experimental data-OTEC.xlsx

This study investigates the ecological impacThis study investigates the ecological impacts of cold-water discharge from a 1.0 MW H-OTEC power plant in Port Dickson, Malaysia, during commissioning. Utilizing numerical simulations and one-year field investigations, this research evaluated the spatial extent of seasonal temperature changes due to cold discharge and its effects on benthic communities. Simulation data revealed the spatial range of seafloor temperature changes under varying discharge depths and environmental conditions, such as calm versus wavy scenarios. Findings demonstrated that cold discharge impacts seafloor temperatures within 5 m radius, with greater effects observed at the seabed compared to mid-water column discharge. Similarly, field experiments suggested that the effects of cold discharge on other water quality parameters are also negligible. A total of 23 species of macrobenthic organisms belonging to 4 phyla were identified across 15 sampling points. Dominating the macrobenthic community structure was Umbonium vestiarium. This study demonstrated that cold emissions significantly change the community structure of benthic organisms across different seasons. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the abundance of benthic organisms and the content of sediment pigments (Chl-a and Pha-a) and total organic matter (TOM). This study provides critical insights into designing discharge systems and discharge time to mitigate ecological impacts and underscores the potential of H-OTEC plants in advancing sustainable energy solutions while preserving marine ecosystems.ts of cold-water discharge from a 1.0 MW H-OTEC power plant in Port Dickson, Malaysia, during commissioning. Utilizing numerical simulations and one-year field investigations, this research evaluated the spatial extent of seasonal temperature changes due to cold discharge and its effects on benthic communities. Simulation data revealed the spatial range of seafloor temperature changes under varying discharge depths and environmental conditions, such as calm versus wavy scenarios. Findings demonstrated that cold discharge impacts seafloor temperatures within 5 m radius, with greater effects observed at the seabed compared to mid-water column discharge. Similarly, field experiments suggested that the effects of cold discharge on other water quality parameters are also negligible. A total of 23 species of macrobenthic organisms belonging to 4 phyla were identified across 15 sampling points. Dominating the macrobenthic community structure was Umbonium vestiarium. This study demonstrated that cold emissions significantly change the community structure of benthic organisms across different seasons. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the abundance of benthic organisms and the content of sediment pigments (Chl-a and Pha-a) and total organic matter (TOM). This study provides critical insights into designing discharge systems and discharge time to mitigate ecological impacts and underscores the potential of H-OTEC plants in advancing sustainable energy solutions while preserving marine ecosystems.