Rivers and streams in remote parts of Alaska have been turning orange for years. Scientists believe they know what's behind the color change.
Researchers for years have been baffled as rivers and streams across Alaska turned orange, but new research points to climate change as an answer. Scientists suspect the drastic color change is the result of thawing permafrost — which essentially is frozen ground — releasing minerals into crystal clear water, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Earth and Environment. The change could threaten drinking water and fisheries in the area.
'When emergent issues or threats come about, we need to be able to understand them.'The National Park Service previously pointed to Salmon River as a particular point of concern. The water there was 'pristine' before 2019. That summer, the clear water turned orange-green. The discoloration stuck around and there remain orange stains on the river banks. What's in the orange water?Scientists believe that minerals stored in permafrost were released as the climate warmed.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alaska's rusting waters: Pristine rivers and streams turning orangeDozens of Alaska's rivers and streams are turning orange. The staining could be the result of minerals exposed by thawing permafrost and climate change, finds a new study.
Read more »
Melting permafrost could be turning Alaska’s rivers orangeLaura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
Read more »
Alaska's rusting waters: Pristine rivers and streams turning orangeDozens of Alaska's most remote streams and rivers are turning from a crystal clear blue into a cloudy orange, and the staining could be the result of minerals exposed by thawing permafrost, finds new research in Communications Earth & Environment.
Read more »
Sunny & warm in Southcentral Alaska with snow impacting Western AlaskaLingering showers can be expected through the day, although much of Southcentral will remain on the drier side. Out west, winter weather alerts are in effect for up to 10 inches of snow.
Read more »
Alaska legislators introduce Chugach Alaska Land Exchange and Oil Spill Recovery ActNew legislation directing a land exchange between the federal government and Chugach Alaska Corporation.
Read more »
Only survivor of Alaska heli-ski crash speaks exclusively to Alaska's News SourceFive died, David Horvath survived heli ski crash in 2021. Czech billionaire Petr Kellner, two guides, French snowboarder and pilot died.
Read more »