Thermal pollution

Presented by
Aswathi.V.Nair, Disha.R, Reshmi S.G
Overview
Thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes
ambient water temperature.

A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants
and industrial manufacturers. When water used as a coolant is returned to the natural
environment at a higher temperature, the change in temperature (a) decreases oxygen
supply, and (b) affects ecosystem composition. Urban runoff--storm water discharged to
surface waters from roads and parking lots--can also be a source of elevated water
temperatures.

When a power plant first opens or shuts down for repair or other causes, fish and other
organisms adapted to particular temperature range can be killed by the abrupt rise in
water temperature known as 'thermal shock'.
As we will show a summary to the event of this pollution happening:

• Raw materials for productivity (organic and inorganic products)

• Undergo different chemical reactions with several process
• Excess heat energy is produced as a waste product
• Heat is released through into atmosphere (vapor) and riverine system (liquid).
• Increase of temperature of environmental system

And view of the pollution, global temperature had increased significantly.

Measurements of atmospheric temperature are done by meteorological center of the weather

forecast annually, and the graph to detect the temperature trend from a period of 10 years will be
compared with the previous batch of period. Thus we may be able to know the rate of
temperature increase overall and make reference to the standard level of heat that should be
maintain in the atmosphere to avoid large deviation of heat in the system.

Sources and Methods

We can classify major sources that lead to thermal pollution to the following categories:

• power plants creating electricity from fossil fuel

• water as a cooling agent in industrial facilities
• deforestation of the shoreline
• soil erosion

Sources and Methods of Thermal Pollution (4)

Major sources Methods of pollution
1. Electricity is generated by heat stored in
the fossil fuels and the stored energy
creates a heat flow that drives turbine
2. The turbines then generate electricity
3. All the electricity try to be organized so
that it may travel in the same direction in
Power plants creating electricity from fossil a small line
fuel 4. Organization of this sort is created by
man and so it does not occur naturally

5. Excess heat is then created because of

the unnatural processes of creating
organization
Water as cooling agent • heat exchangers
exchange heat with other streams in the
factory because there steps which needs
heat while other steps generates heat,
leaving streams no options for
 intermediate temperature

• Evaporate cooling
steam is used in many final heating
processes. Cooling by condensation
generates great amount of waste heat
from factory. Cooling comes
from evaporation because ambient air is
not saturated with water. Air discharged
from cooling tower is a direct contribution
to global warming
• further contributes to the problem in two
ways:
o aggravates soil erosion activity
Deforestation of shoreline
o increases amount of light that
strikes the water
• sedimentation at lakes and streams
makes the water muddy
• muddy water lowers the clarity of water,
with the introduction of impurities to the
water, containing microbes and dissolved
Soil erosion minerals, which increase the light
absorption from the atmosphere

• Increase light absorption will see a rise in

the temperature of water from the heat
energy of light.

Why is it Harmful to Water Bodies?

Thermal pollution is detrimental to the aquatic life in the water body, especially if the
water temperature historically supported a cold-water fishery and can no longer do so
because of the temperature increase. To be considered a cold-water stream, the average
range of temperatures during July must be from 14° to 19° C (41° to 55° F) and a warm
water stream ranges from 22° to 26° C (68° to 77° F).

IMPACTS
All plant and animal species that live in water are adapted to temperatures within a certain
range. When water in an area warms more than they can tolerate, species that cannot move,
such as rooted plants and shellfish, will die. Species that can move, such as fish, will leave
the area in search of cooler conditions, and they will die if they can not find them.
Typically, other species, often less desirable, will move into the area to fill the vacancy.

