marshes. In this study we employed the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM), which simulates regional- or local-scale changes in tidal wetland habitats in response to SLR, and adapted it for application in a freshwater-dominated tidal river system, the Hudson River Estuary. Using regionally-specific estimated ranges of SLR and accretion rates, we produced simulations for a spectrum of possible future wetland distributions and quantified the projected wetland resilience, migration or loss in the HRE through the end of the 21^st century. Projections of total wetland extent and migration were more strongly determined by the rate of SLR than the rate of accretion. Surprisingly, an increase in net tidal wetland area was projected under all scenarios, with newly-formed tidal wetlands expected to comprise at least 33% of the HRE’s wetland area by year 2100. Model simulations with high rates of SLR and/or low rates of accretion resulted in broad shifts in wetland composition with widespread conversion of high marsh habitat to low marsh, tidal flat or permanent inundation. Wetland expansion and resilience were not equally distributed through the estuary, with just three of 48 primary wetland areas encompassing >50% of projected new wetland by the year 2100. Our results open an avenue for improving predictive models of the response of freshwater tidal wetlands to sea level rise, and broadly inform the planning of conservation measures of this critical resource in the Hudson River Estuary.