The phenomenon of melting ice and the coloring of rivers
Traditionally, during this time of year, snowmelt in Alaska often offered the image of crystal clear waters flowing quickly through rivers and streams. However, in recent years, the rivers have taken on an orange hue. The reason? Climate change. According to a study, the change in color in these fresh waters is due to the melting of permagel, releasing minerals that were previously trapped under the frozen ground and that now color rivers and streams.
The impact on the ecosystem
This unexpected impact of climate change has been observed in some of Alaska’s most pristine rivers. Thawing permafrost exposes minerals to oxygen, triggering a phenomenon known as weathering. This chemical reaction increases the acidity of the water and dissolves metals such as zinc, copper, cadmium and iron, the latter being the most obvious metal that turns rivers a rusty orange color.
Consequences on the ecosystem
The orange color of the waters not only has a visual impact, but also affects the quality of drinking water and represents a risk to fishing in the area. This phenomenon hinders the life of plants in the area, endangering the survival of other living beings, including fish and other animals that depend on the river, as well as humans.
Rapid warming of the area
Oxidation is a seasonal phenomenon that occurs in summer, especially during July and August, when the soil thaws at greater depths. Researchers seek to understand the long-term implications of changing water chemistry in sites with continuous permagel, including Arctic regions such as Alaska, Canada, Russia and parts of Scandinavia. These areas, particularly the Arctic, are warming at least two to three times faster than the rest of the planet, warns Scott Zolkos, an Arctic scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
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