Thermal sources
Major Sources of Thermal Pollution
Power Generation Plants
- Nuclear power plants
- Coal-fired power stations
- Thermal power facilities
- Cooling tower discharge
Industrial Operations
- Manufacturing processes
- Chemical plants
- Steel mills
- Food processing facilities
Urban Development
- Stormwater runoff from heated surfaces
- Removal of shade-providing vegetation
- Heated urban structures
- Reduced groundwater recharge
Agricultural Practices
- Irrigation return flows
- Deforestation
- Soil erosion
- Water storage modifications
Contributing Factors
Infrastructure Design
- Cooling system types
- Discharge methods
- Pipeline configurations
Environmental Conditions
- Climate change impacts
- Seasonal variations
- Geographic location
- Water body characteristics