The Kutuk River in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska.
Mountains, dense forests, and many miles of roaring rivers cover the state.
Many areas are accessible only by helicopter or bush plane, particularly the more remote Arctic regions.
The Kutuk River in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. (Photo: Ken Hill / National Park Service)
The findings, recently published inNature Communications: Earth and Environment,suggest that the culprit is climate change.
As the permafrost warms, metals and acids are polluting the rivers of the Arctic.
Satellite imagery suggested the changing river colors began as far back as 2008 and were visible from space.
The Kutuk River in Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park. (Photo: Ken Hill/National Park Service)
There are certain sites that look almost like a milky orange juice.
Testing the waters revealed iron, zinc, nickel, copper, and cadmium.
The waters were often highly acidic, with pH closer to 2.3 as opposed to the normal 8.
The Kugaroruk River showing contrasting waters. (Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
One of the most dominant metals is iron.
Thats what is causing the color change.
Tributaries which turn orange as the iron oxidizes acquire their rust color.
A tributary of the Kugororuk River. (Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
They then feed into larger rivers, mixing with waters which still remain clear.
Theres a lot of implications, ODonnell added.
Permafrost melting and changing river water may have scary implications for drinking water and wildlife.
The Anaktok River where clear and orange waters mix. (Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
The salmon populations in Alaska may be particularly affected.
Permafrost can also release other long trapped things, such asancient plant DNAorfrozen viruses.
The Kutuk River in Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park.
A tributary of the Kugororuk River. (Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
(Photo: Ken Hill/National Park Service)
The Kugaroruk River showing contrasting waters.
(Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
A tributary of the Kugororuk River.
(Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
The Anaktok River where clear and orange waters mix.
The orange waters of the Kugaroruk River tributary meet clear. (Photo:Josh Koch, U.S. Geological Survey)
(Photo: fig.
4,O’Donnell et al.)
The Akillik River in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska turning orange. (Photo: fig. 4,O’Donnell et al.)
