Question

Thermal pollution is caused by
A. Power plants
B. Industries
C. Automobiles
D. Both A and B

Answer 1

Hint: Thermal enrichment is the degradation of water quality through any process that leads to the change in the ambient water temperature of the water bodies.

Step by step answer: Thermal pollution is also known as thermal enrichment and it leads to the degradation of water quality through various industrial or chemical processes that change the temperature of the water. Its common cause is the usage of water as a coolant by industrial manufacturers. The ecosystem composition is changed when the water at high temperature is returned to the natural environment. This water at high temperature decreases the dissolved oxygen and thus decreases the oxygen supply. It is an unnatural change in the water that affects the nearby communities. The effects of thermal pollution include decreasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which aquatic life requires. It also damages the larvae and eggs of fish in rivers, killing off some species of fish and macroinvertebrates that have limited tolerance for temperature change, and migration of living entities from their environment.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Additional information: How to prevent thermal pollution:
i. Hot water from the industries should be treated properly before discharging it to the water bodies.
ii. Industrial water can be treated by installing cooling ponds and towers.

Note: Thermal pollution overwhelms the natural temperature control mechanisms of a water body. This sudden change in temperature poses a high health risk to aquatic creatures. The industrial machinery and power plants use water as a natural coolant. Some natural causes of thermal pollution are geothermal vents and hot springs.