Alaska's orange rivers more toxic than mine waste, study finds
Alaska's rivers are experiencing noticeable changes in color and chemistry due to thawing permafrost. This phenomenon results in natural acid rock drainage releasing metals into the water. Six watersheds in the Brooks Range were studied to assess these changes over recent years. The acidic waters carry increased sulfate and metal levels, affecting downstream ecosystems and communities. Scientists…
Bright orange river plumes in Alaska's Brooks Range caught scientists' attention in 2018, appearing far more acidic and metallic than water from metal mines, according to a new University of California, Davis study. Published in the journal AGU Advances, the research examined six affected watersheds within national parks and preserves in northwest Alaska.
The findings revealed that metal concentrations can travel long distances, up to 60 miles (97 kilometers) downstream, becoming up to 70 times more toxic. While the river's mainstem did not become more acidic, buffering the pH, the study highlights the potential for metals to be transported over long distances as permafrost continues to thaw due to climate change.
The research, conducted between 2022 and 2024, demonstrated abrupt spikes in sulfate and zinc concentrations in 2019, followed by a recovery phase. Although there have been no reported adverse impacts on wildlife or people, scientists are continuing to investigate the risks associated with this phenomenon.
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