Thermal pollution, is more prevalent near

Options

A. Hot water springs
B. Coal based power plants
C. Temperate zones
D. Tropical zones

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Thermal Pollution**:
- Thermal pollution refers to the degradation of water quality due to changes in ambient water temperature. This typically occurs when industries or power plants discharge heated water back into natural water bodies.

2. **Identifying Sources of Thermal Pollution**:
- The primary sources of thermal pollution include industrial processes and power generation, particularly those that use water as a coolant.

3. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Hot Water Springs**: While they do release warm water, they are natural phenomena and not a significant source of thermal pollution.
- **Coal-Based Power Plants**: These plants often use large amounts of water for cooling. The heated water is then discharged back into nearby water bodies, raising the temperature and causing thermal pollution.
- **Temperate Zones**: These are regions with moderate climates and do not inherently contribute to thermal pollution.
- **Tropical Zones**: Similar to temperate zones, these areas do not specifically relate to thermal pollution as a significant source.

4. **Conclusion**:
- After evaluating the options, it is clear that thermal pollution is most prevalent near **coal-based power plants** due to their reliance on water for cooling and the subsequent discharge of heated water.

### Final Answer:
Thermal pollution is more prevalent near **coal-based power plants**.

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