Until then, used fuel is being stored at the plants where they were produced. Aboveground concrete and steel containers, along with water-filled pools are sufficient in storing these wastes. All of American's nuclear power plants together produce about 2,000 tons of used fuel every year. And about 30,000 tons of used fuel are now stored at about 70 nuclear plant sites around the country. This type of pollution is known as thermal pollution.
Thermal pollution is caused by the release of hot water back into bodies of water.
This hot water alters living conditions for the aquatic creatures that inhabit the waters. These bodies of water become oxygen deprived because warmer water does not hold as much oxygen. This disrupts the ecological balance of species. Many safety precautions are taken to ensure that the nuclear reactors do not overheat and thus explode. Plants have sensors that help plant employees monitor the temperature, pressure, and water level.