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.