Thermal Pollution
Thermal Pollution
Sudden change (increase or decrease) Causes:
of temperature of body of water by 1. Use of water in cooling plants
2. Soil erosion
human influence
3. Deforestation
occurs when a plant or facility takes in 4. Run-off from paved surfaces
water from a natural resource and 5. Natural causes
puts it back at an altered temperature 6. Domestic sewage
Degrades the quality of water 7. Thermoelectric Power Generation
can have disastrous effects on local 8. Hydroelectric Power Generation
ecosystems and communities
Thermal enrichment
Causes of Thermal Pollution
1. Use of water as a cooling agent of
industrial, manufacturing, and
powerplants
petroleum refineries, pulp and paper
mills, chemical plants, steel mills, and
other industrial facilities
draw water from a nearby source to
keep machines cool and then release
it back to the source at higher
temperatures
Causes of Thermal Pollution
2. Soil erosion
Consistent soil erosion
causes water bodies to
rise, making them more
exposed to sunlight
Causes of Thermal Pollution
3. Deforestation
Trees and plants prevent
sunlight from falling
directly on lakes, ponds, or
rivers
With deforestation, water
bodies are directly exposed
to sunlight
Wider and shallower bodies
of water
Worsens greenhouse effect
Causes of Thermal Pollution
4. Runoff from Paved surfaces
Runoff from roads, parking
lots, bridges, buildings,
rooftops, etc. can affect
water temperature during
summertime
Causes of Thermal Pollution
5. Natural Causes
Volcanoes, geothermal
vents, lightning
Causes of Thermal Pollution
6. Domestic sewage
discharged into bodies of
water like rivers, lakes,
streams, etc.
without proper sewage
treatment
Usually of higher
temperature
Causes of Thermal Pollution
7. Thermoelectric Power Generation
Thermoelectric power plants are usually built next to bodies of water
in order to have a steady supply of water necessary for their
production
The water being used by power plants is converted to steam in order
to drive turbines for electricity generation.
The water that did not
evaporate from the
conversion is being sent back
to the body of water it was
gathered from
Causes of Thermal Pollution
8. Hydroelectric Power Generation
hydropower is harnessed by using a
dam or diversion structure to alter
the natural flow of a river or body of
water. The kinetic energy from the
constant movement of the flowing
water is converted into electricity
through turbines and generators
The turning of steam-heated
turbines increases the temperature
of the water as they move
continuously within the stream
Effects of Thermal Pollution
1. Decrease in Dissolved Oxygen Levels
2. Increase in toxins
3. Loss of Biodiversity
4. Ecological impact
5. Affects reproductive system
6. Increase metabolic rates
7. Migration
Effects of Thermal Pollution
1. Decrease in Dissolved Oxygen Levels
warm water holds relatively less
oxygen than cold water
decrease in DO can create suffocation
for plants and animals such as fish,
and amphibians
Warmer water allows algae to flourish
on the surface of the water
Effects of Thermal Pollution
2. Increase in Toxins
constant flow of high-
temperature discharge from
industries containing chemicals
or radiation that may have a
harsh impact on the local
ecology and make them
susceptible to various diseases
Effects of Thermal Pollution
3. Ecological Impact
loss of biodiversity by massive
death of aquatic plants, insects,
fish, and amphibians as
consequence of thermal shock
shifting of organisms to a suitable
environment due to slight deviation
in temperature of water ecosystem
Affects reproductive system
Increases metabolism
Mitigation to Thermal Pollution
In the U.S., thermal pollution is regulated
by the federal Clean Water Act, which
requires states to set limits for thermal
discharges from power plants to protect
aquatic organisms and wildlife
In 2010, California enacted a regulation
to phase out once-through cooling at
coastal power plants that use ocean
water.
reducing the amount of water released by
such facilities and capturing heated
wastewater for other purposes, like
desalination, to reduce discharges provides for the abatement and control of
pollution from land-based sources and lays down
water quality standards and regulations
RA 9275 Clean Water Act of 2004
Secure discharge Permit
Water quality management
National Sewerage and Septage
Management
Domestic Sewage Collection,
Treatment and Disposal
