Science Questions

Can unusual fish live in power station outlets?

When a power station has an outlet into the sea, I've heard that you can get colonies of fish that wouldn't otherwise be in the area. Are their certain breeds of fish that like to hang around near nuclear power stations? Bernie

The water coming out of a nuclear power station should be identical to that coming out of a normal power station, but it would be nice warm water.  Chris used to sail near the outlet of a power station and found the water so warm it was like a bath!  Because this water is so warm, they've found fish around UK power stations that you would normally find in the Mediterranean, which wouldn't survive a winter otherwise.  Also, the warm water encourages other marine species that the fish can feed on.

September 2007