Climate warning
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Alaska Government

Climate warning

Alaska's rivers are turning orange. It is an "unexpected consequence of climate change"

Rivers and streams in Alaska are changing color, from a clean, light blue to a rusty orange, due to toxic metals released by thawing permafrost, according to a new study.
The finding surprised researchers from the National Park Service, the University of California, Davis, and the U.S. Geological Survey, who conducted tests at 75 locations in Alaska's Brooks Range waterways. The mountain range's rivers and streams appeared to rust and turn murky and orange over the past five to 10 years, according to the study published in the journal Communications: Earth & Environment.
The discoloration and cloudiness are caused by metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel and lead, researchers found, some of which are toxic to river and stream ecosystems as permafrost melts and exposes waterways to minerals locked underground for a long time, thousands of years.
Studies have shown that the Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the world.
"What we think we're seeing is this ground melting that's happening faster there than other places," said Brett Poulin, a co-author of the study and a professor of environmental toxicology. at the University of California Davis. "It's really an unexpected consequence of climate change."




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26 more agrees trigger social media ads

  • Princess

    35 w

    The rivers turning orange is a glaring failure of environmental management and urgent action is needed.

    1
    • walter lungayi

      36 w

      The discoloration of Alaska's rivers is a concerning indicator of the complex and far-reaching impacts of climate change. This phenomenon suggests the need for further scientific investigation to understand the underlying environmental processes and develop effective mitigation strategies.

      2
      • Elizabeth Gathigia

        36 w

        This is as a result of human wrong and irresponsible activities

        1
        • Ann Nyambura

          36 w

          The idea that these beautiful rivers are becoming toxic is really distressing.

          3
          • We Don't Have Time

            36 w

            Dear Kathia Aguilar Martin Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Alaska Government by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time

            1
            • George Kariuki

              36 w

              This is a terrifying glimpse into the future if we don't act now.

              2
              • Sarah Chabane

                36 w

                I read about this. very worrying!

                2
                • Gorffly mokua

                  36 w

                  This is more than scary!! There is a new study that reveals that toxic metals released by thawing permafrost are causing the color change!

                  2
                  • winnie nguru

                    36 w

                    Nature is really fighting back in awkward and scary ways.. We humans need to wake up and do better

                    6
                    • Gorffly mokua

                      36 w

                      @winnie_nguru This ain't nature, this is caused by reckless human activities!!

                      1
                    • johnte ndeto

                      36 w

                      This is very scary and reckless as human kind contribution to this crisis is really wanting.

                      11
                      • Gorffly mokua

                        36 w

                        @johnte_ndeto True! Human beings are the cause of all this! This should be stopped asap..

                        2
                      • Joseph Githinji

                        36 w

                        This is a concerning revelation that calls for emergency action from the Alaska authorities. The metal contamination of rivers in Alaska is a menace to the environment and must be dealt with before it is too late.

                        11
                        • Gorffly mokua

                          36 w

                          @joseph_githinji Absolutely! An immediate action needed without delay..

                          3

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