Thermal Pollution
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What is thermal pollution?
Thermal pollution is the sudden increase or decrease in temperature for water substances in areas like the ocean, ponds, lakes, and rivers. these environmental damages are all caused by human activity which may require restrictions in order to preserve the safety of natural habitats.
Damages in the natural environment
Macquarie perch
Because of sudden temperature changes in water, the Australian Macquarie Perch has become an endangered fish species which may lead to possibilities of extinction over the next few decades.
Decreased Level of Dissolved Oxygen
Due to the warm temperature of water created from thermal pollution, plants, fish, and other organisms have suffered from lack of dissolved oxygen where they die of suffocation which can alter the food web in biodiversity.
Loss of Biodiversity
As thermal pollution can alter the temperature within a ecosystem, this could shift certain species to live in other locations where species may adapt to have a more significant advantage over other organisms that are not as adaptable to climate changes in the water.
Ways to prevent thermal pollution
To reduce these damages within our environment, raising awareness for these impacts or simply using less electricity in the community are ways to prevent thermal pollution since electric power uses the largest percent of cooling water and raising awareness could lead to restrictions of power plant usage.