Question

Thermal pollution may have natural causes. List the natural causes for thermal pollution. But in some cases, thermal pollution due to natural causes results from human activities. Explain.

Answer 1

1. Natural Causes: Geothermal vents, hot springs, and underwater volcanic activities directly release high amounts of natural heat into surrounding water bodies.
2. Human Amplification: Human actions trigger or worsen these natural processes in two major ways:
   1. Deforestation: Cutting down shore trees removes natural shade and causes severe soil erosion. This makes water bodies shallower and muddier, causing them to absorb more solar heat.
   2. Urban Runoff: Natural rain absorbs large amounts of stored heat as it flows over concrete roads and human-built roofs, discharging hot water directly into cool rivers.