How can heat be pollution?

Answer 1

Pollution is anything which on being added to the environment changes the environment so that i is not able to support its normal ecosystems.
Heat can change the oxygen content of water, affect the number and species of fish, extract materials from sediments and encourage birds to overwinter.
These are negative changes to the environment caused by heat.
Heat is therefore a pollutong agent.

Answer 2

To the general public, power stations are the most obvious cause of industrial air pollution. Coal was the main source for generating electricity in the UK until the late 1980s. Coal-fired power stations emitted a substantial amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, as well as sulphur dioxide, an acid gas which affects human health and vegetation.

Power plant emissions have far-reaching effects and can cause long-range air pollution. The European Union has passed the Large Combustion Plants Directive 2001/80/EC (LCPD) to reduce the effect of these pollutants throughout Europe. The LPCD came into effect in the UK through the Large Combustion Plants (England & Wales) Regulations 2002, the Large Combustion Plants (Scotland) 2002 and the Large Combustion Plants Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.

All combustion plants built after 1987 have to comply with LPCD emissions limits. Old power plants in operation before 1987 can either meet the LPCD limits by participating in the National Emission Reduction Plan (NERP) or operate for a limited time.

NERP was introduced into the UK through the Large Combustion Plants (National Emissions Reduction Plan) Regulations 2007. It allows all existing large combustion plants to trade their annual allowances for sulphue dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dust (particulates) with other large combustion plants within the scheme. The scheme came into force in January 1, 2008.

Emissions from power plants have been reduced following the use of cleaner systems of power generation including the use of flue gas desulphurisation and low sulphur fuels. Other non-polluting power sources are also being explored and these include renewables such as wind and tidal energy. The Government's White Papers of 2003 and 2007set out govenrment objectives to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 by encouraging more sustainable and cleaner power generation. A Government Energy Bill to implement the Energy White Paper 2007 has been introduced into Parliament.

Answer 3

Power Plant can include a wide variety of installations.

• Oil or gas powered plants can emit CO2, NOx, SOx, soot and hot water from coolers. Coal fired plants emit all of the above including fly ash and radioactive materials.
• Nuclear power systems emit almost no pollution
• Wind powered systems have no emissions
• Geothermal systems have almost no emissions except hot water

Answer 4

Heat can be considered pollution when it is released in excessive amounts that disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems and contribute to global warming. For example, waste heat from industrial processes or the burning of fossil fuels can raise temperatures in urban areas, leading to heat islands and negative impacts on human health and the environment.

Answer 5

If it is just heat you are thinking of, this would be called thermal pollution

Answer 6

Heat pollution