Nuclear plant struck by jellyfish (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A nuclear power plant in Japan was forced to lower the output of its reactors after jellyfish blocked a filter in a seawater cooling system.

Power from two reactors at Chubu Electric Power Co's plant in Hamaoka had to be reduced after the water intake system shut down automatically.
***
"It's the first time we have had to lower power output because of jellyfish," a company spokesman said. {DUH!}
***
Recently, giant jellyfish have been a problem for fishing and coastal communities on Japan's west coast.

The government has been looking at measures to deal with the creatures, worried about their potential impact on local economies.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5197846.stm



And the sudden outbreak of jellyfish is believed to be due to ... global warming!

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3126

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/19/giant_jellyfish_in_j.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/560070.stm

[DYouth]

1. Well see 'dem brits believe in dat global warming mumbo jumbo nt

[dave502d]

2. No fish to eat them.n/t

[NNadir]

3. Just what we need. Giant mutant jellyfish.

We once had a poster here at DU who swore that the decline of Northeast Lobsters was because of Millstone 1.

This event should cause every giant mutant Jellyfish - especially the type who eat Tokyo - to be blamed on the power plant.

This reminds me: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x45248

[bloom]

4. One POV - blames a dam in China

for the increase in jellyfish in the area:

From June 12th-

China Dam Blamed For Surge In Jellyfish

Researchers in Japan have concluded that a surge in the number of giant jellyfish off the Japanese coast is a result of a hydropower dam in China.

The Mainichi Daily News reported that researchers from Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies have suggested that construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China, the world's largest hydropower dam, is responsible for the explosion of the jellyfish population. The jellyfish have a negative effect on the Japanese fishing industry.

Nomura jellyfish, typically found in Japan, measure up to one meter in diameter and can weigh as much as 200 kilograms.

One of the breeding areas for the jellyfish is near the mouth of the Yangtze River, near Shanghai. Construction of the dam is thought to have reduced the production of silicon, which is necessary for the breeding of phytoplankton, the newspaper said.

Researchers plan to examine the relationship between the dam construction and the jellyfish over the next three years.

http://www.playfuls.com/news_001250_China_Dam_Blamed_For_Surge_In_Jellyfish.html


More stories:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5311834