A French nuclear power plant was shut down due to a swarm of jellyfish clogging its cooling systems. The Gravelines nuclear power plant, one of France’s largest facilities, halted production after massive and unpredictable jellyfish filled the filter drums of its pumping stations.
The safety of staff, facilities, and the environment were not impacted, according to Reuters. The North Sea water used by the plant is home to several species of jellyfish, which can be carried ashore by undertow currents during offshore winds.
Jellyfish have been breeding faster due to warmer waters, said U.S. marine biologist Derek Wright of NOAA. “Areas like the North Sea are becoming warmer, and the reproductive window is getting wider,” he noted.
The increased jellyfish population also raises concerns about pollution in the area. The British Natural History Museum linked oil and gas extraction to pollution, causing natural food webs to break down and leading to a simpler ecosystem.
Despite the shutdown, no safety issues were reported, and the plant’s cooling systems are currently being cleaned.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/nuclear-plant-coastal-waters-shut-down-over-massive-jellyfish-swarm