Experts’ predictions came true. Toxic discovery in rivers
Scientists have discovered a disturbing phenomenon. Analyzes have shown that rivers are becoming a source of huge greenhouse gas emissions, deepening the climate crisis.
Rivers may play a much bigger role in climate change than previously thought. An international team of researchers analyzed data from over a thousand monitoring points and satellite images and found that rivers around the world are warming faster, losing oxygen and emitting more greenhouse gases.
Scientists indicate that the problem is related to human activity. Huge amounts of organic substances and nutrients from agriculture, sewage and urbanization end up in rivers. Microorganisms break down these compounds, resulting in emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
Water in rivers loses oxygen faster than oceans
Researchers analyzed over 5,000 catchments in the world in 2002–2022. The results were alarming. The average oxygen level in rivers is systematically decreasing, and the rate of this process is higher than in lakes and oceans.
At the same time, the concentration of greenhouse gases in water is increasing. According to estimates, additional emissions related to human activity could reach up to 1.5 billion tons of CO2 equivalent during the period under study. Importantly, such emissions have not previously been included in global climate balance sheets.
Rivers become a source of emissions
The greatest changes were noticed where agriculture and urban development are intensively developing. Higher water temperature and a greater inflow of organic compounds accelerate microbiological processes responsible for the production of greenhouse gases.
According to researchers, this creates a vicious circle effect – the more polluted the rivers are, the more they can influence global warming.
It’s not too late yet
Experts emphasize, however, that the situation is not yet irreversible, but repairing the rivers will require much greater commitment. Reducing pollutants entering rivers can stop negative changes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to researchers, river protection is no longer just a matter of ecology, but must be treated as an important element in the fight against climate change.
