Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods

The cooling water intake systems of coastal nuclear power plants are frequently clogged by marine organisms in the water intake area. This study uses hydroacoustic (BioSonics DT-X, 199 kHz) and trawling methods (20 mm codend mesh size) to research fish spatiotemporal dynamics. Species composition, s...

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Main Authors: Zuli Wu, Yunpeng Song, Guoqing Zhao, Yongchuang Shi, Yumei Wu, Shengmao Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/987
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author Zuli Wu
Yunpeng Song
Guoqing Zhao
Yongchuang Shi
Yumei Wu
Shengmao Zhang
author_facet Zuli Wu
Yunpeng Song
Guoqing Zhao
Yongchuang Shi
Yumei Wu
Shengmao Zhang
author_sort Zuli Wu
collection DOAJ
description The cooling water intake systems of coastal nuclear power plants are frequently clogged by marine organisms in the water intake area. This study uses hydroacoustic (BioSonics DT-X, 199 kHz) and trawling methods (20 mm codend mesh size) to research fish spatiotemporal dynamics. Species composition, seasonal variations in fish abundance, and target strength were analyzed. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between water depth and resource density. Significant differences in fish abundance and biomass density were observed among seasons and stations. An analysis of dominant species showed that the IRI (index of relative importance) of <i>Collichthys lucidus</i> was highest in February 2023 (5736.54), while <i>Harpadon nehereus</i> had the highest IRI in November 2023 (2309.17). The distribution and abundance estimates of dominant species from acoustic surveys and biological trawling were highly consistent, demonstrating the applicability and reliability of hydroacoustic methods in fish resource assessments. Through the identification of dominant species as well as the distribution patterns of fish within the water intake area, valuable data support can be provided for the confirmation of those organisms that are prone to clogging the cooling water source. Moreover, it lays a solid foundation for the development of relevant protection work.
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spelling doaj-art-8c6e11a4e5264eb99c1565122dc5592a2025-08-20T03:06:27ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-03-0115798710.3390/ani15070987Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl MethodsZuli Wu0Yunpeng Song1Guoqing Zhao2Yongchuang Shi3Yumei Wu4Shengmao Zhang5Key Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaKey Laboratory of Fisheries Remote Sensing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, ChinaThe cooling water intake systems of coastal nuclear power plants are frequently clogged by marine organisms in the water intake area. This study uses hydroacoustic (BioSonics DT-X, 199 kHz) and trawling methods (20 mm codend mesh size) to research fish spatiotemporal dynamics. Species composition, seasonal variations in fish abundance, and target strength were analyzed. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between water depth and resource density. Significant differences in fish abundance and biomass density were observed among seasons and stations. An analysis of dominant species showed that the IRI (index of relative importance) of <i>Collichthys lucidus</i> was highest in February 2023 (5736.54), while <i>Harpadon nehereus</i> had the highest IRI in November 2023 (2309.17). The distribution and abundance estimates of dominant species from acoustic surveys and biological trawling were highly consistent, demonstrating the applicability and reliability of hydroacoustic methods in fish resource assessments. Through the identification of dominant species as well as the distribution patterns of fish within the water intake area, valuable data support can be provided for the confirmation of those organisms that are prone to clogging the cooling water source. Moreover, it lays a solid foundation for the development of relevant protection work.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/987resource densityacoustic assessmentdominant speciesspatiotemporal distribution
spellingShingle Zuli Wu
Yunpeng Song
Guoqing Zhao
Yongchuang Shi
Yumei Wu
Shengmao Zhang
Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods
Animals
resource density
acoustic assessment
dominant species
spatiotemporal distribution
title Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods
title_full Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods
title_fullStr Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods
title_short Assessment of Fish Biomass and Distribution in a Nuclear Power Plant’s Water Intake Zone Using Acoustic and Trawl Methods
title_sort assessment of fish biomass and distribution in a nuclear power plant s water intake zone using acoustic and trawl methods
topic resource density
acoustic assessment
dominant species
spatiotemporal distribution
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/987
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