Potential environmental impact of tidal energy extraction in the Pentland Firth at large spatial scales : results of a biogeochemical model

Molen, J Van Der, Ruardij, P and Greenwood, N (2016) Potential environmental impact of tidal energy extraction in the Pentland Firth at large spatial scales : results of a biogeochemical model. Biogeosciences, 13. pp. 2593-2609. ISSN 1726-4189

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Abstract

A model study was carried out of the potential large-scale (> 100 km) effects of marine renewable tidal energy generation in the Pentland Firth, using the 3-D hydrodynamics–biogeochemistry model GETM-ERSEM-BFM. A realistic 800 MW scenario and a high-impact scenario with massive expansion of tidal energy extraction to 8 GW scenario were considered. The realistic 800 MW scenario suggested minor effects on the tides, and undetectable effects on the biogeochemistry. The massive-expansion 8 GW scenario suggested effects would be observed over hundreds of kilometres away with changes of up to 10 % in tidal and ecosystem variables, in particular in a broad area in the vicinity of the Wash. There, waters became less turbid, and primary production increased with associated increases in faunal ecosystem variables. Moreover, a one-off increase in carbon storage in the sea bed was detected. Although these first results suggest positive environmental effects, further investigation is recommended of (i) the residual circulation in the vicinity of the Pentland Firth and effects on larval dispersal using a higher-resolution model and (ii) ecosystem effects with (future) state-of-the-art models if energy extraction substantially beyond 1 GW is planned.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 7 - affordable and clean energy,sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/affordable_and_clean_energy
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Collaborative Centre for Sustainable Use of the Seas
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	11 May 2016 16:00
Last Modified:	22 Oct 2022 01:08
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/58663
DOI:	10.5194/bg-13-2593-2016

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