Though this disruption has an affect on the surrounding area, the amount of disruption is less extensive than the mining of fossil fuels. The amount of land used for the excavation and processing of geothermal energy is minute in comparison with other forms of energy. It does not require large amounts of land, no mines or pits are involved, little waste is produced, and it reduces the chance for oil spills. The land that is utilized is also where all of the processing takes place. Contamination of the surrounding surface and ground water can occur when using geothermal energy.
Some discrepancy is found between different sources.
This increase in water temperature does have an adverse affect on the aquatic life in those systems. Neighboring ground water can also have negative effects. Different types of systems utilize and modify ground water in different ways. Like geothermal energy's effects on the surrounding water, it can also alter the air around it. Carbon dioxide is prevented from entering the Earth's atmosphere before exiting the system.