Rivers act as 'horizontal cooling towers,' study finds
Monday, April 22, 2013 - 13:21
in Earth & Climate
Running two computer models in tandem, scientists from the University of New Hampshire have detailed for the first time how thermoelectric power plants interact with climate, hydrology, and aquatic ecosystems throughout the northeastern U.S. and show how rivers serve as "horizontal cooling towers" that provide an important ecosystem service to the regional electricity sector—but at a cost to the environment.