Energy resources and environmental pollution (L8)

Question 1

Sources of thermal pollution

Answer 1

Industry - coolent in power stations

Steam is used to drive turbines, this hot water is returned to lake at high temperatures

Question 2

What are the effects of thermal pollution

Answer 2

Most aquatic organisms would be killed at high temperatures (denatured proteins)
Water oxygen content lessens with increasing temp

Question 3

Special adaptations to heat

Answer 3

Thermophilic organisms

Question 4

What are the physiological effects associated with a rise in temperature

Answer 4

Metabolic rates increase
Egg development and hatching rates 
Introduced species may thrive
Increased toxicity of pollutants 
Reduced disease resistance 
Species interdependence problems - food chain

Question 5

How do cooling towers work

Answer 5

Hot water is sprayed from a shower floor in the lower part of tall cylindrical tower
The air warms and rises and escapes to the atm
This causes an up draught drawing more air through

Question 6

Methods of controlling thermal pollution

Answer 6

Cooling ponds

artificial lakes - manmade