FORMATION OF HEAT ISLANDS IN URBAN HABITAT

 UPSC GS MAINS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS


Bring out the causes for formation of heat islands in urban habitat of the world.


An urban heat island is a metropolitan area that is comparatively much warmer than the surrounding rural areas. Formation of heat islands has emerged as a major problem associated with rapid urbanization. There are many reasons behind the formation of heat islands in urban habitats:




1. Concrete, cement, and metal surfaces in urban areas tend to absorb heat energy rather than reflect it, contributing to higher urban temperatures.


2. Cities have a low albedo, the increased surface area of buildings results in more solar radiation absorption than reflection.

3. Construction of skyscrapers generates waste heat and heat that escapes insulation has nowhere to go. Therefore it lingers between buildings in the cities.

4.In densely populated areas tools such as cars and factories are always burning off energy which escapes in the form of heat.

5. The energy used in electric fans and air conditioning ends up contributing to an even hotter UHI(Urban Heat Island).



Urban heat islands often have lower air quality because there are more pollutants being dumped into the air. When warm water from the UHI ends up flowing into local streams, it stresses the native species that have adapted to life in a cooler aquatic environment.


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