Deep Cove effects monitoring
To accurately assess the impact of the activity of the Manapouri power scheme, Meridian Energy funds more than $200,000 worth of research a year in the Deep Cove fiord environment to assess the effects of fresh water discharge on the marine environment.
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This research is being undertaken by leading scientists at the marine science department of Otago University.
It has two elements - the development of a physical oceanographic model of the sound environment and studies identifying and assessing the abundence of biological life in the fiord environment.
Scientists have learnt that the fiord consists of two distinctive layers of water. The surface layer is fresh water that comes from the surrounding mountains. This layer of water functions as a dark floating canopy that protects the underlying layers from sediment, light and strong water movement.
This has created a sheltered environment below which allows many beautiful and delicate marine species like black and red corals to live at far shallower depths than outside the fiords.
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