Thermal Pollution Practice Test

Dissolved oxygen decreases, stressing fish and invertebrates; warm water also increases metabolic rates, raising oxygen demand and mortality risk downstream.

Dissolved oxygen increases because warm water holds more gas; fish become more active and populations expand rapidly in the warmed reach.

Nitrate concentrations rise directly from heat, causing eutrophication; temperature changes have little effect on oxygen solubility or aquatic organisms.

Salinity rises as water warms, forcing freshwater species to migrate; thermal inputs primarily change ionic strength rather than oxygen levels.