Which of the following describes how thermal pollution occurs?
Factories and power plants release heated water into natural water bodies, disrupting ecosystems.
Cold water from glaciers rapidly cools rivers, making them uninhabitable for fish.
Increased volcanic activity raises the temperature of groundwater supplies.
Urban areas absorb heat during the day and release it at night, warming the atmosphere.
Did this page help you?
Which of the following explains an impact of thermal pollution?
Cooler water temperatures lead to an increase in fish populations.
Increased water temperature reduces oxygen levels, harming aquatic life.
Thermal pollution helps maintain stable ecosystems by regulating temperatures.
Heated water released into rivers increases biodiversity by attracting new species.
Did this page help you?
Which of the following activities would result in thermal pollution?
Planting trees along riverbanks to provide shade and reduce water temperature.
Reducing industrial emissions to lower air pollution.
Increasing wetland areas to help filter and cool water naturally.
Discharging heated wastewater from power plants into rivers and lakes.
Did this page help you?
Scientists conducted an experiment to determine how the location of a power plant used to generate electricity impacts thermal pollution in a nearby river. They selected three river locations with varying distances from the power plant and measured the dissolved oxygen and temperature readings at each location.
Location | Temperature (C) | Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) |
Near Plant | 25 | 3.5 |
0.5 miles downstream | 22 | 6.5 |
1.5 miles downstream | 20 | 8.9 |
Which of the following identifies the independent variable for the experiment?
The distance from the power plant
The concentration of dissolved oxygen
The initial water temperature
The time of day the data was collected.
Did this page help you?
Scientists conducted an experiment to determine how the location of a power plant used to generate electricity impacts thermal pollution in a nearby river. They selected three river locations with varying distances from the power plant and measured the dissolved oxygen and temperature readings at each location.
Location | Temperature (oC) | Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) |
Near Plant | 25 | 3.5 |
0.5 miles downstream | 22 | 6.5 |
1.5 miles downstream | 20 | 8.9 |
Describe a modification that would improve the validity of the experiment.
Test different rivers within the watershed
Test pH values along a 5 mile stretch of river
Conduct multiple readings at each location and average the data
Test dissolved oxygen and temperature at a location 1 mile from the power plant.
Did this page help you?
Scientists conducted an experiment to determine how the location of a power plant used to generate electricity impacts thermal pollution in a nearby river. They selected three river locations with varying distances from the power plant and measured the dissolved oxygen and temperature readings at each location.
Location | Temperature (oC) | Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) |
Near Plant | 25 | 3.5 |
0.5 miles downstream | 22 | 6.5 |
1.5 miles downstream | 20 | 8.9 |
Which of the following is the most logical conclusion based on the temperature and dissolved oxygen data above?
The river near the power plant has a higher temperature and lower dissolved oxygen, suggesting thermal pollution is affecting water quality.
The river near the power plant has lower temperatures and higher dissolved oxygen, indicating better water quality.
The temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are unaffected by the power plant’s proximity.
The river far from the power plant shows the worst water quality due to pollution from other sources.
Did this page help you?
Scientists conducted an experiment to determine how the location of a power plant used to generate electricity impacts thermal pollution in a nearby river. They selected three river locations with varying distances from the power plant and measured the dissolved oxygen and temperature readings at each location.
Location | Temperature (oC) | Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) |
Near Plant | 25 | 3.5 |
0.5 miles downstream | 22 | 6.5 |
1.5 miles downstream | 20 | 8.9 |
Based on the results of the experiment, which of the following would be an expected ecological impact?
The water quality improvements at the near site would support a greater variety of aquatic species.
The far site would experience an increase in species diversity due to less pollution from the power plant.
Increased dissolved oxygen levels near the power plant would support healthier aquatic life and greater species richness.
Increased water temperature near the power plant could lead to a decrease in aquatic biodiversity due to lower oxygen levels.
Did this page help you?
The diagram below shows a power plant. The water used to generate electricity is often released directly into the river. Which of the following describes how this process can affect the river water?
It can lower the river's temperature, reducing the risk of thermal pollution.
It can increase the water temperature, leading to lower dissolved oxygen levels and negatively impacting aquatic life.
It improves the water quality by removing excess pollutants from the river.
It raises the river's oxygen levels, making the water healthier for fish and other aquatic organisms
Did this page help you?