thermal pollution

noun

1. a rise in the temperature of rivers or lakes that is injurious to water-dwelling life and is caused by the disposal of heated industrial waste water or water from the cooling towers of nuclear power plants.

thermal pollution

1. The dumping of heated gas es or heated wastewater (often from electrical generating plants ) into the air or water.

Notes

Thermal pollution of the air can affect the weather ; thermal pollution of water can threaten plants or animals living in it.