Scientists monitor the construction zone of the nuclear power plant

Russia and Egypt have signed an agreement in which scientists of TSU's Biological Institute will monitor the Mediterranean Sea in the area of construction of the first Egyptian nuclear power plant "El-Dabaa". The researchers will assess the man-made load on the sea ecosystems, so that understanding the load will help to make operational decisions for maintaining the natural balance in the construction zone of a large technical facility.

In mid-September, Biological Institute scientists completed another part of research that was conducted in the Mediterranean Sea near the atomic power station construction zone. A group of six people, including experts in ichthyology and hydrobiology, conducted an analysis of samples taken at sites agreed with the customer. Selection of the hydrobiological material was carried out by the diving club SKAT, which simultaneously conducted underwater photography and video shooting.

- The list of works has included the study of phyto- and zooplankton, benthic organisms, and ichthyofauna,- says Danil Vorobiev, director of the Biological Institute. - Daily dynamics and stratification of phyto- and zooplankton were studied. Bottom sediments reflect low biomass indicators at survey sites, so plankton organisms are an important component of the fodder base of fish. A high degree of anthropogenic load can lead to reduction in the biodiversity of the ichthyofauna in this area of the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore monitoring is an obligatory component of maintenance of works during the construction and operation of the facility.

Also, the TSU scientists conducted an analysis of the species diversity of fish, which will help control the stability of various species during technogenic impact. They investigated the examples of ichthyofauna caught by the staff of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Alexandria, Egypt).

Provided by Tomsk State University