What is a primary consequence of cavitation in pumps?

Cavitation in pumps primarily leads to damage and efficiency loss due to the formation and implosion of vapor bubbles within the fluid being pumped. When these vapor bubbles collapse, they create shock waves that can erode metal components and degrade the performance of the pump over time. This damage manifests as pitting on impellers or other parts, which not only compromises the integrity of the pump's components but also reduces the overall efficiency of the system. Cavitation affects the hydraulic performance, leading to a drop in flow rates and increased energy consumption, which can be costly and detrimental to the pump's operation.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of cavitation. For instance, cavitation does not enhance fuel efficiency or pump performance; in fact, it has the opposite effect by introducing inefficiencies. Similarly, cavitation does not result in a decrease in operational temperature; instead, it can lead to variations in temperature due to the uncontrolled conditions created by the vapor bubble activity.