In northern Alaska, the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident. Dozens of rivers and streams have turned rusty orange due to minerals in the water caused by melting ground below the surface. This phenomenon, which has been linked to the rapid warming of the Arctic region, poses significant risks to drinking water and fish habitats in the area.
Researchers from the University of California, Davis Campus have been studying the impact of melting permafrost on water quality in northern Alaska. The study found that as permafrost melts, it exposes minerals to oxygen, increasing oxygen content in the water and releasing metals such as zinc, copper, and iron into the water. Iron is particularly visible and can be seen in satellite images of affected rivers.
According to NPS ecology researcher Jon O’Donnell, who traveled across northern Alaska documenting and sampling rivers affected by this phenomenon with researchers from the US Geological Survey and NPS, orange rivers have become more common as they flew over the region. The disappearance of local fish species and a decline in benthic animals and microbial communities that support the aquatic food web highlight the significant implications of these changes on ecosystems.
The study warns that orange rivers can be toxic to humans and animals that consume them, hindering fish migration for spawning. The rapid warming of this region at four times global average highlights urgent need for addressing impacts of climate change on water quality in Alaska.
The first observations of orange rivers were made in 2018 which led to loss of local fish species and a decline in benthic animals that support aquatic food webs.
This study underscores how important it is to address climate change urgently before it causes irreparable damage to our planet’s ecosystems.
