What are the environmental issues or problems with geothermal energy?

Many environmental impacts take place during the building of a geothermal plant. At the beginning of each project, roads and working platforms have to be built so that production equipment can be brought in. These changes to the environment can damage local plants and wildlife. Further, the drilling process can also damage the environment because the deep well will pass through some underground water bodies, which the drilling fluid can contaminate. The increased temperature of the area can kill life forms in the water. Also, the disposal of mud bored out with the drill is a potential environmental problem. Problems can continue to occur when the plant is in operation. The geothermal fluid usually contains gases and dissolved substances that can pollute the environment. Some of them are carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, sodium chloride, boron, arsenic and Mercury. Likewise, if the plant is not maintained properly, hot wastewater can leak into surrounding areas and damage the ecosystem.