In general, cold waters are better habitat for plants and animals than warm ones because
cold waters contain more dissolved oxygen. Many freshwater fish species that are valued
for sport and food, especially trout and salmon, do poorly in warm water. Some organisms
do thrive in warm water, often with undesirable effects. Algae and other plants grow more
rapidly in warm water than in cold, but they also die more rapidly; the bacteria that
decompose their dead tissue use up oxygen, further reducing the amount available for
animals. The dead and decaying algae make the water look, taste, and smell unpleasant

EFFECTS OF THERMAL POLLUTION

Warm water typically decreases the level of dissolved oxygen in the water. The decrease
in levels of dissolved oxygen can harm aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians and
copepods. Thermal pollution may also increase the metabolic rate of aquatic animals, as
enzyme activity, resulting in these organisms consuming more food in a shorter time than
if their environment were not changed. An increased metabolic rate may result in food
source shortages, causing a sharp decrease in a population. Changes in the environment
may also result in a migration of organisms to another, more suitable environment and to
in-migration of organisms that normally only live in warmer waters elsewhere. This leads
to competition for fewer resources; the more adapted organisms moving in may have an
advantage over organisms that are not used to the warmer temperature. As a result one
has the problem of compromising food chains of the old and new environments.
Biodiversity can be decreased as a result.
In the 1970s there was considerable activity from scientists in quantifying effects of
thermal pollution. Hydrologists, physicists, meteorologists, and computer scientists
combined their skills in one of the first interdisciplinary pursuits of the modern
environmental science era. First came the application of Gaussian function dispersal
modeling that forecasts how a thermal plume is formed from a thermal point source and
predicts the distribution of aquatic temperatures. The ultimate model was developed by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introducing the statistical variations in
meteorology to predict the resulting plume from a thermal outfall.

Coal-burning power plants are known producers of thermal pollution in nearby bodies of
water that they use as cooling ponds. This research focused on the effects that thermal
pollution caused by the Marshall Steam Station had on Lake Norman, North Carolina. It
was found that dissolved oxygen in the steam station's discharge cove was decreased by
approximately four mg/L as compared to a site ten miles upstream, and was decreased by
about three mg/L as compared to a cove several hundred yards downstream.
Temperatures of the surface water in the discharge

1) Ecological effects — warm water

Elevated temperature typically decreases the level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water.
The decrease in levels of DO can harm aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians and
copepods. Thermal pollution may also increase the metabolic rate of aquatic animals, as
enzyme activity, resulting in these organisms consuming more food in a shorter time than
if their environment were not changed. An increased metabolic rate may result in fewer
resources; the more adapted organisms moving in may have an advantage over organisms
that are not used to the warmer temperature. As a result one has the problem of
compromising food chains of the old and new environments. Biodiversity can be
decreased as a result.

It is known that temperature changes of even one to two degrees Celsius can cause
significant changes in organism metabolism and other adverse cellular biology effects.
Principal adverse changes can include rendering cell walls less permeable to necessary
osmosis, coagulation of cell proteins, and alteration of enzyme metabolism. These
cellular level effects can adversely affect mortality and reproduction.

Primary producers are affected by warm water because higher water temperature
increases plant growth rates, resulting in a shorter lifespan and species overpopulation.
This can cause an algae bloom which reduces oxygen levels.

A large increase in temperature can lead to the denaturing of life-supporting enzymes by

breaking down hydrogen- and disulphide bonds within the quaternary structure of the
enzymes. Decreased enzyme activity in aquatic organisms can cause problems such as
the inability to break down lipids, which leads to malnutrition.

In limited cases, warm water has little deleterious effect and may even lead to improved
function of the receiving aquatic ecosystem. This phenomenon is seen especially in
seasonal waters and is known as thermal enrichment. An extreme case is derived from
the aggregational habits of the manatee, which often uses power plant discharge sites
during winter. Projections suggest that manatee populations would decline upon the
removal of these discharges.

Ecological effects — cold water

Releases of unnaturally cold water from reservoirs can dramatically change the fish and
macro invertebrate fauna of rivers, and reduce river productivity. In Australia, where
many rivers have warmer temperature regimes, native fish species have been eliminated,
and macro invertebrate fauna have been drastically altered.

