Chloramide

Biological effects monitoring

Administrative data

Endpoint:

biological effects monitoring

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

This study meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment. It was well documented: experimental material and method and results were well described. This study fulfills the requirements of French authorities. This study is considered as reliable without restrictions.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2012

Materials and methods

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Environmental risk is assessed by using long-term in situ results provided by the ecological monitoring surveys.
Each year, regulatory ecological monitoring surveys are carried out at each French NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) in order to assess their influence on the aquatic environment. This monitoring program is established in accordance with authorities (décision ASN n°2009-DC-164 du 17/11/2009).
The data acquired are used to describe any potential evolution of the aquatic ecosystem in the vicinity of nuclear sites and to highlight any changes in the environment that may arise from plant operation (including the use of monochloramine as disinfectant in opening cooling systems)

.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Chloramide

EC Number:

234-217-9

EC Name:

Chloramide

Cas Number:

10599-90-3

Molecular formula:

ClH2N

IUPAC Name:

chloranamine

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

The long-term monitoring results indicate that discharges from French NPPs (including monochloramine discharges) does not have any impact on the structure of the various biological communities or on the physico-chemical parameters of the river water.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The long-term monitoring results indicate that discharges from French NPPs (including monochloramine discharges) does not have any impact on the structure of the various biological communities or on the physico-chemiccal parameters of the river water.

Executive summary:

The report presented in this section concerned the nuclear site of Chooz (as exemple) but similar reports are available for all the other NPP (Dampierre, Saint-Laurent, Chinon, , Nogent, Bugey and Golfech).

Environmental risk is assessed by using long-term in situ results provided by the ecological monitoring surveys.

Each year, regulatory ecological monitoring surveys are carried out at each French NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) in order to assess their influence on the aquatic environment. This monitoring program is established in accordance with authorities, and is performed by external agencies (e.g., scientific organizations, specialist environmental consulting firms), with the publication of a summary report being sent to the authorities.
The data acquired are used to describe any potential evolution of the aquatic ecosystem in the vicinity of nuclear sites and to highlight any changes in the environment that may arise from plant operation (including the use of monochloramine as disinfectant in opening cooling systems).  

The monitoring of aquatic environment is carried out on :

•      Physicochemical parameters (including those which most influence the ecosystem function :pH, temperature, oxygen rate, suspended matter, nutrients);

•      Biological compartments related to the ecological status (for example: benthic fauna, diatoms, fish).

Sampling stations are located both upstream and downstream of the nuclear sites, in accordance with the reproduction and/or the development periods of fauna and flora, in order to take into account seasonal variations.

 

The ecological monitoring programs at Dampierre, Saint-Laurent, Chinon, Chooz, Nogent, Bugey and Golfech NPPs involve sampling the main biological compartments (phytoplankton, zooplankton, diatoms, benthic invertebrates, fish...) at stations located both upstream and downstream of the NPP.
The long-term monitoring results indicate that discharges from French NPPs (including monochloramine discharges) do not affect the structure of the various biological communities.Therefore, the environmental risk related to the useof monochloramineas a biocide in cooling towers is controlled.

The results and the conclusions of the ecological monitoring performed on all the other NPP are similar of those obtained on the nuclear site of Chooz. All the reports conclude that the NPP and more specifically the water releases of the NPP in the rivers (including monochloramine) have not impact on the ecological equilibrium of the river.