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Nuclear Plant Overwhelmed by Jellyfish Again
Newser • • world
Key Points:
- The Gravelines nuclear plant in France was forced to shut down three reactors and reduce a fourth to 50% capacity due to a mass of jellyfish clogging its seawater intake for the second consecutive year.
- EDF reported that "several dozen tons" of jellyfish jammed the cooling system, causing the shutdown on August 10, following a similar incident on August 11 last year.
- Preventive measures including fishing boats and cameras were deployed to manage jellyfish swarms, but the recent influx overwhelmed these efforts despite prior investments.
- Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of jellyfish swarms to climate change factors such as warming seas and overfishing of natural jellyfish predators.
- Greenpeace France criticized the incident, stating it highlights the nuclear plants' inadequate preparedness for climate change impacts.
