Effects of thermal, chemical, and radiological emissions on Whitefish

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McMaster University, the University of Regina and Bruce Power have partnered together to study the biological effects of thermal, radiological, and conventional stressors on lake (Coregonus clupeaformis) and round (Prosopium cylindraceum) whitefish. The research will provide Bruce Power Inc with necessary information to assess whether whitefish embryos and juveniles are sensitive to thermal and multi-stressor emissions from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development (BNPD). BNPD has CANDU nuclear power reactors that use once-through cooling; large volumes of lake water cool the turbine hall and warm water is discharged back into Lake Huron. The thermal plume may contain trace amounts of radioactivity and/or chemicals (morpholine or hypochlorite) to mitigate biofouling from invasive mussel species. Once-through cooling has been a concern because the thermal plume may impact species of ecological, economic and cultural importance. The over-arching objective of this research will be to determine whether combinations of thermal, radiological and conventional emissions can significantly affect whitefish embryos (survival, development) and juveniles. In addition, we seek to understand the significance (genetic diversity and mixing) of spawning aggregations that use habitat potentially affected by the BNPD. The research will identify potential impacts and contribute to appropriate mitigation strategies and has broad impacts for industries that use once-through cooling. Lake and round whitefish represent an important commercial and cultural resource for aboriginal groups including First Nations and Metis. Whitefish are an ecologically important, cold-water adapted fish that could be sensitive to elevated temperatures. Fundamental and applied research will be performed in three theme areas: (1) the effects of elevated temperature and thermal shocks on whitefish, (2) the effects of multiple stressors (chemical, thermal and radiological) on whitefish, (3) genetic and population-based studies to understand the underlying population structure and habitat use of whitefish near the BNPD.