The Biology of Garveia Franciscana and Potential Options to Limit Impacts of Cooling System Fouling
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Ref. No. [UMCES]CBL 2014-017 The Biology of Garveia franciscana and Potential Options to Limit Impacts of Cooling System Fouling August 2014 Prepared for: Calvert Cliff Nuclear Power Plant Questions and comments should be directed to: Dr. Mario Tamburri Maritime Environmental Resource Center Chesapeake Biological Laboratory University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science PO Box 38 / 146 Williams Street Solomons, Maryland 20688, USA Email: [email protected] Table of Contents Page No. 1. Background and Objectives ...........................................................................................1 2. Garveia franciscana Biology .........................................................................................1 2.1. Background ...........................................................................................................1 2.2. Life History ...........................................................................................................2 2.3. Tolerances .............................................................................................................3 3. Limiting Impacts on Cooling Pipe Fouling ...................................................................5 3.1. Problem Statement ................................................................................................5 4. Water Treatment ............................................................................................................5 4.1. Biocides ..................................................................................................................6 4.2. Physical Disinfection ............................................................................................9 5. Coatings .......................................................................................................................10 5.1. Biocide Coatings ..................................................................................................10 5.2. Biocide Free/Non-Toxic Coatings .......................................................................13 5.3. Summary .............................................................................................................17 6. Mechanical Approaches ...............................................................................................17 6.1. Online ..................................................................................................................17 6.2. Offline ..................................................................................................................19 6.3. Debris Filters .......................................................................................................21 6.4. Summary ..............................................................................................................22 7. Combination Approaches .............................................................................................22 8. Case Studies ................................................................................................................23 8.1. Surry Nuclear Power Plant and G. franciscana ..................................................23 8.2. Biofouling and its Control in Power Plant Cooling Water Systems ....................25 9. References ...................................................................................................................28 ii MERC ER02-14 1. Background and Objectives On October 11, 2013, staff from Constellation Energy Group and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) met to discuss an ongoing problem that Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant (CCNPP) is experiencing resulting from colonization and growth on intake pipes by the rope grass hydroid (Garveia franciscana) (Torrey 1902). Large colonies of this hydroid form on intake pipes of the CCNPP cooling water system, potentially reducing flow of cooling waters and periodically but unpredictably breaking loose, clogging filter screens and impacting pump performance. This hydroid from the family Bougainvillidae is a common fouling organism and a widely distributed non-native or invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. Based on discussions between Constellation and CBL staff, it was agreed that the first step in addressing this issue would be a review of existing information and options. This report completes Task 1.1 – A review of the biology, life history and physiological tolerances of G. franciscana, and Task 1.2 – A review of three potential categories of approaches for controlling or minimizing impacts G. franciscana cooling pipe fouling: (a) water treatment, (b) pipe coatings, and (c) mechanical control. Based on this information, recommendations on additional experiments, testing and trial applications will be made. 2. Garveia franciscana Biology 2.1. Background Garveia franciscana (commonly known as the rope grass hydroid) is a colonial marine hydroid (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Anthomedusae, Bougainvilliidae), and a very common sessile organism in temperate and subtropical estuaries (Thompson 1993). Hydroids are a class of marine invertebrate, closely related to sea anemones and corals, which are often mistaken as seaweeds when attached and growing to hard substrates such as rocks and pilings (Figure 1). Some have branching stems and others just have simple stalks. a. b. Figure 1. Photos of Garveia franciscana : a. (Fofonoff et al. 2003) and b. (Zammit et al. 2013). The native range of G. franciscana is unknown; however, it is suggested that the species has native populations in both India/Indian Ocean and East Brisbane/Queensland/Brisbane River, Australasia (Fofonoff et al. 2003). This hydroid exhibits broad tolerances to environmental 1 MERC ER02-14 conditions (Table 1) and has proliferated as an invasive species in many areas. It is known to be present in Europe, the Black and Azov Seas, West Africa, India, Australia, California (San Francisco Bay in 1901), the Atlantic coast of North America, the Gulf of Mexico, Panama, and South America. G. franciscana is most successful under estuarine conditions, and is capable of surviving in both tropical and temperate climates (Vervoort 1964; Figure 2). Table 1. Environmental Tolerances of Garveia franciscana. See Davidson et al. (2007) and Fofonoff et al. (2003) for more details and additional experimental references. See Thompson (1993) for estuarine field and laboratory studies (James River, VA). Parameter Maximum Minimum Optimal Water Temperature (°C) 30 - 35 0 - 12 10 to 32 Salinity (ppt) 23 – 35* 0 – 1* 5 to 25 Reproductive Temperature (°C) 34* 9* 15 to 32* Reproductive Salinity (ppt) 25 5 10 to 15 * Experimental Figure 2. Range of Garveia franciscana taken from NEMESIS Bioregion Distribution (Fofonoff et al. 2003). 2.2. Life History Hydroids use stinging cells to stun their prey (zooplankton and epibenthic animals), and tentacles transport the food in the mouth and down to the interconnected branches where it is digested and distributed to the colony (Lippson and Lippson 2006). Most hydroids reproduce through gonophores (reproductive polyps) that produce microscopic free-floating hydromedusae. The hydromedusae produce planula larvae (flattened, ciliated, bilaterally symmetrical larvae) that eventually settle onto hard substrate to form the hydroid colony. G. franciscana lacks a hydromedusae stage and reproduces sexually using gonophores. Male and female gonophores are born on separate colonies (Vervoort 1964). Eggs are fecundated in situ (one egg in each female gonophore) and develop into a complete planula inside the gonophore. The fully developed planula leaves the gonophore after rupture of the peridermal 2 MERC ER02-14 covering. Planula larvae then settle onto hard substrate and eventually produce a mature hydroid colony. Planula settle and attach to a variety of solid substrates (stones, wood, rope, concrete). After attachment, growth is vertical to help facilitate feeding, and then becomes horizontal as the colonies spread (Vervoort 1964, Stone and Webster Engineering Corp. 1992). Colonies become reproductive 19-27 days after planula settlement (Turpayeva et al. 1976, Stone and Webster Engineering Corp. 1992). Evidence suggests that G. franciscana’s growth rates are dependent on food supply and environmental conditions such as water temperature and salinity (Vervoort 1964, Calder 1990). In temperate latitudes, reproduction has been observed from June to September as long as temperatures remained above 14 °C (Schuchert 2007). Individual colonies grow from about 1-10 cm and often twist themselves into ropes over 30 cm high (Schuchert 2007, Lippson and Lippson 2006). In the Chesapeake Bay, near CCNPP, epifaunal growth plate studies (Cory 1967, Abbe 1987) describe a “yearly climax” community with growth beginning in spring, maximum biomass in summer, a late-summer die-off and little to no growth during the winter months. Hydroids were shown settling from April to June with G. franciscana actively colonizing in July and extremely abundant in September (Abbe 1987). There were a few colony clumps still observed over the winter months. During the summer growth period, colonies measured 50-65 mm in length on monthly panels and up to 80 mm on 3-month panels (Cory 1967). 2.3. Tolerances 2.3.1. Environmental Conditions Both laboratory and field experiments and observations have shown G. franciscana to tolerate exposure to freshwater and survive in salinities up to 35 ppt (Crowell and Darnell 1995, Thompson