Power generation on the british coast: thirty years of marine biological research

Industry-based marine biologists have investigated a wide range of issues relating to coastal power generation since its expansion in Britain in the 1950s. Early fears of wide-scale ecological damage arising from discharge of heated effluent proved to be unfounded. The removals of fish and other natant organisms by cooling water abstraction have also been shown to be of no consequence, either ecologically or to the fishing industry. Biofouling of cooling systems, once a crippling problem for the industry, has been largely brought under control by low-level chlorine application. Marine dumping of coal ash (PFA) is due to cease shortly, and novel opportunities for use of solid by-products for marine habitat enhancement are being investigated. Studies in all areas continue, so that the industry can pursue improving environmental practices