2) Physical and chemical effects

Water is naturally constituted of chemical components (metals, salts, trace elements,

gases, carbonates,) in balance. A change in temperature can modify it and accelerate
chemical and biochemical reactions: it is a catalyst. For example, the hotter the
temperature of rejected water is, the more its effects on benthic organizations are
harmful.
 An effect of thermal pollution

An increase in temperature can also cause a reduction of solubility. It's an important

consequence because the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water decreases. This
makes it more difficult for fish and other aquatic organisms to obtain the necessary
oxygen for cellular respiration. But, in the first part, we could see that the seaweeds rate
increase, so, they use up more O2: there is a lack of oxygen so aquatic living beings are
asphyxiated. Another repercussion of this phenomenon is taste and odor. In fact, products
which are in water become more volatile, it is why there are impacts on the surrounding
air.

Increase in temperature = Reduction of solubility

Salinity is an important measurement in biology because salt is dissolved in the bodily

fluids of all living things. The level of dissolved salts in a fluid controls many of the
processes of life. Most animals are adapted to a narrow range of salinity and cannot live
in water that is outside that range. But, when the temperature of water increases, salinity
decreases so, there are important repercussions on aquatic life.

Increase in temperature = Change of salinity

 A particular problem is the stratification in lakes. Because of density difference,
layers of different temperature are formed in accordance with the depth of water. So the
temperature of water changes suddenly with the depth. These have consequences on
fauna and flora, which modifies the landscape.

Stratification in lakes

Change in temperature = Stratification

3) Biological effects of this pollution

Temperature is an important factor for life. So, an increase, or a reduction, of this one can
destroy ecologic niches, which are very sensitive to little variation of their environment.
Their disappearance is followed by that of the fauna and flora living there.

Increase \ reduction in temperature = Destruction of fauna and flora

 Producing or catching heat in or from a source of water can involve the death of
micro-organisms by thermal shock. This problem also affects other living beings that
feed on it, and so on and so forth. So, the tropic chain is broken.

We have presented you the problem of the destruction of nature, but this pollution
can also generate the proliferation of bacteria that occupy the niches of other types of
living beings. So, almost the same result is achieved through another way ... Secondly,
with a higher temperature, algae grow much more rapidly. They use up dissolved oxygen
(DO) in water, block the sunlight from getting to the submerged aquatic vegetation
(SAV), and the entire ecosystem suffers.

Proliferation of algae

Increase in temperature = Proliferation of bacteria \ reduction of O2

Temperature directly affects the physiology of fish. So, thermal pollution has a direct
impact on the evolution of life. Metabolism can change up to the lethal limit. It varies and is
affected by oxygen level and salinity (these properties will be presented in the second part:
physical and chemical effects).

Control of thermal pollution

Industrial wastewater
In the United States, thermal pollution from industrial sources is generated mostly by
power plants, petroleum refineries, pulp and paper mills, chemical plants, steel mills and
smelters. Heated water from these sources may be controlled with:
 • cooling ponds, man-made bodies of water designed for cooling by evaporation,
convection, and radiation
• cooling towers, which transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through evaporation
and/or heat transfer
• Cogeneration, a process where waste heat is recycled for domestic and/or
industrial heating purposes.

Cooling tower at Gustav Knepper Power Station, Dortmund, Germany

Some facilities use once-through cooling (OTC) systems which do not reduce
temperature as effectively as the above systems. For example, the Potrero Generating
Station in San Francisco, which uses OTC, discharges water to San Francisco Bay
approximately 10°C (20°F) above the ambient bay temperature

Potrero Generating Station discharges heated water into San Francisco Bay.

Urban runoff
During warm weather, urban runoff can have significant thermal impacts on small
streams, as storm water passes over hot parking lots, roads and sidewalks. Storm water
management facilities that absorb runoff or direct it into groundwater, such as
bioretention systems and infiltration basins, can reduce these thermal effects. Retention
basins tend to be less effective at reducing temperature, as the water may be heated by the
sun before being discharged to a receiving stream.
Conclusion

Thermal pollution is a problem that we have to deal with more and more. This pollution
is principally located in rivers and waterways nearby industries. Even if we can't see
immediately the effects of thermal pollution it has an impact on our environment. So,
scientists have to research solutions to reduce it (heat!!).

