Climate-change-driven deterioration of water quality in a mineralized watershed.
Summary of "Climate-change-driven deterioration of water quality in a mineralized watershed."
A unique 30-year streamwater chemistry data set from a mineralized alpine watershed with naturally acidic, metal-rich water displays dissolved concentrations of Zn and other metals of ecological concern increasing by 100-400% (400-2000 μg/L) during low-flow months, when metal concentrations are highest. SO(4) and other major ions show similar increases. A lack of natural or anthropogenic land disturbances in the watershed during the study period suggests that climate change is the underlying cause. Local mean annual and mean summer air temperatures have increased at a rate of 0.2-1.2 °C/decade since the 1980s. Other climatic and hydrologic indices, including stream discharge during low-flow months, do not display statistically significant trends. Consideration of potential specific causal mechanisms driven by rising temperatures suggests that melting of permafrost and falling water tables (from decreased recharge) are probable explanations for the increasing concentrations. The prospect of future widespread increases in dissolved solutes from mineralized watersheds is concerning given likely negative impacts on downstream ecosystems and water resources, and complications created for the establishment of attainable remediation objectives at mine sites.
Affiliation
U.S. Geological Survey , Denver, Colorado, United States.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Environmental science & technology
ISSN: 1520-5851
Pages: 9324-32
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22897340
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es3020056
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Climate Change
Any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). It may result from natural factors such as changes in the sun's intensity, natural processes within the climate system such as changes in ocean circulation, or human activities.
Water Supply
Source, means, or process of supplying water (as for a community) usually including reservoirs, tunnels, and pipelines and often the watershed from which the water is ultimately drawn. (Webster, 3d ed)
Nitrobacter
A genus of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that oxidizes nitrites to nitrates. Its organisms occur in aerobic environments where organic matter is being mineralized, including soil, fresh water, and sea water.
Desert Climate
A type of climate characterized by insufficient moisture to support appreciable plant life. It is a climate of extreme aridity, usually of extreme heat, and of negligible rainfall. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
Endangered Species
An animal or plant species in danger of extinction. Causes can include human activity, changing climate, or change in predator/prey ratios.
PubMed Articles
The assessment of hydrologic responses to climate change is required in watershed management and planning to protect water resources and environmental quality. This study is designed to evaluate and e...
A method for assessment of watershed health is developed by employing measures of reliability, resilience and vulnerability (R-R-V) using stream water quality data. Observed water quality data are usu...
Water availability in +2{degrees}C and +4{degrees}C worlds.
While the parties to the UNFCCC agreed in the December 2009 Copenhagen Accord that a 2°C global warming over pre-industrial levels should be avoided, current commitments on greenhouse gas emissions r...
Land use change and other human disturbances have significant impacts on physicochemical and biological conditions of stream systems. Meanwhile, linking these disturbances with hydrology and water qua...
Opinions and Knowledge About Climate Change Science in High School Students.
This study investigates the influence of knowledge on opinions about climate change in the emerging adults' age group (16-17 years). Furthermore, the effects of a lecture in climate change science on...
Clinical Trials
Study of the Effects of a Mineralized Water Ingestion Upon Lipidic Absorption Mechanisms
The principal objective of this research is the evaluation of the effect of mineralized water consumption upon evolution of LDL Cholesterol and triglycerides, compared to a low mineralized...
Climate Influence on Physiotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis
The aim of the study was to compare the effect of inpatient physiotherapy in a warm climate versus physiotherapy in a colder climate in multiple sclerosis (MS), in both short- and long ter...
The study will evaluate whether the blood concentrations of eletriptan administered using two test formulations of oral disintegrating tablets are comparable to those observed with the sta...
Evaluation of the Acute Effect of Water-Pipe Smoking on the Respiratory System
Title: The acute effect of water pipe smoking on exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pulmonary function tests in healthy volunteers Objectives: To evaluate the...
Water Induced Thermogenesis in Obese Children
Drinking water is largely advocated for obesity prevention and management. Recent studies have suggested that water has a thermogenic effect, this has not been examined in children. In thi...
