The Attack Of The Jellyfish

Oct 2, 2013 By Deepa Gopal
Deepa Gopal's picture

We have all stood before the jellyfish exhibit at an aquarium, marveling at the graceful movements of this wondrous sea creature. But appearances can be deceptive...

The Oskarshamn nuclear plant in Sweden, one of the largest in the world, was shut down -- no, not by a tsunami, but a jellyfish attack! 

The pipes, that carry a constant flow of water to cool the reactors and turbines, had been clogged by tons of jellyfish. This is not the first time. The same nuclear power plant had been affected in 2005 and similar jellyfish infiltrations have happened in power plants around the world. 

The Medusa Of The Sea

Jellyfish have existed on the face of our planet for over 650 million years. They were there before the time of dinosaurs. They have been the stories of Greek legends.

The word 'fish' is a misnomer since jellyfish are actually plankton -- that is, while they are capable of movement, they are helpless against ocean currents. 

There are 4000 species of jellyfish living in sea waters and freshwaters around the world. They range in size from less than an inch to larger than 7 feet in size; the largest being the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish. 

With a simple epidermis (skin) and a loose tangle of nerves defining their nervous system, jellyfish are the earliest known animals with cells organized functionally.

Nature has provided them with an adaptation to survive. Jellyfish tentacles are covered with thousands of cells called cnidoblasts which are equipped with tiny darts of poison that can paralyze their victims. Another defense tactic jellies use is bioluminescence or the ability to produce light. A bright blue or green flash of light could startle a predator! 

Jellyfish Bloom

The explosion in the jellyfish population is believed to be due to several reasons. First, warming ocean temperatures. Since jellyfish are cold-blooded creatures, warm water temperatures suit them well and allow for quicker growth.

The other two reasons may have to do with predator and prey. An increase of nutrients in the ocean from fertilizer run-off (as water used for irrigating farms drains into water sources) is known to cause a growth of algae and zooplankton -- the jellyfish's food. The third, overfishing. As big fish and other sea creatures are decimated, jellyfish have no natural predators. 

Is this worrisome? While some like to paint bleak pictures of the world's oceans taken over by jellyfish, such blooms are cyclical. One thing is for certain -- these creatures have an amazing ability to adapt to changing conditions. No wonder they have outlived the dinosaurs! 

Comments

morganokwonna's picture
morganokwonna February 12, 2021 - 10:28am
How fascinating! I saw a document online once about how jellyfish were clogging the systems. I think it was around 2016- 2017 when I watched it.
annac2's picture
annac2 November 21, 2014 - 9:23am

Interesting. I saw one at the museum once that was an inch long!! :O

emileer's picture
emileer October 3, 2014 - 7:54am

The jellyfish are not invading they are just in other places than usuall ang got sucked up by the pipe.

srinidhi12's picture
srinidhi12 October 17, 2013 - 10:23pm

I like jelly fish

I guess they r dangerous

Tryn28's picture
Tryn28 October 11, 2013 - 5:28pm

wow.

gavinms's picture
gavinms October 8, 2013 - 5:45pm

its a jellyfish attack!

Olivia-Anna's picture
Olivia-Anna October 8, 2013 - 5:03pm
That is a TON of jellyfish.
cana's picture
cana October 8, 2013 - 11:49am

kool:):):):):)