When prevention is inefficient, industries use some techniques to solve thermal

pollution. The first technique is the control by dilution; it consists in diluting warm water
in cool water to decrease the impact on water life. Another solution is to use cooling
towers to transfer heat from water to the atmosphere. The last one is the discharging of
heated water in shallow ponds and canals. The last two are very much used even if the
last one is the least costly.

When I think about pollution I usually envision smoke stacks spewing out black clouds.
Most of us do right? What do you think of when I say "thermal pollution"? Nothing
coming to mind? The word "thermal", in a general sense, refers to heat. Heat pollution
sounds weird though, doesn't it? The most common example of it is the urban heat island.
Due to the increased amounts of asphalt, concrete, and air pollution, plus the decrease in
vegetation, cities tend to be warmer than the surrounding areas. Just about every large
city experiences it, even traditionally hot cities like Phoenix.
Check out this table. The population in Phoenix has gone from 28,000 in 1900 to over 4
million presently. To support that kind of population you have to create roads and
buildings, and a lot of them.

Table 1.
Population of
the Phoenix
Metropolitan
Area (U.S.
Census Bureau,
2008).

Year 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006
Population (in
28 44 106 173 215 375 726 1,035 1,670 2,238 3,252 4,039
thousands)

Now check out this graph. This is the population projection through 2025. Phoenix will
have 6.5 million people!

So, has the population explosion in Phoenix affected temperatures? Check out this graph.
t shows the number of 110 degree days, by decade. The numbers don't lie. Phoenix is
experiencing warmer summers now than at anytime in modern history. In fact, last
summer, Phoenix had an astounding 32 days above 110 degrees! The meteorologists at
the National Weather Service in Phoenix attribute the increase to urbanization and
regional/global climate change. It's hard to argue that cities don't affect micro-climates in
a noticeable way.

What do you think? Do you live in a big city? Do you feel like the temperatures are
getting warmer? I'd like to know your thoughts.

I've realized that it's a really big issue on our planet but really hasn't been dealt with at all.
There could be severe consequences if this isn't solved or at least reduced. The main
sources causing thermal pollution are power plants, industrial facilities, the deforestation
of the shoreline, and soil erosion.
The water temperature of a river is very important for water quality. Many of the
physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of a river are directly affected by
temperature. For example, temperature influences:

1. the amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in water;

2. the rate of photosynthesis by algae and larger aquatic plants;
3. the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms;
4. the sensitivity of organisms to toxic wastes, parasites, and diseases.

Remember, cool water can hold more oxygen than warm water, because gases are more
easily dissolved in cool water.

Human-Caused Changes in Temperature

One of the most serious ways that humans change the temperature of rivers and lakes is
through thermal pollution. Thermal pollution is an increase in water temperature caused
by adding relatively warm water to a body of water. Industries, such as nuclear power
plants, may cause thermal pollution by discharging water used to cool machinery.
Thermal pollution may also come from stormwater running off warmed urban surfaces,
such as streets, sidewalks, and parking lots.
People also affect water temperature by cutting down trees that help shade the river,
exposing the water to direct sunlight.

Soil erosion can also contribute to warmer water temperatures. Soil erosion can be caused
by many types of activities, including the removal of streamside vegetation, overgrazing,
poor farming practices, and construction. Soil erosion raises water temperatures because
it increases the amount of suspended solids carried by the river, making the water cloudy
(turbid). Cloudy water absorbs the sun's rays, causing water temperature to rise.

Changes in Aquatic Life

As water temperature rises, the rate of photosynthesis and plant growth also increases.
More plants grow and die. As plants die, they are decomposed by bacteria that consume
oxygen. Therefore, when the rate of photosynthesis is increased, the need for oxygen in
the water (BOD) is also increased.

The metabolic rate of organisms also rises with increasing water temperatures, resulting
in even greater oxygen demand. The life cycles of aquatic insects tend to speed up in
warm water. Animals that feed on these insects can be negatively affected, particularly
birds that depend on insects emerging at key periods during their migratory flights.

