Building a geothermal energy plant can lead to several potential environmental issues, including:

• Water Contamination: Geothermal reservoirs often contain harmful substances like sulfur, salts, and heavy metals. In open-loop systems, these can seep into local water tables, contaminating groundwater. Closed-loop systems mitigate this risk by reinjecting fluids back underground

• Water Consumption: Geothermal plants use significant water amounts for cooling and replenishing reservoirs. Some plants consume thousands of gallons per megawatt-hour, which can strain local water resources

• Air Pollution: Extraction releases gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and ammonia (NH3). These gases can harm air quality and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, especially in open-loop systems where gases are not contained

• Land Use and Subsidence: The physical footprint of plants and infrastructure can alter landscapes. Extracting fluids without replenishment can cause ground subsidence, damaging structures and ecosystems

• Hazardous Waste: Filtration systems capture harmful substances from emissions, producing toxic sludge that requires careful disposal to avoid environmental contamination

• Noise Pollution: Operation and construction generate noise, potentially disturbing nearby wildlife and communities, although plants are often located away from populated areas

• Induced Seismicity: Fluid injection or extraction may trigger minor earthquakes, posing safety and environmental concerns

While geothermal energy generally has lower environmental impacts compared to fossil fuels, these issues require careful management through design choices like closed-loop systems, reinjection of fluids, emission controls, and regulatory oversight to minimize risks