The effect of thermal flow of large power facilities on zooplankton community under subarctic conditions

Subarctic water bodies are extremely vulnerable with respect to changes in the environmental characteristics, including an increase in temperature. The thermal effect of spent waters of power plants in water bodies of the Kola Peninsula was found to cause changes in communities comparable, within certain limits, with the effect of eutrophication. The most informative indices, characterizing the response of zooplankton community to the thermal impact of spent waters of the Kola NPP are determined for the case of Lake Imandra, the Kola Peninsula. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of zooplankton are shown to have some specific features depending on the extent of the thermal pollution of the water body and to adequately reflect the difference between the conditions of zooplankton existence in its individual parts. The indicator role of zooplankton is evaluated, and the possibility to incorporate it in the monitoring system of water bodies is substantiated.