Most aquatic organisms have adapted to survive within a range of water temperatures,
Some organisms prefer cooler water, such as trout, stonefly nymphs, while others thrive
under warmer conditions, such as carp and dragonfly nymphs. As the temperature of a
river increases, cool water species will be replaced by warm water organisms. Few
organisms can tolerate extremes of heat or cold.

Temperature also affects aquatic life's sensitivity to toxic wastes, parasites, and disease.
For example, thermal pollution may cause fish to become more vulnerable to disease,
either due to the stress of rising water temperatures or the resulting decrease in dissolved
oxygen.

Sampling Procedure

The temperature test measures the change in water temperature between two points, the
test site and a site one mile upstream. By detecting significant temperature changes along
a section of the river, we can begin to uncover the sources of thermal pollution.

Because the temperature test compares the difference in water temperature at two
different stream sites, it is important to match as closely as possible the physical
conditions at these sites - current speed, amount of sunlight reaching the water, and the
depth of the stream.

To reduce errors, the same thermometer should be used at both sites. Rubber gloves
should be worn if there is any chance that hands might come in contact with the water.
Temperature Testing Procedure

1. At the site where the other water quality tests are being performed, lower the
thermometer four inches below the water surface.
2. Keep the thermometer in the water until a constant reading is attained
(approximately two minutes).
3. Record your measurement in Celsius.
4. Repeat the test approximately one mile upstream as soon as possible.
5. Subtract the upstream temperature from the temperature downstream using the
following equation: temp. downstream - temp. upstream = temp. change
6. Record the change in temperature.
portrero generating stations outflow

Sulphur Dioxide Chokes Bulgaria's

Dimitrovgrad Once Again
Poisonous emissions from the thermal power plants of the Maritza-Iztok Complex are the
cause for the elevated concentration of sulphur dioxide in the town of Dimitrovgrad
Tuesday. Photo by BGNES.

Yet another high concentration of sulphur dioxide in the southern Bulgarian town of
Dimitrovgrad was reported Tuesday.

The pollution monitoring system in the town detected levels of the chemical substance
exceeding the permitted threshold of 350 micrograms per cubic meter at 3 pm and 4 pm.

Poisonous emissions from the thermal power plants of the Maritza-Iztok Complex are
the cause for the elevated concentration of sulphur dioxide in the area.
Even though nuclear power plants do not cause air pollution, they are a conspicuous
source of thermal pollution. Nuclear power plants are usually built near large water
reservoirs such as lakes, rivers or oceans due to requirement for cooling water. Although
the water used for cooling purposes in plant condensers is recycled before returning to the
source, its temperature remains significantly high and may have severe impacts.

Effects of Thermal Pollution

The residual heat released by power plants adds to the environment and impacts its
inhabitants harshly. Since hot water holds relatively less oxygen; many species in these
habitats face difficulty in survival. The cooling towers used in power plants release heat
directly into the atmosphere, which raises the air temperature drastically, thus
contributing to global warming .

Water heating due to thermal pollution alters marine ecology to a great extent; hotter
water favors some species while it is harmful to others. In a similar way, during nuclear
plant startup, shutdown for repair and maintenance and then sudden startup creates abrupt
temperature changes in water contained in lakes. These thermal shocks can be lethal for
certain aquatic species.
How to Control Thermal Pollution

The problem of thermal pollution is unavoidable. It can be reduced, however. Engineers

can make efforts to ensure minimum heat losses by improving thermal efficiencies of
heat engines. Nonetheless, the best solution is to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and
to limit day-to-day energy usage. The development of alternative energy resources such
as solar power, wind energy and hydropower can also be beneficial.

The Problem of Thermal Pollution

Thermal pollution is caused by burning of fossil fuels in cars and power plants. Nuclear
power plants are also a significant source of heat release to lakes and rivers. The
excessive heat discharged to the environment damages aquatic species and contributes to
global warming. The problem can be countered by reducing fossil fuel consumption and
dedicating less energy for daily needs. Efficiency improvement of heat engines and
development of alternative energy resources can also help.

Read more at Suite101: Causes and Impacts of Thermal Pollution

http://www.suite101.com/content/causes-and-impacts-of-thermal-pollution-
a291023#ixzz12pLoJJKA