Answer the following question given this paragraph: 

If heated water is released into a body of water, it may cause thermal pollution. Thermal pollution is a reduction in the quality of water because of an increase in water temperature. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and factories. This water is heated and then returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature.


Q: What happens when heated water is released into a body of water?


A:
thermal pollution