How does thermal pollution from a nuclear power plant affect water quality?

How does thermal pollution from a nuclear power plant affect water quality?

• A. The dissolved oxygen increases
• B. There is no change in dissolved oxygen
• C. The dissolved oxygen in the water will decrease
• D. Dissolved oxygen fluctuates unpredictably

Answer: (C)

Thermal pollution raises water temperature, and dissolved oxygen is highly sensitive to temperature. Warmer water cannot hold as much oxygen, so the solubility of oxygen decreases as the discharge mixes with the body of water. In addition, higher temperatures boost the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, causing them to consume more oxygen. The combination of lower oxygen solubility and higher consumption leads to a measurable drop in dissolved oxygen downstream from the plant. Because of this, the dissolved oxygen decreases rather than increases or staying the same, and while some short-term fluctuations can occur, the overall effect of heated effluent is a reduction in dissolved oxygen.

Thermal pollution raises water temperature, and dissolved oxygen is highly sensitive to temperature. Warmer water cannot hold as much oxygen, so the solubility of oxygen decreases as the discharge mixes with the body of water. In addition, higher temperatures boost the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, causing them to consume more oxygen. The combination of lower oxygen solubility and higher consumption leads to a measurable drop in dissolved oxygen downstream from the plant. Because of this, the dissolved oxygen decreases rather than increases or staying the same, and while some short-term fluctuations can occur, the overall effect of heated effluent is a reduction in dissolved oxygen.