Thermal pollution is the release of excess heat into water bodies, causing a disturbance in the natural temperature of the water and its surrounding ecosystem. There are several synonyms for thermal pollution, including thermal discharge, heat pollution, and thermal effluent. These terms are often used interchangeably to refer to the negative impact of human activities on aquatic environments, such as the discharge of hot water from industrial processes or power plants. Other related terms include thermal shock, which refers to the sudden changes in temperature that can harm aquatic plants and animals, and thermal stratification, which occurs when water layers separate due to temperature differences.