Scientists Are Worried as Alaska Rivers Are Turning Orange

According to the researchers, the orange color likely results from metal ores within the water. The potential environmental hazard demands immediate and thorough investigation, the scientists say.

However, a new study funded by the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the University of California discovered that numerous rivers in the state have turned an unusual orange color, which many suggest is highly toxic.

According to the researchers’ findings, the reason behind the orange color in the Arctic streams stems from metal ores released into the waterways due to permafrost melts. The rusty color may have come as a result of the metallic minerals’ oxidation.

O’Donnell, an ecologist for the NPS’ Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network, decided to bring several researchers together to investigate the orange mystery. “The more we flew around, we started noticing more and more orange rivers and streams,” O’Donnell summarized in a findings summary.

“There are certain sites that look almost like a milky orange juice. Those orange streams can be problematic both in terms of being toxic but might also prevent migration of fish to spawning areas,” he said.

The researchers discovered that the water’s pH level was around 2.3, whereas the typical average is generally around 8.0 pH. This suggests that the water is highly acidic.

The results of their tests indicated a high level of various metals in the streams, including iron, zinc, nickel, cadmium, and copper. All of these metals appear to have affected the color of the water. However, the researchers believe that iron has the worst effects.

However, the rising toxicity in the water levels will also negatively affect the Arctic watersheds in general, resulting in a weakened ecosystem for every living creature in the region.

“The stained rivers are so big we can see them from space,” Brett Poulin, an assistant professor of environmental toxicology at UC Davis who was an investigator in the research, said in a statement. “These have to be stained a lot to pick them up from space.”

“The issue is slowly propagating from small headwaters into bigger rivers over time,” Ph.D. candidate Taylor Evinger, who also worked on the research, said in a statement. “When emergent issues or threats come about, we need to be able to understand them.”

“As the climate continues to warm, we would expect permafrost to continue to thaw and so wherever there are these types of minerals, there’s potential for streams to be turning orange and becoming degraded in terms of water quality.”

First and foremost, the researchers want to determine whether the streams and pathways can recover from the contamination. If not, it then suggests the surrounding regions may begin to experience significant problems in the future due to the toxic waterways.

These rivers, feeding into fisheries and acting as a source of sustenance and cultural identity, now pose health risks due to contamination.

These efforts aim to preserve their cultural heritage and ensure access to safe, clean water.

This disruption affects not only the fish but also the animals and birds that rely on them for food, potentially leading to a cascading effect on the region’s biodiversity.

These measures are critical to maintaining the ecological balance and preventing the loss of biodiversity that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.

Tourists, drawn to Alaska’s pristine wilderness, are deterred by the environmental degradation, leading to reduced revenue for local businesses that depend on eco-tourism.

These measures are designed to prevent further contamination and ensure rapid response to environmental threats, safeguarding both human health and the natural environment.

Policymakers may also need to consider partnerships with federal agencies and environmental organizations to enhance regulatory frameworks.

These incidents highlight the widespread impact of climate change on northern regions, where warming temperatures are altering natural landscapes and creating new environmental challenges that require immediate attention and global cooperation.

The increased runoff from melting glaciers has altered the water quality, affecting local wildlife and communities, specifically increasing the flood risk.

These occurrences parallel Alaska’s situation, demonstrating that northern ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate-induced changes.

Sharing knowledge and strategies among these affected areas can lead to more effective solutions and bolster efforts to combat the broader impacts of climate change on Arctic environments.

Strengthened policies, scientific innovation, and global cooperation are essential to mitigate these effects. By understanding and responding to these challenges, we can work towards preserving Alaska’s natural heritage for future generations.