Latest news with #AäronFabricedeKisangani
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Swarm of jellyfish overwhelms nuclear power plant, causes several reactors to shut down — here's what happened
Swarm of jellyfish overwhelms nuclear power plant, causes several reactors to shut down — here's what happened A swarm of jellyfish has forced the partial shutdown of one of Europe's largest nuclear power plants, according to The Weather Channel. While officials stressed that the situation posed much more of an inconvenience than a threat to public safety, the circumstances highlighted the impact that wildlife can have on human infrastructure. It also cast a spotlight on how rising temperatures on land and in the world's oceans are altering human-wildlife interactions. What's happening? Four of the six nuclear reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear power plant were shut down after an intake pipe used to draw water for cooling from a canal became clogged with jellyfish, Reuters reported. At full capacity, the plant is capable of producing 5.4 gigawatts of electricity, according to Reuters. This makes it the largest nuclear plant not only in France but in all of Western Europe, per Islander News. The plant's nuclear reactors are cooled using water from a canal that connects to the North Sea. Over the weekend of August 9-10, currents drew a swarm of English barrel jellyfish into the canal, where they likely got stuck in the suction of the cooling system's water intake, according to Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani, a citizen scientist who spoke to Reuters. Barrel jellyfish are the largest jellyfish in the United Kingdom, capable of reaching nearly 3 feet in diameter and weighing over 150 pounds, per The Wildlife Trusts. Fabrice de Kisangani, the citizen scientist, told Reuters that warmer ocean temperatures potentially led to a larger-than-usual bloom of jellyfish, while warmer temps also allowed the jellyfish to remain in the area for later into the year than formerly was possible. After the jellyfish were cleared from the intake pipes, officials planned to bring the nuclear reactors back online one at a time over the following week, per Reuters. Why do jellyfish clogging a power plant matter? While government officials have emphasized that the situation posed no risk to the public or the environment, the circumstances highlight the impact that rising temperatures on land and in the sea are having on human-wildlife interactions. Would you feel safe living close to a nuclear power plant? Absolutely It's not my first choice Depends on how close No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As Fabrice de Kisangani pointed out, English barrel jellyfish are native to the North Sea, but warmer weather may have resulted in larger-than-usual jellyfish blooms and the animals staying in the area later in the season. The situation highlighted how rising global temperatures have been changing wildlife behavior around the globe, leading to potential conflicts between humans and animals. While barrel jellyfish are native to the North Sea, rising temperatures on land and in the ocean have fueled the spread of dangerous invasive species, as well. Invasive species outcompete local species, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. Even native species remaining in certain regions longer than usual during the year can have unforeseen consequences, as the barrel jellyfish have demonstrated. What's being done about rising ocean temperatures? As global temperatures rise, 90% of that extra heat is absorbed by the world's oceans, causing the water temperature to increase drastically, according to NOAA. The resulting increase in water temperatures disrupts important ocean currents, fuels the spread of invasive species, and contributes significantly to sea-level rise through a process known as thermal expansion. In order to reverse this trend, it is necessary to drastically reduce the amount of heat-trapping pollution entering the atmosphere. To make a difference at the political level, you can use your voice to support political candidates who share your policy priorities. Taking things a step further, you can reduce heat-trapping pollution directly by driving an EV or installing solar panels on your home. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
The Advertiser
12-08-2025
- Science
- The Advertiser
Jellyfish-hit French nuclear site faces delayed restart
Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear plant will return to operation throughout the week, slightly later than initially planned, EDF data indicates after they were forced offline by a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and is cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The first reactor, unit 6, is expected to restart on Tuesday, and then one reactor is expected to come back online each day until all four have returned to service on Friday, EDF data suggested. The original plan was for all four to restart on Tuesday. EDF did not give a reason for the delay, although France is in the midst of a heatwave that is creating challenges for many nuclear cooling systems. Its data showed the first reactor had still not restarted by midday on Tuesday. The whole Gravelines plant was temporarily halted on Monday after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm of jellyfish got into the cooling systems, EDF said. Four reactors were taken offline while the other two were already undergoing planned maintenance. They were English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging species that can grow up to 90 centimetres across, said citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani. The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbour and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters, Aaron said. Higher average sea temperatures this year could cause larger jellyfish blooms, he added, noting that jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters. This is not the first time that jellyfish have disrupted nuclear plants. Scotland's Torness faced similar problems in 2011 while Gravelines itself was disrupted in 1993. Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear plant will return to operation throughout the week, slightly later than initially planned, EDF data indicates after they were forced offline by a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and is cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The first reactor, unit 6, is expected to restart on Tuesday, and then one reactor is expected to come back online each day until all four have returned to service on Friday, EDF data suggested. The original plan was for all four to restart on Tuesday. EDF did not give a reason for the delay, although France is in the midst of a heatwave that is creating challenges for many nuclear cooling systems. Its data showed the first reactor had still not restarted by midday on Tuesday. The whole Gravelines plant was temporarily halted on Monday after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm of jellyfish got into the cooling systems, EDF said. Four reactors were taken offline while the other two were already undergoing planned maintenance. They were English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging species that can grow up to 90 centimetres across, said citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani. The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbour and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters, Aaron said. Higher average sea temperatures this year could cause larger jellyfish blooms, he added, noting that jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters. This is not the first time that jellyfish have disrupted nuclear plants. Scotland's Torness faced similar problems in 2011 while Gravelines itself was disrupted in 1993. Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear plant will return to operation throughout the week, slightly later than initially planned, EDF data indicates after they were forced offline by a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and is cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The first reactor, unit 6, is expected to restart on Tuesday, and then one reactor is expected to come back online each day until all four have returned to service on Friday, EDF data suggested. The original plan was for all four to restart on Tuesday. EDF did not give a reason for the delay, although France is in the midst of a heatwave that is creating challenges for many nuclear cooling systems. Its data showed the first reactor had still not restarted by midday on Tuesday. The whole Gravelines plant was temporarily halted on Monday after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm of jellyfish got into the cooling systems, EDF said. Four reactors were taken offline while the other two were already undergoing planned maintenance. They were English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging species that can grow up to 90 centimetres across, said citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani. The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbour and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters, Aaron said. Higher average sea temperatures this year could cause larger jellyfish blooms, he added, noting that jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters. This is not the first time that jellyfish have disrupted nuclear plants. Scotland's Torness faced similar problems in 2011 while Gravelines itself was disrupted in 1993. Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear plant will return to operation throughout the week, slightly later than initially planned, EDF data indicates after they were forced offline by a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and is cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The first reactor, unit 6, is expected to restart on Tuesday, and then one reactor is expected to come back online each day until all four have returned to service on Friday, EDF data suggested. The original plan was for all four to restart on Tuesday. EDF did not give a reason for the delay, although France is in the midst of a heatwave that is creating challenges for many nuclear cooling systems. Its data showed the first reactor had still not restarted by midday on Tuesday. The whole Gravelines plant was temporarily halted on Monday after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm of jellyfish got into the cooling systems, EDF said. Four reactors were taken offline while the other two were already undergoing planned maintenance. They were English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging species that can grow up to 90 centimetres across, said citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani. The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbour and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters, Aaron said. Higher average sea temperatures this year could cause larger jellyfish blooms, he added, noting that jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters. This is not the first time that jellyfish have disrupted nuclear plants. Scotland's Torness faced similar problems in 2011 while Gravelines itself was disrupted in 1993.
Perth Now
12-08-2025
- Science
- Perth Now
Jellyfish-hit French nuclear site faces delayed restart
Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear plant will return to operation throughout the week, slightly later than initially planned, EDF data indicates after they were forced offline by a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and is cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The first reactor, unit 6, is expected to restart on Tuesday, and then one reactor is expected to come back online each day until all four have returned to service on Friday, EDF data suggested. The original plan was for all four to restart on Tuesday. EDF did not give a reason for the delay, although France is in the midst of a heatwave that is creating challenges for many nuclear cooling systems. Its data showed the first reactor had still not restarted by midday on Tuesday. The whole Gravelines plant was temporarily halted on Monday after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm of jellyfish got into the cooling systems, EDF said. Four reactors were taken offline while the other two were already undergoing planned maintenance. They were English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging species that can grow up to 90 centimetres across, said citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani. The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbour and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters, Aaron said. Higher average sea temperatures this year could cause larger jellyfish blooms, he added, noting that jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters. This is not the first time that jellyfish have disrupted nuclear plants. Scotland's Torness faced similar problems in 2011 while Gravelines itself was disrupted in 1993.
West Australian
12-08-2025
- Science
- West Australian
Jellyfish-hit French nuclear site faces delayed restart
Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear plant will return to operation throughout the week, slightly later than initially planned, EDF data indicates after they were forced offline by a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and is cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The first reactor, unit 6, is expected to restart on Tuesday, and then one reactor is expected to come back online each day until all four have returned to service on Friday, EDF data suggested. The original plan was for all four to restart on Tuesday. EDF did not give a reason for the delay, although France is in the midst of a heatwave that is creating challenges for many nuclear cooling systems. Its data showed the first reactor had still not restarted by midday on Tuesday. The whole Gravelines plant was temporarily halted on Monday after a "massive and unpredictable" swarm of jellyfish got into the cooling systems, EDF said. Four reactors were taken offline while the other two were already undergoing planned maintenance. They were English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging species that can grow up to 90 centimetres across, said citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani. The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbour and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters, Aaron said. Higher average sea temperatures this year could cause larger jellyfish blooms, he added, noting that jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters. This is not the first time that jellyfish have disrupted nuclear plants. Scotland's Torness faced similar problems in 2011 while Gravelines itself was disrupted in 1993.
