The impacts of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant effluent on fishes in Lithuania

Changes of the ecosystem in the cooling reservoir of INPP have occurred since the start of the plant construction and increased when it will work at full capacity. The increase of temperatures in waters of surrounding areas caused changes and elimination of species at rates that exceed the rates found in natural water reservoirs. Examination of the fish populations indicated some adaptations among these fishes relative to the degree of plant construction and recent habitat restoration. Several species display adaptations to the altered conditions (e.g., vendace) while other species have become extinct (e.g., smelt). Some species have apparently become adapted to the altered conditions (e.g., roach, silver bream, perch and rudd).