thermal pollution
1 of 1noun/ˈθɝməl pəˈluʃən/
Forms:thermal pollutions
1
the detrimental increase in water temperature caused by the discharge of heated water from human activities, often harming aquatic ecosystems
- The discharge of warm water from a power plant into a river can result in thermal pollution.
- Industrial processes releasing heated water into lakes contribute to thermal pollution.
- Urban areas with extensive pavement and heat-absorbing surfaces can cause localized thermal pollution in water bodies.
- Thermal pollution from industrial cooling systems can negatively affect fish habitats in rivers and streams.
- The warming of water bodies due to thermal pollution can lead to changes in fish migration patterns.