THERMAL POLLUTION

      Heat and hot water result from many industrial processes. They are in particular by-products of the activity of the power stations and nuclear. The water rejected into the marine mediums has harmful effects, primarily on the marine animal-life.

      The pollution thermal has effects difficult to define with precision. One observes significant interferences of the reduction in the salinity of water and variations of this one in time and space. Several actions of such a pollution were however determined. It was in particular established that the hotter the temperature of rejected water is and more harmful is its effect on the benthic organizations.

        On the algae, the action of a thermal pollution is very variable. One noted opposite effects is strong proliferations or on the contrary a significant mortality. The metabolism of the algae, the phytoplanktons, the benthic macrophagesis very faded by heated water. 1