APES 8.6 (Thermal Pollution)

Thermal Pollution

Increase in the normal temperatures of natural waters caused by intervention of human activities

Causes of Thermal Pollution

Nuclear power plants

Hydro-electric power

Coal-fired power plants

Industrial waste

Deforestation

Soil erosion

Burning of FFs

Effects of Increased Water Temperature

Thermal Shock

Dissolved Oxygen in water decreases

Increases rate of photosynthesis, which increases the amount of plant growth

Increases the metabolic rate of fish, which increases their need for oxygen

Possible Solutions

Energy chips (Energy Ciptm) Hafnium oxide bismuth telluride chip that converts excess heat into electricity

Desalination plants

Less nuclear power

End shoreline deforestation

Prevents soil erosion

Cooling Towers (Control Measure)

A tower-like device in which atmospheric air circulates and cools warm water, generally by direct contact (evaporation)

Cooling Ponds (Control Measure)

The pond receives thermal energy in the water from the plant’s condensers and the energy is dissipated mainly through evaporation. Once the water has cooled in the pond, it is reused by the plant. New water is added to the system (make-up water) to replace the water lost through evaporation

Spray Ponds (Control Measure)

An arrangement for cooling large quantities of water in open reservoirs of ponds; nozzles spray a portion of the water into the air for the evaporative cooling effect

Cogeneration (Control Measure)

A process where waste heat is recycled for domestic and/or industrial heating purposes

Thermal Shock (Effect)

Aquatic life adapted to a certain water temp. can go into shock when the temp is changed even 1 or 2 degrees

Industrial Waste (Cause)

Discharged water from steam electric power industry using turbo generators

Temperature of receiving water increases by 6-9^oC

Nuclear Power Plants (Cause)

Use water as a cooling agent

After the water is used, it is put back into a water supply at 9-20oC warmer

Hydroelectric power plants generate less heat compared to nuclear power plants

Coal-fired power plants (cause)

Coal used as fuel

Condenser coils cooled with water from nearby lake/river

Heated effluents decrease DO of water

Damages marine organisms

Deforestation (cause)

The decrease in vegetation increases the amount of light that hits the water, which increases the temperature of the water; also increases erosion