A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

A nuclear power plant affects the marine environment mainly through the use of large volumes of seawater for cooling. The cooling water is purified at the intake, which to some extent reduces the loss of organisms that would otherwise accompany the intake, but for those who follow, mortality occurs mechanically and thermally when the water passes through the power plant. The outgoing cooling water is 10° C warmer than the water taken in. The hot water is then spread over relatively large areas, where the organisms can be affected. The warm water can also make it easier for non-indigenous species to get established than in other areas. To control the effects of cooling water use, extensive control programmes have been established at and around the Swedish nuclear power plants since the nuclear power plants were established. In Sweden, there are nuclear power plants at one site in the North Sea (Ringhals nuclear power plant) and two in the Baltic Sea (Forsmark nuclear power plant and Oskarshamnsverket). Electricity production at the power plant in Barsebäck by the Sound ceased in 2005. Monitoring in the North sea started in 1968 and in the Baltic sea in 1969. Monitoring frequency varies from daily during spring/summer, to monthly or yearly depending on the parameter, location and purpose. Details are described in the monitoring fact sheet linked below. The nuclear power plants are undergoing a slow decommissioning, for example at Ringhals, two out of four reactors are planned to be shut down in the near future. As the monitoring is connected to the industry, it will also in the long run be phased out after the activity has ended and the effects have ceased.

New species have been introduced to Sweden with the help of humans for a long time. Shipping is identified as one of the most significant activities behind the introduction of NIS in that species accompany boats either as growth (biofouling) on the hull or in the ship's ballast water, but introductions can also take place through release or spreading through reproduction or migration. The purpose of Sweden's and the EU's work with alien species is to prevent introduction, limit spread and prevent damage due to NIS. The purpose is also to implement the Ballast Water Convention, which prevents foreign organisms from spreading with ballast water. Sweden participates in this mainly through regional coordination within the sea areas for the development and application of appropriate monitoring methods in order to be able to detect alien species and harmful organisms at an early stage and to be able to warn the authorities of other countries. In order for the damage to be effectively minimized, measures must primarily be preventive. By monitoring new introductions of alien species, early detection and rapid measures are enabled in a cost-effective manner. A total of 20 sampling stations have been selected using a risk model for the introduction of marine species. The areas that fell out with the greatest risk, so-called hotspots, are all along the west coast or in the Baltic Proper. Monitoring will be carried out through a recurring sampling at the 20 stations during a six-year management cycle. Coordination with other environmental monitoring is planned for effective implementation. Although the Gulf of Bothnia was not identified by the model as a hot spot, there are plans to add monitoring there based on risk modeling with a focus on freshwater species. Complementary genetic methods are being developed. For example, Sweden is one of the partners in the Complete project, which was launched in October 2017. The aim is to minimize the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens by developing a consistent and adaptive management system for the Baltic Sea Region. Complete reports its results to the EU but also to HELCOM, where there is collaboration in managing alien species in shipping. Another example is the international network ARMS (Programme Europe), which aims to identify alien species and their spread to European waters through long-term monitoring of the biodiversity of the hard bottom community. Swedish experts are part of ARMS through the In

New species have been introduced to Sweden with the help of humans for a long time. Shipping is identified as one of the most significant activities behind the introduction of NIS in that species accompany boats either as growth (biofouling) on the hull or in the ship's ballast water, but introductions can also take place through release or spreading through reproduction or migration. The purpose of Sweden's and the EU's work with alien species is to prevent introduction, limit spread and prevent damage due to NIS. The purpose is also to implement the Ballast Water Convention, which prevents foreign organisms from spreading with ballast water. Sweden participates in this mainly through regional coordination within the sea areas for the development and application of appropriate monitoring methods in order to be able to detect alien species and harmful organisms at an early stage and to be able to warn the authorities of other countries. In order for the damage to be effectively minimized, measures must primarily be preventive. By monitoring new introductions of alien species, early detection and rapid measures are enabled in a cost-effective manner. A total of 20 sampling stations have been selected using a risk model for the introduction of marine species. The areas that fell out with the greatest risk, so-called hotspots, are all along the west coast or in the Baltic Proper. Monitoring will be carried out through a recurring sampling at the 20 stations during a six-year management cycle. Coordination with other environmental monitoring is planned for effective implementation. Although the Gulf of Bothnia was not identified by the model as a hot spot, there are plans to add monitoring there based on risk modeling with a focus on freshwater species. Complementary genetic methods are being developed. For example, Sweden is one of the partners in the Complete project, which was launched in October 2017. The aim is to minimize the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens by developing a consistent and adaptive management system for the Baltic Sea Region. Complete reports its results to the EU but also to HELCOM, where there is collaboration in managing alien species in shipping. Another example is the international network ARMS (Programme Europe), which aims to identify alien species and their spread to European waters through long-term monitoring of the biodiversity of the hard bottom community. Swedish experts are part of ARMS through the In

In order to strengthen the targeted monitoring of alien species, data on new introductions and spread of alien species are also collected through citizen science, where e.g. the public, researchers and fishermen can report their findings of alien species. According to the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (IAS), countries should set up mechanisms for the exchange of information and data, early warning systems and programs to increase public awareness and knowledge of IAS. An early warning is a prerequisite for being able to implement effective management measures for IAS. Citizen science is gaining a stronger position as a method for data collection where traditional monitoring, surveys or research do not capture early changes in the environment or where traditional methods are too costly to have a large geographical coverage or provide too little data. One weakness, however, is that the methods can be difficult to quality assure or that the information can give a skewed geographical picture because it depends on where people usually stay. In the sea, Neogobius melanostomus, Eriocheir sinensis, Hemigrapsus sanguineus and Hemigrapsus takanoi are good examples where citizen science has been crucial for early detection and also facilitated rapid measures.

In order to strengthen the targeted monitoring of alien species, data on new introductions and spread of alien species are also collected through citizen science, where e.g. the public, researchers and fishermen can report their findings of alien species. According to the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (IAS), countries should set up mechanisms for the exchange of information and data, early warning systems and programs to increase public awareness and knowledge of IAS. An early warning is a prerequisite for being able to implement effective management measures for IAS. Citizen science is gaining a stronger position as a method for data collection where traditional monitoring, surveys or research do not capture early changes in the environment or where traditional methods are too costly to have a large geographical coverage or provide too little data. One weakness, however, is that the methods can be difficult to quality assure or that the information can give a skewed geographical picture because it depends on where people usually stay. In the sea, Neogobius melanostomus, Eriocheir sinensis, Hemigrapsus sanguineus and Hemigrapsus takanoi are good examples where citizen science has been crucial for early detection and also facilitated rapid measures.