Question

What do you mean by thermal pollution? Describe its harmful effects on organisms.

Answer 1

Thermal pollution-

1. When the temperature of a natural body of water suddenly increases or decreases, thermal pollution occurs.
2. Industries use natural water to cool down the machines and returned back to an altered temperature.
3. There are some natural causes of thermal pollution also when water is sitting on hot surfaces that run off nearby water bodies.

Causes of thermal pollution-

1. Soil erosion- When topsoil is removed due to heavy rain and wind because of deforestation the water becomes more exposed to the sun and the temperature of the water body is altered.
2. Use of water as a cooling agent in industries and paper factories- The water cools the machinery and returned back to the river with altered temperature.
3. Natural causes- Natural causes like volcanoes, geothermal vents, and hot springs can cause heat into water bodies.

Effects of thermal pollution- It affects the marine ecosystem.

1. Decrease in dissolved oxygen levels - When the temperature of the water bodies rises the bond of oxygen molecule breaks as a result the dissolved oxygen decreases and affects the fishes and marine ecosystem.
2. Increase in toxins- When water is returned back from the industries it contains some toxic chemicals which affect the marine ecosystem.