IMPACT OF THE IGNALINA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ON THE DRUKSIAI COOLER-LAKE

Conflicts between nature protection and natural water resources exploitation arise only when intensive use of water recourses provokes stress in water ecosystems. In water management it is very important to define the ecological and human carrying capacity of water ecosystems. Determination of indicators helps to do this. That was one of the goals of the "Integrated Water Management" pilot study. Since 1984 the biggest Lithuanian Druksiai Lake has started to serve as a cooler for the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP). The INPP operation has disturbed the natural hydrological and hydrothermal regime causing intensified evaporation and exerting impact on the lake hydrochemical properties. The above mentioned effects have led to irreversible changes in the unique lake ecosystem. The aim of this case study is to evaluate the changes in the lake ecosystem due to the impact of the nuclear power station. Water temperature is determined as an indicator of the effects in the lake ecosystem.