How might the building of a hydroelectric power station affect the environment?

Answer 1

The major impacts are associated with dams and reservoirs related to the power plants.

Reservoirs cover land which was previously in vegetation or forests,. Once underwater the plants decompose anaerobically releasing methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

In addition the flooded land may have contained eco-systems needed for plant or animal habitats.

On the plus side - hydroelectric plants may replace coal fired plants reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide and acid gas components.

Hydroelectric power plants have a very small effect on the environment, considering the average age of an existing powerhouse in the United States is over a half century, and they release no pollutants into the air.

Answer 2

dams do impact on the environment. They usually flood large river valleys, covering a lot of native habitat with water, displacing animals and sometimes people. In China more than one million people were moved when they built the "Three Gorges" dam. Many archaeological sites are now unreachable under water and there is environmental damage along the banks of the many tributaries of the Yangtze River.

Answer 3

Hydroelectric energy has both advantages and disadvantages. I am not sure whether the advantages normally outweigh the disadvantages, or vice versa.

Advantage: Less fossil fuel is used.

Disadvantage: The creation of dams often is disruptive to the environment.

Hydroelectric energy has both advantages and disadvantages. I am not sure whether the advantages normally outweigh the disadvantages, or vice versa.

Advantage: Less fossil fuel is used.

Disadvantage: The creation of dams often is disruptive to the environment.

Hydroelectric energy has both advantages and disadvantages. I am not sure whether the advantages normally outweigh the disadvantages, or vice versa.

Advantage: Less fossil fuel is used.

Disadvantage: The creation of dams often is disruptive to the environment.

Hydroelectric energy has both advantages and disadvantages. I am not sure whether the advantages normally outweigh the disadvantages, or vice versa.

Advantage: Less fossil fuel is used.

Disadvantage: The creation of dams often is disruptive to the environment.

Answer 4

Hydro power doesn't really have a negative impact to the environment. In the contrary, when we use hydro power to produce electricity, much thermal power wont be needed. So, by this, u can help reducing air pollution.

Answer 5

generation of of power using the kinetic energy of water is known ashydro power.this uses the water bodies like ocean, lake, river....

here, as the water bodies are living places of numerous animals, these animals are disturbed and harmed. salmon fish is a variety of fish which is mainly affected by this hydro power.

Answer 6

Hydroelectric energy has both advantages and disadvantages. I am not sure whether the advantages normally outweigh the disadvantages, or vice versa.

Advantage: Less fossil fuel is used.

Disadvantage: The creation of dams often is disruptive to the environment.

Answer 7

because the dam's used in the process can upset the life cycle of some animals that live in the water