By Alec Vartanians, Marianna Gardina, Priscilla Yoon, and Scott Slattery

Thermal Pollution

DefinitionThermal pollution is the degradation of water due to a change in the water’s ambient temperature caused by human activities.

The Sources of Thermal Pollution● Deforestation decreases the amount of

shade, warming up the water● Power plants use up the water to cool

themselves down, but dumps very hot water back

● Soil erosion raises the water level, exposing the water to more sunlight

● Runoff water gets warm from paved surfaces

Natural CausesNatural causes like volcanoes and geothermal activity under the oceans and seas can trigger warm lava to raise the temperature of water bodies.

Production and Manufacturing plants are biggest sources of thermal pollution. These plants draw water from a nearby source to keep machines cool and then release back to the source with higher temperature.

Effects of Thermal PollutionWarmer Water● Increases organism’s

metabolic rate● Decreases dissolved

oxygen content● Algae may

overwhelm the water

Colder Water● Reduces water

productivity● Water organism’s

metabolic rates may decrease

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/27900000/Ocean-Animals-animals-27960345-2560-1600.jpg

● Easiest way would be to shut off all power plants and industries but this is realistically impossible

● Realistic ways to prevent it are cooling the water before being released to the environment by using cooling towers

Remediation

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!

LETTING THE WATER SIT FOR A TIME BEFORE IT IS RELEASED ALLOWS THE WATER TO RETURN TO NORMAL LEVELS

THIS MAKES THE ENVIRONMENT HAPPY…

...UNDER THE SEA

Bibliographyhttp://www.tutorvista.com/biology/effects-of-thermal-pollutionhttp://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-thermal-pollution.phphttp://thermal-pollution.weebly.com/solutions.html

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