The rivers and streams of Alaska are turning toxic, as orange color stains fill the waters.
This rusty color can be starkly compared with the clear and crystal blue waters that the rivers used to have.
Toxic, Orange Waters
The "Metal mobilization from thawing permafrost to aquatic ecosystems is driving rusting of Arctic streams" study discovered that dozens of rivers and streams in the remote locations of Alaska have become orange, as opposed to their crystal blue waters in the past.
Scientists think that this could be due to permafrost melts. When permafrost melts, all the minerals kept inside get released. Such minerals consist of metal ores that could cause the rusty color as it gets exposed to oxygen and water.
The study wanted to delve into the exact cause behind the milky color ever since it was observed by Jon O'Donnell, the study's lead author and an ecologist at the Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network, in 2018.
O'Donnell explained that as they flew around, they began to observe more and more orange streams and rivers. There are some sites that have the appearance of orange juice.
Metals Released
These orange waters could be quite problematic in terms of toxicity. Aside from that, it could also prevent fish migration to areas for spawning.
Researchers gathered stream samples across the Alaska Brooks Range's north. They discovered that the problem was present in 75 locations in the area of study.
The researchers discovered that some of the samples had 2.4 pH levels, when normal levels usually sit at a pH of 8. Such levels typically measure water's basicity and acidity.
This allowed the researchers to see that minerals were breaking down within the water. Moreover, as these minerals were doing so, they ended up releasing metals.
The researchers discovered that copper, cadmium, zinc, nickel, and iron had high levels in the water. They think that iron is the one that yields the strongest effect, contributing largely to the changes in color.
The study notes that such findings are gravely concerning, as the dirty water could severely affect drinking water and Arctic watersheds. The situation is also gravely severe to the point where the bright orange color can be observed from space.
Though the study was initiated in 2018, there have been orange-water cases that went before this. In fact, based on satellite images that the authors examined, there have been such orange-colored rivers since 2008.
Scientists worry that this issue may persist as permafrost melting continues due to climate change. With global warming, permafrost may keep on thawing.
Hence, wherever such minerals are present, streams could end up turning orange and water quality may also degrade.
Because of this, the authors note that further work is necessary to grasp the issue on a bigger scale. Moving forward, the next step would be to check if such streams and rivers can recover from the orange contamination.
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