Which of the following statements with respect to Thermal Pollution is...
Thermal Pollution
• Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of excess of undesirable heat to water thereby making it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life. Thermal pollution may also cause significant departures from normal activities of aquatic communities. Sources of Thermal Pollution: Nuclear power plants, Coal fired plants, Industrial effluents, Domestic sewage, and Hydro-electric power.
• Thermal pollution can be controlled by passing the heated water through a cooling pond or a cooling tower after it leaves the condenser.
• 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 sudden change in temperature decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition. 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.
• The warm temperature decreases the levels of DO (Dissolved Oxygen) in water and thus harms the aquatic ecosystem. The warm water holds relatively less oxygen than cold water. The decrease in DO can create suffocation for plants and animals such as fish, amphibians and copepods, which may give rise to anaerobic conditions.
View all questions of this test
Which of the following statements with respect to Thermal Pollution is...
Incorrect Statement Explanation:
Thermal pollution is a significant environmental issue caused by the discharge of heated water from industrial processes and power plants. The warm water can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. Let's explore why the statement "The warm temperature increases the levels of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in water thus harms aquatic ecosystem" is incorrect:
Thermal Pollution and Dissolved Oxygen:
- When water is heated, its capacity to hold dissolved oxygen decreases. This means that warm water actually has lower levels of dissolved oxygen, not higher levels as stated in the incorrect statement.
- Reduced levels of dissolved oxygen can lead to oxygen depletion in aquatic environments, causing harm to fish and other aquatic organisms that rely on oxygen to survive.
- High temperatures from thermal pollution can also accelerate the growth of certain algae species, which can further deplete oxygen levels through increased respiration and decomposition processes.
Effects of Thermal Pollution:
- Thermal pollution can disrupt natural ecosystems by altering water temperatures and oxygen levels, leading to changes in species composition and biodiversity.
- Aquatic organisms may struggle to adapt to sudden temperature changes, impacting their reproductive cycles, growth rates, and overall health.
- Thermal pollution can also affect the behavior and distribution of aquatic species, potentially causing long-term ecological damage.
In conclusion, the incorrect statement suggesting that warm temperatures increase dissolved oxygen levels and harm aquatic ecosystems is inaccurate. Thermal pollution poses a real threat to aquatic environments by reducing oxygen levels and disrupting the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.